HORSE MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER AND MORE!!!
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Topics in this issue:
1) Watch the Path of the Horse trailer on YouTube!
2) Feature: Filming in Russia with Alexander Nevzorov
3) Recommended products and services: More on the riding simulator
3) Rally and rating tips:
4) Questions and answers:
5) Recommended books, videos, and CD-ROMs:
6) Fun and educational websites: Nevzorov, and Interview with a horse
8) Horsey Humor: Small hints for the horseman
9) Free item exchange: Free horse

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Special Announcement
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It may seem a little odd to get an October newsletter in November but things
have been busy enough that I needed to extend October by a few days. We
just completed filming for the Path of the Horse documentary a couple of
weeks ago and the footage is looking amazing. I've put together a trailer
(preview) of the project that is available to see on my website via the
miracle of YouTube. If you have a connection faster than dial-up you should
be able to see it easily at:

http://www.stormymay.com

If you have dial-up (like I do) you can still watch it but it will take much
longer to load.

Please help spread the word by forwarding the link to any and all people or
groups that you think might be interested in following the progress of this
project.

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Feature: Filming in Russia with Alexander Nevzorov
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by Stormy May

This was my second trip to Russia this year. My suitcase was beginning to
feel more familiar than the drawers at home. Russia, to me, has the feeling
of being somewhere that at first glance I might think I understand what's
going on, but then I realize that everything is built on different
assumptions. For example there might be street musicians, grandmothers
selling flowers, or just a person begging on the street. It seemed that in
Russia they were valued, many people would walk up and give money. I was
told that each of them, even the "beggars" have a special permit from the
government to do what they do. It all left me with a bigger appreciation
for how much we make up stories to tell ourselves that we know what's going
on, when the reality might be something completely different.

The gift of experiencing different cultures is that I've gained a larger
perspective. It's a bit like putting my mind to the side for a while and
letting "what is" be just that, without trying to categorize it so quickly.
This leaves a little space for something new to come in.

It was in Russia that this concept really came to life with the horses. I
saw that we think we know what we're doing with horses but what if our
assumptions are wrong? Are we ready to reexamine what we've been doing?

I filmed some of Alexander Nevzorov's students working with their horses and
what I saw was joy. I felt the feeling that many of us say that we get when
we're with our horses. In contrast, we also filmed at a Russian
competition. It was a schooling show, they called it "Western" although
nobody had a Western saddle on. It was an attempt to navigate a trail
course with gates, backing poles, and other various tests of communication
between horse and rider. The misunderstandings between horse and rider were
so acutely obvious in contrast to what I had just seen with Alexander's
students that it was difficult to watch and we left at the lunch break.

What struck me most about Alexander was how passionate he is about ending
abuse and cruelty to horses. At one point he said (via a translator), "If I
were just a little more shy, if I was politically correct, then society
would be able to hide this very uncomfortable information about what is
actually being done with horses. Donıt forget, Iım not allowing a lot of
people to do their typical pleasures. We know and believe that the horse is
absolutely conscious, that she has amazing intelligence and others donıt
believe it, and thatıs [why people are using bits and martingales]... and
having a relationship with a horse like it's a scary, mysterious living
piece of meat which you can use for your own pleasures. We know really well
that every horse is an amazing personality, that she has intellectual,
psychological gifts, that they are clever. And what I do with horses, itıs
not something I do. Youıve got to understand one simple thing, itıs not I
who am doing it, itıs the horses, theyıre responsible for it. As soon as
you treat them as conscious creatures, they respond right away. You donıt
need any talent or special abilities or magic, itıs so simple."

For more information about the Path of the Horse documentary go to:
www.stormymay.com . Next month: Filming with Linda Kohanov in Arizona

For those people interested in being part of a discussion group about the
Path of the Horse documentary and putting these principles into action in
your own life, send a blank email to:

pathofthehorse-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Recommended products and services: More on the riding simulator
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Last month I wrote about a riding simulator and I got a response from Lisa
Dobeck, whose daughter Helen had gotten lessons on one. Here's what she
wrote:

Helen took 3 lessons on the simulator then started bringing her own horse to
lessons at Colleen's Equine Sports Complex in Sacramento. The simulator was
a great way to get a start on dressage (she had no lessons at that point).
Helen said it wasn't like riding her horse at all, but he is green still.
It was a great start on her riding position and learning to time half halts
correctly.

Thanks for the report Lisa!

See for yourself:

http://racewood.com/

http://www.ridingsimulator.co.uk/simulator.html

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Fun and educational websites
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Alexander Nevzorov has an extensive website and online school. If you
haven't already seen it, it's worth the trip:

http://www.hauteecole.ru/en/

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This is a link to a sweet little internet movie with some big wisdom called,
"Interview with a horse".

http://www.superstarsofhorsetraining.com/horse-interview/screensaver.html

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Horsey humor: Small hints for the horseman
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Don't ever buy a horse expecting it to be your last one.

Don't buy a horse from anyone who keeps telling you how honest they are.

An honest horse trader is one who says: "He's cheap, but he's worth it."

No matter how much you love a car or boat, it will never love you back.

The most valuable horse in your barn isn't the one that cost the most, but
the one you love the most

You may never find a horse that has everything you want, but you'll find a
lot that don't have everything you don't.

When you go to look for a horse for sale, don't drive your Mercedes.

It's almost impossible to visit a tack shop without buying something.

There are many horses who are loved more by the heart then by the eye.

People who have horses often live a long time without getting old.

Treat all of your horses as if they all cost $100,000.

When someone asks you if you think their new horse is wonderful just reply
yes.

When you ALMOST fall off, get kicked or have a piece of your tack break, its
often better than all the advice in the world.

You'll learn more about riding by getting on different horses than from
reading all the "how to" books in existence.

A dime is still good for something - you can tighten the latch on your
trailer with one.

Telling a child how wonderfully they ride might make them feel good, but it
will never teach them anything.

Your true test of patience will come when everyone has gone home and your
horse won't load the trailer.

Nothing brings a prayer to your lips more quickly than racing down a steep
hill with a wide ditch at the bottom.

If you keep searching for the perfect horse, you will be searching for a
long time.

A good test of your character is how you treat your horse when no one is
around.

Not even the finest instructor in the world can guarantee you'll know
everything about riding after a year's worth of lessons. Or 10 years. Or 100
years.

It's grand to be a better rider than other people - just don't keep telling
them.

Author ~ Unknown

From: http://www.walking-horse.com/humor.html

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Free item exchange
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**FREE**FREE**FREE**

From Deborah Sackman, located in the Sacramento, CA area

dsackman@...

Iım trying to find a home for Oliver. Iıve had him about 3 months. He was
formerly an Intermediate level Eventer. Oliver is 12, a registered
Thoroughbred, very well trained, super cute and a pleasure to be around.
Unfortunately he has arthritis. We are looking for a beginner, someone who
would give him the respect he deserves. In return he will show them how itıs
done.

Oliver has had his hocks and coffin joints injected and would benefit from
glucosamine and possibly Adequan. He needs a long warm-up and prefers to go
with light contact. He is a little claustrophobic and can get ³light² up
front if asked to go to work too soon. Thatıs his only downside. Oliver has
wonderful lateral movement, is very rhythmic, and comfortable at all gaits.

I am looking for a home by Nov. 15th. I have 4 horses and a husband who is
starting to get grumpy. Please let me know if you know of anyone and feel
free to send this around to all your contacts. Iıd be happy to answer any
other questions you may have.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Submit your free horse-related items or services here. If you or your club
has items they are willing to pass along to a new family, this is a great
place to list them. Listings can come from any part of the country, or even
overseas!

Free items may include but are not limited to:

riding clothes
rally equipment
horse-related games and toys
tack and training equipment
blankets, wraps, halters
books or magazines
horse-related artwork
and of course...horses and ponies!

The recipient may be expected to handle any shipping costs.

Please provide a phone and/or email contact with each listing. Items will
be listed in the next HM Newsletter and will not be renewed unless an
additional email is sent asking for the listing to be continued.

So...clean out your tackroom and make room for more stuff!

To submit your items, simply reply to this email or write to:
stormy@... .

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Call for submissions
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Help make this newsletter the best it can be. Do you have any issues you'd
like to see addressed here? How about ideas for recommended products, books,
or videos? Want to submit your own article, or a question for the questions
and answers section? Send them to: stormy@... and I'll keep a log
of topics and articles for upcoming issues.