|
|
Frank Bell's Gentle Solution Revolution Natural horsemanship clinics, horse training techniques and unique horse training products using Horsewhisperer Frank Bell's acclaimed Gentle Solutions. Frank's Safe and Simple techniques for training horses can achieve instant results - even with problem horses! Making it Simple! Making It Safe! Get There Now! |  |
|
Site Menu |
|
|
|
||||
|
|
I was in a festive state, catching up with old friends in Denver one evening in mid-December when my cell phone rang. A familiar voice from the past had hunted me down as I traveled around the country doing assorted horse gigs. "Frankie, its Ronnie calling from Texas. I need your help down here. I've got a bunch of horses to work and I'm in way over my head. What are you doing," Ronnie Edwards pried in his easy southern drawl? "Just got to Denver and have a few horses in front of me, then some time off. I'm ready for it. Heck I've been jammed up doing clinics and privates since early November. Tell me what you've got for me Ronnie?" "Well I've got one that just climbs out of anything I put him in. No matter what, he's out in the morning and it takes half the day to get him caught up. Then this guy I know that hunts quail down here left a gaited horse with me that is the snortiest thing I've ever seen. Ready to jump out of his skin and doesn't trust people. He's not mean or dangerous, but he's not right either. On top of that I've got a little dun mare that was abused and well, she's come a long way, but she could use some gentling as well. Got any free time Frank? I'll take good care of you and show you some great country. Hey I just bought 640 acres next to this 10,000 acre lease we ride on," Ronnie went on and on and I had to stop him. Ronnie Edwards had the gift of gab along with a warm southern charm that had carried him to amazing places in the twelve years we'd known each other. Had he chosen to preach in the south, he could have had a huge following. But his focus was on brokering lumber, horses, real estate, golf, fishing, and hunting with a little work thrown in. The man was downright irresistible and had acquired the moniker "Big Daddy" in Paducah, Texas where he was calling from. He'd come into that town by storm and in a short while had about everyone eating out of his hands. And here I was ready to head south about six hundred miles to the Running R Ranch to help him out and simply enjoy his alluring company. "Now slow down you wild man. Let me look at my calendar and call you back. We can take these horses into some interesting country, right?" "Frankie you won't believe this place I've bought. I'm going to build a house in the shape of a V that overlooks endless craggy country they call cap rock. It's got cliffs, creeks, rivers, swales, fields, and forests that we can ride in for days. Wild turkey, quail, hogs, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and cougars habituate my land and the 160,000 acres right next door. Get down here," Ronnie demanded . . . And I did. The 600+ mile drive was long and uneventful. The snow covered mountains to my right gave way to New Mexico, the enchanted state as the license plate suggests, and suddenly the landscape changed into a truly enchanted feeling with elegant volcanic shaped mountains rising out of the gentle rolling open country. Then later in the afternoon New Mexico spilled into a flatter and more cultivated land called Texas. Instead of "Amarillo by Morning", it was Amarillo in the late afternoon as the day waned and it was pitch dark by the time I pulled into Ronnie Edwards yard in Paducah. A well proportioned sorrel quarter horse greeted me as I stepped out of the car; a fitting and welcome arrival. Ronnie and I embraced as old friends and soul mates. We burned a couple steaks on the grill, caught up, and called it an early night in anticipation of a busy morning. Ronnie insisted on catching the sunrise from his new property which meant rising at 5:30. A bitter cold morning was the price we paid to see the sun streak the sky into a multitude of changing hues as the day lightened and the land below took on its incredibly complex nature. It was everything Ronnie had promised. The North Wichita River had carved deeply into the land creating the abrupt and dangerous cliffs that we stood at the edge of. Mallards dotted the river and wild turkeys clung to the taller aged mesquite trees as the day dawned and brought this drama into play. A mature white tail buck caught sent of us and quickly disappeared into the heavy cover. Then a family of feral hogs scurried out of the river bottom as dark shapes in all sizes followed each other single file into the thick growth that lined the river. Not a word had been spoken as we watched the beginning of another day unfold below us. From Ronnie's property we scanned the thousands of acres that were available for working his troubled horses. The varied landscape would lend itself well to schooling these steeds. "It is everything you said it was Ronnie. Looks like we'll be able to do hills, brush, fields, and water. How is the footing in the water and on the edges," I questioned? "All I've seen is good solid footing and the river is mostly shallow so we'll be able to cross about anywhere," supplied Ronnie. "Lets head home for some breakfast and get working those renegades Frankie. I'm starving." Running R Remuda After a long breakfast that allowed the day to warm considerably, we walked out to the heavy-duty pipe corrals to survey the training area. There were two long runs connected to covered stalls. One run was quite narrow. But the other was about right for working horses, approximately thirty feet wide. A couple shakes of the feed bucket brought the three into the big run, and then, the two we wanted, right into the covered stalls. "Let me work with the nervous black one and you take your dun mare. We'll kind of do a mini-clinic and I'll show you my routine. Do you have a rope halter with a long lead Ronnie?" "I've got everything Frank. Let me go get one in the tack room," Ronnie replied as he walked off. The black gaited gelding was a seven year old American Saddlebred who was watching me very closely as I turned back to survey him. As soon as my eyes were on him, he snorted in a sure sign of uncertainty as if to say, "Now what? And I'm just not so sure I really like humans." His distrust was blatantly obvious as he cried out for help. His name was Midnight, so named for his jet black coat. He had a slight build, but seemed to be a sure-footed well-balanced horse that just hadn't had a very good deal in life. He was five years old and owned by a well-to-do gentleman who used him only occasionally for quail hunting. The man apparently had very little riding experience I was told as Midnight's story unfolded. And that alone might very well have been the lion's share of the problem. This young horse needed a strong leader that he could believe in. By now Ronnie was back and had his dun haltered. I eased into Midnight and offered my hand while keeping my soft eyes off him and a very non-threatening posture. For some unknown reason I really ached for this horse. He stuck me as a good soul who would try hard if given a fair shake. With a couple firm strokes on the neck I haltered Midnight and began searching for his melting spots. "The first step is bonding Ronnie. Slow your hands waaaaaay down and try to find what feels good to your horse. Rub those eyes. Scratch under the jaw in that hollow. Work the base of his ears. Get your finger into the corner of the mouth and feather that tongue until he works his mouth and licks his lips. That is a sure sign of understanding and relaxation. Try to melt him. And breathe deeply and maintain a relaxed posture and talk to your dun horse soothingly," I coached. Ronnie was blessed with a gentle nature and had no trouble relaxing his dun horse. "Get after those eyes. I mean really rub them just like you would rub your own, but use the palm of your hand. Push and rub until he pushes back. Then stay at it for maybe ten seconds and quit, leaving him wanting more. Then watch that mouth work. I almost always go for the eyes first because it's probably never been done before. Imagine you'd never rubbed your own eyes and suddenly found it. Well that is exactly what's happening here. Heck I take horses at demonstrations that hate men and in about eight seconds have that horse's legs shaking with delight. Then I own the horse. The ears are another incredible opportunity. Work the base, then firmly all the way upward in a stroking fashion with a fair bit of squeezing. If that works and he trusts you, then begin running your thumb slightly into the ear as you work upward. Before long you'll have your thumb or index finger buried down inside that ear. Then, again you own that horse. Lady at one of the wild horse workshops I do every year taught me that one. Thank you very much." I turned back to Midnight and did just as I had instructed Ronnie. I gave to that animal for what was probably the very first time, ever. And he just loved it. At first he avoided the eye stroking, not quite sure about it. But within a couple minutes he was leaning hard into my open hand reveling in the pleasure. "Be sure to quit while it's working. Don't wear it out Ronnie. Always leave them wanting a little more." We were sheltered in the stalls and the eastern sun was soothing for each one of us. At that moment I just could not imagine a better place to be- with a good friend and horses that needed quality attention and handling. "Okay. Now you've given, so it's time to ask for something back, so ask that head to drop. Apply constant downward pressure on the lead and wait. Reward for anything and release the pressure immediately. Then stroke the horse's neck so he knows he got it right. Ask, anticipate, get compliance, release, and reward. That is the sequence to teaching what I call Take and Give, the second step in my system. Understand that the release is the reward, but the stoking will speed up the learning process by 60%!!! So give that horse lavish praise and you'll have a horse that loves to give back." "By lowering the head you are teaching the horse to yield to pressure, right?" Ronnie nodded silently. He was completely absorbed in the moment and at peace. "You are also helping the horse to get relaxed, because an uptight horse will have a high head; a relaxed horse will have his head low and be comfortable with it." Midnight was extremely sensitive and caught on to the downward pressure in seconds. Then I demonstrated guiding the head to the side to Ronnie with Midnight. He complied like a champ and found solace and peace as I breathed into his nostrils with his head tight in the girth area. It was magical. "You see, for a horse to trust you enough to come right in here tight, he has to block the rest of the world out. This is incredible. What a wonderful horse," I exclaimed as Midnight drifted into the safe loving place I was creating for us both! "Now you want to get this on each side real well Ronnie. One side will probably be a little less trusting; a little tighter. Work that side until the trust is as good as the other side, maybe even better. Now with that head to the side, then work your other hand back to the flanks and stroke firmly. Then work up to the dock of the tail right where it meets the body and scratch deeply. Don't lose contact with the horse as you move your hands over his body. Now run your hand down the rump at the edge of the tail while pushing your fingers up under the tail. If that tail loosens up . . . well that's a real good sign. A tight tail signals a tight horse. A soft, loose tail is a trusting relaxed horse. Just think about it Ronnie," I suggested with a disarming smile. "Got it Frankie," Ronnie replied with a wink. "Man you otta see the cowboys slip under their big hats when I demonstrate this. I don't think they believe I'm talking about this step that I call intimacy. You see when that tail is soft and you've got the head softly in your other hand, well you've got big league trust working. Think about it." But Midnight wasn't connecting the dots now. His tail was tight. Real tight. And that was a sure sign that he just couldn't let down; not yet. Over and over I worked down that rump with pressure at the edge of the tail, just trying to break it loose, even just a hair. And I only got about a hair's worth before moving to the other side. The right was equally as tight, if not more so. This would require some patience to gain his trust. The Dance Begins Our foursome had performed well enough to begin some movement and led Midnight out into the larger run. This was completely new to him and amidst plenty of snorting in a sure sign of uncertainty, I taught him to drive in a circle out in front of me. This lunging exercise is useful for trailer loading and sending a horse into a stall or paddock. Plus it establishes me as the alpha creature, the leader. He didn't like this one bit and was very impulsive, starting and stopping abruptly and trying to face up to me at every opportunity. But I stayed with it and supported him through his sticky spots. When he seemed to be getting the hang of this program, I began slowly winding him down, like a snail, back to that comforting place with his head to the side. As we got in close I tossed the lead over his back with a graceful throw. He jerked away abruptly and snorted loudly, telling me he needed some help with this part of the exercise. We stopped and regrouped as I loved him up and took him back to home base, bonding, the place we would always return to when he needed some support. Once settled, I tossed the lead over his back gracefully a half dozen times while stroking his neck to help him overcome the irrational fear of ropes and hand movements. All at once Midnight seemed to kind of let down and trust me as his big tongue worked with gusto and his head dropped with a big sigh. "Didja see that Ronnie?" "Seems to be getting pretty quieted down now Frank." "Yep, he's finally getting it and starting to really trust me. Let me check that tail again." "Sure enough that tail is now just a tiny bit less clamped down. It should all fall together now. Once that tail begins to loosen up, it's usually a huge sign of progress." Building Midnight's Confidence "I'll go ahead and do a little plastic bag therapy now. This might be pretty challenging for him. But you know, he's a really bright horse who seems to work through these things pretty well. So we'll see," I explained as I arranged my extendable wand with the plastic bag so it would not be any more threatening than necessary. I offered the bag for Midnight to sniff and he extended his nose cautiously, a good sign. Then tipping Midnight's head a hair to the on-side, I placed the bag onto Midnight's back right in the saddle area. He lurched forward the second it made contact, but I was able to keep it in place until he settled. My left hand stroked his neck in support. "Eeeeeeeasy big fella. You can handle this. Eeeeeeeeeeasy now Midnight," I cooed over and over to help him deal with this challenge. He licked his lips in a sign of acceptance so I began moving it on his body as he stood perfectly still. His head rose and a whole lot of white showed in his eyes. "This is a pretty big deal for him Ronnie. If he can learn to handle this as he moves quietly, rationally, well that will be a huge hurdle for him. Watch this process now. The is huge and a part of the equation that so many trainers miss. He needs to progress until he can carry the bag completely rationally. Otherwise if you're out riding and your slicker comes loose, it could turn into a rodeo." When Midnight could handle the bag all over his back, I began tapping his rump lightly until he lurched forward, but I clucked and tapped him right through his sticky spots to keep him moving with the bag. He moved forward very gingerly with an unsure expression. Very gracefully, careful to not send him over the top, I continued to keep him going forward while moving the bag on his back. Gradually he relaxed into it and understood the program. Within a few minutes old Midnight was walking around me in a circle and handling the bag worked assertively all over his back. "You see how he's adapted so quickly to accepting this instead of being threatened? This will help his confidence skyrocket to good. I'm really pleased with his progress. I'll do a little ballet on the ground to see how he tolerates eye changing and get a feel for his athletic ability. That will be about enough for him for today. You see how he's settled right down? The snorting is mostly gone and he's feeling a whole lot better about life in general. You know it even amazes me how quickly a horse can settle into some pretty challenging situations. Smart horse here Ronnie." "Pretty amazing progress Frankie. How'd you figure all this out anyway?" "A whole lot of horses, patience, time, and very close observation. You know when I got busted up sixteen years ago, I promised I'd create a ground system that heightened my safety. So this all happened out of need and self preservation," I answered. I finished up with Midnight and left him in a real good place, loving him up like the brightest horse in the whole world. Then Ronnie and I headed over to the 6666 Ranch to see his convalescing quarter horse named Bert. The Famous 6666 Ranch in Gutherie, Texas The four 6's is unquestionably one of the most renowned quarter horse breeding and training facilities in the world. Performance horses of all shapes and sizes are conceived at this magnificent facility and semen from the stallions is shipped worldwide. As the story goes, the ranch was won in a poker game. The winning hand was none other than four sixes! Ronnie was treated like royalty. He'd bought several horses and again that southern charm had the secretaries, trainers, vets, and management alike welcoming us with open arms. We toured the vast facility observing various aspects of the business, from actual training to breeding and even minor medical procedures. Ronnie's stallion was healing nicely and as the day waned we drove back to Paducah in preparation for the next day when we would ride Midnight and his dun named Jack into the vast acreage adjacent to Ronnie Edwards's future ranch, the Running R. I rose early and happened to find Midnight just outside. Slipping a piece of baling twine over his neck we walked over to my tack bag and I haltered him for a quick session before our adventure. He had digested the lesson of the previous day well and performed like a champ. His snorts were a fraction of those of the day earlier and I felt confident we would have a great ride. Amazing how one thorough session can change a horse's confidence level so dramatically. Ronnie and I saddled and loaded the horses and headed right on down the road the sixteen miles to his land in anticipation of a wonderful day of riding into the wild cap rock country peculiar to this area of West Texas. I conducted my ground exercises religiously before mounting and off we headed into this intriguing landscape that reeked adventure. The horses both performed as champs deftly scurrying through the prickly pear and varied cactuses scattered throughout this land. They each knew exactly where to place their feet to avoid the painful needles. It was truly amazing how quickly horses adapt to their environment. Through hill and dale we rode encountering endless coveys of quail and flocks of ducks on the North Wichita River. The day was cool and crisp and horses and humans alike were vitally alive sharing this unique experience. Confidence blossomed for both horse and rider as the miles and day wizzed right by. Close to the shortest day of the year, the sun began to drop into the western sky as the day cooled considerably. "Guess we'd better loop on back toward the truck Frankie," Ronnie suggested as we arched in on a small tree-lined creek. I was in the lead and after finding my spot, encouraged Midnight across. He confidently stepped into the edge and hesitated an understandable moment. I encouraged and he complied and took the next step that immediately turned into disaster. The creek had accumulated soft mud, silt at this exact spot and Midnight's front end sunk immediately as he flailed wildly, his forward momentum carrying him deeper into this dangerous mess. By now my feet were in the mud and water and I had to make a decision, stay on board or take a dive toward the firm bank. As Midnight struggled wildly I slipped my feet from the stirrups and lunged for the bank. I landed at the edge and sunk into the mud, but scrambled quickly away from flailing hooves onto the firm bank and out of danger. But Midnight was in to his belly, white- eyed and scared out of his wits. He was shaking like a leaf and snorting intense fear. I immediately moved to his head which was now at my knees and got a supporting hand on him. "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy Big Fella. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy now," I repeated with a firm sense of assurance. "Gonna get you out of this mess. Now just relax. Eaaaaaaaaaaaasy now Big Guy." Over and over I repeated this mantra to settle him and me too. "We got a major mess here Ronnie. Man oh Man. I don't know quite what to do now. At least Midnight has settled down, so we've got a little time to figure this out," I muttered as I continued to stoke the black gelding that trusted me, literally with his life. "Lemme get over there and help you. I've got a good strong lead we can use to pull him out," Ronnie suggested. He secured his reins to the saddle and hustled his horse across the creek at a narrower crossing just downstream. Jack took the que and jumped across, almost as if he completely understood the situation. What a horse! Ronnie followed and now we were all on the safe side poised for the next step. "Here Frank, attach this lead under his chin and we'll both give a pull," Ronnie instructed. "Wait just a minute here and move back away. I think now that he's had a chance to chill and regain his strength, perhaps he can do it. Get out of the way. He's gonna lunge forward with a huge effort and if luck is on our side, he'll come flying up outta there with a whole lotta momentum." I moved to the front and had a mental conversation with Midnight. Now this was serious. Real serious. We could conceivably lose this horse or he could end up hurt or permanently lame. I pictured him getting out of that bog and then gave him the encouragement he needed to work at it. "Come on Big Boy now. Let's go. I clucked and kissed and encouraged and he got the message and suddenly everything fired at once. With a gargantuan effort he lunged forward and caught the edge of the firm bank with his front legs and pulled and I pulled and with one big umph he struggled up onto firm ground, finding purchase finally with his back legs. He moved forward, away from that ugly mess and shook, splattering mud all over me and Big Daddy. We just laughed with glee. Midnight was out and safe and seemingly unhurt. "Dodged a serious bullet there Big Daddy," I said with a sense of relief I've not known in a long, long time as I continued stroking and congratulating my new best friend Midnight. "I thought we'd have to come back with a lariat and he might be a goner by then Frank. Man we sure lucked out. You know, if you hadn't done your gentling, I doubt he'd have settled down, relaxed, and trusted you so much. I really think that was the difference between a real tragedy and what transpired. Whew," Ronnie shook his head in relief. We finished our loop as the heavy mud dried on Midnight, my saddle, and my legs. I didn't care one bit about a little mud. This horse had proved himself beyond belief. Back at Ronnie's place we cleaned up the horses and I gave old Midnight an extra special thanks before turning him out for the evening. As I slipped my rope halter off him, I tilted his head into me and gave him a strong hug. "You are one very special horse. I'm sorry I asked you to go into that creek," I muttered with a trembling voice and moist eyes. "Thanks for pulling me through that one Big Fella."
Frank Bell and his accredited instructors have been helping horses with their people problems for several decades. He writes interesting and educational stories about these horses and their challenges. He also helps people better understand how to communicate with these magnificent creatures by answering their vexing questions on his website. Frank has designed a logical set of exercises that immediately places both parties on higher ground . . . without the need for a round pen. Suddenly both parties are riding in confidence instead of fear. Frank Bell's 7-Step Safety System (7-SSS) has been featured in horse magazines and e-zines throughout the world including a three-part series in Western Horseman magazine. Frank's video " Discover the Horse You Never Knew" fully outlines " the system" and is available in the audio/video library that includes thirteen works.
Join Frank Bell's Gentle Solution Revolution and breakthrough your training barriers now!
800-871-7635 |
||||||
|
Copyright 2000-2005 by Dances With Horses, Inc., P.O. Box 819, Rexburg, ID 83440, Ph: (800) 871-7635, Fax: (208) 356-7817, E-Mail: frankbell@horsewhisperer.com |
Home
