Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Happier Than a Puppy with Two Peters

"Natural Horsemanship" has a touchy-feely reputation to it.  Granola and Raiki Healing and Equine Phrenology and all that nonsense.  Riding with folks who come from the hardcore vaquero tradition which spawned the NH movement however is a bit different.  It is a thoughtful and kind approach for the horses but can be a little rough on the riders.

The following were heard mostly in clinics or lessons.  For the "in crowd", you can amuse yourself guessing which teacher each of the quotes is from...

Student: How do I keep my horse from pawing?
Teacher: Teach him to paw with the other foot.

Student: (riding with their reins tangled up around their head)
Teacher: With that much slack, you're busier than a one-legged man at a butt-kicking contest.

Student: (riding slowly and timidly)
Teacher: Ride that thing!  Ride it like you stole it!

Student:  (riding with their halter under their bridle)
Teacher:  You forget to take your pajamas off this morning too?  That's how a sheep farmer rides.

Student: (looking bored and avoiding assigned task)
Teacher: Don't worry.  In the next exercise You'll be busier than a cat burying crap.

Student: (allowing their horse to stick its nose in their pocket)
Teacher:  That's your horse, not a teddybear.  You want to snuggle?  Buy a puppy.  A puppy won't kill you when it jumps in your lap.

Student: (riding with their reins tight on the horse's mouth for the nth time)
Teacher: Well, I know this is a journey for each of us and we each come from a different starting point and we have to ride from where we are, and we're all trying our best to surmount the challenges in front of us.  However, you goddamn son-of-a-*, what kind of a slack-brained pig farmer are you?  You yank on that horse's mouth again and I'll damn well help him buck you off!

Student: (protesting being upbraided for having their reins tight and yanking on their horse's mouth)
Teacher: I'm not your mother.  I'm your horse's lawyer and if you don't quit HAULING ON HIS MOUTH he's going to own your house!

Student:   How do I keep him from laying down?
Teacher: Don't let him.

Student: This is my fifth clinic with you.  Any thoughts?
Teacher: Well you don't terrify me anymore.



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