Blog

Zum looks to me for leadership, companionship and relationship based on positive communication. I am yearning for exactly the same things.

Zum stands still while I put the saddle on his back. It is a small success. I am happy that all the work I have done with Zum this last year has not gone to waste.

Monty Roberts stresses the importance of putting a saddle on a horse without having to tie the horse up. Lifting a saddle towards Zum’s back definitely uplifts his adrenaline. I am so happy when he stand still.

My hand therapist told me yesterday that if I didn’t have the arm surgery to install two long metal plates and screws into my right arm, that I could have lost my right hand. This is really alarming to me. I have been training myself to wait for my hand to get stronger all summer. Just as I am training myself to wait until I can finally get the saddle back on Zum. I am so grateful to be able to finally carry the saddle in both hands.

When there are traumas in life, you have to have recovery. I feel that it is time now for Zum and I to recover. My right arm is still immobile but I need a sense of security with Zum again. Scared horses and people need to feel safe in order for them to proceed in their education.

Picking up Zum’s front feet are more challenging than picking up his back feet. If he refuses to pick up his feet, I only justify Zum’s fear or disobedience by hitting or scolding him. So I patiently keep trying. When Zum agrees to do what I ask, I reward him with praise.

Zum lets me pick up his back feet easily. It is probably because I ask him first by saying “Pick up?” Zum wouldn’t let the impatient farrier pick up his back foot because this farrier yanked Zum’s back foot up roughly and harshly. I need to keep Zum away from egocentric men who think their poor quality ill-treatment and outrage can control people and animals.

I tried feeding Zum grass hay this week, thinking it might calm him down. When he didn’t get his usual alfalfa, he got angry and continually kept his ears back. So I researched the different types of hay and discovered that alfalfa has a higher level of protein and calcium than any other hay. Higher protein is important for young, growing horses like Zum. Most importantly, horses prefer the taste of alfalfa over grass hay. I want Zum to be happy and satisfied with his daily life. I am going to feed Zum the alfalfa he likes!

I want to communicate with Zum without demand, pressure or pain.

Monty Roberts says that you need to be kind and understanding with your horse. Eliminate all pain and restrain. I believe this one hundred percent.