“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” Anonymous

Rarely does one enter a restaurant, peruse the menu, and then recite to the server a list of items that are not only undesired, but are NOT even on the menu. It would be ludicrous, a waste of time and make no sense to the server. Yet we do this all the time when working with and training horses.
I recently discussed this with a client who shared another human example. The command “don’t run on the pool deck” is commonly heard by children at aquatic centres. But think about it: “don’t run”… what is really being said? Can they skip, skate, jump, or dance? Or do we just want them to walk? By focusing on what we don’t want children to do we are leaving a big gap in communicating what we want them to do. The same with horses.
Why do we do this? Why do we often put extra effort in transmitting what we don’t want our horses to do? Why not be clear from the onset?
I believe it’s the Reader’s Digest version of managing behavior. In other words, a short cut. For example, if I don’t want my horse to run me over when I lead him to his paddock I may make quick corrections like shanking and hitting. It may work in the moment but my horse may never know what I really want. He may even be confused as to why I am hitting him. Worse, he may end up rebelling at anything I ask because he is afraid of getting hit.
Managing behaviour in this way can be effective in the short term but it is a band aid solution which never works in the long run. It doesn’t work for society, doesn’t work in raising kids and certainly doesn’t work with horses. In fact, it usually makes matters worse. The only positive to this method is that it is quick and there is a sense of accomplishment, however misleading, we’ve done something to stop the behaviour. The problem is that the behaviour seldom stops for long and may evolve into something even less welcome.
Teaching horses what we want them to do takes TIME, CONSISTENCY and PATIENCE. There are few shortcuts. The rewards, however, are great. Once the horse knows what is expected and is praised for it, the poor behaviour stops and the relationship of trust between horse and rider deepens.
For example: A clients states that she doesn’t want her horse to crowd her and pin his ears when she is feeding him. Okay, I say, what would you rather him do? Be respectful, she says and give me some space. Awesome, I say, let’s teach him that.
Training horses is a humbling experience. It requires us to check our ego at the gate, dig deep within and be accountable to not only our horse but to ourselves. In being responsible for providing a nurturing environment for our horses and supporting them in becoming confident, happy and well adjusted beings, we support ourselves in the same goal.
This is heart centered leadership.

We all know how important it is to build confidence in our children. It is a key component in them becoming well adjusted, resilient adults. But how do we fair at building confidence in our horses to help them realize their true potential?
Imagine you are in grade one. It’s the beginning of the school year and everything is new. It feels like you are away from all that is familiar and comfortable. Your teacher begins the first lesson and, with little experience and a lot of uncertainty, you try to understand and be a good student. In fact, you want to be a good student. The teacher, however, doesn’t quite see this and the only time you hear his or her voice is when you have done something wrong. Perhaps the teacher is really misguided and lets you know in a harsh voice. In an environment like this, it wouldn’t take long to feel disheartened, insecure and perhaps even fearful.
Although we may decry this form of teaching as harmful to our children, it is still quite common to not only witness people treating their horses this way but to see nothing wrong with it.
A few months back I began working with a young horse. He was full of energy and, like any youngster, easily distracted by this new world he found himself in. As we started training he quickly validated my beliefs. When I rewarded his good behavior and efforts he calmed. The more positive feedback I gave the more receptive and eager to learn he became. With each reward, whether in words, a good belly rub or a treat, he would relax with a deep breath then drop head while licking and chewing.
Over time, this horse has become more comfortable, willing and confident in the arena. Although he is still energetic, with continued positive feedback he demonstrates an increased ability to focus at his tasks.
I employ positive training with all horses. It not only increases their skill and confidence levels but makes for safer interactions: horses develop trust in their rider because they sense an openness to relate and a desire to create safety; the rider, meanwhile, deepens their trusts in their horse because of the positive response.
I encourage you to make a big deal the times your horse gets it right. Celebrate, have a party but, most importantly, communicate a big YES that they are doing good.

Since attending Suzanne Clothier’s and Dr. Kirby Wycoff’s outstanding workshop on the ethical considerations of animal assisted therapy two weeks ago, my mind has been a whirlwind of information and ideas. 

In reflection I sense layers of learning that will continue to unfold but for now one thing stands out.  It is an assessment tool developed by Clothier, a renowned author, speaker and dog trainer. This tooldistills down to the root of what it means to be in relationship with six elemental questions. The most important of these being: how is this for you? 

When we open with this question to another being whether a horse, a dog, chicken or human, we allow for an opportunity to understand the other’s perspective.  We show that their opinion matters.

But with any question we have to be prepared for the answer. And this is not always easy.  Hearing the answer to your question requires not only patience and understanding but an open heart to withstand vulnerability, fear, anger and confusion.  This question and all its richness has been front and center for me this week.

A few days ago, I trailered three of my horses to Matway Farms. Although Anam Cara is still my home and the centre of my business, this new barn has a covered arena … at Matway I can offer year round coaching, training and programs. The issue, however, is that Babs, Shady and Jake, the three horses that came with me, did not have a choice in this move. It created an intense internal struggle for me. Although I knew they were the best choice, based on personality and adaptability, and that it was a good business decision, I also knew they would feel stress and anxiety with the move.

With my new tool kit and years of experience of walking the herd through transitions I asked them: how is this for you.  I listened deeply and felt their wavering sense of safety. I saw their longing to be close to one another and the confusion it created when I separated out one of them to work with a client.  I told them I heard them, that I know it is difficult and that I am asking a lot. 

This transition will take time as anyone who has ever moved house will know. But the real beauty of this experience has been with my clients. I have walked and talked with them to bring them to awareness of the horses’ discomfort. With joy, I see my clients respond with compassion.

When we see Shady lift his head and whinny for the other horses we talk about how he is feeling. I encourage them to ask him questions, to listen to his response; to feel into his fears. The result has been nothing but rewarding. Although we may feel frustrated that Shady may not do as we ask, an understanding is created and his need to feel safe is prioritized.  All of our “should bedoings” fall by the wayside as we focus on deepening the relationship between us and them.  My clients have opened their hearts and the herd is responding.

And all of it stems from one simple question: How is this for you?

Coaching/Training/Boarding

Matway Farm, Abbotsford.

Heart Centered Horsemanship

Are you looking for a community of people who are

heart-centered in their approach to partnering with horses?

Carla Webb of Unbridled Potential Equine Services and

Empowered By Horses has spaces available (Nov. 1)

for a new venture in reining and mindful horsemanship.

The Facility: Matway Farm

• Bright coverall arena with new reining footing

• Large sand outdoor arena

• Round pen

• Box stalls with crusher dust in/outs

• Hog fuel paddocks for box stalls with no in/outs

• Field turnout almost year round

• Free trailer parking

• Wash rack (hot water)

• Lounge, washrooms and tack room

• Good quality local grass hay and grain (any supplements provided by the horse owner will be provided at feeding)

• 3 km ride to Douglas Taylor Park

• HCBC membership required

Philosophy: Compassion, Mindfulness and Heart-Centered Leadership

• Carla specializes in relationship-based training built on compassion, communication and connection through groundwork, liberty and mounted techniques.

• The goal is to support physically healthy and mentally happy horses while creating a fun and safe riding experience.

Coaching & Training Goals: Basic Horsemanship to Competitive Reining

• A deeper understanding of your horse’s perspective and how you impact the relationship

• Compassion with yourself and your horse in the learning process

• Mindful interactions with your horse whether grooming, training or riding a trail

• Clear communication with your horse

• Positive leadership styles

• Being open to learning new ways to partner with horses

Additional offerings

• Techniques for moving from a bit to bitless bridle

• Music and movement techniques to enhance skill, coordination, improve focus and connect more deeply with your horse

• Preparation for competitions

• Clicker training

• Consults on what horse to buy, train or partner with in a therapeutic context

• Clinics taught by guestfaculty offering the leading edge in conscioushorsemanship, training and heart centered leadership.

Boarding and Training Fees

• Full board – $525 +GST /month

• Semi board $420 +GST /month

• Call or set up a meeting to discuss coaching and training packages.

My goal is to create a friendly and supportive environment for people and their horses

Preference given to those seeking training and coaching in addition to board.

To learn more about all programs and to have a better understanding of our philosophy please visit www.unbridled-potential.com and www.empoweredbyhorses.com

Contact Carla 604.809.3494 or carla@unbridled-potential.com

Volunteer opportunities coming soon. Empower teen girls with our not-for-profit arm!

I went to a BodyMind practitioner the other day. She was as you would expect: gentle and patient; centred and well grounded; non-judgmental and quick to notice any incongruent behavior on my part. It was a satisfying session. When I left I scratched her nose and offered her a carrot. My practitioner, you see, was a horse.

I wasn’t expecting a session when I went out that day. My intent was to interview Carla Webb, a natural horsemanship coach/trainer and wellness coach, who combines her two talents into the relatively new field of Equine Guided Development™ (EGD™).

I arrived at Carla’s farm early that morning with some trepidation. My last experience with horses had found me trotting up a trail in complete mortification: my tube top had vibrated down my nine year old chest and I was at wits end trying to stay on the horse let alone pull the top back up.  Moreover, trotting up and down like a Singer sewing machine with a belly full of popcorn is just not pleasant. Add trail-raising dust that clogs your nose, coats your mouth and dries your eyes and monster kamikaze flies to the mix – flies, by the way, you cant swat because you are hanging on for dear life – you get the picture: I hated horseback riding and, by extension, horses. Yes, I had some trepidation.

Carla was fine with my nervousness even when, in a moment of fear inspired childhood regression, I called the horses things. As in, what if I cant control these things?! But after drinking some rich espresso and discussing an equine inspired philosophy of life my fears slowly started to dissipate. Hard not to as you watch three horses graze contentedly in a sun-drenched pasture doing something I’ve never fully been able to accomplish, the fine art of doing nothing.

Linda Kohanov, in Riding Between the Worlds, writes that horses have perfected the art of doing nothing, what Chinese Taoists call wu wei. In the stillness of “not doing”, our sensory perception fine tunes. With horses, sensitivity to the environment heightens to the point where they open to the emotional intention of other animals, especially predators. Kohanov states that prey animals such as “[h]orses, zebras and deer will often graze unconcerned as a lion who has recently eaten a big meal walks right through their pasture. Yet when an agile carnivore is on the prowl, the herd will scatter long before the cat can get close.”  This aspect of a horse’s survival is why they also make excellent therapeutic partners. In the natural state, horses are prey; humans are predators. Because of this, horses are alert to a client’s inner state, more so perhaps than the therapist or the client themselves.

Our coffee finished, my fears diminished (or so I thought), we made for the pasture. Carla lives on seven acres of gentle rolling grassland and aged maple-cedar forest on the Langley-Abbotsford border. Ravens regularly make their appearance as do eagles, deer, and of course, the ubiquitous summer fly. This time, however, my hands were not otherwise trying to save my life and I felt free to swat.

My first exercise was to pick out a horse with which to work. Standing a short distance away I gave myself time and space to observe the small herd. Allowing information to come to me, I bypassed Babs and Shady – too skittish, I thought, and chose May. May was presenting exactly what I felt I needed at the time – solidity.

I found out later that one of the reasons we know horses are alert to our inner states is that they tend to act as mirrors. Carla states that a horse will often be anxious, irritated or otherwise, around a client who is masking similar internal emotions with a calm exterior. This news did nothing for my pride as I realized that Babs and Shady were not so much skittish as mirroring the parts of myself that were still nervous. I consoled myself thinking that May saw through it all by reflecting my grounded parts. The other truth about horses is that because they act so well as mirrors, they are also excellent at inviting projection, the act of placing one’s own characteristics, emotions or thoughts onto another being or object. My experience with May was no different.

Carla and I walked May to the round pen, a rather large fenced-in corral. I was invited to sit outside and allow May to “tell” her story through observing her behaviour. This is a useful exercise in EGD™  using projection to help clients get to know themselves better. Within minutes, “solid” May was agitated, feeling abandoned and sensing that life had passed her by. As I “heard” her story, it quickly became apparent it was really my story she was telling. Or at least the way I was feeling due to an earlier event that had triggered me into old thought patterns.  Then, watching Babs come visit over the fence, I sensed May, and by extension myself, feel reassured that we were not alone, that we both had supportive social networks. Finally, moving to the centre of the pen, May awkwardly got to her knees.  (Carla says that even a sprightly colt looks awkward in this process.)  She rolled over and gave herself a nice back rub in the sandy dirt. Yes, I thought, self care is awkward for me too at times.

As an EGD™   facilitator with a leaning towards wellness coaching Carla uses her observations and stories from the sessions to help clients move on from their blocks and develop their true potential. I was there to see the possibilities of using horses with BodyMind therapy. As a practitioner I work to empower my clients, increase their self awareness and encourage a creative response to life. I use a variety of techniques that are useful in achieving these goals but one specifically is to gently work with defensive behaviour helping to make it more conscious. Once our defences are conscious, we can then decide if we want to continue doing life in the manner the defences have chosen for us.

In the next exercise, my initial intention had not been to work with horses on this technique but rather to see how sensitive they were to changes in my energy field. I chose Babs, a beautiful, small in stature, Palomino. Standing in the centre, I grounded deeply and expanded my energy field while she cruised the inside perimeter of the round pen. Babs’ ears (the horse’s radar) constantly orientated towards me despite distractions from other horses, people sounds from afar and general life on the farm. I then called in my energy, pulling it down, deep within the earth, inviting her to approach me. When the invitation proved irresistible she walked the five meters towards me stopping about a body length away. Directly in front of me, I continued to pull in my energy, inviting her to come closer. She did not come forth. I ended the exercise and in talking with Carla was reminded that when horses respect you, they respect your boundaries. I wanted to argue the point stating that regardless of Bab’s respect for me, I had been inviting her to come closer. Then it hit me – the invisible had become visible. The defensive energetic boundary I had used for years to feel safe by keeping people away; the same boundary I had worked for years to be more flexible and conscious, was still yielding some power. In making that defence visible, Babs had opened up a door that I had not known was still closed.

My BodyMind training has taught me to accept and honour the different parts of myself – the various feelings, thoughts and behaviours that make up the person I am today.  It provides me with a foundation of safety: empowering me to take responsible leadership over these parts with their seemingly diverse wants and needs.  Working with horses provides a concrete manifestation and validation of these teachings. Chris Irwin, in Horses Don’t Lie, states that “[h]orses don’t lie — they always tell the truth with their bodies”. From my own experience in working with these 1000 lb gentle and honest beings, I found I was hard pressed not to experience that truth as my reality.

Jo-Ann Svensson is a BodyMind Practitioner and writer in West Vancouver, BC

Back when we were first envisioning what equine empowered programs would entail, I knew leadership training would be the foundation from which everything else would emerge.  From years of working with horses I already had a sense that leadership skills were one of their greatest gifts to humans. Through the creation of Empowered By Horses and Unbridled Potential programs, however, it soon became apparent that we would have to veer away from the traditional ideas of leadership and really honour the way of the herd. It wasn’t long after that the concept of heart centered leadership was born.

If you ask people to define leadership the response is generally wide and varied with both positive and negative traits included.

Some traits suggest leaders are bossy, inflexible, arrogant, overbearing, uncaring and pushy with a disinterest in listening to those he or she leads.  Others say a leader must be inspiring, good at delegating, a visionary, hard working, influential and charismatic.  In reality, many leaders are a confusing mix of the two, creating distrust and even fear from those that attempt to follow.

Heart-centered leadership is different. 

Heart centered leadership is understanding that while the leadership role needs consistency, it is also fluid.  In a horse herd there can be multiple leaders or, more accurately, a different leader may arise depending on the situation at hand. With this type of leadership, skill and character are more important than fixed titles.

A heart centered leader will recognize that others have certain strengths that he or she does not.  They encourage and empower those in their community to bring forth and share their area of expertise and understand that conscious power sharing is a win-win situation for all.

Being a heart centered leader also means being a good listener.  These leaders listen deeply, not with the intent to respond but to really hear the other members of the herd.  It is about collaboration, respect and community rather than competition. With heart centered leadership everyone is important, feels worthy and has a sense of belonging.

Heart centered leadership is about tuning into the wisdom of your own heart, staying true to yourself in the face of opposition or disapproval.  It is standing up when you may be the only one standing but also knowing when to hold your silence for the greater good of the herd. It is about being able to step into the shoes of another while compassionately walking together, side by side.

Finally, being a heart centered leader is a commitment to nonviolence. There is reverence for all life, and an appreciation for the earth. It is about being compassionate, courageous, and ready to do what needs to be done.  Being a heart centered leader is a journey.  It drives positive change, challenges our inner most thoughts and feelings to their highest potential, and empowers all those in its wake to do the same.

Join us at Anam Cara Learning Center to find out how you can enhance your life with equine empowered heart centered leadership.

Have you ever been bucked off, she asked.  I began to smile and chuckle inside, not because at that moment I remembered any one incident, but because I had been around horses my entire life.  Most horse people believe it will happen sooner or later; it is an initiation of sorts.

It was my client who asked me this question as we discussed horse behavior and training.  As I slowly rode her mare around at a gentle walk, I pondered this question more thoroughly. I began to search through my ‘getting bucked off’ memory files and much to my surprise, came up with the two occasions that I was bucked off (at least two that I haven’t blocked from memory).  Now, this is certainly not the only times I have come off a horse.  There were plenty of times I ended up on the ground for a multitude of reasons, most are worthy of laughter and shaking of the head.

The most recent time I was bucked off was about 6 or so years ago.  It was one of the best and hardest learning experiences that I have had, not only with respect to horses, but to life as well.  During this incident, Shady and I had been together for about four years.  I had spent hours and hours both on the ground and in saddle getting to know my best horse friend.  Shady has been a teacher for me in so many ways, one of which was teaching me about the discipline of reining.  Over the years I began to feel that he would always take care of me and in that, I could trust him implicitly.

I had him tied near the tack stall and sensed there was an energy about him that was heightened.  He was somewhat predictable in that he is affected by the weather, perhaps to a greater degree then other horses.  In the winter months, he typically has more energy and this day was no exception.  I also had noticed that he was a little more unsettled as I began to tack him up.  His head was raised and his eyes were very wide.  This look wasn’t familiar to me.

We walked into the covered arena; I climbed upon his back and began to walk around.  Immediately I felt the tension in his body and the feeling of explosive energy quivering underneath me.   The uneasiness I felt in every part of my body formed thoughts that rushed through my head “maybe I should just dismount and put him back in his stall” “this doesn’t feel right” and  “I am scared”….BUT then the flood of ego directed thoughts took over squashing the gut response I initially felt. “I am a good rider,” I can’t let him get away with acting this way,” and “what will the other rider’s think?  I am a scaredy cat.? NO WAY!

I continued to ride pretending that I wasn’t afraid; after all aren’t we supposed to conquer our fears right?  I hoped that allowing Shady to trot and expel some of this pent up energy would bring him back to a more neutral demeanor.  It didn’t.  In fact he became more rigid and tense and I sensed that he was having a difficult time trying to contain himself.  My own body began to tense up in anticipation of an explosive outburst.

My next tactic was to let him lope with the expectation that THIS would release his energy nice and easy.   Much to my surprise, Shady began to crow hop which quickly turned into full on bucking.  Within half a circle I hit the dirt.  My landing was hard but nothing that caused any long term physical pain or injury.

My body was shaking with this sudden hit of adrenaline and I began to weep.  Within minutes I began to feel massive pain, but it was emotional pain.  I questioned my relationship with Shady, astonished that he let this happen.  He was supposed to take care of me; I trusted him.  I was hurt, and angry.

My distrust of Shady from that point lasted from days to weeks to months.  Every time I climbed on I prayed it wouldn’t be a repeat of the day he bucked me off.  My heart rate would increase, my insides would churn and I could barely imagine asking for a lope without panicking.  These feelings would be magnified if I hadn’t been riding consistently.  Our relationship had fallen apart; at least that is what I felt.  Could I ever trust him again?

There was a time some years later that I got Shady out of his stall and began to tack him up. I quickly recognized that look in his eye.  My decision was simple…not today.  Had I listened to my gut feeling the first time when I saw this look in his eyes and observed his tense body language, I would have saved myself (and Shady) from a massive breakdown in our relationship; a break in trust.

There have been many hours spent contemplating this situation.  It has been one of the biggest and hardest lessons I have learned in the horse ~ human connection.  Why did I put the responsibility on Shady to look after my safety?  Why did I not listen to the voice inside that said ‘don’t do this?’  Why wouldn’t it be feasible to believe that a horse is having a bad day and further is allowed to have a bad day?’  and ‘Why did I attempt to force my way through and force him to deal with the heightened emotion he was feeling that day?’

After hearing similar stories from many other riders I know that I am not alone.  We must learn to trust ourselves when the warning flags appear (in all areas of our lives), to allow our horses to have an opinion, to put our safety in our own hands, and be the leaders that our horses are searching for.