Archive for the ‘Horse Communication’ Category

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration…to see just what is possible when it comes to our relationship with our horses. Not all of us are going to be master trainers or world reknown natural horsemen, but we CAN all have a clear, honest and loving relationship with our horse.

This is a collection of videos that I find inspiring…

Honza Bláha & Gaston

Jean François-Pignon

Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling & Janoch

Alexand?r Nevzorov- Haute Ecole

Christa Miremadi, creator of Horsemanship from the Heart and professional photographer, Kristina Belkina, are in the process of putting together a DVD to help exlpain what Horsemanship from the Heart is…

It will be filled with Read the rest of this entry »

 By Christa Miramadi

*Note from Faye- I really enjoyed this article from Christa and thought I would share it with everyone. Enjoy!*

A Personal Connection …

Developing a feel is not something that happens overnight.  It’s not something that you can read about in a book and “get” and it’s not something that you can pay someone to find for you.  It’s a personal connection between you and the horse you’re riding and developing this feel takes patience, practice and dedication but in no way is it some impossible aspiration.  Anyone can develop a feel if they try.

What is a feel anyway? Read the rest of this entry »

By Christa Miremadi

Develop more confidence in your horsemanship… with a few practical tips!

How is it that most of the trainers and clinicians out there can make horsemanship look so easy?  Why is it that re-enacting some of the apparently simple exercises is never quite as simple as it looks?  How can you develop the easy-going, quiet, confidence of the pros?

If you’ve ever asked yourself (or anyone else) any of those questions, I have a tip for you.  This could very well be the most important tip you could get and if you take it seriously, I guarantee you, you won’t just come across with more confidence, you’ll be more confident!

Get to know your gear!!

And I mean really get to know it.  Your lead rope, your halter, your carrot stick, whatever it is you use, get to know it like it’s part of you.

There are very specific ways to use your equipment and if used improperly, anything is capable of hurting your horse. Read the rest of this entry »

By Christa Miremadi

Most of us who are pursuing a gentle, respectful way of being with our horses like to refer to our ways as soft.  We like to look at how we work with

Natural Horsemanship- Softness & Balance

 our horses as being balanced and gentle and we hope that others who watch us working with our horses will notice how soft and balanced we are too.

Horses are gentle, quiet creatures with big hearts and a bold spirit.  For centuries humans dominated, abused and used these animals against their will, relying on muscle and strength, ropes, chains and restraints in order to “break” their spirit and “bridle” their power and skills.  Using horses for transportation of goods, people, supplies, working cattle, sport and pleasure, hunting and war, horses served people and provided mankind with progress of all sorts. 

Somewhere along the way, a few cowboys realized that horses would likely be willing to do the same job, possibly with more heart, if they were given the ability to learn it in a gentler manner.  Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most natural ways you can care for your horse is to just hang out with them.  Horses are social animals (as we all know), but sometimes we forget that most of them also love hanging out with us.  That is, of course if we have developed a good trusting relationship with them.

Try taking your time when you next go to halter your horse.  Make it their idea by waiting for them to put their nose into the halter.  Use your body to send the messages of invitational intention.  We call this con su permission, with your permission.  If you approach your horse using this “attitude” and body language, they will usually respond by moving into you.  Just stand and patiently wait.  Curiosity will bring them close to you.

Don’t reach out to touch as you normally would, let your horse reach out to say hello to you.  Use the back of your hand when you do reach up to touch your horse.  There is much less energy from this part of your hand than an open palm.

Become a better observer of what makes your horse comfortable and equally notice when he or she is uncomfortable.  Most of us miss the subtle cues.  I have often turned my body sideways to my horse and drawn myself away from him.  The result is the invitation to join and walk with me.  This is a beautiful thing when one doesn’t have to do anything other than create the invitation for join up.

Always remember to bring your breath low into your belly.  This will help your horse also breathe better as they will be more relaxed and your energy will feel more comfortable.

Write back and let us know what you noticed this week!

Today as you go about your day remember the lessons we have taught you.  Struggle less, center yourself, and stand tall in the world.  Your voice is worth being heard (herd!).  We will support you each day.  Just ask for what you need and we will be there.  Like your guardian angels, we will whinny our support into your heart.

Allow yourself to feel today.  Emotions are the messages of the soul.  We listen to them and use them as information.  They help create that sacred space of possibility.  There is no greater gift for you today than to know that we love you unconditionally.

May the horse be with you as you step out onto the path of the world!

This morning as I fed my herd, I heard some faint whispers for each of you.  They said –

Be at peace today, we are.

You were born to do something magnificent with your life, we are

Do not struggle, it is all really simple if you allow it, we are

Practice wu wei today, the art of doing nothing, we are

Stand majestic, in grace, as a creator of your day, we are

Breathe in the beauty of your life as you receive, we are

Exhale to make room for all that is, we are

And most of all remember, we are!