2009 was a tough year; full of struggles, change, and pain. And much to remember. But 2010 began with an awesome reminder of what our task on this planet is all about. Kathleen and I were greeted on this first day of the New Year with the following post on a natural horsemanship forum sent to us by a dear friend who frequents that particular forum:
“I just read a book I would not normally have picked up. It was at the library and I read the flap and thought yeah, yeah, another romanticizing horsemanship story. Anyway he mentions a trainer I have a problem with so I put it back on the shelf. But something kept making me look at it again. So last night in an effort to try to stay up for New Year’s Eve I thought I’d go ahead and try to read it.
It was The Soul of a Horse by Joe Camp. If you have read it you will know why it affected me so much.
I wanted to post this at 2:00AM, (when I had finished the entire book by the way – I read it straight through ), I thought you all would think I had gone nuts. Yeah, it was one of “those books” for me.
I laughed, I cried, I felt Joe’s embarrassment, his frustration, his victories no matter how small, his overwhelming accomplishment. I felt the horses mind working, and watched the evolution of their species through their eyes.
I felt his wife’s fear, both real and imagined and watched her journey overcoming it by learning from the horse. I saw her watch her husband’s obsession as my husband watches mine and can only shake his head.
This book validated so many things I know but could not bring to the surface. I just needed to remember.
OK, I’ll stop but I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book. It’s one of those books you buy and reread again and again because it is like an old friend on the shelf just waiting for you.” Traci – NH Forum Post
Thanks so much Traci. You don’t know how much your words mean to us.
Kathleen and I hope each of you have a fantastic year full of love and blessings. We count ours every day.
Joe
I just read Robynne’s message (the long one) and heard myself there! I even have all those web sites (and 100’s more) bookmarked and belong to the same paddock paradise blog (currently discussing slow feeders…). I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to know there are “others” out there who are interested in finding out the truth about horse care. I live in Upstate NY as well, near Rochester, would love to meet someone who “gets it.” :o)
For years, my family and friends have said “don’t worry, she doesn’t believe anyone…” (speaking of me b/c I never seem to believe anything I hear unless I can find proof it is real and correct). I have often wondered if I was the only one who dug for answers and tried to keep my mind open to those (often varied) answers. Like right now I am going to have to investigate why/when green grass could be okay. Need to take a Dr. Kellon course!!
Bless you Joe and Kathleen for your unrelenting search for “the best way.” You are good examples to follow.
I read Soul of a Horse over the holidays and loved it — thank you!! I can’t wait to review it on my blog — which is for book clubs, but who knows! :) I am passing it on to my husband to read before we make our big move to 35 acres in CO to realize my dream of having horses in my backyard!! :) By the way, I had never heard of the Calvary Stop before, but will soon be putting it in my riding repertoire!
When I returned from spending time in FL over the holidays, I found that my mare (who is never blanketed) had TWO blankets on her and was shivering! I knew the stable owner had good intentions (and the temperature was
-17 here in MN), but I immediately took off both blankets and when I returned the next morning (-9 temps), my mare was fluffy, happy, and not shivering any longer.
Here’s to natural horsemanship!! Thank you! :)
Happy New Year, Joe and Kathleen! I just posted a pretty long note to you, but alas, it blew into the wind, I think, because it’s not here.
It pretty much said thank you for being a constant and wonderful inspiration to us all. We wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!
Robynne
Well, now I can’t say anything original because everyone already said it better that I could have! Joe and Kathleen, the two of you HAVE been an inspiration to the horse community and beyond, and it seems your book has fallen into the hands of many, many people at just the right time in their lives. I am much like you, Joe, in questioning everything, and not taking any one person’s word for anything anymore regarding the health and welfare of our horses. The first year we just did what everyone else was doing, or what our farrier told us to do, or what local trainers suggested. Then I started researching and reading, for hours at a time, sometimes long into the night. I’ve read everything I could find in print or online about natural horsekeeping, and have learned more about horses (and people, for that matter) in the last three years than I think I’ve learned about any other single thing in my entire 55 years. Then I happened upon a website where Paddock Paradise was mentioned and I was sold instantly. I just knew there was a better way, because my horses’ feet were falling apart no matter what I did, and they were getting cresty necks from 24/7 pasture, and fatter every summer.
Anyway (I know I’m rambling, but I’m excited) it seemed like so many famous names I’d heard of were interconnected somehow, and the more I researched the more fascinated I became, but also frustrated because no one agreed with my new and crazy ideas (Barefoot and no grain or green grass? Impossible!). Then your book came along and glued everything together for me. Now I’m a happy member of the Monty Roberts-Clinton Anderson-Jaime Jackson-Pete Ramey-Joe Camp-Paddock Paradise-The Natural Vet fan club. I’m so incredibly grateful for the combined knowledge you all have brought our family and horses. I also now belong to a wonderful forum for Paddock Paradise horse folks, at http://www.paddockparadise.wetpaint.com, and it’s been a Godsend. We finally close on our farm in upstate New York next week, and I’m a little nervous to have our horses in our backyard and be totally responsible for their care, but I’m more excited to see how quickly they will flourish in their new natural environment.
So, it promises to be a Happy New Year, indeed, for my family and our little herd of three. Our gratitude and and love and well wishes for you and your family are too huge to express, but we want to wish you the happiest, healthiest and most prosperous New Year ever.
God bless you, Joe, and thank you,
Robynne
p.s. I’m still fighting for the wild horses, by the way!
Robynne… Please don’t say “no green grass”. It’s complex. But green grass is fine as long as your horses have all the choices they need. See the earlier posts on the blog… especially the “Two-month Report”. Ours guys and gals are doing great… out 24/7… no tracking… in Tennessee. Joe
I completely agree that ‘Soul of a Horse’ is like an old friend…and on that note, I think I will start the year with reading it for the fourth time :)
Joe & Kathleen ~ I hope 2010 brings you comfort & joy….and more stories for all of us out here in
‘new horse folk’ world….you are a guiding light.
lori parker (in snowy british columbia)
Hi Joe & Kathleen.
My New year started out great also. I closed on a house that I’ve been after for the last 3 months. Nothing went right since I looked at it and it’s cost me an arm and a leg to get it set up for myself and my horses but it is now accomplished and my horses are out my back door and it’s GREAT!! This is all because of you and Kathleen. I’ve always wanted my horses with me and although I didn’t move as far as you two did, it’s still been some challenge. But now that I’m here it’s all worth it. It is now 5 above zero in Wisconsin and I’m settled in and so are the horses and I want to thank you both very much for the encouragement you gave me from your move, Thank you again and God Bless, Louanne
Traci’s letter to you Joe was right on. I know many of us have our reasons for picking up the book. Mine was I had heard it was a good read . Well when I read it I noticed you like myself was a person who questions everything and everyone.
You would know like myself if someone told you a story and was lying. I am not sure if like me you could look them in the eye and say ” Hey Please stop” This took me many years to be able to do.
I am grateful for your book, because my husband is the kind of man who is very proud and loved his Dad who recently died. His father was an X horse trainer and occasionally raced horses so how do you convince a man with this upbringing that we did’t need a barn???
I wanted a horse and I had first to wait for him to build me a barn. Getting our pasture ready , finding the horse all took time. I did not rush. But once I found my horse and boarded him I knew I had to bring him home. Barn or no barn. Once my husband read your book, he seemed to be a bit more open minded when I spoke about things like where to put the electric fence.” Into the Trees” And to allow the horses Yes, now Horses into our woods and trees.
Sometimes hearing the things his wife is trying to tell him through another man, another man who he can relate to opened him up to not only listen, but to take the plunge and see for himself.
Thank you Joe, for your book because when I see my husband now, he not only loves seeing our horses free, but also gets quite a smile on his face as he quietly defends this life to others, who honestly think we are wrong.
Thank you Joe because here we are now in our 2nd winter and no we still believe we are doing the right thing but there is also relief in the morning as we count them waiting at the patio for us.
Just like our dogs when we bring them in each night and count them to make sure that no one got left out . We count each horse and panic if one can’t be seen. Only to finally breathe easier once spotted.
All the Best in the New Year to you Joe and your lovely wife Kathleen.
I served cabbage and black eye peas to my crew. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2010 for everyone. Marilyn PS Do horses eat cabbage?
Joe, What a wonderful way to start the new year for you. I recommend that volunteers at Cornerstone Assisted Riding and Equitherapy read Soul. I have it listed in the recommended reading on the website carebayarea.com. I have lent my copy out so many times its tattered! There is so much humanity in your writing. Thank you and Happy New Year! Wendee