Franklin Levinson's
Horse Help Center
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A horsy gift from God
Good morning Franklin,
No church this morning as we are experiencing the Blizzard of 2005 and I decided to do a little bit of web surfing. I came across your site and an email that you sent to someone with your "Blessing". I decide to look further.
I have an 8yr old appendix, 3/4 thoroughbred, 1/4 quarter horse. Sirene is my gift from God after wanting a horse for 38 yrs! He was given to me one year ago by a person I had only known for 2 days, she had been praying that someone would come to love him. I had told my husband 3 weeks earlier that I had to have my own horse and he painfully (on his part) told me that we could not afford to board a horse and how sorry that he was. I went into another room and verbally told the Lord. "Lord, you own every horse that there is and if you want me to have one, then I will have one." I then went on my merry way and forgot the conversation with God.
Well, now I have Sirene. He had been to 4 trainers in his life and after each one had no consistency with anyone. During the summer I rode Sirene 6 days a week and have made tremendous strides with him, although, he "wigs" out when I ride him down the driveway away from the barn. I have mostly ridden him in the paddock and trailer him to lessons once a week in an indoor. He is much better about the trailering than when we first began. My dream is to ride him confidently into the sunset, without worrying about him spooking or becoming "high headed" as we are riding. I pray that God will not let any "boogy men" attack us when we are on a trail.
I know that Sirene is a gift to me, as his owner allows him to board there free and has drawn up papers that I own him and as long as I don't move away (he would come with me) she will take care of his needs whether the usual or any medical. "All good and perfect gifts come from above!" But, my perfect gift still needs some work. Any suggestions? Any chance that you will be in New York in 2005?
Thank you and God Bless you, Carol
I have an 8yr old appendix, 3/4 thoroughbred, 1/4 quarter horse. Sirene is my gift from God after wanting a horse for 38 yrs! He was given to me one year ago by a person I had only known for 2 days, she had been praying that someone would come to love him. I had told my husband 3 weeks earlier that I had to have my own horse and he painfully (on his part) told me that we could not afford to board a horse and how sorry that he was. I went into another room and verbally told the Lord. "Lord, you own every horse that there is and if you want me to have one, then I will have one." I then went on my merry way and forgot the conversation with God.
Well, now I have Sirene. He had been to 4 trainers in his life and after each one had no consistency with anyone. During the summer I rode Sirene 6 days a week and have made tremendous strides with him, although, he "wigs" out when I ride him down the driveway away from the barn. I have mostly ridden him in the paddock and trailer him to lessons once a week in an indoor. He is much better about the trailering than when we first began. My dream is to ride him confidently into the sunset, without worrying about him spooking or becoming "high headed" as we are riding. I pray that God will not let any "boogy men" attack us when we are on a trail.
I know that Sirene is a gift to me, as his owner allows him to board there free and has drawn up papers that I own him and as long as I don't move away (he would come with me) she will take care of his needs whether the usual or any medical. "All good and perfect gifts come from above!" But, my perfect gift still needs some work. Any suggestions? Any chance that you will be in New York in 2005?
Thank you and God Bless you, Carol
Hi Carol,
I hope the "Blizzard of 2005" moves off quickly. Thanks for your most kind and lovely email. I always think horses are some of the greatest 'blessings' man has ever received. For a horse it is all about trust. How deeply you can establish a relationship of trust with this horse is the key to the great relationship, no matter what you want to do. Sounds like he is not too bad with how he is with you. He'll be nervous when you are nervous. He'll be unsure and afraid if you are. Howerever your are not confident, he will not be confident. So, I would suggest developing your riding skills to become a more confident rider. Yo may need to take lessons on a more experienced and relaxed horse to develop your equestrian skills to a higher level before going out much on your own horse. After all, its not so much fun to dance a lot with someone who does not know how to dance. For you to not worry about him spooking you need the confidence to know you can handle the situation if he does. Help yourself first and then you'll be able to help your horse. Boogy men are there potentially always for a horse. They are prey animals. Being alert and ready to run is how they survive. It is possible to basically bomb-proof a horse to become desensitized to any and all disturbance. This is a specialized skill which you do not have at this time and would need to learn over time from taking an appropriate course in it. I can teach you as others could. But you would need to come and take a course (or have me to your area to teach it). Also, your horse is not really secure that he will be safe when away from the barn. This is why he does not want to leave that area. That he is nervous and upset when out away is symptomatic of his fear and low self-esteem. If you had the skills I would suggest you go back to the beginning of his training and re-introduce everything to him gently and apporpriately. From a halter and leadrope to saddle, blankets, everything. This gets the horse to accept you as his knowledgeable and confident leader. Without this in the mix of the relationship, your horse will remain nervous and fearful when something new happens or jumps out at him from the bushes.
Anyway, I hope I have offered a few good suggestion. "Gifts' are great things no matter where they come from (always God anyway). But they come with responsibility. One of our responsibilities towards the horses in our care is to always show up consciously as the great parent and compassionate leader for our horses. Just like children, horses want, need and have to have that great leader/parent around to feel they are safe and can go where that leader says and know they will be safe. God Bless you....
Sincerely, Franklin
Dear Franklin,
Thank you very much for your response to my letter to you. It prompted me to spend some time on your sight reading many letters in your archive area. I am looking forward, as the round pen thaws out, to spending more time with Sirene on ground work as you suggest to further develop my horses trust in me.
You are very kind to offer so much sound advice, at length, to so many who are looking for help with their horses.
Thanks,
Carol