My first horse was a beautiful bay tri-color paint, a cross between Pegasus and the wild mustangs out west. Her eyes were a deep brown, and a well of kindness seemed to pour from them. She was a sturdy 14.2 with a thick neck perfect for hugging and a mane that parted wherever it wanted. Her patience with my stumbling inexperience was legendary, however her quick reaction to my quick temper taught me that this was a friend I better respect as well as love. I named her Princess, certain that she descended from equine royalty. My father paid $125 for her and she came with a homemade bridle with an aluminum grazing bit. I was besotted, nothing in my life had prepared me for how wonderful she smelled. We boarded her for a time at a proper riding stable named Bit N’ Spur and I was taught proper English riding. The only time I rode her with a saddle was during the lessons. I didn’t own a saddle and my instructors wouldn’t let me take a lesson bareback.
They taught me to be stiff and unnatural. I was to post really high so I’d have daylight under my saddle. I had to work very hard to keep my elbows close to my body and keep my chin high and, well, you know how that story goes.
The rest of my rides were bareback and Princess taught me how to move with her (or I’d be without her)! We moved to another barn and I discovered that I loved trail riding. Princess did too, and we traveled far and wide.
My father bought two more horses, Rex and Duchess, my little sister rode Princess, Rex was for me, and Duchess was for my dad. Rex practically raised me. He was a rescue. His previous owner was MIA in Vietnam. His grandfather couldn’t take care of him anymore. Rex had been tied to a tree next to an old wrecked truck for over 3 years. He was in really bad shape, and it took a long time for him to heal physically and even longer for the emotion healing. He would not tie, no how no way, he had been tied and left. He didn’t trust you to come back for him. He would shake and sweat and then explode. He taught me empathy and then trust. I was the only one who could tie him but our relationship was so good that I never really had to tie him. I found him when I was 10 and he was 10, he passed away in my arms when we were 32. I miss him every day.
My natural horsemanship journey started in 1998 in Louisville, Kentucky at Equitana USA. Pat Parelli was giving a presentation and I was enthralled. This was the way I wanted to be with horses, when I saw his savvy team playing with their horses I remembered the hours of undemanding time I spent with my equine play partners. I often feel my inner child bubbling up but this time she wept with joy! I could have not only the playtime and games, but it would lead to the respect and more advanced partnership that I craved. I watched this man patiently explaining what seemed so simple and honest, but so profound, it blew me away.
I’m sorry to say that though I was convinced, and quickly put the principles Pat spoke of into practice, I was still entrenched in my old ways. After all, I was pretty darn good with those horses, and even better after seeing Pat. I went to several more demonstrations before I really started in earnest. How I regret those wasted years.
Pat tells us to pick our easiest horse as our first levels horse. It helps the process go easier if you have a willing partner to learn with. I of course, picked the hardest horse I could find. Not that I had to look far, she was already in my backyard. Honey is small, quick, reactive. The complete opposite of the black and white Tennessee Walking horses that I bred, raised and trained. My imprint-trained babies were mostly left-brained introverts. Honey was a right-brain introvert that could explode at any minute.
I had two young boys and my mother (who has dementia) to take care of at this time. I had been playing it very safe with my riding. Not riding enough to keep my seat balanced without my saddle. So what do I do? I picked the most challenging horse I could find to help me learn natural horsemanship. Then I started riding bareback all the time. I really took on a huge challenge, bigger that I ever imagined. I was tested, I made mistakes, I overcompensated, but I loved every minute of it! Honey and I are working in level three with some things in level 4.
My confidence is growing and I am passionate and focused on sharing my love and fascination with people of all ages. I think that everyone who ever dreamed of being with horses should have the opportunity to bond and enjoy partnership with a horse. I love showing the way to communication between the two legged folk and the four legged folk. It is the only way we can change the world for both. I’ve seen how awful some humans treat horses and it just sickens me. I have a dream, sharing this knowledge with the generations of the future. I believe that through this we can make a positive adjustment to the way horses are treated. I know that I have a lot more to learn, but my feet are on the path. My horsemanship journey continues:
See you out on the trail,
Leah Imsand
Lil’ Bit of Honeys’ partner
