Comments on: Cash’s First Ever Snowfall http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/ Joe Camp's Official Blog Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:56:15 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jane Ames http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Jane Ames Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:03:32 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-355 I discovered just this morning that you have moved to the east side of our country!! Woo Hoo! I live in Upstate NY (near lake Ontario) - cold and snow are already here with us. I always wonder why so many wonderful "natural" horse-people live in the west - making them rather inaccessible to those of us "over here." I would LOVE to visit so many farms and have conversations with just as many people who "do horses" the way I am choosing to. But, alas, I feel that I am pretty much alone up here (with regard to PP anyway)...or at least that I am aware of. Reading your book only helped to confirm one change after another: PP and the need for movement, BARE FEET, the bitless bridle, saddle fit, no stalls, keeping an open mind to change, and on and on... Everytime I am met with that blank stare, or (more often) that, "she doesn't know what she's doing" look, I remember you and all that you have discovered through research and having an open mind about horses and how THEY prefer to live. Your book and web site often provide me with the comfort of knowing there are others who are seriously interested in having - no, allowing - their horses to simply be horses. I see a "life" in my horses eyes and movements, that I do not always see at other farms where the horses are kept traditionally. Makes me sad...and sometimes mad. One of my dreams for years has been to adopt a wild mustang. Brings tears even now just thinking about it. Reading about your experience with your Momma and new baby mustang, again, only serve to keep my dream alive. In fact just yesterday, I spoke to someone about it and thought of you. I have had horse people say to me that mustangs are small ugly horses and why on earth would I want one? I just smile back - not worth my time to try and explain all the reasons why. Your story continues to give me hope - to keep moving in the direction of my dream to own one of those so very special horses one day. If you can do it, I can do it. One day, one day... Some day, now that you are not 1/2 way around the country - I would love to meet you and your "family." It would bless me down to my (cold) toes. Merry Christmas, Jane I discovered just this morning that you have moved to the east side of our country!! Woo Hoo! I live in Upstate NY (near lake Ontario) – cold and snow are already here with us. I always wonder why so many wonderful “natural” horse-people live in the west – making them rather inaccessible to those of us “over here.” I would LOVE to visit so many farms and have conversations with just as many people who “do horses” the way I am choosing to. But, alas, I feel that I am pretty much alone up here (with regard to PP anyway)…or at least that I am aware of.

Reading your book only helped to confirm one change after another: PP and the need for movement, BARE FEET, the bitless bridle, saddle fit, no stalls, keeping an open mind to change, and on and on… Everytime I am met with that blank stare, or (more often) that, “she doesn’t know what she’s doing” look, I remember you and all that you have discovered through research and having an open mind about horses and how THEY prefer to live. Your book and web site often provide me with the comfort of knowing there are others who are seriously interested in having – no, allowing – their horses to simply be horses.

I see a “life” in my horses eyes and movements, that I do not always see at other farms where the horses are kept traditionally. Makes me sad…and sometimes mad.

One of my dreams for years has been to adopt a wild mustang. Brings tears even now just thinking about it. Reading about your experience with your Momma and new baby mustang, again, only serve to keep my dream alive. In fact just yesterday, I spoke to someone about it and thought of you. I have had horse people say to me that mustangs are small ugly horses and why on earth would I want one? I just smile back – not worth my time to try and explain all the reasons why. Your story continues to give me hope – to keep moving in the direction of my dream to own one of those so very special horses one day. If you can do it, I can do it. One day, one day…

Some day, now that you are not 1/2 way around the country – I would love to meet you and your “family.” It would bless me down to my (cold) toes.

Merry Christmas,
Jane

]]> By: Jack Turner http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-354 Jack Turner Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:36:28 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-354 Joe, Great Job on 'Soul of a Horse'! I'm almost done reading it, and will recommend it to all of my equine enthusiast friends. I think projection of one's own thoughts, desires, ways, etc., is a human flaw. We do it to our dogs, cats, horses, and even to our fellow humans. I've been fortunate to shake that off pretty early in my reacquaintance with horses after 30 years. All my equines (5 horses, 5 donkeys, 1 mule) are barefoot and have NO hoof problems. They're in their fuzzy coats now as we are in Central Missouri. As you noticed, even in inclement weather they often choose to stay outside, even when shelter is nearby. Thanks for a great book, and a truly worthwhile perspective. Jack Turner Joe, Great Job on ‘Soul of a Horse’! I’m almost done reading it, and will recommend it to all of my equine enthusiast friends. I think projection of one’s own thoughts, desires, ways, etc., is a human flaw. We do it to our dogs, cats, horses, and even to our fellow humans. I’ve been fortunate to shake that off pretty early in my reacquaintance with horses after 30 years. All my equines (5 horses, 5 donkeys, 1 mule) are barefoot and have NO hoof problems. They’re in their fuzzy coats now as we are in Central Missouri. As you noticed, even in inclement weather they often choose to stay outside, even when shelter is nearby. Thanks for a great book, and a truly worthwhile perspective.

Jack Turner

]]> By: admin http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-352 admin Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:47:20 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-352 Erin - We probably will not do a Pasture Paradise as such here. The primary reason to have one is to enforce movement. Lots of it. We're in winter now so we're feeding hay on the pasture. The water pond is at one far end of their pastures and most of the hay goes at the other far end in 30-40 piles. I usually put a bit of their favorite at the other end near the pond. And they like to hang out in the paddocks around the barn. So they're back and forth and getting lots of movement right now. And because it's so often muddy and it's so steep they're learning to ski pretty well and their lower legs are thickening up quite a bit. It's amazing how they can race across the muck that I can barely walk across. We'll see what happens in the Spring after the hay is gone or cut way back. The trick is just finding or figuring out what will keep them moving from one end to the other. From top to bottom. If they do that on their own we'll just stay out of their way :) If not, we'll probably add back some properly placed hay to force mileage. Or something. I don't "keep" Noelle in a halter. The halter was put on her at the BLM last December before we made the trip back through the mountains to get her home. Just in case something happened. I doubt that a 12-month old knot could be removed at this point without cutting which would be both traumatic and dangerous. She has not yet ever had a lead rope on. I don't want to set her back. And I do get a an opportunity from time to time to let her experience a bit of pressure on the halter by just gently pulling on the loop with one hand while I have hay in the other, stepping backwards. Have not yet put any emphasis on this, just play with it whenever the time is right. My plan (hopefully) is to have a round pen up by spring, get her used to it, do a full blown join up, and then go for the lead rope. We'll see. Right now I'm mostly just cementing relationship. She regressed a good bit when we moved to Tennessee but now we're back to belly rubs, butt rubs, hand down the leg to the hoof, arm around the offside of her neck like a hug, etc. And I just stand leaning on her while she eats, without agenda. She likes bermuda better than orchard (the main pasture hay), so I put out no bermuda until I reach the far end and she'll follow me in the gator all the way and then accept a rub and a scratch while nibbling bermuda from my hand. This is good because when this mustang accepts something while standing at point A that does not mean she'll accept it under all the same conditions standing at point B. Everything is different. If I move too fast she still freaks out. Comes right back, but freaks out nonetheless. Even some of the fast moves of the other horses sends her scurrying. Anyway... just still easing through it at her pace, not mine. Joe Erin – We probably will not do a Pasture Paradise as such here. The primary reason to have one is to enforce movement. Lots of it. We’re in winter now so we’re feeding hay on the pasture. The water pond is at one far end of their pastures and most of the hay goes at the other far end in 30-40 piles. I usually put a bit of their favorite at the other end near the pond. And they like to hang out in the paddocks around the barn. So they’re back and forth and getting lots of movement right now. And because it’s so often muddy and it’s so steep they’re learning to ski pretty well and their lower legs are thickening up quite a bit. It’s amazing how they can race across the muck that I can barely walk across. We’ll see what happens in the Spring after the hay is gone or cut way back. The trick is just finding or figuring out what will keep them moving from one end to the other. From top to bottom. If they do that on their own we’ll just stay out of their way :) If not, we’ll probably add back some properly placed hay to force mileage. Or something.

I don’t “keep” Noelle in a halter. The halter was put on her at the BLM last December before we made the trip back through the mountains to get her home. Just in case something happened. I doubt that a 12-month old knot could be removed at this point without cutting which would be both traumatic and dangerous. She has not yet ever had a lead rope on. I don’t want to set her back. And I do get a an opportunity from time to time to let her experience a bit of pressure on the halter by just gently pulling on the loop with one hand while I have hay in the other, stepping backwards. Have not yet put any emphasis on this, just play with it whenever the time is right. My plan (hopefully) is to have a round pen up by spring, get her used to it, do a full blown join up, and then go for the lead rope. We’ll see. Right now I’m mostly just cementing relationship. She regressed a good bit when we moved to Tennessee but now we’re back to belly rubs, butt rubs, hand down the leg to the hoof, arm around the offside of her neck like a hug, etc. And I just stand leaning on her while she eats, without agenda. She likes bermuda better than orchard (the main pasture hay), so I put out no bermuda until I reach the far end and she’ll follow me in the gator all the way and then accept a rub and a scratch while nibbling bermuda from my hand. This is good because when this mustang accepts something while standing at point A that does not mean she’ll accept it under all the same conditions standing at point B. Everything is different. If I move too fast she still freaks out. Comes right back, but freaks out nonetheless. Even some of the fast moves of the other horses sends her scurrying. Anyway… just still easing through it at her pace, not mine.

Joe

]]> By: Erin http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-351 Erin Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:56:42 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-351 Just a quick note to tell you how much I appreciate your book and website. I check the blog on a regular basis. Even before I found your book and website I was a big proponent of a lot of what you do with your horses...my barn has run in stalls for them so they can come and go as they please, I never blanket and keep them barefoot. They are my babies, but they are horses after all! But I have not yet been able to set up a Jamie Jackson "pasture paradise" like you had in CA. Are you planning on setting one up at your new place? One more question...why do you keep Noelle in a halter all the time? Every picture I see of her she is wearing a halter. Do you not take it off when she is just hanging out? Just a quick note to tell you how much I appreciate your book and website. I check the blog on a regular basis.

Even before I found your book and website I was a big proponent of a lot of what you do with your horses…my barn has run in stalls for them so they can come and go as they please, I never blanket and keep them barefoot. They are my babies, but they are horses after all! But I have not yet been able to set up a Jamie Jackson “pasture paradise” like you had in CA.

Are you planning on setting one up at your new place?

One more question…why do you keep Noelle in a halter all the time? Every picture I see of her she is wearing a halter. Do you not take it off when she is just hanging out?

]]> By: Tiffany Drabek http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-346 Tiffany Drabek Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:25:46 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-346 What an adorable picture of Cash! Eddie said to tell you that snow was courtesy of us, we sent it up y'alls way after our dusting! ;) Looks like you and all the critters are doing well in TN! What an adorable picture of Cash! Eddie said to tell you that snow was courtesy of us, we sent it up y’alls way after our dusting! ;) Looks like you and all the critters are doing well in TN!

]]> By: Robynne Catheron http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-342 Robynne Catheron Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:54:04 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-342 Hi Joe, Well, I don't know what the heck I was waiting for, but I finally read the book. My family has read it and I've loaned it to all my friends, but I just finished it yesterday. Cried like a baby through most of it, but it left me filled with a profound appreciation for my horses. After four years with them, I sometimes forgot what incredible gifts they are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me. Hi Joe,
Well, I don’t know what the heck I was waiting for, but I finally read the book. My family has read it and I’ve loaned it to all my friends, but I just finished it yesterday. Cried like a baby through most of it, but it left me filled with a profound appreciation for my horses. After four years with them, I sometimes forgot what incredible gifts they are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me.

]]> By: Robynne Catheron http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-341 Robynne Catheron Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:35:40 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-341 Joe, I don't know why it took me so long, but I finally read the book. My family has already read it, I've loaned it to all my friends, and I just finished it yesterday. Cried like a big baby, but it was a deep, thankful cry, full of joy and gratitude and a profound appreciation for my horses all over again. After four years of being with them every day, sometimes I don't remember what a gift they are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me. Joe,
I don’t know why it took me so long, but I finally read the book. My family has already read it, I’ve loaned it to all my friends, and I just finished it yesterday. Cried like a big baby, but it was a deep, thankful cry, full of joy and gratitude and a profound appreciation for my horses all over again. After four years of being with them every day, sometimes I don’t remember what a gift they are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me.

]]> By: Lydia Holley http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-340 Lydia Holley Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:21:32 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-340 Hi! Thanks for sharing this with all of us! I guess I am one of those people who live "up there in the freezer"... :P I'm not laughing though, don't worry. I've been so inspired by your book "The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd". So thank you for that. Stewy is now going all natural. (feet included!) :D ~Lydia Hi!
Thanks for sharing this with all of us! I guess I am one of those people who live “up there in the freezer”… :P I’m not laughing though, don’t worry.
I’ve been so inspired by your book “The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd”. So thank you for that. Stewy is now going all natural. (feet included!) :D
~Lydia

]]> By: Marianne http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-338 Marianne Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:36:50 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-338 Joe I just love all the pictures. Your farm is so pretty covered in white. I really love reading about your new life down on the farm. I know you are having the time of your life. Joe I just love all the pictures. Your farm is so pretty covered in white. I really love reading about your new life down on the farm. I know you are having the time of your life.

]]> By: Suzi Armstrong http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/cashs-first-ever-snowfall/comment-page-1/#comment-337 Suzi Armstrong Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:13:39 +0000 http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/?p=573#comment-337 Thank you for your inspiring words that keep all of us going in the right direction. If you haven't already seen it you may enjoy a movie titled "The Wild Horse Redemption." It demonstrates the ability of the gift that we have in horses to change our very life. God definitely provided us with an amazing gift and it's the least we can do to provide it with the best life we can. Your guidance helps so many to do that. Thank you for your inspiring words that keep all of us going in the right direction. If you haven’t already seen it you may enjoy a movie titled “The Wild Horse Redemption.” It demonstrates the ability of the gift that we have in horses to change our very life. God definitely provided us with an amazing gift and it’s the least we can do to provide it with the best life we can. Your guidance helps so many to do that.

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