Letters of the Month

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Sylvia, I just want to say "thank you" for pinpointing my gelding's problem. I had emailed you last fall about his having such a problem with being sensitive about his back end to touch and movement. I did a bunch of ground work with the help of your changing eyes lessons. I put ropes & eventually tarp on him while doing your ground exercises, having him change sides (eyes) continually, letting the objects fall off of him until he was accepting & relaxed. He is still very quick to respond, but his reaction is more relaxed & controlled, not explosive like before. He & I have enjoyed many trail rides this spring & he is doing great. I had almost given up on him!

J. H. - Cobden, Illinois

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Daryl, can you just tell your wife, Sylvia, that I JUST LOVE HER! We were about to give up one of our horses because she just didn't want to do anything. She had been a show horse for years prior to us purchasing her, but when we got her, she just didn't want to "work." My daughters HATED riding, because this horse would never act right. With some e-mails to your wife, this horse is now trailing quite nicely.

You guys have built an awesome web site, and Sylvia just seems so patient, and she is very responsive with e-mails. I really wish she could have a show on RFD-TV!  Me getting the Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD tapes (for my husband for Father's Day) is definitely the next best thing! I am sure he will really enjoy them! I've watched many different horse shows on TV, and have gone to horse shows as well. Oftentimes, I walk away with incomplete information. Many people forget to explain WHY certain things need to be done, but don't show HOW it is done, or visa-versa. Sylvia actually takes the time (and she has no problem sending a lengthy e-mail to get her explanation across) and explains not only HOW to do something, but WHY it is necessary. Many people show how their horses are "already great." Many tapes assume that you already know what you're doing, neglecting to explain "why" something needs to be done. I need that, because we are not there yet. That was the reason why I purchased Sylvia's tapes. She is so detailed in e-mail and also in her Q&A section of her web site, that I can only imagine how great she is on her tapes!

Again, thank you both for being such great horse people! I really thought about you guys often during the V-Tech incident. I hope your son is doing well (by the way, I love hearing about him and seeing the photos), and I hope you guys continue to be blessed!

Both of you -- keep doing what you're doing, because you both do it well!

Thanks again!

T. T. - Upper Marlboro, Maryland

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Sylvia, I'm not sure if you remember me. I own the ex-racehorse whom I bought from my mother. Well, the great news is that I rode him today! He did great! For a horse that everyone said was too aggressive and would take at least until the end of the year to ride, I'd say that's pretty damn good! I just wanted to tell you thank you for everything! From your web site to your quick, sincere responses to my emails, you have been a great source of encouragement! I believe I may very well take your advice and go into the horse training business after all. I just wanted you to know that you gave me the confidence to do what I've done. Thank you so much! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

J. A. - Glendale, Arizona

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Hello Sylvia. I purchased a yearling thoroughbred filly about three weeks ago. She is pasture kept 24/7. We went through a short "honeymoon" period where everything was wonderful, but I soon began to have problems entering the pasture. She would race toward me, teeth bared, ears pinned back, then swerve to kick. Entering the pasture became a safety issue. I was desperate to figure out what had caused the change and what she was trying to tell me. I found your web site and saw your instructions on how to become the alpha mare in the pasture. I was a little apprehensive this weekend when I entered the pasture with my lead. Sure enough, she came at me, and I began to twirl my lead rope, kick dirt at her, and "Shhhh!" at her. I could barely believe my eyes when she suddenly retreated! I stood still and she slowly began to graze, working her way toward me. Once she reached me, I could see her little mind working, and she pinned her ears back momentarily but did not act on her mischievous thoughts. I told her what a good girl she was for coming to me, rubbed her face and neck, and clipped the lead rope to her halter. I'm sure that my hands were shaking as I was waiting to see what else she might do. I led her out of the pasture and we had a wonderful time with her grazing outside the pasture! I repeated this several times on Sunday, and although she still continues to "think" about being naughty, she has not acted on it, and I reward her by attention and "outside the pasture" outings. I am going to read all of your tips! Thank you so much!

P. G. - Internet

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Good morning, Sylvia! I'm very happy to report that I've moved my horse this past week [as you recommended] and she seems to be LOVING where she's at. It'll still be a while before I can ride her, though, as the wound by the cinch area was scabbed over, but it came off and now it's a new, fresh wound all over again! Oh well, time will heal. I had the greatest compliment from her as I could possibly receive on Saturday. I went out there to introduce her to the outside arena and let her run and explore. She did that for a short time, and then came back by my side and stayed there. Every time I moved in a different direction, she was right there at my side, going with me. I'd like to think she did that out of respect for me to be her "guardian human." At any rate, I was floating on a cloud when I got home. They seem (so far) like very nice stable owners and they're doing everything they can to make the transition smooth - they even transported her for nothing! That's the update for now. I can't thank you enough for your care and concern during this challenging time in my and my horse's life. I'm so glad it's part of our past!!! I thoroughly enjoy your monthly newsletter - how awesome. The content is thorough and easy to understand and you go in great depth to answer questions! Absolutely the best web site I've come across for horse info. - you are to be congratulated!!! Have a good day, and have a good vacation in June!

R. B. - Seymour, Wisconsin

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Hi Sylvia. Thank you very much for your kind, timely assistance on the "leading problem" I was having. You were right on target when you said "...it will happen quite fast...1-2-3..." and that it did. I am now working on the cue to move forward at walk or trot with a simple kiss or cluck, along with getting the horse to rate at my speed and not lag behind or get ahead. Overall coming along quite well and I again thank you! Best regards and keep up the great work!

D. B. - Manteca, California

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Hi there. I just wanted to drop a quick e-mail just to say thank you for the notes you gave me about racers. I have just come back from my 2-month job at a race horse facility in New Zealand. It was an amazing experience which I will never forget. I don't think I would have been as confident as I was without the notes and main ground points you gave me beforehand. So thank you very much!

J. - New Zealand

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

Hi Sylvia. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy watching your DVD on Round Pen Leadership.  I think I've watched it 6 times now, and I'm sure I'll watch it at least 4 times more before my horse and I get into the round pen. I even have made notes, and made big "note" sheets that I can take to the barn with me - kind of like "flash cards" for math. (I'm a visual learner)

I was so excited about what I saw on your DVD, and so confident it is the right solution, that I have negotiated with the owner of our stable to get in a 60' round pen (6' high) ASAP. They couldn't afford one till later this year - which wasn't soon enough for me - so I proposed to pay for it, in lieu of horse boarding and we shook hands on it. The ground has been rock-picked and harrowed and they are erecting the round pen today. All that will be left is to get some skinny horses in there grazing down the grass they seeded this spring, then start loading in a few inches of sand for footing (there's too much sand in the arena anyway). It should be ready to use by this weekend! If it isn't I'm going to start loading the sand in there myself!

My horse is a fairly dominant stubborn guy, as I've mentioned in my previous messages, and in his 13 years with his previous owner, he got used to being turned out to a huge pasture for the winter, and left alone for a great horse vacation. Well when I bought him last year that all changed. He was kept in a smaller paddock through the winter, and I rode him for lessons and training on average of 2-3 times/week. He is still pretty choked about that, he missed his winter vacation. We just moved to a new stable June 1 because my trainer moved there, and my horse was put in a beautiful big field with other geldings. Well, he thought he'd died and gone to heaven...and he also figured it meant he was now on that vacation he missed out on. So catching him became a HUGE problem. Last Saturday, it took 5 of us, we had to catch every OTHER horse in the field first, and still could not catch my horse. If I'd have had a gun, I'd have shot him. Thank heavens my farrier was early - he was in there trying to help catch my horse too. Took us 1.5 hours to get a rope slung over his neck and haltered. Basically we just tired him out.

I knew my problem is mainly because he does not respect me enough as "alpha" and that's my fault. And he knew that in that field he did not have to be caught if he didn't want to be. I also knew the only place to fix the problem was in a round pen; that was the only place I could change this, and earn the respect as leader. That's why I ordered your DVD. I'm so glad I did, because I am now so motivated and encouraged that I can solve this problem.

So I am really excited to get in that round pen with him, and practice the techniques I have learned from watching your DVD. My horse and I will learn them together. I even confess that I have been "practicing" my movements with my head, my "point" and how to quickly throw that rope. Hopefully when we come out of that pen in 2 or maybe 3 sessions, we will have a changed/improved relationship, where he is more willing to accept me as his leader, as the "better horse." And he will understand and willingly respond to my "come" gestures in the field when I want to catch him.

I hope my next message to you will be telling you all about our success!

Thanks, Sylvia!

J. B. - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

LETTER OF THE MONTH:

June 2007

I am enjoying this so much! We are about to watch your Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System 3-DVD set this weekend together as a girls night out! Thank you so much for all your work and support! Blessings!

T. D. - Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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

Email: Sylvia@NaturalHorseTraining.com

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