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Keeping Your Head

by Joe
July 11th, 2009

Patience has never been my long suit. And the ability to panic at the least little thing seems to be embedded in my genetics. So maybe you can imagine what was going on in my tummy the morning that Noelle, our unhandled wild mustang, decided she would take a walkabout out in the free world.

Like son like mama. Malachi, her baby, often had liberty time outside his playpen when we were loading the Gator to feed the herd on the hillside. He just wandered around freely, stealing feed from the Gator, getting a rub or a scratch, pretty much whatever he wanted to do. Until one day he decided to go exploring (see Quite a Morning Adventure for Malachi on our blog list). After a freak storm-related accident killed him I would often leave the gate to his playpen open, just for emotional reasons. For me. Wishing he would walk through just once more… and certain that as nervous and freaky about new things as Noelle was she would never venture out through the gate.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I was piling hay in the Gator a few mornings ago when a strange sound turned me around and there she was… standing on the driveway. Keep in mind that even though she is finally allowing a bit of grooming, even combing of her mane, she has never worn a lead rope, nor has she been led in any fashion. I gulped – a big one – squished my adrenaline down as far as it would squish and said to myself Okay, what now?

At the moment she had the upper hand. There was no angle I could achieve that would direct her back into the playpen, so clearly this was going to be an adventure. I found it fascinating that she was so calm. Usually the slightest change would bring on a wide-eyed spell of huffing and puffing. Move one feed tub to the other side of the stall and you’d think a cougar had just walked in. But here she was, out where she had never been before, and she was as calm as a cucumber. And very curious. She looked up at the house, high on the hill above her.

Oh no, I thought.

There’s a very steep hill of boulders behind the house. If she got off down that hill she would not be safe and there would be very little I could do to direct her back up.

I attempted to calmly slide around behind her and get a better angle… just as she decided to have a look-see at that structure up on the hill from which we were always coming and going. At one time or another all of our horses have been loose within the perimeter fence, but only one of them, my Cash, has ever been brave enough to venture up the narrow drive behind the garage.

Now there were two. Cash and the wild mustang.

NoelleHouseWhen this photo was taken I had no idea
that she was planning a walkabout.

I sprinted up the steps to the front door, a wad of alfalfa in one hand, slipped through the house to the back door, and eased out onto the driveway just moments before she reached the edge of the hill. Paying careful attention to body language, hers and mine, and talking softly, I walked up slowly and offered her a bite of alfalfa while cutting off her access to the hill. She sniffed it but didn’t eat. Then she turned and quite calmly ambled off back down the driveway. This walkabout was becoming a terrific learning experience, hopefully for both of us. I followed her down without agenda other than attempting to subtly control her direction by turning and twisting my body. I’ve forgotten which clinician painted this picture but it works: pretend that a long pole is extended from your belly button. Wherever you put the end of that pole will affect the direction your horse moves. Noelle wanted to climb onto the lawn in front of the house but a twist of my torso past her drive line put the end of the imaginary pole right by her left eye and she calmly turned back onto the driveway. She stopped. I stopped. After a bit of sniffing, I clucked, and took a step forward. She walked on. This was becoming fun.

Kathleen had seen Noelle leaving the playpen from the kitchen window and was already out with the video camera. Here I am with a loose mustang and she’s not thinking how to help, but which camera to grab. I asked her to block the pathway to the hillside pasture where the rest of our herd resides. The concern was that if Noelle managed to get over to that pasture to socialize with the other horses there would be no way to get her back without a lot of raised adrenaline levels. So far this had been an interesting and good experience for all concerned. I hoped we could keep it that way.

Sure enough as Noelle rounded the garage and spotted the pathway to the hillside pasture she began to trot straight for it. Kathleen did her “calm cougar” imitation and Noelle turned at the last minute and started up the front steps to the house. To my knowledge she had never been on a step before. The steps fork and I had no choice but to hurry to block her option to the right, which would lead to the steep hill behind the house. She weighed her remaining options. Either leap over the stone wall to get around me, or go on up several more flights of steps. I offered her my standard greeting, a bite of alfalfa. She contemplated, thus relaxed a bit, then turned fully around and moved off down the steps. This was her freakiest moment as she sorted out navigating down the eight steps. Kathleen was still blocking the path to the pasture so she wandered off down the driveway, unfortunately past the entrance to the playpen. I chose not to follow because to push her into a dead-end at our property gate would be to likely cause her to make a bad decision. I waited.

Eventually she wandered back up and I calmly pointed to the right while blocking her other options. She took the point but ignored the playpen gate, instead wandering off through our “covered bridge” to the tack room then down a very steep hill to our small arena. Kathleen shot video and I just watched for a while as she wandered around the arena sniffing here and there. She had watched Malachi’s every move from her stall – with frustration – the day he made the same trip.

NoelleArena

She didn’t appear to have any immediate plans to come back up so I ambled down, went in, and offered her a bite of alfalfa. This time she took a bite, then I slid off behind her and urged her to move back up the hill. When she reached the steepest point she broke into a lope and tossed a playful kick off to one side. That brought a smile. She was having fun.

At the top of the hill she dropped right back into a curious walk sniffing her way through the covered bridge whereupon she met Kathleen with her arms spread wide, a handy stick in each hand, projecting at least a twelve foot wide profile. No waving. No noise. Just body direction. When I rounded the corner huffing and puffing from the climb Noelle was walking calmly back into the playpen. I followed her in, closing – and locking – the gate. She nibbled a bite of alfalfa from my hand and got a few kind words, and the event was over. Without incident. And with very little to-do or raised adrenaline levels.

I was very proud of Kathleen. At that moment in time she had never even touched Noelle. And was very aware of how extremely freaky Noelle can be on occasion. To keep her head, to stay calm and focused and just go with the flow was difficult enough for me, but a monumental challenge for Kathleen who has a “flight instinct” that, at times, could match Noelle’s. But in the end, Kathleen is the one who quietly directed Noelle back home. And I didn’t even get to see exactly how she did it. What moves she made. And, beautifully, she doesn’t remember. Which means her experience is turning into instinct. Yippee!

It was a terrific lesson for all of us. Noelle learned that we could cause her to move wherever we wanted her to move. And she allowed us to do so, which is the very essence of herd leadership. Who moves who.

Kathleen and I learned with clarity that keeping your head works. That being calm and thinking a problem through works. That patience works. As Pat Parelli says taking the time that it takes works. In spades. Whether you’re out on a walkabout with a wild mustang or solving a problem in your everyday life.

Good girl Noelle. Thank you.

Joe


Categories Building Trust, Mustangs, Relationship, Trust Yourself, Wild Horses
Comments (11)

Comments

  1. Debbie Chartrand says:
    July 28, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    I loved this story! Thank you for sharing! Between the words and the pictures, I felt like I was right along with you!

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  2. Dawn Hubbard says:
    July 20, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Joe and Kathleen: Are you in Tennessee? Are the fires near you? Don’t leave us here in California! Have you gotten the card yet with insert?
    Dawn

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  3. Karen Chaton says:
    July 15, 2009 at 12:23 am

    When you have time, please drop by Karen’s Musings & Endurance Ride Stuff! to pick up your Honest Scrap award. Click on the graphic and right click to save. Happy trails! Karen

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  4. Christine says:
    July 13, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    Thank you for sharing the ‘walk-about’ with us Joe. I am sure that you were very nervous as to what Noelle was going to do. You both handled her adventure with very cool heads and nerves of steel, at least on the outside LOL.
    Welcome back, I know it has been a tough up hill climb but I am so glad your back. I know I have missed your stories on what is happening in your world.

    Hugzz Christine

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  5. Cindy Sprinkle says:
    July 13, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Joe, I don’t have horses but love them so. Most of my neighbors have them so I learn alot from them. I sure hope at some point in my life I will have some. I have learned so much from your book The soul of a horse and have followed your stories. I was so heart broken at the loss of your Malachi. But the stories of Noelle are very incourging she sounds like she is really coming around to you but my heart aches for her loss also. On a lighter note Maybe Noelle saw a chance on her outing to try to figure out just where you and Kathleen are hiding those carrots or apples!! What a beautiful famile you have Mr. Joe Camp and thank you for keeping people like me informed.
    Cindy

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  6. Louanne Okapal says:
    July 13, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Great story. Been there done that but not with such a cool head. I always forget to look at it as a learning experience when thing like that happen. I love your storys, welcome back!!! God bless, Louanne

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  7. wendee walker says:
    July 13, 2009 at 9:05 am

    Joe, Congratulations on keeping a cool head. I had a similar incident while turning out my 2 mustangs. A worker had left the far end of the pasture gate open. They went out through it and could have headed into an open space water shed area called Wild Horse Valley in Napa, CA. They had 3 coices, towards a dressage clinic, back throug the gate, or open space. It all happened so fast but I visualized them turning back into the gate, and they did.

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  8. Kathy says:
    July 12, 2009 at 8:26 pm

    I had to smile as I started reading your blog. I have the same reaction when there is an unpleasant surprise waiting for me too. The other day as I was crossing the yard to get the hay cart I noticed my gelding was standing just outside his stall and didn’t move like he usually does when it’s breakfast. Then I noticed that his tail was caught, up close, on the latch—he wasn’t going anywhere. I did a quick about face and quickly, quietly, calmly—shaking and nerves at the surface—-I approached him as carefully as I could—talking softly to him–trying to get him not to move. We’re still in the early stages of getting to know one another so it was important to get him to trust me and back up and then move where I needed him to so that I could release him from the latch and in relatively short order I had him free. He wasn’t convinced it was true so he turned and looked to see if it was so…………I had to smile it was so cute………….I was trying to coax him forward to get a carrot…..he made slow tentative steps and then headed for the track for breakfast-no problemo. My hands shook for probably 20 min. Whew! Glad to hear Noelle is savvy. It’s good to hear from you again.

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  9. Marianne says:
    July 12, 2009 at 9:19 am

    Joe, I know your heart was pounding very hard. I have had some delicate moments with horses also, but not with a mustang. Noelle is such a good girl. She has beauty, as well has brains. Thank you so much for sharing her adventure with us.

    Marianne

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  10. Cheryl Dean says:
    July 12, 2009 at 8:22 am

    Good to see you blogging again. Same with me. Believe me, it hasn’t been easy. We both have suffered a tremendous loss. I am now focusing on the GOOD memories I have with Beauty~the goofy faces she made, the way the wind lifted her mane, her beautiful face. It’s hard. I spent yesterday morning just brushing Cali’s beautiful, long mustang mane! It was very relaxing for both of us. Take care, Joe.
    ~~Cheryl Ann~~

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  11. Kate says:
    July 12, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Great Post. Sounds like Noelle is expanding her comfort zone! This reminds me of a crazy experience I had with my donkeys. For some reason, one of my BLM donkeys is very skittish–perhaps because he was gelded in the BLM facility or who knows why. Like Noelle, he has yet to have a halter on or a leadrope though he is a loving soul and many times will enjoy scratching for many minutes at a time. One day, my combination locked gate opened (!)
    I had just returned from being out of town to find 3 of 4 donkeys missing and a gate open. The two jennies are very tame and Olli the shy one was with them. Finally on the second day of being missing and lots of driving around etc. the sheriff called to say that someone had them. They were about 5 miles away as the crow flies. If they had been close and not along the route of a narrow highway, they could have been lead home and Olli would follow. This rescue would have to involve trailering Olli. (!)

    Luckily they were found near some very nice people who let me drive my rig into their field. They happened to have a long area we could use as a chute. Luckily a good friend came immediately to help as well. It is not easy loading the 2 girls though they have been in trailers before. Getting 2 donkeys to stay in a trailer while waiting to load the unhalterable scared donkey is like herding cats or worse.

    After some travail the girls were in and tied so they could not jump out. After that, sweet little un-tame Olli just hopped in behind them and away we went!

    I am forever grateful that all went well with the help of several good folks and dumb luck. I’ll never forget Little Ollie just calming stepping into the trailer. The jennies are quite adventurous, but I think Olli was ready to come home.

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DVDs & CDs

Benji Widescreen HD HD Widescreen For the Love of Benji DVD - For the Love of Benji - Written, produced & directed by Joe DVD - The Original Benji - Written, produced & directed by Joe DVD - Benji the Hunted - Written & directed by Joe DVD - Benji Off the Leash - Written & directed by Joe Benji Soundtrack CD CD - Inspiring Keynote Speech from Joe: Dare to Dream

GREAT VIDEOS

  • 1-Born Wild Book Trailer
  • 1: The Soul of a Horse Trailer
  • 2: Relationship First!
  • 2a-Here We Go Again – Our Second Pregnant Mustang
  • 2b-First Romp in the Pasture for Saffron and Firestorm
  • 2c-Two Mustangs from the Wild and Their First Trip into a New Paddock
  • 3: Our Paddock Paradise – What We Did, How We Did It, and Why
  • 4: Why our horses are barefoot
  • 5: Why our horses eat from the ground
  • 6: Our Rescue Miss Mouse – Two Years Later
  • 7: Horses Dancing Barefoot
  • 8: Benji gets a new baby… horse
  • 9: Benji Movie Memories
  • 9a-Rick Lamb Interviews Joe
  • Day 1 with Noelle – Loading at the BLM in Reno
  • Day 18-Don't Ask for Patience. God Will Give You a Horse!
  • Day 46 with Noelle
  • Day 70 with Noelle
  • The Search for Benji in Shelters All Across the Country
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on YouTube

Hoof Care - Barefoot

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 3: Our Paddock Paradise – What We Did, How We Did It, and Why
  • 4: Why our horses are barefoot
  • 7: Horses Dancing Barefoot
  • Eddie Drabek
  • Mark Taylor
  • Pete Ramey's Website

Mustangs

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 2a-Here We Go Again – Our Second Pregnant Mustang
  • 2b-First Romp in the Pasture for Saffron and Firestorm
  • 2c-Two Mustangs from the Wild and Their First Trip into a New Paddock
  • Day 1 with Noelle – Loading at the BLM in Reno
  • Day 18-Don't Ask for Patience. God Will Give You a Horse!
  • Day 46 with Noelle
  • Day 70 with Noelle
  • Ginger Kathren's The Cloud Foundation
  • ISPMB
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on YouTube

Natural Lifestyle

  • 2b-First Romp in the Pasture for Saffron and Firestorm
  • 5: Why our horses eat from the ground
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo

Natural Training

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 1: The Soul of a Horse Trailer
  • 2: Relationship First!
  • 2a-Here We Go Again – Our Second Pregnant Mustang
  • Day 1 with Noelle – Loading at the BLM in Reno
  • Day 46 with Noelle
  • Day 70 with Noelle
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo

Recommended Links

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 2-Benji Website
  • 9a-Rick Lamb Interviews Joe
  • Animal Rescue League of Iowa
  • Cowboy Dressage with Debbie & Eitan Halachmy
  • Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch
  • Eddie Drabek
  • Ginger Kathren's The Cloud Foundation
  • Helen Woodward Animal Center
  • Horses of Proud Spirit Sanctuary
  • Imagine a Horse
  • ISPMB
  • Joe on Twitter
  • Kathleen on Twitter
  • Mark Taylor
  • Monty Roberts' Equus Online University
  • Pam Nickoles' Blog
  • Pete Ramey's Website
  • QueryHorse.com
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo

Relationship

  • 1-Born Wild Book Trailer
  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 1: The Soul of a Horse Trailer
  • 2: Relationship First!
  • 2c-Two Mustangs from the Wild and Their First Trip into a New Paddock
  • Day 70 with Noelle
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on YouTube

Terrific Horse Rescue Organizations

  • Animal Rescue League of Iowa
  • Horses of Proud Spirit Sanctuary

Terrific Pet Adoption Centers and Support

  • Animal Rescue League of Iowa
  • Helen Woodward Animal Center

Training Gently

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 1: The Soul of a Horse Trailer
  • 2: Relationship First!
  • Cowboy Dressage with Debbie & Eitan Halachmy
  • Imagine a Horse
  • Monty Roberts' Equus Online University

Trusting Yourself

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 1: The Soul of a Horse Trailer

Wild Horse Barefoot Lifestyle

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 3: Our Paddock Paradise – What We Did, How We Did It, and Why
  • 4: Why our horses are barefoot
  • 7: Horses Dancing Barefoot
  • Eddie Drabek
  • Pete Ramey's Website

Wild Horses

  • 1-The Soul of a Horse Website
  • 2a-Here We Go Again – Our Second Pregnant Mustang
  • 2b-First Romp in the Pasture for Saffron and Firestorm
  • 2c-Two Mustangs from the Wild and Their First Trip into a New Paddock
  • 3: Our Paddock Paradise – What We Did, How We Did It, and Why
  • Day 1 with Noelle – Loading at the BLM in Reno
  • Day 46 with Noelle
  • Day 70 with Noelle
  • Ginger Kathren's The Cloud Foundation
  • ISPMB
  • Pete Ramey's Website
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on Vimeo
  • The Soul of a Horse Channel on YouTube
  • Q&A with Joe
  • Our Former Place – The Birthplace of The Soul of a Horse
  • Our New Place in Middle Tennessee
  • Television & Radio Interviews
  • Read About the Houston Mounted Police Patrol – 40 Horses Working the Streets – All Barefoot!
  • Jack L. Kennedy Reviews Joe’s Books
  • The Soul of a Horse on Facebook

Joe & Kathleen

Barely eight years ago Joe and Kathleen Camp entered the world of horses without a horse or a clue and very quickly found their questions steering them into uncharted and controversial waters on a collision course with the ultimate discovery that most "domestic" horses in the world are being kept and cared for in a manner that is diametrically contradictory to their genetic design. Since that moment they have both become passionate advocates for change. Kathleen is a lawyer specializing in litigation and is now teaching American Literature at The Webb School. Joe created the international canine superstar Benji and wrote, produced, and directed all five of the Benji movies and various television programs. His recent book The Soul of a Horse is a national best seller and in its ninth printing. Even with all the accomplishments and media exposure, Camp is still in awe of his own success. “Inside, I’m still a kid sitting in a dark theater in Little Rock, Arkansas, watching Disney’s ‘Song of the South’ or reading books like the Black Stallion with happy tears rolling down my cheeks,” he says. “To be able to bringt that kind of happiness to others is very special.” For more, click on the About Joe & Kathleen link in the header bar above.
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