Sometimes a love for something becomes a cause. This is the nature of my life with horses. My business is called Whole Horse Training. My mission statement includes the words: “Making Life Better for Our Animal Friends.” I do that with my bodywork for horses and dogs. But, on a larger scale, I want to help make the world a better place for horses. A place governed by a new paradigm for equine management based in fairness and respect.
I have an insatiable quest for knowledge. I love to learn and I love to share what I learn with others. One way I do that is by writing articles and case studies. The articles below chronicle some of the amazing experiences I have had with horses and lessons they have taught me. As you read them, please keep in mind that many were written several years ago. The experiences remain valid though most would be seen through different lenses if they were to be written today.
I have received several emails from people who have seen problems they had with their horses in new light after reading one of these articles. Perhaps this will be true for you. And if so, I’d love to hear from you.
I have an insatiable quest for knowledge. I love to learn and I love to share what I learn with others. One way I do that is by writing articles and case studies. The articles below chronicle some of the amazing experiences I have had with horses and lessons they have taught me. As you read them, please keep in mind that many were written several years ago. The experiences remain valid though most would be seen through different lenses if they were to be written today.
I have received several emails from people who have seen problems they had with their horses in new light after reading one of these articles. Perhaps this will be true for you. And if so, I’d love to hear from you.
Published Articles
What Every Rider Needs to Know About Equine Dentistry
This article first appeared in Peggy Cumming's Connected Riding Newsletter.
A revised version was then printed in Natural Horse Magazine, Volume 4, Issue x, 2002 – Equissentials. It was revised again (mainly reinstating the criticism of the use of power tools) for Linda Tellington-Jones' TTeam Connections Newsletter. 
|
Why Do Bodywork on Animals?
The idea of providing bodywork for animals is catching on, but the understanding of the practice needs refinement. The bottom line is that animals need regular bodywork in order to maintain optimum physical comfort. Weak conformation, individual histories of use or injury, and consequences of lifestyle contribute to discomfort ranging from occasional tight muscles to acute or chronic pain.
|
Putting Your Training On Target
Clicker Training or Operant Conditioning can be extremely useful when working with horses. I have used it to teach horses to stand quietly by mounting blocks, accept fly without overreacting and turning water crossing from terrifying propositions to fun adventures. Do I feed treats? You bet I do and none of the horses I work with are grabby about food. I even clicker trained Fred to take treats nicely using food.
| ||||||
From the Peanut Gallery
Vaccinosis: An Issue Worth Pondering
I grew up believing that vaccinations provided the body with a way to identify and fight off ill affects from specific diseases. When I worked at a vet clinic, one of my jobs was to send out reminders to pet and horse owners to help them avoid the dangers of falling behind on their animals’ booster shots. When I first encountered ideas that went against my convictions, I thought the people that were speaking to a condition they called vaccinosis were crazy. Then Purchase Power, my equine soul mate, changed my mind.
|
Reflections from Carolyn
Vaccines and Immunity:
| |||||||
| carolyn_libby_interview_nhm.pdf |
High Touch Jin Shin -- Energy Balancing for Your Horse
After meeting Peggy Cummings and finding Connected Riding®, I gained an acute understanding of the importance of maintaining a horse that is happy and healthy in mind, body and spirit. I found and fell in love with love of Jin Shin, an ancient Japanese healing art that is easy to learn and profound to use. Every rider needs tools to help horses feel their best and Jin Shin supports horses on a deep, energetic level. This article will introduce you to the "language of Jin Shin" the High Touch® Way, a method developed and as taught by Betsy Ruth Dayton, M.Ed. based on her studies with Mary Burmeister.
| jin_shin_-_natural_horse_magazine_volume_5_issue_2”.pdf |
Granite's Return to Riding
Every horse I meet teaches me something
and the patience they have for my process, which at times has been
extraordinarily slow, never fails to amaze me. Granite is a professor
extraordinaire. He has been one of the most complicated horses I’ve ever encountered
and every day I look at him and wish I had known then what I know now, knowing
that he is not only one of the best teachers I’ll ever know; he is also one of
the most forgiving individuals I will ever meet. This article chronicles one
small part of our journey together.
|
My Lessons from Strider
Kate and I had high hopes for Strider when we brought him into the fold. He was to be a show horse and help us take the idea of a kinder, gentler way with horses to the world. But we didn’t have him long before we knew something wasn’t right. This article records the series of mysterious events that eventually led to giving him to a person who promised to retire him to a rescue situation. I later learned that she did not keep that promise and rode him after all. Different strokes for different folks, but at Strider’s expense. I became even more cynical about vet checks, breeders, and promises made than I had been before.
| ||||
