THE HORSE GAZETTE
A horse, Of Course
seek knowledge for the benefit of the horse
By Don Blazer © 2009
If we seek perfect life, and we’ve always done it rather than accepting another’s
horsemanship, then we must this way.” If you accept his insufficient information.
seek knowledge. or her information without Giving (fourth
In seeking question you are making a secret) your knowledge is
knowledge we often discover “conditioned” response. If the greatest expression of
what we know is incomplete, you respond instantly in a wisdom.
and being incomplete is defensive or critical manner, When you are
frequently not the truth. you are making a condition conscious of choosing your
Example: a response. responses to all circumstances,
horseman thought by many C o n d i t i o n e d you will recognize that
to be knowledgeable defines responses are easy; they don’t there are only six elements
a snaffle bit as “a bit with a require thought or effort to which apply to any and all
jointed mouthpiece.” seek truth. performance horses.
His knowledge is A horse steps on Beyond the six
incomplete and therefore not your toe and the conditioned elements there is nothing. But
the truth. response is verbal abuse to and it is in the nothingness that the
A snaffle may have blaming of the horse. “Stupid artist, the poet, the innovator
a jointed mouthpiece, but the horse” is the conditioned begins to work his or her
mouthpiece does not define response. magic. It is in the nothingness
the bit. A bit is a snaffle only The conditioned that the training and riding
if the reins attach opposite the response is the result of a lack transcend the physical and
mouthpiece, and there is no of self-esteem and mental become thought and perfection
poll or curb action. laziness; it allows others to begins.
A greater control our thinking or it lets Master the six
understanding of bits leads us avoid having to think things elements and your knowledge
us to the truth about a snaffle. through. is truth and your responses are
Continued study improves our Take time before your choice.
ability to use the bit wisely to responding, seek knowledge, The six elements
communicate with the horse. commit yourself to constant of training in sequence and
“Pull back on the learning, challenge all that is understanding are:
reins to stop a horse,” is advice presented and you can apply 1. All action initiates
given by horse trainers and the fifth secret of perfect in the horse’s hindquarters.
riding instructors alike. It is horsemanship: CHOOSE 2. Communication
false advice. YOUR RESPONSE. involves a request and a
Such advice may The horseman response.
sound appropriate, but it is who seeks knowledge for 3. Seek compliance
advice based on common the benefit of the horse will to requests through
practice and incomplete study bits, saddles, hoof nonresistance.
knowledge. “Pulling” on balance, equine nutrition, and 4. Impulsion is
horses is always a response health care as well as training power in movement.
based on incorrect or (behavior modification) and 5. Suppleness is
insufficient information. riding techniques. the requirement for grace in
A million messages It is that horseman action.
of incorrect and insufficient who will experience moments 6. Collection is
information are directed at us of perfect horsemanship for controlling the balance point.
every day. Advertisements it is that horseman who will If you have not
by bit makers and tack stores choose how he or she responds experienced moments of
tell us a snaffle has a jointed to all circumstances. perfection with your horse,
mouthpiece, instructors direct In making conscious the incorrect response…the
us to “pull” back on the choices of response, you allow conditioned response is: “work
reins, and magazines contain the power within (first secret) harder.”
sales pitches for products to take you to your goals. The conscious
encouraging the use of horses Only a conscious choice in choice in response will be:
with physical problems as if response will follow your “work smarter, learn more,
there are no consequences to heart (second secret). gain the knowledge needed to
the use of such products. You can practice benefit the horse.”
Some one says, “I’ve non-judgment (third secret) by Visit www.donblazer.
been around horses all my seeking your own knowledge com for more information
about horses
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Call our Texas Division
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830-537-5268
501 Bastrop Highway - Austin, Texas
Phone: (512) 385-3452 - Toll Free: (800) 950-8602
Fax: (512) 385-0932
Visit: www.classic-equine.com
Website: www.callahansgeneralstore.com
E-mail: don.buyse@classic-equine.com
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