So how exactly do you integrate a tight herd of wild mustangs, into a very bonded herd of previously semi-feral horses, plus one domestic horse?
And will they even want to become one herd? Maybe they will choose to stay as separate herds and I will just split up the land? Here’s Part 1 in the video series where I hope to give you a sense of how the horses communicate with us, and with each other, as this dance unfolds…
Part 2 of this video series is HERE in case you missed it.
And Part 3 is HERE
The Empowered Mustang: Herd Integration – Part 1
Jini Patel Thompson is a natural health writer and Lazer Tapping instructor. She began riding at age 2 in Kenya, and got her first horse at age 8 in Alberta, and so continues a life-long journey and love affair with these amazing creatures.
Thank you, Jini. I look forward to the next installment. Way to leave me hanging.
LOL – thought I’d give you something to look forward to! xox
Really well done on all fronts Jini. The film, your narration… all it it.
Really fascinating the way you are working with these horses with the pure intention of letting them just be horses.
I bet there’s many out there wondering when you’re going to start training and riding them lol. This is a whole other way of being and honouring the horse. I too have really felt this desire to just be in service of the horses (goodness knows they have been slaves to humans for far too long). Thank you for this important work you’re doing. I wish I could come and help.
I wish you could come and help too!! The manure logistics of 11 in the sheltered areas during the non-stop rain has been just a wee bit stressful. The solution seems to be having a bunch of different teens who can each come once per week. Makes management a little crazy, but better than doing it all myself! It’s funny though, the horses quickly realize that if they want to make their world bigger, they need to acquire ‘human world’ skills. So after watching Zorra and Montaro practice trailer loading out on the road, when we came back, baby Posa asked for halter training! She had quickly put together that ropes and halters = adventure. So then there’s virtually no “training” involved, because the being is asking to acquire a skill or language. She then followed me around the paddock with a rope around her neck, I wrapped the rope around her head in the shape of a halter and she experienced how that felt, then we practiced “leading” some more – and then Jax interrupted us because HE wanted some halter play 🙂
I actually miss the daily exercise of manure picking! But yes 11 horses is a lot. The most I’ve care for by myself was 5. I lost a lot of weight that winter lol
Waiting for a horse to want to learn or experience something is the best! Bravo
😘
5 by yourself is pretty intense – not surprising you lost weight! There’s just not even enough hours in the day 🙂
Yes, it was! Sometimes overwhelming but taught me a lot especially how to ask for space under a crowded shelter (for my safety) without scaring the more sensitive ones lol. Btw I just looked at your health blog. I didn’t realize you were an author! And as someone who’s been having some gut stuff, I think I’ll have to delve deeper into your work 🙂 Grateful.
ps when is part II video coming? 😉
Did you not receive the Newsletter with Part 2 in it, yesterday?? Are you subscribed to the blog here? And yes, re. the gut stuff – best place to start is with the free Healthy Gut Guide (blue box, left hand side of homepage: http://www.listentoyourgut.com ) there are ebooks, teleseminars, and tons of useful info sent out in that Gut Guide 🙂
And yes, the safety issues! The herd has taught me how to turn on that ‘primal awareness’ of knowing where everyone is at all times, even behind me. Doesn’t work so well when I’m stressed or emotionally tangled though. So sometimes I’ve just had to close my eyes and hope no one hits me – so far, so good. They really can move as fast as snakes.
Aaaah, poor Makah at the end!! I know he’s been recovering but I felt so bad for his injuries at the same time being isolated from his mustang mateys!!
So appreciative of your sharing the story…it must have been difficult to edit and I love all the different ways you’re telling it,
Lots of love!!! xxxx : ))))
Awww thanks Rachel! And yes, it’s quite the organization (and quite daunting, which is why it’s taken me so long!) and deciding which bits to include, which to leave out, HOW to best tell all the threads of the story. So VERY glad you’re enjoying it so much – that means I’ve somehow managed to do a good job of it 🙂