Interview with James for magazine "Oma Hobu"

 

1. How did you find your way to the natural/alternative way of handling horses and connecting with them?

 

 A. Well I didnt find my way it found me. My first horse which I watched being born and growing up in a herd was my first true teacher. I was 18yrs old and he was  4yrs old when I started to train him. I had never trained a horse before, but having been riding since the age of three, I was quite competant and cocky. I trained him the traditional way known in Spain as 'Doma Vaquera' which uses pain, fear and submission to dominate the horse to your will. I used the spurs, I used the whips, I used the serreton (metal noseband) and always fought with the horse until it submitted. I never changed to a harder bit, always used the snaffle. Several times, I had some uncontrolled moments like the bit coming out of horses mouth when in flight mode or bucking me for using the spurs too hard, but I never questioned these moments, always thought horse is just being rebelious, I'll show him. Luckily he was a very forgiving horse, but one day I came across a book called The Man Who Listens To Horses by Monty Roberts, and when I read it, I was fasinated, and it opened a whole new part in my brain. The book made me realise, that my actions have all being deriving from my predatory side, and maybe its not the horse that is rebelling but my lack of understanding and he is just trying to tell me something, but I brushed it aside.

At first I was sceptical; until I fell in love with a golden coloured Arabian horse who would become my greatest teacher. This horse had been locked away in a stable for 4 years without been ridden or worked with, only taken out of his stable to be tied up all day in the sun. I took pity on him so I would lunge him and take him out to eat some grass and stretch his legs. He bit, he kicked, not to mention bucked; he had me on the floor three times before I managed to stay on. They had tried to train him the traditional way but he would have none of it, he had too much spirit, and I could see that. At the stables they said I was out of my league to even consider buying him but I could see this horse could really be something, he was just misunderstood.

I bought this Arabian for next to nothing in comparison to what he was worth, and at first I was a bit intimidated by his wild outbursts, and asked for some advice. They said I had to show him who was boss and be firm. I tried that for a while but the harder I tried the more times I went home exhausted, frustrated and unmotivated. It was time to change and start trying something new, nothing seemed to work up to now so I read all I could on Monty Roberts and discovered these natural methods by trying out his techniques. I never looked back. I spent many weeks leading my horse on a rope everywhere to get to know him and try to gain his trust. I have no round pen to work in but it’s amazing how much trust you can gain by just spending time with your horse without demanding anything. He taught me how to become self-conscious by refusing to accept the old ways and led me on a path of trust and infinite joy! I found a natural horsewoman in Spain called Tracy James, who had been trained by Monty Roberts in the USA.  I decided to meet her and attend a course. Only did one week, but the experience taught me a lot about myself and how much I really know. She gave the mental and physical tools I needed to really start helping others and putting this philosophy into practise and spread the love for horses. 

 

2. How did you used to see a horse, define a horse and how do you think of a horse now? Who is the horse to you?

 

A. I have always had a connection with animals not just horses, so I could relate to most animals, but when it came to riding horses, I never knew how a bit works, or why horses move when you spur them, its what you are told to do and everyone does it, I have always thought of animals as our friends and our connection back to nature so I always tried to be light with my hands and not kick, as deep down it bothered me but this is how it is. When I discovered natural horsemanship it was like a cloud had been lifted and I felt so guilty for my actions that I promised never ever go back to that mentality, its illogical and watching traditional riders now is like watching somebody going crazy, Im so glad I got my sanity back thanks to my animal friends

 

3. Who are you to the horse, what is the relationship between you two and why? (for example some people say they are the leader, some say they are the friend....and so on, maybe you have your own view and can elaborate on that.) How is the relationship changed through time?

 

A. Theres a term which I read in a book called, Horses Never Lie, by Mark Rashid, where he explains how to be a Passive Leader. All horses are attracted to a calm, confident and assertive energy this is the one they will follow, so that horse or person is always naturally passive, he represents safety.  The horse will listen to them when they give a command as it's in their best interest to remain in a calm state of mind. I didnt always think like this but once I realised that horses are prey animals and see us as predators I became conscious of how I move and react to them and what I knew before has become irrelevant. Horses live in the moment so they react to your energy at that present time, change your energy and the horse will change too.

 

4. Do you have a certain set of principles you follow when training/communicating with the horse? Do you have a method or what kind of rules do you follow, if any? What is the thing that guides you and how?

 

A. I always use the horse's language to communicate with them which is using body language and lateral steps to move them, and begin a conversation. Always offering the softness in me by trying to move them using only a blow, with the aid of a stick or rope to create energy where I want them to move away from, which is how a higher ranking horse moves another horse within a herd. There are several things I need to see from horse before I can begin training. First I need to be able to start a conversation by moving the horse around, once I have their attention I need to gain their trust by sending them away from me, this triggers their instincts and are compelled  to answer by closing the distance between us. Once I have the conection, which is when the horse chooses to be next to me, then the training can begin. Each horse is different and will react according to past experiences, but cannot resist this conversation as it's their language, each one teaches me something new.  

 

5. What kind of excercises and activities do you do with the horse? Do you develope the horse mentally as well as physically? How do you connect those two areas and what kind of goals do you have while working?

 

A. First we must connect with the horse and gain their trust, once they trust us they become attentive and willing, so its important not to disrupt this state by becoming too demanding and always ask softly. Groundwork is the most important part of the training, and this I do at liberty, again using the horse's language to drive them and help them engage the hind quarters, which is where the power of the horse comes from, so before riding I want to make sure they can carry my weight. This you can observe when the horse moves in canter, by how much they extend their back legs beneith them and flex their spine to be able to push your weight up, if the horse lacks this flexion we will only cause damge when riding. I want the horse to see how beautiful he is and what he is capable of doing with his body by boosting their confidence, always rewarding for the slightest attempt, before you know it the horse will be begging you to work him, cause it makes him feel stronger and like a horse. I never sweat the horse, very light work making sure I can move the horse using only a gentle blow and directing my energy to where I want to send him. Always paying attention to their reactions to increase the energy or back away. Here is where we have a conversation and the horse tells me how much energy he has today, and so I drive him according to this feeling. The next activity is being able to lead them with a lead rope, and control their feet from the ground, always making sure that I can move the hind quarters. When the horse wants to flee this is the area we must dis engage, relying on pulling the head to stop horse is dangerous, its a combination of the two, turn their head and dis engage backend. Once Im happy with this I take the horse out for walks with lead rope, as the change in environment is the thing that most triggers their instincts and makes them nervous and excited, which is what I don't want when riding. We explore new scary things and I help them through it by remaining calm and taking all the time the horse needs, as once they trust you 100% they pretty much go anywhere. When it comes to riding, the horse really wants to please us and naturally perform the moves we try to train, so I have discovered that if we learn how to ask, the horse will freely share them with us. I don't do alot of  schooling I find it boring, my classroom is the outdoors, hacking, cross country and just spending time with the horse, out on some juicy pasture enjoying the views. Some horses enjoy schooling, so in that case I will spend more time in enclosed arena, but most horses prefer going out for hacks, the beach is a great place for training the horse, its my prefered location. When it comes to riding I apply same philosophy, but we must learn how to be balance on the horse and free flowing. No tension, loose reins, loose body, calm mind, and concentrating on my breathing to become syncronised with the horse. My reins are only a guide, i use my breath to ask the horse to move forwards, takes time with some horses but once they feel this calm flowing energy in you they respond straight away, almost telepathic, and the rest becomes easy, as long as i trust them and they trust me. I never blame or get frustrated with the horse, if they dont understand what I'm asking I change my approach and keep it a two way conversation. 

 

6. I understood that you are also training other people in bitless riding - what are the most common issues that people have when they choose to change their ways and how to overcome these problems? 

 

A. Attempting too yes, most are very sceptical at first but once I show them what their horses are capable of, they realise how little they really know. People don't come to me for training unless they are ready to let go of their past and accept, they do not understand their horses, then the bridge has been created for me to help them. The horse is never the problem,  they are and the horse shows this, the only way they can, with body language. So when a calm and assertive person works with the horse the change in their behaviour is instant as horses are like a mirror, they reflect our most inner emotions and thoughts. The number one culprit is fear, most people do not know how to control their emotions, especially when dealing with a powerful animal, and so make excuses to try to cover up the fear. If they use a bit, they are most definantly fearful, or depend on the equipment to control horse, which all leads to bad behaving horses. I show them how to meditate and think  in the present. I show them how to work with the horse from the ground and understand their language. How to become self conscious, and learn to breath to help carry oxygen to the muscles we need to engage whilst riding. Visualising yourself on the horse and understanding how your muscles and their muscles interact to obtain a balanced posture. I show them how to get into their horse's feet by counting, and keeping their hips loose and flowing to aid the horse in its movement. Its a very euphoric feeling which once they feel, never forget. They learn to work with the horse to always attain this state of mind through several activaties. Nobody has ever said they want to go back to the bit, as it is illogical and very dangerous, for the rider and for the horse, but sometimes all they need is somebody to point it out, and suddenly it all makes sense.  

 

7. Please, if possible put down some simple "do it yourself" excercises/activities that everybody could do at home with their horses...a starting point for people who are in the beginning of their path

 

A. To be honest Im not a big fan of 'do it yourself' books and videos they can be confusing and seen from the humans point of view not the horse. Once you understand to communicate with the horses, which takes practise and figuring out how to use your body, the horse then becomes your teacher. Study their movements and watch them interact with other horses, their body language is very clear. Once we see them repeating these gestures we can mimic them and start a conversation with the horse. Yoga and meditation is the best activaties you can learn, I would recommend, to go to classes or research books on how to achieve mind and body integration to help you become focused on the horse, on your breathing and remaining calm at all times. The most effective activity I practise is leading the horse to new places, and making them feel safe with me, allowing the horse to be himself and do what they most love to do, eat grass. When a horse has its head down and grazing, there is no adrenaline being produced, so the horse is in a very passive state of mind, and its our responsibility to keep it that way.

 

8. I understood that you also work with saving horses and rehabilitating them - how is this field doing in Spain? In Estonia we have no such places or systems developed and money is the main problem. Do you see a difference in working with an abused horse versus working with a horse who has had a happy life?

 

A. Unfortunately there are many horses here in Spain that are abused, neglected and sent to slaughter because, lack of money, loss of interest or over used and no longer needed. They are treated like possesions, which only have a monetary value. Humans are very egotistic, when it's not in our best interest, we despose of it and buy a new one. This mentality really confuses me, and makes me wonder where have we gone wrong, why does morality have a monetary value? But there is some hope thanks to the kindness of individuals who have created organisations, and rescue centres to help as many they can, through what means they have. There are several through out Spain which can be located via the internet. I have adopted a PRE mare and her foal, which came from ARCH rescue centre in malaga. My girlfriend, is good friends with the women that keep the place alive and fell in love with this mare and her foal, but had no place to keep them. She was only visiting Spain, and had to fly back to Estonia that same week she met them. Through a friend I managed to find some land and had them  transported. I fell in love with them from their first look into my eyes and I am grateful to be a part of their lives, both, Hope and Destiny are getting stronger everyday. I have being given an opportunity to work with two untrained, young horses. The mare was used for breeding and never trained, the foal has no life experiences so she is also untouched, but very spirited. I have a chance to introduce them to a free spirited life, and enjoy each moment together. I have discovered that rescue horses are more grateful and become unconditionally willing to please me in everything I ask of them. I have rehabilitated three horses up to now, an arab, a thorough bred/quarter horse, and  a paso fino. All have presented their problem to me and we have managed to work through it, but it takes dedication and alot of patience. You can not compare an abused horse with one that has a balanced life and treated with care. They are in different states of mind, but by helping the abused horse to learn to trust humans again, the change is quite radical and very rewarding. Horses in general, are looking for safety and a calm but assertative lead. They live in the moment, they dont hold grudges and never try to hurt people on purpose, they are usually defending themselves from a predator, and have strong survival instincts, which is mostly to flee from danger. The horse will only fight when prevented from fleeing and in pain. I would recommend to anyone looking for a low price horse to adopt from a rescue centre, as these horses teach us alot about compassion and patience as most need months to recover, but once they do, are forever loyal and sweet natured.