Women Talk Horses

NEWSLETTER Volume 2, Number 4, April 2005

For many years I had a T-shirt which had screened across the front an image of a group of campy looking cowgirls, astride their horses, and the caption “Me and the girls in Idaho.” I loved that T-shirt and must have worn it for almost a decade until it finally disintegrated in the wash and was reduced to a dust rag. I think I was so fond of that T-shirt, not only because it was especially soft and comfy, but because the image and caption always made me grin. It seemed like such a perfect representation of the life that I have grown to appreciate in the years that I have lived in Idaho.

A few weeks ago, I wished that I still had that T-shirt because it would have been just right for a weekend I spent with a group of “girls,” and their horses, in Idaho. It was a rare opportunity when seven women were free from family and work obligations (with the help of some wonderfully supportive spouses) to spend an entire weekend with their horses and friends.

We gathered at Fullcircle Ranch, taking advantage of the indoor roundpen and the availability of stalls and paddocks. We dressed warmly and made a big pot of coffee to ward off the chill. On Saturday afternoon, Angie gave each of us lessons, not like a formal clinic, but more impromptu lessons in horsemanship, addressing issues that emerged as we played with our horses. For some of us it was an opportunity for getting back to work after a winter lay-off, for others it was a chance to get some feedback on things we had been working on over the past few months. We rode separately and in small groups, in and out of the roundpen. We watched each other doing groundwork and riding, giving feedback when we could. There were horses of all breeds, all levels and abilities, all with different histories and stories to tell some we know, some we can only guess at. (I could use that same description for the seven horsewomen too!) We worked on issues such as saddling, how to handle riding in close proximity to other horses while helping our horse not to kick out, how to handle a horse who falls apart when he is taken away from his dominant herd mate, how to desensitize a horse to waving flags and barking dogs, and so on. We all received (and gave) good, constructive feedback. We played with our own horses and with each others’ learning lessons from each of them. We spent time on saddle fit, several of us trying each others’ saddles to see if a better fit could be gained. We experimented with different saddle pads, looked at different bits and evaluated their suitability for each horse. And we compared chinks and chaps, what a range of beautiful chinks we had (they are a very functional item on the rugged mountain trails of North Idaho but they are also a very personal expression of taste).

Once the horses were settled and fed for the evening, all of this activity was followed by margaritas and good food around a campfire. It was a great example of women talking horses ­ and lots of tales were told. We talked about nutrition, farriers, veterinarians, horses owned and those we no longer own, memorable rides, and more…

The next morning Angie guided us in a kind of conformation class. We looked at our own horses and at some of the horses currently at the ranch for training. We spent a lot of time with a yearling, not trying to pull him apart in terms of conformation, but trying look at where he might develop problems and how to address those so that he can live as long and pain free a life as possible. (We had the advantage in this analysis of being able to look at his sixteen year old mother, and of knowing his sire well). After that, the hardier members of our group headed off for a beautiful, but chilly trail ride. Finally, three women visited a local saddle maker where Carol bought, yes, a pair of custom chinks.

It was a fun-filled and informative weekend all around. My mare Savannah came home happy and relaxed. The next morning she asked to be caught and was ready to go do something with me ­ always a measure of how things went the day before. It was a reminder of what I want to accomplish with my horsemanship, spending time with good horses and good friends, playing and working with my horses, talking about horses, an all the while the guiding principles being: How can we best help this horse to be comfortable and confident in his or her work? What is in the best interests of this horse? How can we stay safe and happy with our horses? I just wish I still had that T-shirt.


Anna Banks
editor@womentalkhorses.com
Moon Hill Ranch, Idaho