Go to Blog.HorseSynergy.Org for an update on our sessions With Bert. He will be back on island for the weekend of March 20, 21, 22, 2009 and if you would like to take advantage of his services please contact me at the email or phone number listed in the blog.
About a year ago, my mare Ellie became a horse I no longer trusted riding on the road to the trail or in the arena. She figured out I was afraid to ride her and she could get away with terrible behavior. She would run me to the gate and into the fence in the arena when she had decided she had enough or when she didn't want to do what I asked. Basically she began to push against pressure instead of give to pressure.
When riding on the road to the trail she became really dangerous because I was no longer able to control her if we needed to get out of the way from cars or steep drop offs. I was at my wits end.
Fortunately, the owner of our ranch had a friend who was coming for the weekend who worked with horses. He had trained her mare Surge. His name was Bert Miranda and he was planning on working with her two year old Sierra over the weekend.
She asked around the ranch if anyone else would like to take advantage of Bert being there and although I hesitated I signed on. I asked around and got feedback that was very disconcerting. Some said he was wonderful and very gifted others said I wouldn't let him work with my horse he is "old cowboy style."
I almost chickened out and canceled. I'm so glad I didn't.
I walked into the arena with Ellie and met Bert for the first time. He asked me what I wanted to do with my horse. I smiled and said "ride her." He asked what else... I said ride her and get her to a good place mentally. I told him that I felt like she needed a job. She had just turned six with only two years of on again off again training. Overall she had a great disposition but I thought she was bored out of her mind.
He smiled, tightened the cinch, and got on. He rode her. He asked her to do things I don't even remember. He rewarded her when she did good and got after her a little when she started to push back. She needed a back up. He got it. That was the first day.
She left the arena in a dripping sweat with a lot of licking and lip smacking, and head down and relaxed. She was happy. She was doing what she was supposed to do.
Bert rode her the next two days and at some point told me to get on my horse. He then schooled me on what to do when she decided to do the naughty things she did with me. What a joy. I was riding my horse in the arena.
That was just the beginning... a year later we are now team sorting, participating in parades, and trail blazing.
