The holidays are just about ended, the days are on the upswing in length now. Even though the winter in NY has been the warmest in 80 years the ground is frozen and winter is moving in. The horses and I arrived at our winter home, warmer weather and the Central Time of Arkansas. Looking forward to having friends visit and play with horses this winter.

September, October and November and now December have been so wonderfully full of meeting new friends and old that there is barely time to sit at the computer to write. Writing is one of the ways to keep in touch with the friends who are too far away to see as often as we like. My "boys" and I are in Arkansas now soaking up the wonderfully warm weather even for Arkansas. It's been 70 in the days and maybe as low as 50 at night. It makes the storms of the west and the potential snow up north seems very far away.

All year as I thought about Arkansas in the winter I was focused on taking all 4 boys with me. Little Cherry at 24 is too old to travel I think and she enjoys home and has her little goat for company. She never was a happy traveler unlike these boys who love to go. The last time I was in Arkansas, I left Cadbury at home to keep her company and had to keep Lance separated from the other 2. Lance lived with Cadbury and Cherry when Cadbury was little and she was pregnant. All was well then. I had the desire that Lance be able to once again be part of the herd. Some of you know that a couple of times this year he has wanted to chase the other boys and the biggest problem was that he bit and the others were very fearful and ran.

What a problem to solve. I'm happy to report that we've only been here a week and all 4 are living peacefully together. Many thanks to Susan Fitzpatrick of England who noted when she saw a dogfight that in England "That dog would wear a muzzle", Tam who was sure he could learn to get along, Barbara Ray who talked about resources and how far is far enough when chasing another horse away. And, for Linda Kahanov who, although I was never able to contact, has or had a program of re-introducing stallions to the herd environment. So, I knew it was possible. In an other article, I'll report the exact steps I took. But, this month's article will tell you about how I got to the "plan"

Have a wonderful New Year full of the love and peace of watching your horses enjoy life and enjoying that life for yourself full of all the gifts that the Season is famous for.

November/December Book Review

A Year at the Races
Jame Smiley

In this book Jane Smiley author of Horse Heaven introduces us to her horses. Many of the horses she has had over the years have displayed unique desires and quirks. Jane does a wonderful job of creating the scene and then taking us on travels the the horses and her family. In many ways this book is like the Tao of Equus. But, its much more readable. A friendly story full of Animal Communication, unusual cross referencing to mind and relationship works too. "A General Theory of Love" by Dr. Thomas Lewis, et. al., Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs, and Steel," and Stephen Budiansky's "The Covenant of the Wild: Why Animals Chose Domestication." She quotes freely from her sources while developing her own unique philosophy of why horses tolerate, and even like humans.

"A love story, at least a convincing one, requires three elements: the lover, the beloved, and the adventures they have together," Smiley begins. "If the lover isn't ardent, then the story isn't a love story. If the beloved isn't appealing, then the lover just seems idiosyncratic or even crazy; and if they have no adventures, then their love is too easy, and they have no way of learning anything important about themselves and one another."

A Year at the Races is about horses, but it's also a fascinating personal exploration by a gifted writer seeking answers to the nature of character and motive. It's a study of a complex and romantic species, and a study of a craft. It is philosophical, mystical at times, and is an in-depth look at the psychology of horses and humans together.

If you enjoy our reviews visit http://www.zenguidance.com/ to purchase this book in 2007. By doing so, you help keep this newsletter coming to you.

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The Law Of Attraction and Clicker Training the Perfect Combo
 

Recently there has been a lot of talk about the Law Of Attraction So, while play with the endless possibilities of expanding your world, open your self to attracting and creating beautifully behaved horses who understand exactly what's being asked of them and trip over themselves with happiness to give to you!

The Law Of Attraction states that like energy attracts like energy. Clarity of thought creates clearly. And, clarity of thought transmits perfectly. Using the same tools you are exercising to manifest your monetary, business or relationship desires you can also manifest good behavior and communication with your horses!

Meditation, visualization, knowing what you want and asking for it are all necessary parts of training animals. Yes, there are verbal and physical cues we use, and yes, repetition and consistency are absolutely necessary to create the muscle memory that makes a movement or a behavior possible. We also need to be willing to train ourselves to provide consistency in our communication with a clear "yes" signal.

But it all begins with a focused thought as the first manifestation of a desire.

The observation of animals show us that they can live as pure creatures without having to balance ego and thought. While who they are can change with positive teaching on our part, they spend 100% of the time, BE-ing exactly who they are at that moment.

We communicate with our animals constantly, whether we are aware of it or not. They are paying attention to our moods, our emotions, our body language, our chemical communication (our body odors), and our thoughts! Horses are so often our personal mirror, mirror on the wall telling you who you really are. Think of your horse a part of the same same Universe that follows the Laws Of Attraction, the same Universe
that answers when you ask for more!

It stands to reason, then, that your thoughts, which is actually energy that very clearly affects your environment, will have a profound effect on your horses. Your positive thoughts attract the attention of animals.

Your negative thoughts repel and cause disharmony, illness or dis-ease. Our horses can provide us with amazing, immediate feedback about the clarity of our thoughts and emotions!

People who are talented horse trainers and communicators have learned how to listen and focus their thoughts and sensory experiences at a frequency that is easily recognized. In short, these people "tune in" to the horses. They "tune in" to the results they'd like to see. And, at the same time they are listening to  the unspoken words that they the horses offer to tell them how and what they are feeling at the most subtle
level. Watch with your eyes and listen with your heart open.

Before you even take one step out of the house to where your horses are, you need to have a clear idea of what you want them to do, how you want them to see you and you will need to practice what it will feel like when you actually get it. Whether your goals are in competition or you want a harmonious relationship, the approach is exactly the same. As a positive or clicker trainer, have you mind full of the things that the horse will offer that will please you and bring a smile to your face.

Many of us have a hard time getting the behaviors we ask for because we are asking outwardly for what we want while our mind is still in the busy-ness of the day or in frustration with visions of the past, remembering all of the times things didn't go as planned.

Be clear and consistent with yourself before you ask your horse to comply! Release the past frustrations and focus on how wonderful it feels to have an emotionally controlled horse who will offer you that quick, quiet head down to calm himself and you or the hundreds of things that you have taught him that he knows that when offered you will be pleased. And there is a high likelihood that he will be rewarded.

To listen to the Teleconference call on the Law of Attraction for Equestrians, drop me and email at Dolores@... 

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Coming next on the Conference call is:

Jane Savoie author of That Winning Feeling!: Program Your Mind for Peak Performance

Monday, January 22, 2007

To register go to: www.zenhorsemanship.com/conferencecall.html