Out Around the Barn

When I was younger, I had no problem going out around the horses or livestock.  I basically had “NO FEAR” when it came to working around the sows and piglets.  Oh, there was the, be cautious of the Boar, attitude that we had to keep in mind but, usually we had no problems, except when a new litter was first born.  We cut teeth and tails on the piglets and worked closely with the sows when cleaning their stalls.  I had my own horse and was not afraid to ride at any speed or jump whatever came his way.  I basically was not afraid.

Well, that was years ago.  I had raised a family, been away from the farm for almost twenty years and did not realize that a person could change so much from being unafraid to fearing the things you grew up with.   

So I began to gradually face my fears.  My partner has a small farm and he has always had horses and cattle.  The fear I faced with the horses really surprised me.  I never dreamed I would be afraid of the animal that I loved the most.  I was terrified to get too close, to ride, to even be around them for fear of getting hurt.  It just shocked me.  I realized that if I wanted to have anything to do with them, I would have to get a grip and face whatever fear had a hold on me.  So, I began re-learning the basics and went to some training seminars.  We went and listened to Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox, Dennis Reis and a couple other instructors and watched their techniques.  We brought home DVDs and books and watched and read their training skills that had been successful for them.  We then began with our own training. 

I started out scared to death and very slow.  I first started working with a three year old that was used to having people around him.  He did well with what teaching I could do.  I think I confused him more than helped at first.  I couldn’t wait to have my own horse so I bought a paint mare, 6 year old, and was just thrilled.  She was my worst nightmare.  I couldn’t  do ground work with her one day because she’d totally forget it the next and every time I would ride, she’d throw me.  It became pretty dangerous.  I was beginning to feel my fear grow again.  It was apparent I needed to find a better suited horse for me and let her go, and I did.  I now own an 8 year old gelding that is very gentle and rides nicely.  I have faced my fears, or at least most of them, and am pretty proud of myself.  I still have a ways to go but, now I can walk through the bull pen and feed our Longhorn bulls. I can now feed every animal on the farm, which consists of Longhorn cows and bulls, Angus, Herefords, horses, goats (which are mine) and chickens (mine also). 

 I have my own animals now and have come to realize that if I want this, I have to be able to function around them and FEAR has its place but you have to be able to use it to your advantage and not against yourself.  An essential when it comes to farm tools, maybe not the usual when you think of it but, it has a purpose.  Many are not aware of the fact that they are afraid but being a woman and animal lover I’ll admit it has nothing to do with your gender or ego, it is just human and we all have a fear of something.  Learn to use it to your advantage and you’ll get far. 

Here are a few tips I learned when working with animals:

1. Get over your fears by having a plan

2. Your safety first and then the animals

3. Herd animals have a Pecking Order, learn whom they trust

4. You and your animal must earn each others trust

5. They need to know where your space is and theirs

6. Don’t push them beyond their limits, mistakes will be made.  Back down and let them catch up to where they are comfortable and go from there.

7. Most Important:  Start slowly and gradually work up to a pace suited best for both of you. 

There are a lot of shows on RFD-TV that pertain to horses.  The clinics that we have been to have helped me a lot but, if I have the time, I watch Ken McNabb and the others I mentioned above for new ideas and training techniques.