tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post4957326039001949839..comments2023-11-30T04:11:25.341-05:00Comments on What was I thinking.....?: Levels of BadWolfiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-54776189713944817062013-03-31T16:30:30.999-04:002013-03-31T16:30:30.999-04:00Hope you are feeling better, Cjay.
You know, I ...Hope you are feeling better, Cjay. <br /><br />You know, I have no idea why he stood like that, but I am grateful that he did. Perhaps it's the draft in him. But you have brought up a good point. There were other horses there that didn't really move either and I wonder if it is because of being trained to wait for their turn to compete (reining).<br /><br />And I agree re Gem's mouthiness. As long as LA and I are managing it so it doesn't get out of hand, then that's what counts. He is who he is. Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-2774452670083358382013-03-31T16:22:56.911-04:002013-03-31T16:22:56.911-04:00I am so envious of your trail rides!!! The picture...I am so envious of your trail rides!!! The pictures you post are my dream rides. :-) 45 minutes does seem excessive, but when I asked, SLT indicated that sometimes they have 15-20 horses in a competition. Yikes! <br />Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-37660293723859067312013-03-31T16:06:47.453-04:002013-03-31T16:06:47.453-04:00I think people forget that there isn't one uni...I think people forget that there isn't one universal way for horses to behave. What one person deems acceptable is not the same as what someone else accepts. And that's okay. If you don't mind Gem's mouthiness, then who cares if he does it? He's not endangering anyone or himself and you don't mind it too much, so the guy doesn't have any right to be concescending towards you.<br /><br />I only know a handful of horses who could stand for 45 minutes without misbehaving, but they're all experienced trail horses who are used to taking long breaks and take the time to have a nap, which isn't exactly desirable for Halter. We had debated taking Artemis to a few halter shows, just to expose her to the show atmosphere but after I read up on it a bit more, it was a little too demanding for my tastes. And neither of us have the patience to try and teach her to stand perfectly for an extended period of time.Cjayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768186691473461646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-39858736009150893142013-03-30T15:59:56.172-04:002013-03-30T15:59:56.172-04:00OMGosh! As much fun as it might be too wear bling ...OMGosh! As much fun as it might be too wear bling and show off to other people, I would be so miserable participating in halter classes with my horse. Totally not my thing, and I'm sorry, but I don't think it does much to build up a bond and relationship with your horse...more like totalitarian authoritarian, perhaps. I'd rather just dress up me and my horse in blingy fun stuff and trail ride. It's not other people, I am trying to impress anyway. It's just the fun I get to share with my horse.<br /><br />Good for you for working through that experience without losing your patience or temper. I don't have the patience for standing around with my horse for 45 mins waiting for someone to finally come over to us. And I certainly do not have the patience nor understanding for anyone who would try to man-handle and force me or my horse to "behave". <br />Maybe that works with 14 yr olds, but not for the 47 yr old chic! lol!<br /><br />You go girl! Enjoy your handsome Gem for who he is and the affection he has for you!<br /><br />~Lisa Laughing Orca Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562627840013868980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-63486354633915103762013-03-28T15:55:42.366-04:002013-03-28T15:55:42.366-04:00My back was starting to get a bit sore from standi...My back was starting to get a bit sore from standing! He was great and so patient! I may have influenced the alert look; whenever the trainer wasn't looking I whispered to Gem telling him what a good boy he was. :-) <br /><br />Unfortunately, my experience with trainers and instructors (watching clinics, etc.) is that they focus on negatives. I have actually been told by a trainer that pointing out negatives is how a rider learns. It appears that LA is different - thank goodness! :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-55387866140547763442013-03-28T14:20:28.153-04:002013-03-28T14:20:28.153-04:00I think you and Gem did a fantastic job, and I'...I think you and Gem did a fantastic job, and I'm mightily impressed with the 45 minutes of standing still, especially as Gem had to look alert too - it's very unnatural for a horse to stand still for that amount of time and I'm sure my girls wouldn't manage even half that time!<br /><br />Pity the clinician was so condescending instead of being encouraging and supportiveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-42819781899219784632013-03-28T10:45:07.234-04:002013-03-28T10:45:07.234-04:00Perhaps your horse was trying to give you kisses t...Perhaps your horse was trying to give you kisses to show that you were the best for him, too. :-) Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-48001336073709052822013-03-28T10:39:38.894-04:002013-03-28T10:39:38.894-04:00My husband golfs. I always look at golfing as jus...My husband golfs. I always look at golfing as just hitting a ball around nicely cut fields. Then I took lessons. Holy crap, it's a lot harder than it looks. Halter is sort of like that. It looks simple because the people who are doing it are really good. :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-50649816859076795592013-03-28T10:37:15.528-04:002013-03-28T10:37:15.528-04:00I have a much better appreciation of the dedicatio...I have a much better appreciation of the dedication it takes to compete in halter! Wow. <br /><br />Thanks for the explanation! I understand now how squaring the legs would give a smooth view for the judges when looking front to back.Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-41686112286017652092013-03-28T10:27:17.617-04:002013-03-28T10:27:17.617-04:00I can understand why LA wanted me to do the clinic...I can understand why LA wanted me to do the clinic. It's very precise work and it really does promote communication between horse and handler. But even I found 45 minutes a long time to stand. <br /><br />One of the things that I have zero tolerance for is a condescending attitude! Out of respect for LA and my fellow clinic mates, I kept myself in check. It was hard. :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-69698894539726661812013-03-28T10:23:26.539-04:002013-03-28T10:23:26.539-04:00I like how you think, Lauren. :-) And, you know,...I like how you think, Lauren. :-) And, you know, I find his oral fixation cute in some ways...in my mind, it shows that he's interested or trying to communicate. I am aware though that given the wrong circumstances, it can escalate. Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-90976354401101521982013-03-28T10:20:40.022-04:002013-03-28T10:20:40.022-04:00Thanks, DD!!Thanks, DD!!Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-81829436165184872122013-03-28T10:20:28.479-04:002013-03-28T10:20:28.479-04:00I am with you. If I had wanted a cardboard cutout...I am with you. If I had wanted a cardboard cutout, I probably would have bought one of his horses. ;-) Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-45175186504778651372013-03-27T23:02:01.935-04:002013-03-27T23:02:01.935-04:00The best horse I ever had was mouthy. So what? L...The best horse I ever had was mouthy. So what? Loved that guy so much, and miss him every day.Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13944121836337072178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-27352865779709002132013-03-27T21:49:33.489-04:002013-03-27T21:49:33.489-04:00Well, I think you did great! When I was younger an...Well, I think you did great! When I was younger and in 4-H it was a requirement to do the horsemanship thing, reading this really took me back to those classes. Not a class I enjoyed, but I did learn a lot, mostly patience. My little pony...not so much, but I loved him anyway, just like you and Gem. :)Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04068684611506771719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-50404445438689997732013-03-27T20:06:45.425-04:002013-03-27T20:06:45.425-04:00After 45 min of waiting I would have been board an...After 45 min of waiting I would have been board and dancing too, and I love halter and showmanship. Its too bad that the trainer didn't take the time to work with both of you in a more positive attitude. <br /><br />You want the horses legs square to present an even/same picture on each side of the horse. Having one leg further back can do things to a horses hips/backs that make them look uneven and could hide faults. Often the placement of a hind leg can be improved by moving it an inch or two from where the horse would 'naturally' like to place it. Halter and showmanship can look silly, but it is as much of a science as putting down a good trail pattern.Justaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-18019340986876097272013-03-27T15:29:44.768-04:002013-03-27T15:29:44.768-04:00I've never done the halter thing but it sounds...I've never done the halter thing but it sounds boring to me. Sorry if I offend anyone who does it. I can see the purpose of having a horse stand quietly on the ground and listen to your cues but I'm sure the horses get bored too. When we used to go to shows I'd sometimes have to stand for hours holding Erik, Lifeguard or Mellon. They all had good ground manners but would like to walk around once in a while. Erik used to like to put his two front feet on the grooming box with legs I carried just to break up the monotony I think. <br /><br />I'm very proud of you and Gem I think he did great and so did you. Nice job keeping your temper in check. I can take just about anything from a professional except a condescending attitude. Some horses are mouthy and some have a threshold of when they've had enough. I'm pretty sure you know Gem well enough to know that he's a character with a sense of humor but also a horse who will do what you ask when it really counts. I'm glad you had a show-em-how-it's-done ride after the clinic. Good for both of you.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-9599265379436017942013-03-27T15:12:19.224-04:002013-03-27T15:12:19.224-04:00You know, sometimes I think horsemanship should be...You know, sometimes I think horsemanship should be defined as what is acceptable between the horse and its rider. I, like you, don't expect or need my horse to be a statue for 45 minutes. Maybe if I was showing AQHA halter I would, but I kind of find the oral fixation a bit cute in some ways.Laurenhttp://www.shemovedtotexas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-23260123583113463922013-03-27T13:26:18.000-04:002013-03-27T13:26:18.000-04:00Gem is awesome, and so are you! Gem is awesome, and so are you! detroit doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636798112379229385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-6538639044836454832013-03-27T13:21:39.417-04:002013-03-27T13:21:39.417-04:00Yeah!! Way to go, Gem and you too, Wolfie, for not...Yeah!! Way to go, Gem and you too, Wolfie, for not letting THAT ... man have the last word! I'd rather have/see a horse with character than a cardboard cutout that only 'performs' when you press a button. Anyway, having waited so patiently for 45 loooong minutes, I think Gem deserved praise, not the c***ola Mr.Professional dealt out -- humph!! Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058665356922189006noreply@blogger.com