”The joys of breaking through to a new understanding all along the horsemanship journey are incredibly exciting and strong motivation to continue the work” (Tom Moates)
I know I have just said it, but I find it so exciting to get all kind of impulses from different corners of the world, and different horse disciplines.
I read and digest, and mull it over in my mind. And I wish I could get you all guys together in reality, and we could sit together and have a marvelous discussion over a bottle of wine or some beers. (Thanks for the idea, Trudi!)
What a night that would have been!
We would for sure not have been in agreement over everything, but does it matter? I believe we all would have been a bit wiser. It is always good to look at things through different angles.
What I have mulled over lately is our perception of how the horse is to behave when he “is behaving”. What is manners?
Where does respect come in? And trust?
And how does our horse culture come into play?
Bloggers from the US are occupied about the horse not getting into your space, about signals of licking and chewing.
Important things, yes - but things that the average Norwegian horse owner doesn’t have a clue about!
The horses here might be unmannered out from an American point of view. But we do get things done here too without much problems or fuzz.
And then I just had to laugh, because I understand that many people around the world experience Scandinavians as a bit rude and uncivilized; too direct. No manners.
Maybe our horses are like us, ROFLMAO!
So dear readers, I beg you to please excuse my rudeness - it is a cultural baggage. I was born that way. Can’t be helped.
*chuckles*
(nice excuse huh? I wonder if it goes for being unfit too? Sorry, was born that way...)
Now I am off to have some refill on my learning. New training here this weekend.
I am not participating, but I will fold out my big ears and see if I get some fish.
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12 comments:
Oh yes, get yourself to France HofC, you me and Di could down a bottle (or two) but it's MUCH cheaper here than in Norway!!
I don't find you Scandi's rude..direct but no ruder than the French or English. I spent many happy hours in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland when I was a trolley dolly for BA. I still remember taking a trip to a ski slope not too far from Oslo and driving round the open countryside there were all these gorgeous houses (I mean really PRETTY houses) and all with those twinkly lights at the window as it got dark I just wanted to go and look in one.
Sorry I digress, tripping off down memory lane for a mo.
I'm up for that! What a good idea.
I have a dutch friend who is very direct and spontaneous, she says it is a trait of the Dutch. She says that the English are very reserved! Huh, I don't think so, not when you get to know us. LOL
Direct is nice - it's easier to understand, and people actually ask for what they want instead of hinting around.
It would be fun to get together, and share even more experiences.
Jasså är vi?? Visste jag inte.
Thanks for your comments!
Trudi and Di - Just say when!
Trudi, can it be that you took a trip through the valley where I live?
I don't know if I can agree with your kind comment about the houses, but I get a bit excited when I hear your description.
We have a ski slope here, and it is the closest one to the city centre. It is also open countryside down in the valley, as you might have seen at the photos. Can it really be?
I also have a good friend that worked in BA's Norwegian office for quite a while (she is now with KLM), but I don't know if you had anything to do with them?
Kate - I wish I could join you at the next Mark Rashid seminar!
Irene - so I have heard.
I think most people would be better off if they just said what was on their mind and if cultural norms expected and welcomed that. I think it would save a whole lot of nonsense!
I would join your party anytime if I could. Dressage nerds with wine?? I'm IN! I would be asking you a billion questions :)
Not all of us worry about licking and chewing. That is a "horse whisperer" thing.
Some of us riders in the U.S.expect our horses to learn their manners as they go forward in training for their discipline.
But yes, manners are expected.
RB - you're in!
Thanks for commenting Mugs!
Yes, but what is manners?
It is a matter of definition, isn't it? Where do we put our limits? What is acceptable, and what is not?
We are all carrying a luggage both of culture and of earlier experiences with us.
I may have a slacker attitude towards my horses than you have, Mugs, but I have on the other hand never worked with horses professionally, never have had to deal with the problem horses that other had given up upon.
Trudi/Di - do you notice any difference between France and UK?
Oh, I would so much like to have that discussion, guys. I would even bring beer and red wine from Norway.
And here it is EXPENSIVE!
Sorry I'm a lot behind on blogger due to entertaining our guests.
Yes I reckon it will have been that ski slope HofC, I don't remember much detail except the drive through the valley to get there....it was a new world for me. That is, however, one helluva long time ago (I've been left over 10 years now)I do recall the last hotel we stayed in was a tall modern (just opened I think) chain hotel right in the centre and as always, sigh, the BA crew used to find the nearest pizza resto!! We also used to stopover in Bergen, right by the harbour...another pretty place.
I KNOW how pricey the red wine is in Norway but it's so much cheaper here. Don't know how easy it is to get from Oslo to Limoges?
I agree with your thoughts on manner, what are they? Different things for different folks; I try always to teach my daughter by example, not so easy with a horse but still achievable.
Do you mean differences in France between horse training methods? The French are big on manners and sometimes big on the punishment too;that is changing and that's why I chose my daughters riding club because the teacher starts the lesson by reminding them that ponies are 'living beings' and are not to be kicked or whipped into submission. Not always easy on a Shetland, lol.
In general though I can't abide unecessary agression and you see a lot of it on the show jumping circuit locally round here :-(
Trudi - What can I say? The world is small.
No, I cannot abide unnecessary agression either. That really makes me mad.
I will try and order some of your recommended books tomorrow, and do my homework.
I really look forward to discuss them with you!
haha!!Too funny you! Well noone can please everyone nor should they attempt. This is coming from me- who lived to please all and failed miserably. Now I am very nice but, I too speak my mind up more these days should I detect one that cares to embrace it.
What an awesome idea to sit around, with beverage of choice, and shoot up the horse thoughts for a weekend!! Lovely~ Of course there would be differances...but look at us all! It would be a thing of beauty...and soo much to glean!
I am in, with beer. Beer is culture in Canada.
I find that I get more direct with people for each year over 40.
Beer and horse discussion with friends. Priceless.
in Alberta
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