The first time I saw Ray Hunt give a clinic, I would ask the person seated next to me “What’s he doing now?” I was not new to horses, but new to “natural horsemanship” as it was called. Ray would say “See the change?” I saw all sorts of changes and did not know what I was supposed to be looking at. It was not easy for me to learn. It was a lot easier for me to learn after I saw clinics where there was more explanation. I also appreciated and got much more out of watching the Ray Hunt clinics after that, too. I don’t know if you are familiar with Greg Eliel, but at his clinics he asks people if they learn more by hearing or seeing, etc. and tries to communicate in a way that they understand best. The old way was to learn by observing the master, which for me was very slow.
You have absolutely identified the difficulty with the old school of teaching, which in some ways was not really teaching at all. I am familiar with Greg Eliele but never had the opportunity to take a clinic with him. Heard all good things.
Thanks. I agree. Tape is good. By the way, I really do use duct tape on my gloves, and it has extended their lives remarkably! I guess the lesson from Tom Dorance was both literally and symbolically useful.
Great thought and thanks for mentioning the Dorrance brothers and not just Tom. Reminds me of a time I was cantering up the long side of an arena. There was something attached to the fence and flapping in the breeze near the other end (on the outside of the fence), where I was headed. When we got close, my horse kind of jumped to the side (just in case!) and I didn't, so I ended up on the ground. A trainer that was watching me noticed exactly when my horse noticed the flapping thing, which was way before he actually jumped to the side, so that didn't surprise him (the trainer) at all. Point being, I should have noticed it when my horse did, and been ready for his reaction.
Thanks for your very self aware comment. Interesting that the trainer saw the situation developing and admirable that you recognized that he did and you didn’t. Beyond that there’s nothing like intimate contact with the ground ,suddenly ,to further our education! I’ll bet you read the signs better from that point on.
Thanks. Wasn’t sure how yours would feel about this one. Glad to see it’s generally being understood and well received. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching.
I am working with a sketchy horse pregnant with an unknown history that tells me all the time that things might go wrong if I don't take a different road. Everyone thinks she is "so calm" but I can hear her screaming at me "you better not" all the time.
@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses You have a very good Channel, with excellent content. I was in no way taking away from your efforts. Pat is one of the few Old School 'Californio Style' horsemen left. When his generation is gone, it will be lost forever. It really is sad.
I guarantee the owner did not "get it." At any boarding barn I've ever been at, mostly women, they are so worried about what color their halters are, or if their blankets coordinate with their leg wraps, they aren't paying ANY attention to anything potentially hazardous or worrisome. Either you come out and tell them, and make an enemy, or just keep your mouth shut. Subtlety doesn't work with these ladies. lol I appreciate old school, old cowboy ways, sadly most of today's "horse women" do not. They think "oh, they are so mean" when it comes to male trainers, and THAT is the main reason trainers are changing their tactics, not because of the horse, but because of the owners. Its like trying to teach a classroom of spoiled toddlers who have never been spanked. lol
Well, you must know a different bunch of women than I do. Certainly there are idiots in both of the old fashioned genders and probably most of the new ones as well but it has more to do with personalities than sexual at least in my experience.
The first time I saw Ray Hunt give a clinic, I would ask the person seated next to me “What’s he doing now?” I was not new to horses, but new to “natural horsemanship” as it was called. Ray would say “See the change?” I saw all sorts of changes and did not know what I was supposed to be looking at. It was not easy for me to learn. It was a lot easier for me to learn after I saw clinics where there was more explanation. I also appreciated and got much more out of watching the Ray Hunt clinics after that, too. I don’t know if you are familiar with Greg Eliel, but at his clinics he asks people if they learn more by hearing or seeing, etc. and tries to communicate in a way that they understand best. The old way was to learn by observing the master, which for me was very slow.
You have absolutely identified the difficulty with the old school of teaching, which in some ways was not really teaching at all. I am familiar with Greg Eliele but never had the opportunity to take a clinic with him. Heard all good things.
Thanks for reminding us. This is probably the top lesson in working with horses. Its so darn easy to forget about the tape!
Thanks. I agree. Tape is good. By the way, I really do use duct tape on my gloves, and it has extended their lives remarkably! I guess the lesson from Tom Dorance was both literally and symbolically useful.
Loved this, The glove story could mean prevention is better than cure or be aware of potential issue before it becomes an issue❤
You are spot on. Either interpretation works.
I really like that analogy with the glove, and I'll be stealing it the first time it's applicable. Good share Mr. Gailey!
You are welcome to it.
Great thought and thanks for mentioning the Dorrance brothers and not just Tom. Reminds me of a time I was cantering up the long side of an arena. There was something attached to the fence and flapping in the breeze near the other end (on the outside of the fence), where I was headed. When we got close, my horse kind of jumped to the side (just in case!) and I didn't, so I ended up on the ground. A trainer that was watching me noticed exactly when my horse noticed the flapping thing, which was way before he actually jumped to the side, so that didn't surprise him (the trainer) at all. Point being, I should have noticed it when my horse did, and been ready for his reaction.
Thanks for your very self aware comment. Interesting that the trainer saw the situation developing and admirable that you recognized that he did and you didn’t. Beyond that there’s nothing like intimate contact with the ground ,suddenly ,to further our education! I’ll bet you read the signs better from that point on.
Fantastic!!!
Thanks for the positive comment! It’s what keeps me going.
Love this !
Thanks. Wasn’t sure how yours would feel about this one. Glad to see it’s generally being understood and well received. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching.
I am working with a sketchy horse pregnant with an unknown history that tells me all the time that things might go wrong if I don't take a different road. Everyone thinks she is "so calm" but I can hear her screaming at me "you better not" all the time.
Sounds like you’d better not.
So the guy with the horse was just left to guess whatinthehell the potential problem was. Not helpful.
True. On the other hand, learning can’t always be passive.
Wanna watch a Horseman?
Watch Pat Puckett.
I do. I agree.
@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses You have a very good Channel, with excellent content. I was in no way taking away from your efforts. Pat is one of the few Old School 'Californio Style' horsemen left. When his generation is gone, it will be lost forever. It really is sad.
No offense taken. I watch everything he puts up.He is preserving an important tradition.
@hermgaileyalifetimewithhorses He has sure brought Chinaco a long way. Made him into a good sound horse.
Huh?!
Wasn’t sure what the huh was for but it’s sort of that all purpose comment. Thanks.
I guarantee the owner did not "get it." At any boarding barn I've ever been at, mostly women, they are so worried about what color their halters are, or if their blankets coordinate with their leg wraps, they aren't paying ANY attention to anything potentially hazardous or worrisome. Either you come out and tell them, and make an enemy, or just keep your mouth shut. Subtlety doesn't work with these ladies. lol I appreciate old school, old cowboy ways, sadly most of today's "horse women" do not. They think "oh, they are so mean" when it comes to male trainers, and THAT is the main reason trainers are changing their tactics, not because of the horse, but because of the owners. Its like trying to teach a classroom of spoiled toddlers who have never been spanked. lol
Well, you must know a different bunch of women than I do. Certainly there are idiots in both of the old fashioned genders and probably most of the new ones as well but it has more to do with personalities than sexual at least in my experience.