Developing Bravery... cont’d
Aynsley Cairns on her Canadian gelding, Jasper, working their way through the “bull pen” during a Doma Vaquera series lesson. (Photo by Lisa Coulthard) Ease phase, the horse and rider are judged on technique. The third phase is the same (or similar) obstacle course done at speed and is timed. The fourth and final phase includes sorting cattle with the use of a Garrocha pole in a team. Although the dressage test is also a good phase, the “Handling of Ease” phase provides the horse with the time and support to man-
euver each obstacle in a way that will develop his bravery and each one of the tasks that the horse and rider succeed at helps to add to the ever-growing list of things they can do! The more things that a horse and rider can do together, the more they believe is possible and it’s that energy of possibility mixed with that firm foundation of free forward movement and balance that creates bravery in a horse. Each task will need to be presented in a way the horse can understand, staying sensitive to his level of stress and ability to learn and with the support of an experienced, knowledgeable individual who can read the horse, support the rider and help to create a positive outcome for both. Any task can help to develop bravery in the horse as long as it encourages curiosity and play, challenges the horse emotionally and physically and results in the horse feeling successful and accomplished. Through the foundation of free forward movement and balance, developing bravery can be an exciting and incredibly fun process. Have fun and happy trails!
Pinto Miremadi on a Hanoverian mare, Abby, working with cows for Abby’s first time. (Photo by Tina Harnett) Christa Miremadi has been working with horses since 1984, and is a partner and facility manager in her family business in Langley, Silver Star Stables, where she also provides riding instruction and conducts horsemanship clinics. Christa is dedicated to creating harmony and building relationships between horses and humans through compassionate communication, and to strengthening partnerships by sharing the horse’s point of view. (See her listing in the Business Services Section under TRAINERS)
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