Of Horses and Humanity

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

2011-12-02T16:23:00.000-08:00

For The Wild Ones

2011-11-25T15:17:00.000-08:00

For the wild horses of DreamCatcher...

2012 Weekly Planner

All photos in the planner are resident horses and burros of DreamCatcher Sanctuary.

Wild Horses Journal and Sketch

Journal contains photographs of wild horses and burros taken at Twin Peaks Herd Management Area, in holding corrals and at DreamCatcher Sanctuary.

All profits from book sales go directly to DreamCatcher Wild Horse & Burro Sanctuary, helping to support the resident animals and the continued effort of reaching out in assistance and raising awareness.

2011-09-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

To Meet a Princess

2011-07-18T15:54:00.000-07:00

"See... I got it for my birthday."

"Wow that is really pretty can I wear it?"

"It is very special, it's my princess tiara."

"I think it will look good on you."

"Can you put your head down lower?"

"Thank you Rosebud."

"Oh it fits you so perfectly!"

"Look Grandma... Rosebud really is a Princess!"

"Ok, my turn."

"Thank you!"

"Do you want to wear it again?"

"Beautiful!"

"Ok my turn again."

"Ahhh... can I wear the tiara again? Please?"

"Oh Thank you Layla."

Dressing another for one’s own amusement is not a very kind thing to do, here Layla and Rosebud were mutually sharing in this game of dress up.
.

You Are A Blessing To The World

2011-07-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Gentle Thunder with the Hilde Girls sharing a most beautiful song for you to sing along with, then share with the world.

The inspiration of the Hilde Girls and their guide Susan Lincoln...

Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) Germany

There is much written about this remarkable woman. She is studied by scholars in many fields, from spirituality, theology, music, medicine, herbalism, and illumination. She was a visionary and prophet.
Hildegard wrote between 70 and 80 musical compositions, 72 songs, 70 poems and 9 books.
2 books on medicine, Physica and Causae et Curae. Physica, written in nine parts, describes the characteristics of elements, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, trees and plants.

Hildegard Von Bingen

One of the many songs written by Hildegard Von Bingen, sang by Susan Lincoln of the Hilde Girls

OFrodensVirga

translation,

Mother, you are the quality

of blooming and greening.

You radiate nobility, just as the dawn

illuminates and announces the day.

Now we celebrate in great joy.

Your compassionate, strong love,

liberates us from our fear.

Now and for all time.

"There is the Music of Heaven in all things and we have forgotten how to hear it until we sing."

Hildegard Von Bingen

And she had fabulous flower gardens to make God's nose happy.

"The earth which sustains humanity must not be injured, it must not be destroyed."

Hildegard Von Bingen

2011-07-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

America's Wild Horses Call to Action from Moving Cloud on Vimeo.

Interdepenance Day

2011-07-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

I write to celebrate our journey:

FROM REVOLUTION TO OUR CONSCIOUS EVOLUTION

FROM INDEPENDENCE TO INTERDEPENENCE

FROM SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS TO WHOLE-ORGANISM CONSCIOUSNESS

We give thanks to be alive right NOW.

When we see our situation with evolutionary eyes we discover that the pattern of 13.7 billion years of evolution is a deep design of creation within ourselves, guided by a Cosmic Prime Directive: Create More Intelligent Life.

We discover recurring patterns in the process: Problems are evolutionary drivers. Crises precede transformation. Nature takes jumps through greater synergy between parts.

Those patterns are evident right now. It is time for collective transformation. It is time for greater
synergy between each of us and the greater whole.

In this moment, we are embodying our multi-billion year birth narrative pattern toward higher consciousness, greater freedom and more complex order. We are learning from nature's pattern of selecting for what cooperates best.

Then let us therefore dedicate this July 4th 2011 to learning from and following nature's fabulous design. This is the evolutionary way to "cross the gap" from Here - with breakdowns that can destroy life to There - breakthroughs that can evolve life.

With love from your evolutionary sister,
Barbara Marx Hubbard

Cooperation

Mouth Wash

2011-06-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

It finally got warm here in the mountains! So some fun in the water...

Rosebuds first experience with the sprinkler...

Zip

2011-06-23T11:11:00.000-07:00

Paisley has always been really good at zipping heavy winter jackets, with their big pull tags, but here she worked the little tag out of the fabric and zipped the sweatshirt.

2011-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Sharing

2011-06-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

An oat for the chick

A scratch for Sage

And a kiss for Rosebud

Flowering

2011-06-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

The Dogwoods

Wild Azaleas

Rhododendrons

Tree frog in the Dogwood

Friends

2011-06-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

They Need Help

2011-06-17T18:41:00.000-07:00

Right now in Michigan there are 29 mustangs that were purchased from the BLM in February 2011 who are now starving and dying. Please read all the information about them on Where The Wild Horses Are blog...

photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Baby who died at Michigan State University
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Jewel, the baby's mother, now in Foster care
photo by Jodi Louth Michigan Horse Welfare Coalition

Timeless

2011-06-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

This video was made by a 16 year old girl, who lives in Norway, to express how she feels about her pony…

This story is unusual how?
A naughty little pony showed an advanced level rider the truth about the riding activities she once thought she loved. As the girl learned about the damage and pain she was causing her beautiful pony she could no longer participate.

Her parents did not like her new understandings, about the pony, and all living beings, so had sent her for a psychiatric evaluation. The community does not understand her views of allowing her pony to live unfettered and have called the authorities saying it was cruel not to nail metal shoes to her feet and ride her.

This girl is truly courageous.

Magical Melodies

2011-06-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

Gentle Thunder mesmerized, moved, and inspired the large group that came together at the Alaska Center for Spiritual Living, on May 17th, to spend an evening of music with her. She playfully and powerfully wove together her beautiful Native American Flutes, Hammer Dulcimer and moving stories, touching and awakening hearts. She says “Each of us has a unique gift to bring to the world” and thanks everyone for simply showing up to be exactly who they are in these difficult but important times.

Musicians from the centers music department were invited to play piano and drums, and to sing with her. She also invited two local flute players to play an impromptu piece, and another couple played an Irish Jig medley on the Hammer Dulcimer and guitar. All of which was fun and deeply moving for the musicians as well as the audience.
The music was beautiful, the messages profound!

Who Am I?

2011-06-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

There is a continuous debate between those who defend the word EGO and those who deny the word, I’ve heard the concept described in many ways. Recently I heard someone say it is “like a survival mechanism gone bad”, that made me giggle. He went on to say we become completely fixated on ideas or images of who we think we are, stories that live in the mind that are not even true, and we build our entire life around words. They are an invention, a fantasy, a composite of life experiences and labels, which our survival instincts become completely invested in and try to protect at all cost… as if they were real.

Made me wonder, who am I?

Am I the unwanted conception, a sick infant, a beautiful baby, a rebellious child, a day dreaming student, a talented artist, a teen parent, a good mother, a high school dropout, a welfare recipient, a battered woman, a strong female, a nursing assistant, a healer, a party girl, a wife, a dental technician, a teacher, a business woman, a grandmother? Or am I happy, depressed, overly sensitive, ignorant, loving, judgmental, smart, stupid, naughty, nice, insecure, proud, too loud, too quiet, engaging, elusive, reclusive, outgoing, friendly, stuck up… which is it?

The list could continue forever and could never define any of us.

Because all I can ever be is…

          wherever I am

          whatever I feel

          whatever I am doing

          whatever I am thinking

          whoever I choose to be

          consciously

          moment by

          moment

always seeking truth before my own emotional comfort.

If you made a list could it possibly define you?
The words and stories will change, but the being, the one reading your list... is you.

Before I posted this I asked my daughter to read it, she said "you are very brave"... am I?

An Apology

2011-06-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

While visiting Alaska I met so many extraordinary, beautiful, wonderful people, who I will write more about, but today I will let this man speak for himself.

I received the following email from him...

Dear Cate:

As a reward for listening to one of the (looong....) lectures on Mind/Body Healing, I have been periodically treating myself to little tours through your blogspot. What fun! I confess a real weakness for buckskins. I swear, Paisley looks as if she is looking right into my soul. I love your horses, large and small.

But then I came across The Cruelty of Equestrian Sport. This really bothered me. As a member of the human race I was embarrassed and ashamed how we, as a specie, treat other living beings. It was Wednesday and we were having a service that evening. I normally do not attend the Wednesday service but there is opportunity for meditation prior, so I went. I meditated for an hour or so and then just prayed. What came up for me was that it is not right that I do nothing. But what can I do? I decided that an apology is in order. I know it does not seem like much, but it is something one guy in Alaska can do now, in this very moment. So here goes:

To: All horses who have ever been harmed or hurt in any manner by human beings, to all horses who are now being hurt or harmed by human beings, and to all horses who may be hurt or harmed in the future by human beings.

From: Don Fleming, member of the human race.

I apologize for all of the cruelty and pain and agony that my specie has heaped upon you since the beginning of time. There is no excuse for our ignorance, lack of compassion or lack of understanding. Please know your beauty and magnificence is cherished. As a creation of God, the Living Spirit Almighty, you are loved beyond measure. I am ashamed at the way we have treated you. I am sorry for all of the cruelty, pain and agony we have created. I am so very sorry. I apologize.

Well, that's it for now. Thank you so much for creating such an exciting site.

Love,

Don

On the 17th, at the Alaska Center For Spiritual Living, my friend Gentle Thunder offered an evening of musical prayer and inspiration. It was powerfully transformational and a deep spiritual journey for all who attended.

Don and I met that afternoon while setting up for this event. He is not a horseman but has always admired horses, and, it seems to me, with a pure heart. I am deeply touched by his words and wanted to share them here.

Thank you Don, from me, everyone who loves, and from the entire Horses Nation.

Duck Days

2011-06-02T23:05:00.000-07:00

Monday,
The little ducks go into fits of joy running on top the water, swimming the length underwater, shooting out of the water like a rocket with a big quack! The more I laugh the crazier and funnier they get. I get soaked as they run across my lap or dive under and kick water all over me. Then they suddenly just stop and preen, what nice ducky’s. Another quick decision... time to eat the pond flowers.

Tuesday,
Not too much plant damage and the water has cleared right up so must be time for those ducks to get back to work! Come on duck duck ducks...
Ally Pup takes here duck herding/caretaking duties very seriously.

Yep they are messy!

Wednesday,
June 1st and it was snowing!
The ducks are not even the slightest bit concerned about the weather. The snow piled up on their backs and they paid it no attention. The fish started chasing their legs and bumping them from below, the little ducks hop out of the water, waggle around a bit, then hop right back in. The fish have really livened up with the new silt kicking floaty toys around. The loud noise in the background was the new duck house construction underway.

Today the fish were really chasing the ducks around... what a fun new game!

What Is Sustainability?

2011-06-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

Caitrin's Message

2011-05-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

A Grandaugter helping to make the world a better place!

What is Evolution?

2011-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

Reading this quote today made me think, again, of how everything is connected...

“Evolution is a cosmic process that is going somewhere in and through time. And we are all part of that process. This simple fact is potentially life-transforming, but it's also hard to grasp at a deep level. The process that created us is moving. We tend to see the world around us as static. But it's not. It's going somewhere. We're going somewhere. Awakening to this truth about all of manifestation changes the way we see the world around us and our place in it. The biggest and most important part of this awakening is that we discover our power to affect where the process that created us is going. We realize the ultimate reason for our own existence: to be a spiritual hero, to boldly take responsibility for the future of the process itself.”

~ Andrew Cohen

To this I will add, from the Native Great Sioux Nation...

“Each of us is put here in this time and place to personally decide the future of human kind. Did you think we were put here for something less?”

"It is a time of great urgency to unite for Peace and Harmony upon Mother Earth in order for our future generations to survive."

~ Chief Arvol Looking Horse

Spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota People

And Jesus said “All that I have done, you will do that and more.”
Well in many ways we have, we have jets, trains, cars, cell phones, computers, and the world wide web bringing us information from every culture, philosophy, religion, belief system, activist, antagonist, the self-righteous, the benevolent, both loving and hating, ascended or shadow.

What do we choose to do with all of this information? Do we not have a greater responsibility to it than ever before? Can we continue to live in this time of rapid change without changing and evolving ourselves? Can we walk a Christ like path? Do no harm? Can we live up to our very definition?

Every culture and religion has its own story, its own prophecy, or mythology, and at their core they all tell us this same thing, we are all one. Everyone has this call within, that call to be a part, do something, to create. Maybe in a ceremony, prayer, ritual, song or teaching will be found what is needed for restoring our own inner balance, nurturing our own inner light, our very being. Then, after the understanding, or the enlightenment, comes the real work, to be the creative evolutionary process, on time and on purpose. We can share all that love with the world, nurturing, loving and healing others, the children, the animals, nature, water, our planet.

Return to the heart and then do something. We are the people who have become aware of our own evolution, and this is the time of great change... not survival of the fittest. This is not a time for fear; this is the great awakening and should bring feelings of pride, purpose and excitement.

"If you and I, as human beings, can change totally, then whatever we do will be righteous."

~Krishnamurti

"Who uses well his light, reverting to its source so bright, will from this body end all blight."

~Lao-tzu

Precious Water

2011-05-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Without it we would be only dust...

so be grateful, the light, the voice.

Thank you Grandmother Agnes.

Duck, Duck... Duck Pond

2011-05-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

Dogwood

Umbrella Plant

Keep lookin up!

Iris

Shaking it off

Jack-in-the-Pulpits

Living Wild

2011-05-29T01:23:00.000-07:00

We paid a visit to our friends...

who now live free by the Klamath River

Here they come!

Charlie

Workin it out

Ginger and Charlie

Wilson

Ginger watching the Osprey

Nesting Osprey

Off into the sunset

It is especially difficult to take pics of these three, they are all too close and want to be scratched. I stood on some boulders so they could take turns.

A Lesson From Grandmother‏

2011-05-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

"If you offend someone by speaking the truth take it as a compliment."

Grandmother Margaret is from the Cheyenne Nation, horse people, and her words to me were for the Horse Nation. Spoken after having read the book Do They Know?.

"When speaking for those with no voice never stop speaking the truth, never stop speaking for them."

The Grandmothers

2011-05-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

Prophecy Manifest

Host Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein
Photo by Anchorage Daily News

The gathering began with a welcome from Grandmother Rita to her land, then she lit the sacred fire which burned for 7 days and 7 nights. Dancers and drummers from Yup'ik Eskimo group Kicaput performed the Yup’ik purification dance known as Tarvamaramken.

Morning, noon, and evening each day at the sacred fire in the park, one of the 13 Grandmothers, in turn, offed prayers from her own tribal tradition. Their prayers were for the spiritual, mental, physical and emotional well-being of our planet, all of her inhabitants, and for the next seven generations to come.

Open Council roundtables were held at the Dena'ina Center. Topics included the role of women and motherhood, restoring our personal foundations, nurturing our inner light then reflecting that back to the world, and balancing life with love, laugher, gratefulness, tears and healing… healing Mother Earth.

This is the time... we are the people.
We are all connected and here to evolve both personally and as a universal community.

Blessing of the homeless at the sacred fire.

Rick Schleyer/KTUU-DT

Maria Alice Campos-Freire from Brazil
Blessing the gift of Smoked Salmon given to all gathering participants.
Photo by Anchorage Daily News

Grandmother Rita singing the Welcoming Song to her visiting Hawiian sister.
Photo by Anchorage Daily News

Larry Merculieff offered his heartfelt and powerful view about the balance between feminine and masculine, touching both audience, and Grandmothers very deeply.

Photo by Anchorage Daily News

Learn about each of the Grandmothers here: Native Village

For the Next Seven Generations, the move.

Only certain members of the press were allowed to take photographs at this event out of respect for the ceremony and the Grandmothers.

North To Alaska

2011-05-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

To see The Grandmothers

Leaving Oregon

Passing by Ketchikan Alaska

Beauty

Downtown anchorage from the 14th floor.

A ship in the Inlet.

Budding

2011-05-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

From the garden...

Ladyfern

Western Bleeding Heart

Mountain Ash

Bleeding Hearts

Maidenhair

Another drop of pure potential.

A beautiful woman all the way from the UK showed up to meet the horses and I today. We had a lovely time visiting with each other and each of the horses. They all lavished her with affection, attention, and their shedding hair!

She had seen Stormy May's Path of the Horse movie, contacted her, then came to the US for a visit to The Pasture. From there she made her way north to The Mountain.

I am looking forward to another creative, magical budding of friendship!

Feedin The Pony

2011-05-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ian crawled into the feedbox to hang out with Chloe girl. After helping her with a few handfuls he tasted the hay too... wasn't very tasty.

This is the second generation Chloe has been with our family to help raise and watch grow up.

Spring Has Sprung

2011-05-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

The snow has all finally melted revealing everyone who had rested beneath for the winter.

The mermaid suns herself by the waterfall

While sitting by the mermaid and her waterfall I read a beautiful article by Michael Bevilaqua, The Missing Link.

Trillium already beginning to bloom

Marsh Marigold

3 brothers Koi came out from their winter cave at the bottom of the pond

Maidenhair Fern and Monkshood

All the horses are itchy and shedding their winter undercoats. Everyone has been enjoying the brushes, especially through their tails, even little Misty girl who has never before allowed me to touch her with a brush.

An old broom head is being put to good use by Paisley and Misty

When Everyone Comes For Dinner

2011-04-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Ladybug is a super lady, never grabby, carefully takes carrots from the babies with her lips. Ian thinks she would like a drink of juice from the Eeyore mug.
Normally the window would be open wider for her but it is still cold outside.

Deconstruction

2011-04-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Oops look what I have done.... I'll fix it!

Healing the Spirit from the Light Within

2011-04-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

“Healing is truth, sickness is hiding, it splits life. Creation is selfless. Selfish possession kills it.” -- Rita Pitka Blumenstein

Alaska Gathering

The 13 Grandmothers travel once again from the four corners of the world, calling upon the love and light of the Creator for the healing of the Earth and all beings. Join us for the Grandmothers’ 9th Council Gathering, as we honor our beloved and cherished Grandmother Rita Pitka Blumenstein and her Yup’ik people in majestic Alaska.

Grandmother Rita's Story from Laughing Willow on Vimeo.

For The Next 7 Generations Trailer from Laughing Willow on Vimeo.

“My church is the earth and the sky.
And I pray for all in between the sky and the earth.
We are all part of the fabric.”
Grandmother Agnes Baker Pilgrim, Confederated Tribes of Siletz

International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers

Super excited to be going to Alaska and join this special gathering! Although this event has nothing to do with horses it has everything to do with humanity... therefore horses, as there is not a single one untouched by us. So I will share the experience with you here.

Awake?

2011-04-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

What Do We Choose?

2011-03-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

Best Friend and Worst Enemy

2011-03-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

The ego, or individuated self-sense, is both your best friend and your worst enemy. It is your best friend because, in the most positive sense, it represents your capacity to individuate—to see yourself as a unique, autonomous entity and to bear witness to your own experience with some measure of objectivity. Individuation is what makes it possible for you to be a conscious agent of evolution, a vessel for Spirit in action. The more profound our individuation, the more powerfully Spirit can shine through us. However, ego is also our worst enemy. And this is because, for too many of us, over-identification with our separate individuality obscures the deeper and higher spiritual dimensions of our being. It is very important to understand this paradoxical nature of ego if you, as an individual, want to take responsibility for creating the future, as yourself.

~ Andrew Cohen

A Good Day

2011-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Stroke of Insight

2011-03-27T15:07:00.000-07:00

1 Year Later...

2011-03-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

Application of title

for Paisley!

Signed, sealed, delivered.

Yeah!

When The World Turns White

2011-03-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

Opened the door to this!

Path to the barn... duck through the trellis.

Trudged through waist deep snow, opening a trail for the short legged little pup, to get to the barn and see how everyone was doing.

Past the laughing bird house.

The horses were all super mellow, just watching the snow fall and watching the big clumps drop from the tree branches.

Patchy

Sage

Ladybug

Paisley

Everyone got fresh dry hay...

and their itchies scratched.

The little people walk on paths of about 2+ feet of packed snow.
Had to dig the path down so Patchy could fit under the board that keeps the big horses from going into their spot.

Sweet little Misty Girl.

Their nice warm water under the snow.

Come on I'll show you the way home!

Weather man say's four more feet on the way!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....
.

The Power Of Consciousness

2011-03-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

Pioneers

2011-03-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

If you are trying to do something genuinely new, you have to be a pioneer, you have to be a change-agent. In order to contribute to creating the future, you need to be aligned with the very edge of evolution. Otherwise, you are going to be following the beaten path, living out the patterns that have been formed by countless others. Most human beings are born and die within a pre-existent cultural context that we don't necessarily feel is up to us to define. Without even knowing it, we tend to do what everyone else is doing. But at this particular time in history, for new evolutionary stages, structures, and potentials to emerge requires rare and heroic men and women who have awakened to the conviction that this next step needs to happen and that we're the ones who have to take it.

~ Andrew Cohen

It Just Keeps Coming

2011-03-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

It's snowing again today.

Looking at the barn from the house.

Going...

going...

gone!

What do the horses do?

Let Everything Be Your Bible

2011-03-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Give every piece of information, person, event or circumstance your honest and open mind... then be responsible for your own choices.

Not following the human herd...

Segment and Trailer from Ben Stewart's movie Kymatica, the full length version can be seen HERE.
.

"Freedom" for Some

2011-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, prompted by a friend who asked about video editing, I went back and looked at video taken last summer...

Video taken Aug 7, 2010

We called this family the Thunder Horses because right when they showed up the wind started blowing and the thunder roared!

This morning on Run With the Wild Ones blog I saw a photo taken November 14th, 2010, after the roundup that ran from Aug 11 until Sept 19, 2010. With a total of 1799 horses and burros gathered I didn't think there was any chance this family could still be together and out there.

But here they are!

Photo by Linda Hay

I was so excited, I immediately contacted Linda and she sent me the following pics she had taken that day...

Photo by Linda Hay


Photo by Linda Hay

Run... stay free!

Playing With Pictures and Ponies

2011-03-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Each lap she made she came hopping and bouncing to a stop for a scratch and praise before she'd take off again!

Freedom

2011-02-22T15:49:00.000-08:00

: the quality or state of being free: as
a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence
c : the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous
d : ease
e : the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken
f : boldness of conception or execution
g : unrestricted

Webster's

More snowfall brought more joyful playing. No one was running because they had to, there was no need to escape pressure either natural or human induced, there were no expectations or even bribes, just jubilant freedom.
Freedom to run or to just watch.

Often I feel the space they have is not large enough and does not allow them the freedom of movement they need. I look at fences and wish they could all go away. Then I am reminded of the freedoms they do have, they are mentally and emotionally free to express themselves, they can snort out to the world “No one owns me”.

Music by Gentle Thunder, Heart of the Eagle and Ripples in the Pond from her album Opening the Gate.

Video 1
The first day, Ladybug was not comfortable with the others playing, Paisley stays out wide giving her space.
Ally Pup was restricted by the deep snow and her short legs, Paisley wondered why she wasn't playing like usual and kept checking on her.

Video 2
The next day, Paisley chose not to play but to stand with me and watch the little people tear it up.
Snow was deeper this day so Ally still couldn't run and they all kept trying to coax her out.
But most amazing was Ladybug let go!
It is not difficult to cause her to run, she is very sensitive, but this was all her. She was expressing her own joy and freedom!
This was the first time Sage has moved this way, with her tail straight up, full of pride and joy.

I have laid down the feeling they were better off here...

Sage and Rosebud in the "wild" where they were considered to be a problem.

Their physical freedom was taken away, that cannot be changed, but living as they do now they will be free to develop intellect above and beyond instinctive survival. Slaves to no one.

There are so many ways we all give away our freedom. We allow important decisions about who we are and what we do be made by other people, the past, and society.

Horses, to me, have always symbolized freedom... but the definition of freedom is expanding!

Who Cares?

2011-02-18T14:59:00.001-08:00

When a horse is placed in paid care with another do they really care?

This is a horse that was placed in the care of someone who must not...

For only 3 months this horse was boarded, when she went to the farm she was healthy and in good weight. The pasture was 7 acres and it was agreed that hay and grain would also be fed daily.

In addition to the obvious starvation from the neglect, she was shut out of the barn so now has rain rot and dermatitis with matted down crusted hair with large patches missing. She will recover from this now that she is back home, fed and groomed but it brings up the issue of responsibility...

They do not 'buy' us, it is us who take them into our care, so shouldn't we be responsible and shouldn't that care be appropriate?

There are countless stories just like this one.

Who is responsible for this? Humanity.
Who is humanity? You are.

Responsibility

We are responsible for all that.

Our state of consciousness determines the world we create, the actions we take, and the consequences of our actions. For all of the planet and all of its inhabitants let's take responsibility for our state of consciousness.

Snow!

2011-02-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

After 2 weeks of beautiful, sunny weather with temperatures well above normal in the 60's, winter has returned. The horses all love romping in the fresh new snow!

Music Wild Eyes, from Mariee Sioux's album, Faces in the Rocks, Grass Roots Record Co. Featuring Gentle Thunder on Native American flutes & percussion.

Sage approaches like this, she first looks, then slowly walks closer, looks, walks closer, itches a spot on herself, then comes to the fence and situates so the spot she had been pointing out can be reached. This time Rosebud interrupted her routine!

Videos taken when I first arrived, while standing on the fence. After a couple minutes of picture taking I got down to run and play in the snow with them! Sage even joined in the fun, bucking and snorting. Paisley has big beautiful moves and a huge lofty trot that would be fun to see on video but staying focused on her not a camera is more important. Rosebud squeaks and grunts like a little piglet.

Caged

2011-02-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

In order to give Rosebud her grain and medicinal herbs without Sage finishing them off for her I put a couple panels in the corner to make a small enclosure to feed her in.

While I was scratching her, she worked her way over to and through the small entrance. The following pictures may seem to be nothing more than a horse in a cage but considering all that had preceded this moment the fact that Sage walked into this cage of her own free will is amazing.
capture corrals chute

Looking out the very narrow entrance to the enclosure

The previous day we trimmed Rosebuds feet in this enclosure while Sage stood and watched as she did when Ladybug had hers done. She watches closely and thinks about everything. Hope she wants her feet trimmed soon!

Walk By The River

2011-02-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

Sacramento River

Walking with Dad

You have to get on the log from the bridge Ally

Huge Douglas Fir growing on top of crumbling rocks

Lenticulars

2011-02-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

Lenticular Cloud-Wikipedia

Hoof Study

2011-02-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

Sage watches as Ladybug gets her feet trimmed.

The Plastic Bag

2011-02-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

What's this?

It's so noisy

Got it

Look Momma!

It's so loud when I shake it really hard!

I win!

Show Us Your Tongue

2011-02-07T15:11:00.000-08:00

From the Desert

2011-01-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

While hiking in Sheep Rock, volcanic, pillar shaped natural rock formations rose around us giving the feeling of being in a giant castle... one with a spectacular view.

From the sage

Mt Shasta

Winters rest

High up on a rocky perch

Remnants of the old Chinese Rock Walls built during the California Gold Rush.

Rock wall in the junipers, Shasta Valley in the distance, Pacific Ocean just over those mountains.

All that shimmers is not made of gold.

Here She Comes!

2011-01-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

When she saw me her tail flicked straight up in the air and she came running to meet at the gate

Hopping and bouncing in circles makes a red Rosebud blur

Aahhh scratch that one spot... quick!

Lay By Me

2011-01-21T18:45:00.000-08:00

Just stop tickling my feet!

Frogger

2011-01-15T00:28:00.000-08:00

Found this on the web and shared here for no other reason than I think its funny! :D

Now Part Of Our Family

2011-01-14T16:08:00.000-08:00

Something to be thankful for...

Thanksgiving Day, November 25th 2010

Mother, baby and herd brother reunited after weeks of separation at the corrals.

Nuzzling her sick baby.

November 28th

Ladybug gives reassurance over the fence.

Nibbling Douglas Fir needles.

Mothers milk... the best medicine.

A cloud blanket.

White hooves on black legs.

A strange new world.

More snow.

Naming someone has never been my strong suit, it is hard for me to attach a word to something un-nameable, but as we spent time together the names Sage and Rosebud seemed appropriate for these two.

December 12th

Momma Sage

Sweet little Rosebud

Pableu's Cloud Blanket

Pableu stayed with us during his illness and a quarantine period but has now moved to his real home, December 17th. Read more of his story here pableu's cloud blanket blog.

The last two months have been a blur. All three of the Mustangs were sick with Strangles. Having never dealt with illness like this I had a lot to learn. My friend Kris McCormack (her blog Words About Horses) was my lifeline! She was supportive and encouraging when I was both physically and mentaly exhausted, and helped me find the best natural remedies for my new patients. I will write more about Strangles soon.

Adopt a Wild Mustang

2011-01-14T15:07:00.000-08:00

Observing horses in the wild is an incredible, even life changing, experience.

Beautiful wild family, photo taken July 2010.

~~~~~~~
August 20th, 2010

Rounded up and removed from their wild home. photo from BLM website

Never to return. photo from BLM website

~~~~~~~

August 21st, the day after they were captured.

It is difficult to explain how another being can "communicate" over the distances without really even knowing the other but during the months these two were at the corrals I could feel what was happening to them. I felt their presence constantly, some days it was accompanied by a racing heart, a headache, sometimes even coughing, but I was fine. We waited to find out who would be released and who would be up for adoption, still not planning to bring anyone home (in our minds), but no word from the corrals. We went to visit a couple times to see how they all were fairing and each time there were fewer horses. Where do they go?

October 8th

Time passed and we knew they would wean the babies soon so more correspondence with the corrals, they said everyone is doing very well.

More time passed and it became urgent, I knew the baby was sick and we needed to go get them NOW.

We, along with our friend, went back to the high desert and adopted these horses we came to know in the wild...

The date, November 24th, 2010

Mt Shasta in the early morning as we headed out for Litchfield CA WH&B Corrals

Temperatures dipped well below zero as we made our way. Yes, we are still in CA!

Nearing the corrals.

View behind the corrals.

There is more about wild horses here Where The Wild Horses Are blog.

The weanlings. Our baby is the little red behind in the center.

1 to 3 year olds.

Reunited!

Tiny girl.

Removing neck tag.

Loading up. Momma went straight into the trailer, no plastic bag flogging required.

The babies right behind.

Don't forget me!

Now what?

Adopt a Wild Horse or Burrow

Heading home, Mt Shasta in the distance.

For us it turned out to be even more than experiencing the thrill, power and beauty of nature, we have adopted two new family members.

Flurries

2010-12-07T15:45:00.001-08:00

Check out Mariee Sioux's album, Faces in the Rocks, at CD baby or iTunes and Grass Roots Record Co. Featuring Gentle Thunder on Native American flutes & percussion.

"...crown, crown, crown your brothers"

"winter, love snows, crown, crown, crown your mountains"

"winter, love holds, crown, crown, crown your mothers"

Heart of the Eagle by Gentle Thunder from her solo album Opening the Gate buy it here

The Little People

2010-12-06T15:14:00.000-08:00

Building Fence

2010-11-22T22:37:00.000-08:00

After the tree clearing it was time to build fence.
Zippy, Misty and Ally Pup all pitch in.

Warmer by the fire.

Snail On The Kale

2010-11-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

Our unexpected dinner guest...

Don't worry he wasn't for dinner he just showed up.
His name is Speedy!

Mustang Logger

2010-11-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

Last weekends project was removing storm damaged trees that were inside the horses paddock, before this seasons snow hits.

As usual Paisley was ready for action!

My husband gave me the job of watching the horses so they didn't get in his way and gate tending.
So that is what I did... watched them all with my camera!

Paisley was really studying and trying to help. She excelled at digging out roots!

Overseeing the skidding operation was another job she took very seriously.

Then the boys came to inspect...

All the videos were taken and edited on an iPhone4, this new toy could be dangerous! :D

Humanity?

2010-11-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

A look at humans through the eyes of beings who are extremely intelligent, kind, caring, forgiving, patient and loving, who are endlessly trying to understand us and why we do the things we do.
Can we ever become more than Yahoos? Will we ever operate outside our ego's need for consumption and destruction, taking and wasting?
Can we see all other beings as equals and put forth the effort to listen to what they are saying? See what they wish to give without our taking and using?

Just Another Day In Paradise

2010-11-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

Can You Hear Me?

2010-10-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

One afternoon as I was walking to the house from my studio for lunch, my daughter’s horse Chloe whinnied quite loud at me as I passed by the path that leads to the barn. Sitting down to the table I asked my husband why she would be calling to me, didn’t they get fed enough this morning? He said yes they had plenty; he laughed and jokingly asked “well what did she say?” I blurted out…“there is electricity in the water”. “Oh” he said looking very surprised, “I will check”. After lunch he went to check and told me the water was fine. We laughed together, that would have been really weird! hahaha That evening everything was fine.

The next morning when he went out to feed as he passed the trough he dipped his hand into the water just to eliminate any lingering curiosity. Well guess what, he got shocked!!!

So what happened??? There was a small piece of bailing twine which was used to tie the hose up so the horses couldn’t pull it out of the trough, one end was touching the water and the other was inadvertently touching the electric fence. In the morning there was just enough dew on the string to conduct electricity. The previous afternoon when he had checked the string must have been dried from the sun so there was no current.

Chloe was right there was “electricity in the water” and she “said” it loud enough to be heard.

Do I Know You?

2010-10-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Recently we went to the coast for a weekend getaway. After spending the day at a busy public beach we went to a beachfront motel to spend the night. Just before sunset I walked out alone onto this quieter, more private beach just to take a deep breath, be still and relax. I sat down in the sand. Almost immediately I had company.

At first she may have been looking for a tasty treat. Conditioned by human bribes.

I apologized and explained I had nothing to offer," but you can hang out if you'd like".

She approached to investigate, then would move away, each time coming closer and closer. The notion I might have food now gone she relaxed more each time she came close. Standing on one leg, looking at me with one eye closed, closing both eyes and then peeking through a slitted lid.

All making her sleepy...

so she settled in to rest beside me.

Not long after another gull flew in and strutted up hoping for a handout.

My first companion, uninterested in the forward behavior of the newcomer, started preening herself.

The newcomer quickly settled in to rest with us although a bit further away.

I know nothing about seagulls other than what I have observed. I don't know about their social structures, species, sex, type, genus, sort, variety, age or even this pairs relationship to each other.
What I experienced with them was just being.
I was there to relax and they wanted to relax too. People walked by, the birds would move out of their way, and then come right back to lay down again.
It was nice.

So, did we know each other? No
But, did we know each other? For a moment, yes
.

We Are the Same

2010-10-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

NHE International Seminar 2010

2010-10-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

The Group

The morning lectures and discussions were held in the lodge.
All meals were shared in this beautiful space as well.

The time outside was spent with horses who chose of their own free will to be in our company rather than their 70 acre pasture...

Saturday October 2nd

The horses who participated in the learning experience lived at a stable that was a couple miles from the lodge. We all carpooled, formed a caravan, and made out way through the streets of Saint Saveur. When we arrived at our destination everyone put on their rubber boots and walked to the pasture. As we walked the road all the horses watched us, little Tiki even called out…

Inside the large pasture was a smaller paddock or arena area, this is where “school” was held. The horses were invited in and made their rounds to get acquainted with the new people, each in their own way. One volunteer participant, the paint named Taco, insisted on being part of the action even though he was not one who was expected to be there. He was very proud to be the center of so much positive interaction! Taco was wearing a halter that we all wanted to remove and had cockle burs in his hair that were left alone also as he was not one of the horses who had their owners permission to join us. (This was soon addressed and the owner was happy for him to attend, and we were happy to have him!)

In the fall along with the beauty of colorful leaves comes the time for seeds to spread, sometimes we do not like how that looks but it is natures way. The burs in Tacos hair were not a sign of neglect. That many can accumulate in as quick as 10mns as it did on some of the participants jackets.

The people participating all had their own way of interacting with the horses, some eagerly approached, some hung back and observed, some made real connections. Michael described how the horse is always right, the beginning of developing a relationship, the art of asking, the importance of knowing when to stop asking, and the proper used of cordeo. Participants were then invited to try their hand.

Right this way sir.

Some interesting things observed were the horses who knew school elements were mostly interested in meeting new people and not showing their skills. The horses that had never been handled in the NHE way were very curious and enjoyed the different kind of attention. The more skeptical horses just watched. One, the gray, called Quizmo watched with his back turned from outside of the fence.

Sunday October 3rd

This day 2 horses who were stabled watched us walk out to the pasture, we all wished they could come out and play too.

When we arrived at the arena Quizmo, the one who seemingly ignored the goings-on of the day before, was waiting for us inside. He greeted everyone and was even interested in the position of film maker. Taco, whose person readied him for his adventure by grooming him to a bright white, was also waiting for all his new people friends to return. The others (NHE horses) were a little too busy eating to come right away.

Hello handsome!

With cordeos a lesson in awareness was introduced. Michael placed cordeos on participants giving instruction on its subtle use. Everyone had a turn being the horse then the teacher. In a very short time many found a new way to communicate and synchronicity in movement. As the humans developed their cordeo skills all the horses, one by one, came to take their turn in the activity.

All together now.

While this was happening Quizmos person came for a visit and wanted him to come out of the arena. Quizmo was not to happy about that but went with him. They spent some time outside alone but in a short order Quizmo subtly brought his guy back into the arena. They stood along the fringe for a while listening and sharing some very tender moments.

Almost imperceptibly Quizmo (clever horse) brought his friend into the middle of the group where the discussion was about collection and self carriage… AXXA, which was the next lesson that participants practiced.

It was time to say goodbye with apples and a thank you.

Taco stayed inside the arena gate and watched as everyone left.

Where's everybody going?

I wondered if anyone was waiting for us to return the next day…

To read more about this event see Words About Horses blog.

ABOUT NHE

2010-10-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Inspiring Natural Potential
– Michael Bevilacqua on Alexander Nevzorov

Alexander Nevzorov brought Haute Ecole to the new, humane level. Haute Ecole is a French term for high school. It is classical dressage stemming from the cavalry with complex moves by the horse including airs above the ground such as capriole, courbette, and levade. He teaches horses to perform the most difficult elements of Haute Ecole, not only without any constraint, punishment, bridles and bits, that is looked upon as a norm in modern Haute Ecole, but he does all this on a horse that is in a perfect collection.

As he describes, “Difficult elements of traditional riding schools, perfect obedience, a perfect collection without a bridle, or halter or any such tool … It shows how it is possible to study the true, live bio- mechanics of movements and difficult Haute Ecole elements which are safe for a horse…”

This schooling, or understanding, is not affected through human dominance or submission of the horse. The goal is to inspire, to enkindle in a horse, to awaken its interest and to reveal its full natural potential. It is we who must adapt to the gentle, curious nature of the horse and not the horse that must be subjected to our selfish, demanding nature.

Alexander’s book, “The Horse Crucified and Risen” (Horse Encyclopaedia) opens to a reader secrets of education of a horse without any violence, without any bits and punishment. It is the firm belief that the book will raise the consciousness of many people and probably become the primary book for those who are looking for a particular, honest way of building communication with a horse. Recent offers resulting from the book fair in Frankfurt on October 6, 2006 will soon see the book published in English. Alexander makes a very clear distinction regarding any traditional training using all kinds of equipment and his way of being with a horse.”

All the systems of man and horse relationships exclude any kind of love. Especially love for the horse. If we look narrowly at what sportsmen, stunt men, old classical school representatives do with horses, we’ll see clearly that such relationships would be logical only if they had hatred at the heart of their actions … I lived in the atmosphere of cruelty, watching how stunt men treated horses, how sportsmen tortured them every day. All that those people do with horses is not related to the feeling and passion that originally led them to horses…”

An excerpt from the prologue reads: “I am absolutely sure this book should not be read or even opened by those who chose equestrian sport, horse racing or driving and so on as their profession or amusement. Sportsmen, jockeys, riders and those who are similar to them will find out nothing good from this encyclopaedia. On the contrary it would be better not to have such an audience amongst the book’s readers because of their rancour, obstinacy and remarkable aggression that they show when they are trying to defend their right to force and torture horses.”

At the 39th Worldfest – Houston Independent Film Festival, April 21-30, 2006, the film, “Horse Encyclopaedia” received the Special Jury Award in the documentary film category. The jury not only considered it as an extremely bright work of great talent, but also the most honest and revolutionary film in essence. It previously also won the award at the New York Film Festival. The film has already split the horse world of Russia between staunch supporters and furious opponents of Nevzorov. View a trailer of the film.

Having been through several wars, Alexander states that, ” … You can hate violence towards the horse only if you hate violence towards men. Some eight or ten years ago I said definitely to myself that I would never treat horses as I was taught to anymore. But I didn’t know how to treat them otherwise. So my great emotional necessity to be with them required big and serious knowledge. I started traveling everywhere and studying. I tried to find people who could teach me that other manner of treating horses.

“My wife Lydia played a huge role in all this process, understanding that it’s impossible to love horses correctly without a proper European education, without some thorough knowledge of hippology. She finished a college [degree] in England and now continues her education acquiring extremely valuable knowledge about horses.

However, the science has never attracted me in the same way. But it was the horse that interested me: a horse as a sentient, very intellectual, suffering and spiritual being that was so humiliated by humans. My horse with a simply terrible character helped me a lot in my searches. His extraordinary resistance to any violence, any metal in the mouth, any spurs and other rubbish that one day I had no other way than to release him, throw away that entire stuff and to trust him …”

Alexander studied with masters of the horse world, yet, regarding the physical control of the horse, he does the opposite of what has been ingrained in us over thousands of years. What eventually became tradition seems to perpetuate the endless horse problems that many people face today.

Through a simple philosophy, you can discover that the solution is not someplace across the country at a 2-day horse clinic, but right in front of you with your own horse. It seems that people need to stop looking elsewhere for answers and start finding them by simply looking at their horse and thinking.

His horse, Perst, was his greatest challenge. It was a catalyst for change …

“But that case gave me an example of how a horse can change when you stop torturing him. This caused a revolution in my mind. Lydia and this horse became my main teachers. My work with horses then turned to be a complete success.”

Alexander alternates between teaching and playing with the horse during a schooling session. What he found is that this keeps the horse vibrant, focused, and willing. The horse develops physically and mentally. The horse learns instead of merely reacting to a painful, physical stimulus, such as a bit, or spur, or whip. The horse is allowed to choose to be with you or not. The school’s motto is, “The horse is always right”. This can be very difficult for many people to accept, but therein lies the key. This newly gained attention, friendship, and trust from the horse keeps his spirit and character intact, while bringing out his best qualities.

“At that time I also believed that all this is the evidence of my extraordinary talent. I didn’t understand that it was not my talent that really mattered but my approach and the feeling that I was no longer hiding from horses.

From then on I forgot all my previous experience and acted in accordance not with the norms of sportsmen and stunt men but with the feeling I felt for horses.

And I felt love and endless respect. This was the greatest instrument of all.”

Lydia Nevzorova:

Lydia Nevzorova graduated St. Petersburg Gerzin University (Arts), graduated with honors from College of Equine Studies (Newmarket) and continued studies at Equine Science at Warwickshire College of Equine Study of Harper Adams University, in England. Graduated from the Russian National Open University (Management), she carries out scientific research under the guidance of Robert Cook, FRCVS, PhD, Professor of Surgery Emeritus of Tufts University, Massachusetts, Yury Tkatchenko, PhD, Professor of Human Medicine (bio-technology). She is the author of a great number of magazine articles and is a successful, published horse photographer and member of the International Horse Photographers Association – IHPA. She founded the Horse Revolution in Russia to inform and educate people about the everyday abuse and suffering that horses endure for the sake of sport or through common ignorance, and is also Chief Editor of Nevzorov Haute Ecole Magazine.

She schools horses by Nevzorov’s method, without bits, bridles, halters and any other artificial aids. She also created the website and online school, and international forum for anyone who has reached a point of understanding to go beyond the norm, or for those who already have an understanding and immediately reject standard horse training based on physically induced pain.

Lydia specializes in computer thermography and, according to her own statistics, 99 percent of horses have sore backs. ‘ … In general, we may say that saddles that cost $2000 and for $200 have quite the same effect. Horses would be sound if they had received due care and had been trained properly (before) riding. The most common causes of horses’ injuries (lameness, arrhythmia, sore back, injured shoulders, muscle atrophy, etc.) are incorrect (preparatory) work, hoof trimming and shoeing (damaging the hoof balance) and incorrect saddling … ‘ Read the interesting, informative article.

About The Author:

Michael Bevilacqua owns and manages a horse schooling facility in Quebec, Canada. He offers informative seminars and private clinics on horse behaviour and Nevzorov Haute Ecole Principles.

There have been individuals throughout history and in our own lifetime that recognize the true spirit of the horse. Yet, in the past, when horses were an absolute requirement for daily survival and advancement of mankind, force was preferred.

There has been an improvement regarding the lessening degree of physical violence, but when I look around me, despite the catch phrases of ‘partnership’, ‘bonding’, ‘relationship’, what I still see is an attitude toward the horse of … ‘do it – or else’. In many cases, the term ‘natural’ does not necessarily mean not coerced. Often, the horse still has no choice. With the establishment of a center north of St. Petersburg, Russia, for horse rehabilitation and training for horses, people have begun to learn the true essence of the physical and mental wellbeing of the horse.

After the diverse, usual search for answers, I did not jump on any popular training bandwagon. Alexander and Lydia chose me to represent them in North America according to my past experiences and progressive life with my horses. I give guidance to those willing to learn in their English online school and am moderator for the international forum. I give private clinics and lessons according to their philosophy and understanding. Seeing their drive and conviction which, literally, has caused a revolution in their own country, I chose to spread the word by making the film available in North America and through my website, and by providing information seminars. With all the different horse trainers out there, it is surprising that people are still looking for a better way. Or is it? Another reason is that this is not something that you have to buy into. They offered encouragement, support, and knowledge. I had previously felt quite alone on my path. The answers that many ore seeking are quite simple. There are no levels nor packages to reach for or buy over and over. The book is out, the film is out, and now, by popular demand, a new release is out, ‘Nevzorov Haute Ecole Principles’ which explains the general principles of a horse’s education: Collection, Discipline, Lungeing, Cordeo, Touching, Composure.

It is not exactly an ABC method. It shows what is possible. The true answers lie within yourself and your horse. If looking at someone else reinforces what you believe your own horse is capable of doing with you, then it is available. If you want to learn or simply have a wealth of information at your fingertips, then visit Nevzorov Haute Ecole.

Horse Talk TV

2010-09-28T22:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview...

Watch here! http://www.tvs.org.au/ info here http://www.tvs.org.au/programs/horse-talk
Horse Talk TV episode 4 airs this Wednesday Sept 29th, 7pm Eastern Australia time and again on Friday Oct. 1st at 12.30pm and, Saturday the 2nd at 10am.

Beyond the Dream Horse

2010-09-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Beyond the Dream Horse - A Revealing Perspective on Attaining a True Relationship describes how turning around many standard beliefs about horses and training can allow an honest relationship to flourish. True experience providing a different perspective and insight that help remove the self-created wall that often seperates people from horses. This is not about herd behaviour, rather it is about the astounding possibilities that exist between horses and humans. It is about achieving the elusive relationship of which is often only dreamed. ©2010 Michael Bevilacqua

For more information and to order your copy visit Beyond the Dream Horse

"A person would be well advised to study these notes of such a master."
-- Stormy May Filmmaker / Producer of The Path of the Horse

Underestimated?

2010-09-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

The intelligence, compassion and heart of the horse has long been underestimated.

This video, by photographer Pam Nickoles, tells the story of what she described as the longest and most feirce battle between two stallions she has ever witnessed. And for what?

This battle was over a young palomino foal who had gotten separated from its mother by rolling under a barbed wire fence, the stallion called Chaco was the victor and became the foals self appointed guardian. After the initial battle, defending the foal from the paint stallion, that same stallion returned with another bachelor stallion and Chaco fought the two of them into the darkness of night.

The next morning to everyone's amazement, the small foal was still alive and well, being cared for and guided by Chaco. He coaxed the little one through a gate and all the way down a hill to its mother Sierra.

From our human perspective we can only speculate on why Chaco would have taken on this duty and taken it so seriously, but it is clear from that perspective he is a hero!

To see more go to Pam Nickoles Photography

Le Cheval

2010-09-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Where The Wild Horses Are

2010-08-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Where The Wild Horses Are

a photo-documentary blog

NHE International Seminar 2010

2010-08-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

Nevzorov Haute Ecole is proud to announce the 2nd annual International Seminar being presented in Canada, Québec north of Montreal, the weekend of October, 2 and 3.

The seminar/workshop is organized this year by the Dean of the online School and Canadian Representative, Cloé Lacroix, and featured speaker is Michael Bevilacqua of Equi-Forme and NHE Worldwide Representative.

Their combined knowledge and experience will explain different aspects of NHE philosophy and how to achieve a mutual, trusting relationship with the horse. This is where you can learn to bring out the best in your horse by allowing character, intelligence, fitness and communication to grow.

It is for the growing numbers of people who seek a different way with the horse, without restraints, punishment, or any methods of standard training. Discover the simplicity of what seems so elusive.
.

NHE International Seminar 2010 Information

Cloé Lacroix - NHE Official Representative Canada and Dean of School

cloe_lacroix@yahoo.ca

Michael Bevilacqua - NHE Official Representative Canada and Worldwide
.

Beautiful Sunday

2010-08-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Video by Linda Hay
Linda has been watching and photographing the wild horses of Twin Peaks for 30 years with her family.
See more of her photography here...
Run With The Wild Ones

Have a beautiful day!

How To Change The World...

2010-08-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

One Pony

One Favor

One Child

Sharing

One Kiss

Reflections

2010-06-20T09:58:00.001-07:00

We learned from Ladybug, Paisley, Patch and Zippy, the horse is always right.

They always show us truth even when we are not able to see it. What they always give us is honesty, fairness, forgiveness and love in its purest form.

Because no one in this small group needed to be convinced of this it was a fortifying collaboration of experiences, stories and deeper learning with our conductor, Maurizio Patti. We experienced the subtle ways our horses are always communicating with us.

The evenings were magical too, with music, food, friends, and fire. Saturday evening we were incredibly blessed to have Gentle Thunder share her stories and music, playing her beautiful Native American flutes and Hammer Dulcimer, it deepened the entire experience.

I hope this slideshow can help convey the feelings we experienced with and through each other, the animals, trees, flowers, birds, wind and mountain…

I now invite you to join this collaboration, together we can change the reality for both horses and people in a positive way. We are the leading edge of an ever evolving humanity, on purpose and exactly on time.

They are waiting for us!

Nevzorov Haute Ecole USA ~ Summer 2010

2010-06-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Nevzorov Haute Ecole
Summer 2010
USA Seminar/Workshop
June 11th, 12th, and 13th

Presented by Maurizio Patti,
official NHE representative from Italy.

See the event program below.

Hosted by Catherine Scott
at my home in Mount Shasta, CA.

For more information about the beautiful
Mt. Shasta area you can visit
The Mt Shasta Chamber of Commerce

There is room for on site camping at no charge. Some camp trailers will be available on a first come first serve basis. You can bring your own small camper or even a tent. If you prefer to stay off site I can help with accomodation arrangements. We are just 4 miles from town where there are cozy hotels and vacation rentals.

Meals are included and should prove to be a good time to continue the learning or relax with new friends made.

Registration with a deposit of $222.00 USD (150 Euro) can be made to hold your space. Total cost is $650.00 USD (440 Euro) if paid by March 1st. After March 1st, the total cost will be $700.00 USD (475 Euro). All payments will be received in Euros. Currency calculator.

Due to the nature of this event there is a limit of only 10 participants.

Please email for more information, registration form or payment instructions.

Maurizio at lifedream@email.it

Catherine at cescott410@msn.com

Program

2010-06-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

The Human ~ Horse Potential
3 Days of Discovery
NHE

In this modern day world our equine companions can be freed from the bondage of history, an existence of servitude, to be considered our equals… and friends. A friendship based on mutual trust and two-way communication, an everyday conversation with a member of a completely different species. Education. The horse can teach us about ourselves, and this event, featuring Maurizio Patti NHE Rep from Italy, will help wipe away the lifetime of traditions to discover the hidden potential in both yourself and your horse.

Friday June 11th, Day One
The day will begin at 9:00 am with introductions of both humans and horses in attendance.
Followed by discussion of the NHE philosophy and how to apply this information to your own relationships with horses.
Lunch
Discussion of the physical along with the emotional well being of horses and how this effects our relationships. How to recognize our horses physical abilities.
Dinner

Saturday June 12th, Day 2
Breakfast at 8:00 am
Starting at 9:00 am with
Thinking Games and their importance to the developing relationship.

Continuing with...

Wild Games

Introduction of Tools and their proper use.

Stretching Exercises and their importance to physical well being.

Lunch
The cordeo, its purpose and proper use.
The exercises, importance of and theory behind them.
Discussion and sharing of the days experiences.
Dinner
Entertainment, sharing and fun around the campfire!

Sunday June 13th, Day 3
Breakfast at 8:00 am
Starting at 9:00 am with
Basic Haute Ecole elements and the proper way to communicate to your horse your request for each move.

Lunch
Summary of events and discussion.
Conclusion.

Something About Maurizio

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I would like to introduce myself to all of you.

My name is Maurizio Patti and since 2007 I represent NHE in Italy.

NHE is a way of living that makes those who understand its philosophy aware of the importance of living creature. It applies to all species, but in our case horses are those that in this time and our present culture should have special attention. Abuses are extended to many animals species, but talking about sport horses, in our days, they are the ones who suffer the luck of human sensitivity.

My experience and mission strongly urges me to share a path that personally has helped me a lot in realizing that our true home is not those few walls surrounding us but simply earth, nature and all that lives in it. In this path horses play a key role. They have shown me what is generally important in any relationship.

Maurizio's Horses

2010-06-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Cypro is an Arabian horse and has been with me since 2005

Lencie is a KWPN horse and has been with me since 2006

The Spirit Within

2010-03-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

A True Friendship

2010-01-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

Maurizio and Cypro at Play

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Maurizio and Cypro at Work

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NHE Philosophy

2009-12-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

The NHE philosophy to me, simply put… do no harm.

Some of the quotes you will find throughout…

      “The horse is always right”

              “The horse is an exact science”

                  “There is no such thing as a bad horse”

                     “We are the tutors of kings!”

you can take these words to heart here.

When brutality and all forms of coercion are left behind the horses true nature, incredible intelligence, forgiveness and compassion will shine through. New communication, two-way communication, can then be established without the need of bits, bridles, halters or any other artificial aid.

It is time for change, for humans to live up to their defining words according to Mr. Webster… “the quality or state of being humane” being humane, “marked by compassion, sympathy or consideration for others”. The NHE way of living is an everyday state of being in synchronicity, harmony and communication with all of life.

So you see, this is the development of the human, bringing out the genius that has always been in the horse.

They are waiting for us!

Patch…

rescued from a medical research facility

where he received hundreds of injection daily.

Catherine

The Influence

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Silver Gal Shea...

aka Ladybug has influenced me to take a closer look at the true nature of human ~ horse relationships. Purchased as a “ranch raised, ranch broke, reining and working cow horse, the owners personal mount, from a large Texas ranch." It seemed she would be a nice broke horse, perfect, my dream horse.

As our relationship developed I discovered she was overly sensitive and highly explosive... a physically and emotionally damaged friend with a heart of gold. Perfect in every way!

As each of her injuries, sustained in the name of training, were revealed to me it forced me to learn how and why. The progression from the obvious saddle sores, to the not so obvious lacerated tongue and shattered supraorbital process, opened my eyes to the suffering horses endure at our human hands. Endured only for the sake of turning them into non thinking beasts of burden, machinery, living amusement rides.

I hope she along with all others can influence you to take a closer look also.

Nevzorov Haute Ecole 2010 Workshop/Seminar in USA

2009-12-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

Indiana

http://www.haute-ecole.ru/school/index.php?showtopic=13884

California

http://www.haute-ecole.ru/school/index.php?showtopic=13885

Presented by Maurizio Patti, NHE Rep Italy

More information to follow.

2009-11-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

~~Under construction:~~
Update: Sent to print 1/06/2010.
See a preview here Do They Know

Do They Know?
"Humanity" Through the Eyes of a Horse
A contemplative, pictorial look at the human ~ horse relationship.

A photobook created using Blurb