Maike Nowak’s book, She Who Dances With Wolves, altered my view on communicating with dogs greatly. Here’s a passage from the book that I wish I could put on a banner and run through the city with: “If you survived a plane crash with a group of other people, through some kind of miracle, and landed in a jungle, you …
Humanima’s Booklist: Prodigal Summer
Prodigal Summer is a great snatch . I started it a while back: picking it up, forgetting about it, repeat… Then, about two months ago, I picked it up and finally got addicted. There are three different stories being weaved together in this book, and the whole theme seemed to be discussions. Those vital questions in life are being discussed …
City Dogs
I’m visiting Berlin this week with the dogs – my “private dog” (Mowgli) and the two dogs I’m training as guide dogs for the blind. It’s been interesting observing the dogs here on the bustling city streets of Berlin! Some are so calm and cool, trotting next to their human’s bike – through traffic, through crowds… nothing phases them. Then …
Being Happy!
Hmmm!
Tire Toy
The wall of the indoor arena where I ride is lined with toys. On Saturday, I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, nor to fill up the entire arena with random things. Just one simple object that I could get creative with! As I reached for a hula hoop, my hands landed on a… bike tire! Not the tire itself, but …
Timeliness
“With horses, sometimes there needs to be focused pressure to find the right answer even though they may think it is the most terrifying puzzle and can’t solve it. The trick is to keep up the pressure, but not push for WHEN the decision is made. It is enough pressure just to face that fear. Timeliness comes later. “ – …
The Center of Everything
“‘(…) Yes, I do believe humankind holds a special place in the world. It’s the same place held by a mockingbird, in his opinion, and a salamander in whatever he has that resembles a mind of his own. Every creature alive believes this: The center of everything is me. Every life has its own kind of worship, I think, but …
Basic Principles of Dressage, Naturally
There’s a different way to look at what dressage has become. There’s more to add to what natural horsemanship has become. I love what Karen Rohlf has done to bring both worlds (dressage and natural horsemanship) together. For inspiration and clear tips (humans love lists, right??), here is one of Karen’s lists that I find helpful when I’m in need …
Off the Leash
People’s bodies and energy change when their animal no longer has a leash or lead rope on. Perhaps they are calm and confident when they have “control”. It may seem they have a good communication with their animal, but you can’t overlook the drastic shift in connection when the line comes off. What these people are missing is a fairly …
Within Yourself
“My goal with the horse is not to beat someone; it’s to win within myself. To do the best job I can do and tomorrow try to do better. You will be working on yourself to accomplish this, not on your horse.” – Ray Hunt