Letters
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Sylvia
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LETTER OF THE MONTH:
- December 2005
I have really enjoyed the tips you have shared and the one thing that makes you stand out is that you're not afraid to give information out. Unlike other trainers -- they try to refrain from going into depth. They only want you to buy their line of products. This here has turned me away from them and made it so I'm more willing to spend my money with you than others. I'm really interested in acquiring more of your books or videos when you have them completed... thank you very much and I hope to attend a clinic soon and meet you personally.
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
Hi Sylvia. Well, today is a very rainy day and I just came in from "alpha maring" my 2 1/2 year old gelding. I was feeling frustrated until I really sat down and read some of the articles on your web site about biting. Now I am feeling a sense of renewal! This gelding of mine was showing signs of stallion when he was 6 months old! So I sent him to live with a very tough herd. Two dominate geldings and a very dominate alpha mare. He worked his way up to 3rd in line out of the four horses all together. After almost two years out in pasture with some handling ~ hooves and grooming, he is back home with me. One habit that was picked up was mouthing anything. I mean putting a coat or lead line in his mouth and literally just holding it there. The cowboy who allowed me to house him there thought it was fine. He liked my little guy! Not much I could do about it then.
He has been home 3 months now. Has adjusted to a new way of life with me being lead human. I also have two mares that insist that he pay attention. Except that mouthing! I have been very consistent about running him off, NOT playing the tag game that he played before. There is respect but not enough! One day he did not like me leading him down to pasture, he opened that mouth, I took the lead line and let him have it yes, under the jaw. This worked great ~made me feel like ~*&% but it worked, for three days! Oh boy.
I want to say to those old school ways that the reason it feels wrong is because it really is! It's the wrong message! I also followed this same advice from the cowboy. Since I have been following my own instincts which are a lot like the Alpha mare's he gets the message. It is very good to free lounge him as well, he understands that. And the results are longer!!! I have always owned female horses, there really is a difference I feel. I had to get over the talking and get into the action with herd language. Thank you for devoting the time that you do to write about what the horse sees; us HUMANS should be grateful.
I want you to know that I really appreciate the way you have encouraged folks to soak in "all" credible horse teaching people and techniques! I think this goes along with self empowerment for owners which in turn helps the horses. Thank you again! I am putting your products on top of my Xmas list this year!
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
Sylvia -The horse I have been working
with, with bucking and sudden stops at the canter, is a
whole new horse now. I have been applying your round-penning
and one-rein stop techniques with her for two weeks now.
Not daily but about 5 times in the round pen over a two
week span along with your desensitizing and "sacking
out" techniques. I discovered she was sensitive
to the saddle shifting at the higher gait, she was definitely
not trusting nor comfortable, which was obvious with
her body language, and she had some eye-changing problems
[as you indicated]. We "joined up," and she will
follow me on the "invisible lead rope" consistently
now. We understand each other now and she trusts and respects
me as her leader. Her body language is calm and relaxed.
Her history from what I am told at the ranch is that she is about 7, been doing the bucking thing for some time now, and was beaten in the arena by one of the so-called trainers in an attempt to beat the bucking out of her. The man gave her her head completely, let her buck as hard as she could while he beat her flanks with a rope until bloodied. This was after attempts to turn her into a roping horse failed because she would buck at the start of the run and just as the rope was thrown. Often throwing the rider. They concluded she was worthless and could not be broken of this problem.
I wasn't told the whole "scoop" other than she is a bucker, which I have ridden in the past. I have always just ridden through it, anticipating the buck, and would not give the head, often forcing the horse into a spin until they gave up. This is how I was taught. But the horses I rode with bucking problems were usually bucking when they were refusing to do what I ask, like going in a particular direction, etc. The sudden stop really took me by surprise, ultimately sending me right over her head into the dirt. I dislocated my AC joint in my shoulder and almost knocked myself out. I was surprised that she seemed surprised and stayed by my side instead of following after the lead horse still cantering up ahead. I was a little confused by this behavior and it sent me venturing through the Internet searching for new suggestions. I can ride most bucks, but a sudden stop like that? Good Luck!
Needless to say, I found your web site and sent you an email. Voila! Here we are at the present.
We rode together on the trail for the first time in almost 3 weeks and it was pleasant. It was almost like a completely different horse! She went from jumpy, skittish, and always prancing to almost a plug! I'm going to need new reins for my bridle! She keeps her head at a nice "western pleasure" level now, my barrel racing reins are too short! We have only walked and trotted on the trail today. I haven't attempted the canter yet and plan to do this in the safety of the sandy arena. She now seeks affection from me both while mounted and while I am on the ground now. I am in heaven!
Thank you SOOOO MUCH!
- R. B.
- Hauula, Hawaii
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
Hi Sylvia! It is with great thanks that I have come across your web site, and I love that it is all set out in "layman's terms." Sometimes some of this NH stuff can seem a bit mysterious and seems only for horse people who have "spent their lives" around horses if you know what I mean????
Thank you so much also for your wonderful help and advice; what a lovely surprise to get such a good reply so very quickly. It really gladdens my heart that there are people out there just willing to help and its not all about money. I am definitely ordering your products!
- H.
- New Zealand
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
Sylvia: I just wanted to let you know that Prince the "spooky horse" you worked with is doing great. I can't believe how much he has learned. He drops his head to a low level when I walk into the field. He has been such a pleasure to bond with. I can see a big difference in his eyes (so soft). I would love to make another appointment for him. Thanks again for your help. I'm so thankful I found you!! You are a true blessing. Hope to see you again SOON.
W. H.
Radford,
Virginia
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
I used the plastic bag near my (bratty biting) colt's eyes as you suggested when he got aggressive. I went to grain him, and it worked amazingly…so well in fact, he let me in the stall brush him, comb his mane and he also let me reach up underneath him to see if he has dropped yet, one has the other hasn’t..it took 4 or 5 times with me snapping the bag eye level and he did exactly what you said, he took off outside the stall…and only came back in when I said he could...tickled me and my husband to death at his respectful demeanor, although my husband was a little jealous I think, 'cause he has hand raised 5 born there..tee hee. I am checking out everything on your site, thank you so much both for the response and your site!
- F. H.
- Internet
LETTER OF THE MONTH:
December 2005
Hello, Sylvia. I was thrilled when I found your web site and learned about round penning. I am a first time horse owner of a 4-1/2-year-old paint. I followed your instructions on round penning and desensitizing to touch and it worked perfectly - just as you said it should. Thanks so much!
A. R.
Staastburg,
New York
If you have a horse problem or question and you
don't see it addressed in TRAINING TIPS or if you
would like to share your success story with our
natural horsemanship training methods...
- Contact Sylvia Scott
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