Joining Up - An Amazing Experience!
Published by GHC • Jul 26th, 2008 • Category: Horse Advice, by Rebecca Shylyby Rebecca Shyly, age 12
Two weeks ago I went to a horse camp for four days at my stables. On the third day our instructor asked us to get our horses and groom them. We did so. Then she divided us so there was one person in each paddock. We then took off the horse’s halters, and smacked a carrot stick on the ground. We never ever hit the horses with the whips! Then we basically lunged the horse we were paired with, only without anything connecting us! We had them reverse, trot, walk, even canter and stop. The entire point of this exercise was to teach the horses that they would have to work harder if they stayed away from us. When the horses began giving us ’signals’ (pointing their inside ear at us, putting their head down and chewing) we asked them to stop. We then walked up to them, petted them for a second and walked away. If they followed, you joined up! If they didn’t, you made them work, then tried again.
Well, I was paired with a horse called Lucky. He is not technically a lesson horse. His owners let us use him in lessons as part of his board. He is an Arabian, really sweet and well trained, but he didn’t understand the first couple times. Once he got it, I could get him to do anything I did. I could walk forward and he would too. If I started jogging in a circle, he would trot after me. It was SO amazing to have made this connection with a horse without hurting them, using a whip or spur on them. Instead, I showed them that I was to be respected, and I did that by respecting them and speaking their language. I believe that this is the best kind of relationship with a horse — respect not fear.
After I joined up with him, I had no need for a lead rope the rest of the day. It was so amazing!
Now this concept has been used in so many places! I think that Monte Roberts first created this, but I am not sure.
I first read about join-up in the Heartland book series. Amy used the method to connect to the damaged horses she helped. I had always wanted to try it, and now I have.
I recommend this to anyone who bought a horse, or is going to, or even just to gain the experience! You should ask your instructor (or someone knowledgeable) to show you how — it is incredible!
If you’re interested in learning more about ‘joining up’, read the latest LBC chapter story Saving Callie by Mary.
That sounds brilliant! I wish I could do that with some of the horses at my stables! Amazing blog, well done!
Rebecca, that is incredible. My trainer has done some of that stuff with me, like lunging without the lunge line, but we haven’t had the time to join up. Soon, we are going to do that and some other groundwork exercises.
I’m glad you enjoyed the blog, and it was THE MOST incredible thing I had done EVER with horses! Stargazer, You should definatley ask your trainer if you can try it cause it makes you feel so much more connecteed to your horse!
Sweetie: You could do it with the horses at your stables! Just ask your instructor if you can use a small fenced in area and a carrot stick, and a horse. Thats all you need! Note I said small, because the first time, you don’t want to have to much space for them to be distracted by!
That seems really fun. And exciting! It really does sound like you can connect with the horse. I know one of my friends would really like that. Talk about an amazing blog! When I go to horse camp next month, I will ask if we might be able to do that.
Great blog, Rebecca Shyly/Horsecrazzz!
-mustangmane
It definitely sounds like an incredible experience you had there. I wish I can participate in such interactions with horses, and hopefully I will in future. Lucky Horsecrazzz and Lucky :D Needless to say you had once again done a superb job on this blog! I am spellbound at the size of the leaps you’re taking with every blog you publish. In no time I’ll be expecting a book published under your name, and be prepared because I will be bombarding the book stores :D.
Thanks mustangmane! You are one of my favorite people to hear from because you always have something fresh to say in your comments and writings! I’m glad that you liked it! You should definatly ask if you can try it because I think it would also make it easier to ride that horse because they will respect you!
P.S.
This Blog marks my one year anniversary of writing for GHC!!! Yay!
Yay Horsecrazzz! I can’t believe a year has already passed. Thank you for being such an important part of GHC — the virtual horse world is a better place with you in it.
I loved reading about this in Heartland and have always wanted to try it!!! I was thinking about doing a blog on this! Well, I guess great minds think alike! I really want to know the feeling that the horse will do anything for you! I guess I’ll have to wait till I get my own! Hopefully, it won’t be too long! That was an amazing blog, Rebecca
iv’e read that in heartland too. iv’e always wanted to do that too, but i never knew exactly how to do it. Great blog!
I’m going to ask my trainer if we could try that.
horselover10, SB : Thanks! I hope you both get to try it! I know that it would be an incredible experience for you both! LeadMare: THanks so much, but give yourself some credit for publishing me! This past year has been one of the most wonderful experiences of my life!
That is so cool that you got to join up! I read about it in the heartland books too.I hope I can try it some day!
You definatley should Horselover! It would do so much for the way you think of horses!
Amazing story! Encourages me to do that too!
Thanks so much Horsesaredreams! Your comment was a great start to my day!
nice story!
Thanks SunstarinVermont!! I’m glad you liked it.