Resources With Horses

Another Coping Strategy

2011-05-10T07:23:00.000-04:00

Always remember, if things start to go western in your life,

there is no shame in grabbing the saddle horn.

~Steven Hadley

Celebrate! Play in the Mud!

2011-03-23T09:29:00.001-04:00

I love this time of year at Hold Your Horses Farm. The grass is beginning to come in slowly, the water trough is no longer frozen, and the sun warms the ground. Some days the rain comes down softy and wets the ground. Sometimes it comes down in sheets and turns parts of our pasture into lakes. When the rain stops, the water dries up, but leaves behind mud in those areas where we walk a lot.

We love the mud. It is slippery, so we have to be a little bit careful on the hillsides, but we've gotten quite good at keeping our balance, and it is fun to let our hoofs slip and slide. We love rolling around in it. This time of year, our coats are still furry from the winter, so the mud sticks and colors us all a tan color. We squirm around in the mud, covering ourselves. Playing in the mud is a celebration.

It confirms that the winter is almost over, and that we can enjoy the changes the season brings. We don't mind getting messy. We like it when our human brushes us, but then we go right out and roll in the mud all over again.

Although horses take our survival seriously, we never lose sight of how important it is to play. We live in the moment, and don't worry about looking perfect or making a good impression. We aren't show horses, so it doesn't matter if we get dirty. After all, even show horses are allowed to roll in the dirt (just not during a horse show). Horses need to run and play and roll around in the mud. If you have never seen us lying on the ground with our feet in the air, you've missed our absolute celebration of joy!

I don't usually see humans lying on the ground or rolling in the mud. I can't tell you the last time I saw one lying on the ground with their feet in the air. They seem so serious most of the time. Maybe they think they need to be perfect. Maybe they worry about what others will think. They don't seem to understand that getting dirty is part of celebrating life!

Although I see little humans play in the mud, the grown-up ones seldom do. I think if grown-up humans played in the mud more often they would be able to appreciate how joyous life can be. Playing in the mud helps you celebrate the moment. It can help you live NOW, rather than postponing living for "later."

Horses are exceptionally good at living in the moment. We don't expend our energy worrying. If there's something to worry about (like a coyote in the pasture), we take action to deal with it right then. Then we have more time to celebrate and play in the mud, or chase the neighbor's dog, or chase each other around the fields.

Play and celebration is the key to living a joyous life—you humans should try it sometime!

Neighs and Whinnies,

P.S. If you are someone who worries too much, tries to be perfect and doesn't play enough, my human, Linda Pucci can probably help. She's really good at teaching humans how to let go of worry and find ways to enjoy their lives more. You can email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com or call her at 865-983-7544. Tell her Goomba sent you. You might even want to ask her about how horses can teach you how to get rid of problems and live more fully.

P.P.S. Save this date! If you are a human who owns a business, you will want to join us horses on Friday, May 13th for the Take the Reins workshop. My human will be sending out more information about it soon, so make sure you watch for it. Horses know a LOT about how to be successful in business and we can teach you how to take the reins in your business to grow, even in times like these when hay is expensive. We can help you design your own individual plan to help you move forward in your business. Be sure to save the date and watch for the notifications. Only 12 humans will get to participate. (For a sneak peak, go to http://www.InnerResourceCenter.com/takethereins.html)

Work Hard to Get What You Want

2010-12-08T13:07:00.000-05:00

Shade searches for the grass
beneath the frost

The seasons have finally really changed here at Hold Your Horses Farm. The grass is beginning to turn brown, with only an occasional patch of green. We horses stretch our necks through the fence to get the last of the green grass, almost leaning the fence posts over in our desire to savor the last remnants of sweet grass.
We graze all around the fields and search for the grass. We have to put out more effort than we do at other times of year. Even the winter doesn't require as much work because our humans bring us hay and leave it in front of the run-in shed where we can get at it easily.

While it isn't always true, a lot of the time you have to work hard to get what you want. I'm not sure that humans understand this. When I work with humans I often hear them say that they want to do something, but I know they don't mean it. Their body language tells me they aren't sure. They have mixed feelings about it. When someone means what they say, horses know it. We can tell that what you say is congruent with what you will do. But sometimes humans seem to fool themselves into thinking they want something and are willing to work for it, when they really are NOT. (That is why our feedback can be so helpful).

It is OK not to want it. But if it is really something you want, you need to be willing to work hard to get it. You need to be as unstoppable as a thousand pound horse. You need to put your head down and work for it. Sometimes we horses have to stick our noses into the frost and warm up the grass enough to grab it. Sometimes we have lean on the fence posts to bend the fence over enough to reach it. Sometimes we have to search and search until we find what we are looking for. We are willing to do that because we know if we want it, we have to put in the hard work it takes to get it, especially in the fall when the resources are getting scarce.

I want humans to know how important it is for them to work hard for their goals and the things they want. After all, if they don't, they are wasting their time, energy and something they call money going after a goal they aren't willing to work toward and invest their effort in. That just seems like a big waste to me.

I think that when you decide what you want, go after it with hard work and effort. Be determined and don't let anything stand in your way. You won't always succeed, but you have a better chance of it than if you just sit back hoping the grass comes to you. Ask us. We know.

Neighs and Whinnies,

P.S. If you need help figuring out WHAT you want and HOW to go after it, talk to my human, Linda Pucci. She helps people figure out goals and go after them. She helps you do something she calls "strategic planning" which she tells me means figuring out a step-by-step strategy. Call her at 865-983-7544 or toll free at 866-665-6103 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com If you want to have horses help you change your approach, talk to her about that. She can arrange a session with us. Believe me we can give you lots of helpful feedback!

Do What You Need to Do to Get Better

2010-10-25T10:23:00.001-04:00

Preacher puts up with his grazing muzzle

The last few months have been pretty challenging for me. The grass was pretty lush this summer at Hold Your Horse's Farm and I guess it was too rich for me. I admit it. I ate a lot of clover and as a result gained quite a bit of weight and ended up with laminitis (a condition that affects the bones in horse's feet) twice.

I ended up having to spend a month in a stall, and I really didn't like it. I wasn't allowed to eat grass, had to wear funny boots on my feet and worst of all, wasn't able to roam around the pasture with my friends. Apparently eating too much grass is now an issue for me, and the humans say I still need to drop some weight.

Fortunately, I've been able to get out of the stall and spend time grazing. There's just one catch. Since I have to slow down on how much grass I eat, I have to wear a grazing muzzle. It is like a basket I wear on my nose. I can still graze, eat and drink; but it keeps me from eating big amounts. The humans are also limiting the amount of time we spend in the lush pasture. Part of the time they are keeping us on top of the hill where the grass has been grazed pretty thoroughly. The grass there is short and there's not a lot left now that the temperatures have gotten cooler.

They take the grazing muzzle off at night and keep me confined where there's not much to graze on. I guess they figure that will keep me from overeating. I stick my head through the fence and get any extra grass I can, but I've definitely slowed down. Every morning we wait at the gate for the humans to open up the pasture.

They put on my halter and put me in the muzzle. I don't really protest or make them chase me to put it on. Even though I don't want to wear it, I know I have to. And wearing it is much better than being confined to a stall.

It is a tough lesson for horses to learn, and I think the same is true for humans. We sometimes have to do things we don't want to do, and it is for our own good. Even though I didn't like being in the stall and even though I don't like having to wear a muzzle to keep me from overeating, I need to do it. Humans have things they need to do as well.

Horses are apparently not the only ones who overeat. I know some humans who could probably use a grazing muzzle as well. Sometimes humans need to rest and recover when they are sick. They need to spend time in their stalls sleeping, even if they don't want to. There are probably lots of things humans don't want to do, but need to, and recognizing when that happens and going along with it is really the best thing. I do it every morning when Linda puts on my grazing muzzle. Humans need to go along with the things they don't really want to do but need to do in order to get better. That's just the way it is.

Humans have an advantage over us horses, though. You can at least understand the reasoning behind having to do something. I have to admit that staying in a stall didn't really make a lot of sense to me.

The point is that when you need to take care of yourself in order to get better, you need to do it, whether it is convenient or something you want to do or not. In the long run you'll be glad you did. I'm really happy that I can run and play with my horse buddies again. I guess it is worth some inconvenience!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Preacher
P.S. If you need help figuring out what you need to do to feel better, maybe my human, Linda Pucci can help. She can help you design a program for better self care, which is the key to staying healthier. She says self care is important for both physical AND mental health. I don't know what that means, but I know people come to visit her and go home smiling. You can call her at 865-983-7544 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. I'll bet she can help you figure out what you need to do.

P.P.S. Note from Linda: Preacher is SO right about doing what you need to do to take care of yourself. In addition to the struggles he had, I struggled with bronchitis and some complications, so "doing what you need to do to get better" was a lesson I needed to pay attention to as well!

Tackle Challenges By Getting Support

2010-09-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

Ginger keeps Preacher company in the stall

This month has been much different for the horses here at Hold Your Horses Farm than they have been in the past. We've had big changes in our routine. Preacher has been "laid up," and has had to stay in a stall our human Bernie built for him. Since he worries about me when I'm out of his sight (and pounds his foot on the gate), Bernie built a stall for me as well. We even have our very own water tank--installed after Goomba kept tipping over the smaller pails of water.

I miss being able to graze in the grass, and sometimes sneak out while they are cleaning my stall. I've lost some weight, which Linda says was needed. She says that both Preacher and I need to lose in order to be healthy. I must admit I wouldn't want to be the only one, and it is nice to have company. (You can tackle all kinds of challenges when you are not doing it alone).

The boys, Goomba and Shade, don't have to hang around us, but they end up spending a lot of time standing next to our stalls, keeping us company. They leave for a little while to graze in the lower pasture or just outside the shed, but they seem to know that we need companionship and support.

Horses depend on their herd for company and protection. It helps us feel less stressed when we have someone nearby. I feel important to be a source of support for Preacher, and secretly, I like having him nearby as a source of support for me.

I have noticed that humans often seem to want to tackle things all by themselves. They don't ask for help. I don't think they realize how much help is out there from others in their herd. I think they end up stressed and wasting lots of energy trying to do things by themselves that they might not really know how to do.

For example, a couple of weeks ago we had a lot of visitors to Hold Your Horses Farm, as Linda and her business partner, Melina, showed people how we horses can help humans with their businesses. I got to participate in one of the activities, and helped the humans figure out how they could learn to connect with the right customers by practicing with horses. It was fun for me (and the other horses), and the humans seemed to learn something from it.

One of the biggest things we noticed was that the humans often forgot to ask for help from their community or members of their herd. They were trying to do things by themselves, even when there was plenty of help nearby. When they did ask for help from the herd or worked together, things went much more smoothly, and much faster. When they didn't, their energy was often unfocused and neither we nor they knew where they were going. They got pretty frustrated and had trouble being successful.

My message for you humans this month is that you can ask for help. You don't have to do everything yourself. Your herd is nearby, and can provide you with knowledge, support and companionship when you are facing things that are difficult. Just as the herd supports Preacher when he's laid up, your herd can support you when you are facing your challenges. Give them chance. If you want, we'll show you how.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Ginger

P.S. If you want someone to help you tackle the challenges in your life, my human, Linda Pucci can help. She's very good at helping you figure out what you need, teaching you ways to do things more effectively, and supporting you while you take the steps you need to meet your challenges in life or in business. You can call her at 865-983-7544 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com . She's good at coaching you through all sorts of stresses!

It Is Important to Be Curious

2010-06-28T11:47:00.001-04:00

We've had some changes at Hold Your Horses Farm this month. Our humans brought in some green things. Initially they were in block pots filled with dirt. They said they were "trees," but they didn't look much like the trees that are in other parts of our pasture or down by the creek.

We went to check them out immediately, because we were curious about what they were (and if you could eat them). Our humans dropped them off in several places around the pasture. I went bravely over to one of the black pots and smelled it. I pawed at it with my hoof to make sure it wasn't going to bite me. I tried to dig a hole to put it in, but the ground was too hard for my digging to do much good. I knocked the pot over and my human started yelling at me. I don't get why. I was just doing what horses do.

The man human dug a hole and put one in the hole. We immediately galloped down the hill to see what it was. This one was pretty big--as tall as me. It wasn't very satisfying to rub against because it moved around a lot. My man human came back and straightened it up again and chased me away.

He dug holes and "planted" 4 of them. There were still 3 left in their black pots when night came. At night we graze for most of the night in the lower pasture. It is cool and the grass is wet from the dew. I made it my business to help with those trees.

I knocked over the black pots so that I could more easily get a hold on the branch that the green part grew out of. I wasn't able to get all of them out of their pots, but I was able to get one of them and carried it away. My human wasn't happy in the morning (although I think I saw her secretly smile). I was just doing what horses do.

Horses are curious creatures. We notice when things are different, and we check them out to make sure they don't represent a danger to us. We interact with them when we get the chance. (That's why I sometimes run off with my man human's fence-fixing tools). We explore and want to understand what part these things play in our world. After all, we are sharing our space.

I think it is important to be curious. When you interact and play with things and others around you, you can understand them better. I think that humans sometimes must forget this. I think they need to be more spontaneous and play with the world. They need to be curious about how other humans (and horses) think and what is important to them. I think when they remember to be curious and focus on understanding, they will have more joy, and feel more connected with everything and everyone around them. That's what horses do. Try it. I think you'll like it!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Goomba
Goomba "interacts"
with his halter.

P.S. If you are curious about what we horses can offer you or your company, call my human, Linda Pucci at (865) 983-7544 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. She can explain how we horses can help you learn about what is holding you back or how you can be better at what you do. We are a great team! You can also check out her other website (where horses are the stars) at http://www.resourceswithhorses.com/.

© 2010 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Take Care of Yourself

2010-05-27T10:43:00.003-04:00

It is definitely spring here at Hold Your Horses Farm, and we four horses are thoroughly enjoying it. We continue to shed most of our winter hair, and it feels good when we roll to get it off. At least once a week, our human brushes us, and then comments "There's enough hair here to build another horse." I don't understand what that means, and I sure don't want any more horses with whom to share my pasture. Four is plenty.

Shedding our winter hair is only one of the things we do to take care of ourselves. We graze around the pasture most nights; then sleep in the run-in shed during the hottest, sunniest times. The flies like the sun, so we like to stay in the shade to keep them off us. This time of year the flies don't bite us, but they annoy us by landing on our faces. We scratch each other's withers as we snooze in the shed, almost massaging each other. Ah, relaxing is great!

We drink plenty of water and lick the mineral block our humans put out for us. We move around a lot across this 7 acre farm because we know that movement is important. It helps us stay healthy and helps us digest the grass. We graze, and at least once a day we break into a gallop and race from the bottom pasture back up to the top of the hill. We sometimes chase each other. It's fun.

We avoid the plants that we know aren't good tasting or good for us. Although those yellow flowers look pretty, they aren't nice at all, and I'm glad our other human sprays stuff on them. Pretty soon the yellow flowers wilt and leave more room for the grass to grow in.

About every six weeks, a man comes that Linda calls "the farrier" and gives us a pedicure on all four of our feet. I have shoes on my front feet, so he comes and takes them off, files down my hooves and refits them. The boys just have to have their hooves filed down properly. Doing this regularly helps us move correctly and protects us from ending up lame from hooves that have grown too long. We look forward to it, and even let Linda catch us easily, instead of playing hard to get.

It is important to take care of yourself. Horses know that our survival depends on being smart, and horses recognize (although we don't talk about it a lot) the importance of self care. I think humans need to pay attention to taking care of themselves too. Eating well, drinking plenty of water, moving around, taking care of grooming, and taking time to relax are all part of a self care routine that will keep you healthy. I think if humans did what horses do, they would be lots less stressed and could enjoy themselves more. Watch us. We'll show you what to do.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Ginger

P.S. If you have trouble taking care of yourself, my human, Linda Pucci, may be able to help you get over whatever is blocking you. She says that usually the obstacle is some belief that limits you from taking the action you know you should take. She calls it "self sabotage." You humans must be pretty complicated. Anyway, she knows ways to help you break those bad habits that interfere with doing what you need to do to be successful and happy. You can email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com or call her at 865-983-7544.

P.P.S. I know you might wonder why I've provided the Wisdom from the Horse's Mouth two months in a row. Linda says since I'm the princess, I know all about self-care and had to be the one to talk about it. I'm sure she must be right about this. I'm the only mare in our herd and I am very special.

Keep Searching for Your Dreams

2010-04-24T11:22:00.000-04:00

Spring has finally arrived at Hold Your Horses Farm. We horses are spending more and more time grazing in the pasture, looking for the young, sweet grass. With four horses covering every inch of our 6 ½ acre pasture, you would think we'd find plenty of it. But the grass is still short, and we've grazed it down pretty thoroughly.

Although we are still eating a little bit of hay, we like the sweet grass best. I'm all about food, and I dream about that grass. We graze through the night, pausing occasionally to doze. The places where the rains have down come heaviest seem to have the most abundant supply. I often lead the herd down to the place where the water comes out into the field after a rain. We horses learn pretty quickly where to go to find what we are looking for.

Because we have grazed the grass so short, I sometimes find that the longest grass is on the other side of the fence. I stretch my neck through the wire fence to get it. I've even seen Preacher go down on his knees to get under another place in the fence where you can't put your neck through. He's able to find some tasty morsels just under the fence.

We have to work to find what we are looking for. In the summer, the grass is usually more abundant, but in the early spring, it is tougher to find, probably because it is the young grass which is the sweetest. I appreciate the taste of it, and anticipate it every time each year.

Horses are willing to search for the grass. Even though our humans put out plenty of hay, we cherish the taste of grass whenever we can find it. We're willing to put in the effort to find it because it is worth it. We'll often abandon the hay in looking for that grass we dream about.

I think that humans should keep searching for the things they want too. To us the grass is like a treasure, well worth looking for. We're willing to stretch to reach it, and we savor each morsel, no matter how small. I suspect that humans have trouble finding their dreams sometimes. They too need to search and stretch and savor each step they make toward reaching their dreams. After all, if the dream is something you want, isn't it worth putting in some effort?

I think that when you search for it, you will appreciate it as much as we appreciate those morsels of sweet grass. I think sometimes the taste is even sweeter because we've had to work to find it. I'll bet if you keep thinking about how to find it, and looking carefully, and putting in the effort, you too can find your "sweet grass." When you do, I think you too will find that it is totally worth the effort!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Ginger
P.S. If you need help finding YOUR happiness, I would bet that my human, Linda Pucci, can help. She helps people get rid of the OBSTACLES to their happiness--whether it is stuff from the past, or things in your life right now. You can call her at 865-983-7544 and talk to her. Or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. Tell her Ginger sent you.

© 2010 Linda Pucci, Ph.D.

Stand Up for Yourself

2010-02-15T09:28:00.000-05:00

I think I've changed. I used to be pretty laid back in our herd of four horses here at Hold Your Horses Farm. It never bothered me to have someone else push me away from my food dish, or nudge me away from the hay. I was never one to push the other horses—or humans--around.

But as cold as it has been here lately, I've needed my hay to help me keep warm. Don't get me wrong. I have not become a bully. I haven't become the "alpha horse" either. I don't push the other horses around. But I do stand my ground. When Goomba comes over to try to finish up my grain, I stand my ground. I don't move away like I used to. I flick an ear at him to tell him to back off, and he stands there patiently until I'm done. Then he checks my food bowl for a stray morsel or two.

When one of the other horses tries to muscle me away from some hay I’m eating, I stand my ground by picking up my back hoof and flattening my ears a bit. I may shake my head to let him know to back off. I don't pin my ears and bare my teeth—that is too intense a reaction, and not necessary.

I don't get violent. I don't start a fight. I hold my ground and stand up for myself. This is a lesson I've learned. The others used to be able to move me around and bully me. (Not Ginger, she's the lowest in our pecking order—she still allows all the boys to push her around).

I communicate my intention to stand up for myself and notice that Goomba and Preacher don't even try to bully me as often. My human, Linda Pucci says I'm "enforcing my boundaries"—whatever that means. All I know is that I am standing up for myself and I like the results.

I think if humans stood up for themselves when things are important to them, they might be a whole lot happier too. It isn't that hard. It doesn't require you to become a bully. You just assert yourself, and make it clear with your body language that you won't tolerate being pushed around. I know, it sounds difficult, but it really isn't. It just takes a decision to do it, and you get better the more you practice it. I know. I've done it.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Shade

P.S. If you need help standing up for yourself without getting angry or overdoing it, my human, Linda Pucci can probably help. She's been teaching people to stand up for themselves for over 30 years. Call her at 865-983-7544 and talk to her about your situation. You can also check out the other things she does at http://www.InnerResourceCenter.com or at http://www.ResourcesWithHorses.com .

Look Harder When Resources Seem Scarce

2010-01-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

BRRRR. It is cold here at Hold Your Horses Farm. We horses can tell it is winter. Our coats have grown in, and we look furry (and, on a wet day, shaggy). Ice sometimes forms in our water trough, but my herd mate Shade usually breaks it before the humans have a chance to do it for us.

The pasture has mostly dried up and we now eat hay most of the time. The hay is our main food, but eating it also keeps us warm. We depend upon our humans to give us plenty because we have not yet figured out how to get into the barn to get it ourselves. (Believe me, we are working on it).

When resources seem scarce, like they are in winter, we have to make the most of them. We eat hay whenever it is available, and when we've eaten it all, we forage for leftover grass anywhere in the pasture. We check out the resources carefully.

Even though we eat hay in one place, we continue to graze and roam around our 7 acres, looking for anything we might be able to eat. I've discovered that if I put my head through the fence and lean forward, I can just reach morsels of green grass that are on the other side. Shade, who is a bit taller than the others, goes after leaves on the neighbor's bush. We've discovered that the grass in the ditch where the rain water comes out still is moist and tasty.

All the horses know that when grass is scarce, we need to make the most of it. We have to take care of our resources and use them wisely. Horses know this instinctually, I think, but humans don't seem to know this. When we have eaten all the hay, we go looking for morsels of grass. I've noticed that not all humans go looking when their resources seem scarce.

Sometimes humans talk about "not having enough." I know (being a mare of mature age) that when you focus on things being scarce, it can make you scared. The horses at Hold Your Horses Farm know that we can find the resources (usually food) we need as long as we are willing to look for them. Although things may seem scarce, they usually aren't as bad as you might think. But you have to be willing to look-and sometimes look pretty hard. Yes, it IS sometimes a challenge.

Looking for the resources is something horses do pretty well. I think humans would be a lot happier if they stopped worrying about resources being scarce and began looking for exactly what they need. When you do that, I think you will discover that there are plenty of resources out there. But you have to willing to be as determined and clever as horses are to find them. You have to keep grazing around, and sometimes stretch outside your territory until you find them. If you do that, I'll bet you will find the resources you need.

Good luck!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Ginger

P.S. If you need help finding the resources you need in your life, you can call my human, Linda Pucci. Her business is called the Inner Resource Center because she knows how to help people find the resources they need. Even when your resources seem scarce, she knows how to help you change your life to be happier and more successful. You can reach her at 865-983-7544 or by email at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com or check out something called her "website" at http://www.InnerResourceCenter.com. (She is not so good at helping you find grass, though-that's MY specialty).

(c) 2010 Linda Pucci, Ph.D.

Live in the Present Moment

2009-11-16T14:52:00.000-05:00

We can tell that winter is coming here at Hold Your Horses Farm. The grass has turned brown, with only little patches of green still peeking through. Our humans have started giving us some hay in the round feeder to help keep us warm at night. Although ice has not yet formed on the water trough, we can tell that colder weather is coming.

Some mornings it is foggy and cold. There is frost on the ground. We don't like to graze in the frost covered ground until the sun has warmed it up a little bit. But we don't worry. We take advantage of the present moment. We play games with each other until it warms up. We not only have fun, we keep ourselves warm in the process.

One of the ways that horses are so different from humans is that we live in the present. We don't forget the lessons of the past, but we don't worry about them. The past is past. We don't dwell on things that happened yesterday, and we don't use them as excuses for not doing something today. We live each day--all day--in the present moment.

That means that we focus on eating when we are eating; playing when we are playing; and working (usually with the humans) when we are working. Yes, we always keep our eyes open for danger, but we don't focus on it. We live in the present moment. What else is there?

I think that humans could benefit if they did more of that. I hear them talking sometimes about things that happened a long time ago. They seem stuck and unable to move beyond it. I don't understand--how does that help them? I can't imagine running across the field looking backwards, but humans seem to focus on the past a lot. They seem to pay more attention on where they have been and what happened, than where they are going right now.

If we can play games in the fog, and live fully in the present moment, certainly humans ought to be able to do that too. Put your old memories of the past behind you, and come join us. Live in the present moment!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Shade

P.S. If you are one of those humans who are stuck in the past, give my human, Linda Pucci a call

(865-983-7544). She works with people to help them let go of negative emotions and limiting beliefs from the past so that you can live fully--and joyfully--in the present moment.

How Much Energy Will You Put into Things You Want to Achieve?

2009-10-23T11:44:00.001-04:00

October 15, 2009

Lately we have been noticing something interesting about the humans who come to Hold Your Horses Farm to work with us horses. The humans want us to do something for them-to let them lead us into the round pen; or move around them in a circle; or jump over an obstacle they place in our path.But many of them don't seem willing to put much energy into getting us to do it. They ask us a bit half-heartedly. It seems like they don't really mean it.

Naturally, when they don't seem to have much energy for the task, we don't either. If you ask me to do something in a half-hearted way, I'll give you a half-hearted response. If you want energy from me, I need some energy from YOU.

Don't get me wrong. You don't have to overwhelm me with the power of your request. Horses ask each other to do things all the time, and we use only as much energy as is necessary to get the job done. Sometimes that means flicking an ear at Ginger to get her to move. Other times it means nipping Preacher on the rear to get him to move out of my way. Sometimes it means shouldering Shade and pushing him out of the way. Horses don't overdo it. We simply figure out how much energy we need to use. We often start out small and increase the energy as we go along. I think you humans call that "trial and error." We keep trying things until we find the amount of energy and pressure that WORKS.

What seems to be missing when humans approach a task is that they use the amount of energy they think is necessary; then they don't increase it when that doesn't work. If you are saying to yourselves, "I'd like that nice horse to follow me," and then not demonstrating that you are determined to make it happen, and, instead, thinking about how tired you are, I'm going to plan to sit in the shade and sleep until I'm convinced that you really mean it and will back it up.

I wonder if you humans hold back your energy with all of the goals you set? If so, I'd suggest that you consider increasing the energy you use to get what you want. Because if your goal isn't important enough to put some energy into, you might as well forget it. Any goal you pursue will take energy.

We horses use energy to reach our goal of eating the grass, for instance. We have to move around and find the best grass to eat, especially this time of year. Preacher likes the clover, so he really has to hunt around to achieve that goal. If we were not willing to put some energy into the search, we'd be very hungry and frustrated. When we are willing to expend the energy to find the best grass, we're fat and happy. (Actually expending the energy keeps us from getting too fat).

I think you humans need to look at what you are trying to achieve and how much energy you need to use to make it happen. When you increase your energy, I think you will have more success-with us and with your other goals.

Neighs & Whinnies,

Goomba

PS. If you have trouble getting started with your goals, my human, Linda Pucci can help. She knows all sorts of ways to help you get started and keep moving. She helps lots of humans get unstuck in their life or their career. You can reach her at 865-983-7544 or by email at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. I'll bet she can get you moving. And she won't even have to use a halter and lead rope!

The Key is to Get Moving

2009-10-06T07:32:00.000-04:00

I just love hanging out in the shade of our run-in shed here at Hold Your Horses Farm. The flies aren't as bad in the shade, and I can enjoy the company of my herd. Sometimes, though, the humans have a different idea, and want me to "work."

They put on my halter, and begin to try to move me with the lead rope. They want me to leave the comfort of my shed and go out into the sunlight and into the round pen. Don't get me wrong. The "work" they want me to do isn't plowing fields or carrying heavy humans around on my back for hours. They want me to interact with other humans and help them learn important lessons.

I start teaching right away. The human pulls on the lead rope to try to get me to move. I plant my feet. I want to see if they really mean it. I'm not going to make this easy. Sometimes they talk to me, and I can tell by their tone of voice and their body language if they are determined or not. I weigh about a thousand pounds (the grass has been lush this summer). I am stronger than they are. I'm pretty determined to stay in the shade. They pull. I dig in with my back feet and throw my weight backwards. I can tell that they are beginning to get frustrated. I think they might give up and let me stay here. I think this is a test of what they do when they encounter things that are difficult. I think I can win this. They pull; I resist. I can do this all day.

Then someone moves me to the side. I can go in that direction. This must be a compromise. I am willing to move a few steps. Or someone taps me on the rear with the lead rope. That's annoying. I'll move to get away from that. The point is, I have begun to move.

Once I have started moving in some direction, I know I am ready to work. They have learned the lesson I wanted to teach: Even though movement toward a goal isn't always straightforward, the key to reaching a goal is to get moving and keep moving. Once the movement toward a goal begins, you can easily change directions if things aren't going in exactly the right direction.

This isn't only true of moving horses. It is also true of your ability to move towards your human goals. The key is to get moving. Do something. Take action. You can always adjust your course, but you get nowhere if you don't take that first step.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Preacher

P.S. If you have trouble getting started with your goals, my human, Linda Pucci can help. She knows all sorts of ways to help you get started and keep moving. She helps lots of humans get unstuck in their life or their career. You can reach her at 865-983-7544 or by email at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. I'll bet she can get you moving. And she won't even have to use a halter and lead rope!

Committees Are Not Always the Best Way

2009-08-18T12:46:00.000-04:00

"A camel is a horse made by committee."

After the Rain…

2009-08-16T14:14:00.000-04:00

We have had quite a bit of rain at Hold Your Horses Farm lately. When it rains, we horses huddle together inside the run-in shed at the top of the hill. It gives us shelter, and we like being together when it is really windy and scary. Sometimes there is lightning and thunder. We don't like that very much. We try to stay away from the trees, and move off the hill when we need to.

Sometimes it rains for a few minutes; sometimes for most of the day. Horses don't really care about time, so we don't mind. We know that eventually the rain will stop and we will once again romp through the fields, and be able to graze in the sweet grass.

After the rain, we often gather where the water has flowed through the drainage ditch. We know that the grass there is especially lush. It tastes good and we know it is good for us. We graze for hours after the rain in that one area.

In the places where the grass is sparse and dirt shows through, the rain has left behind mud. We love to roll there. We can get especially muddy and sloppy. I like it best when I have big muddy clods of dirt hanging off my mane. Being a mare with a mature figure, I sometimes can't roll all the way over; then I get muddy only on one side.

The boys play in the mud, chasing each other and slipping and sliding a bit on the muddy hill. I'm too mature for that, but I secretly love watching it.

Even though the rain can be scary or can mess up our grazing plans for the day, we know it will pass eventually. We know that we can enjoy what happens after the rain.

I'm not sure if humans know that. Humans have rain in their lives as well, but it isn't the kind that gets them wet. They have things happen that spoils their plans, messes up their lives, and makes it difficult for them to keep their footing. What they seem to have trouble remembering is that the rain will eventually go away. I think sometimes they get stuck in believing that it will ALWAYS rain in their lives. They forget that good things come from "rainy times." After all, you can't play in the mud unless it has been raining.

You don't need to be upset when it rains. Things happen. It is part of the cycle of nature. You can learn about yourself and your herd from those rainy times. You can learn to avoid those areas that are likely to flood you with struggle, just like we avoid the low areas of our pasture when it rains.

I think humans need to remember to play after the rain and to take advantage of the opportunities when the sun comes out. When you do, you won't be as upset by those "rainy times." You'll hunker down, do what you need to do to take care of yourself, and wait till it passes. Because it will pass. I know. I'm a mare who has survived many rainstorms.

Neighs and Whinnies,

P.S. If you find yourself stuck in a lot of "rainstorms" in your life, you might want to talk with my human, Linda Pucci. She helps people find the resources to weather their storms and move beyond them. She's really good at helping people figure out what to do to prepare themselves for rain in their lives, and learn from their rainy experiences. She is good at helping you stay calm in a storm, too. You can call her at 865-983-7544 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com. Tell her about your rainy times. I'll bet she can help.

The Importance of Mutual Respect

2009-07-27T07:46:00.000-04:00

There are four of us horses living here at Hold Your Horses Farm. We share our space with a couple of dogs that often visit from a neighbor’s house; a small, grey cat; some assorted rodents who aren’t a bit afraid of that cat; and our two humans, Linda and Bernie. Other humans sometimes visit at one of the two white buildings where our humans spend their time, and they often come and visit us or stop at the fence and exchange a “hello.”

Other animals, like deer, raccoons, possum or an occasional fox pass through the farm from time to time, but we are not very disturbed by them. We know what to expect from them and they know what to expect from us. They are just passing through and they know this is our territory.

Horses live in a herd and have to learn how to get along with each other and the others with whom they share their space. We have to respect each other in order to get along.

We each communicate with each other and the other animals and humans through our body language. Shade flicks an ear to warn Goomba away from his food dish. I nip at Ginger to get her to move to another part of the pasture faster. Goomba lowers his head toward one of the dogs when he comes too close. Ginger moves away when people try to hug her and get too mushy.

Letting others know what you expect of them is important, and we communicate pretty clearly about our boundaries. And, because we are part of the herd, we respect each other’s boundaries as well. I think that sort of mutual respect is absolutely necessary.

Horses know how important boundaries and mutual respect are. I’m always surprised that humans don’t seem to know this as well. I’ve seen them allow Goomba to eat the buttons on their shirt. Sometimes they approach me too quickly and I let them know by running away that they have come too close without being invited.

I don’t always think people do a very good job of setting boundaries or respecting each other either. I think that if humans realized how important mutual respect is, they would practice it more. If they recognized that each animal or human has something important to offer and respect them for the part they play, there would be a lot more harmony in their herd.

Horses know that mutual respect is composed of setting and enforcing your boundaries–what is acceptable to you and unacceptable to you. Boundaries are like rules you set for others, so that you feel respected and comfortable. When somebody violates your boundaries–breaks your rules for conduct in the herd–the reaction needs to be clear and swift.

Horses do this without holding a grudge. We know we have to enforce our boundaries. We know this is part of mutual respect and we have to have that to survive. We do it clearly, swiftly and easily. We don’t take it personally like humans seem to do.

My advice to humans would be to pay more attention to respecting each other, both by appreciating and respecting what others have to offer, and by demanding that others respect you as well. When you do that, you are clear with your rules and expectations, but it isn’t personal. Everyone violates a boundary now and then, and there are consequences when you do. Setting and enforcing boundaries is part of respecting yourself. How can you have a place among the herd if you don’t? How will the others in your herd learn to respect you if you don’t demand it? Mutual respect is the key to a happy and successful herd.

Neighs & Whinnies,

Preacher

P.S. If you have trouble setting your boundaries or being respected in your herd, my human, Linda Pucci can help you. She’s really good at helping humans set boundaries and figure out what to do to get respect, and be respectful in return. Call her at 865-983-7544 or check out http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ to contact her by email.

© 2009 Linda S. Pucci, Ph.D.

Having Time Alone Is Important

2009-07-07T08:45:00.000-04:00

Horses are herd animals; that means we tend to feel most comfortable when we are with our herd. We group together for safety and security.

Much as I like hanging out with my herd, and spending time grazing with my buddies at Hold Your Horses Farm, there are times when a mare of a certain age likes to have her privacy.

Most mornings, while the boys are grazing in the pasture near the road, you’ll find me alone in the run-in shed. The sun streams in and I can stand there and doze without worrying that I’m standing too close to someone else, or that they will start something with each other and wake me up. Eventually they come back up the hill and wake me up, but by then, it is time to eat.

Sometimes in the afternoon, while the boys are dozing in the shade of the trees, you’ll find me 50 yards away, grazing on the sweet grass by myself. I like to move where I want, without worrying about being herded away from a particularly juicy morsel. I can be alone with my thoughts and my chewing, free to snort and sigh as I see fit. Having time alone is important. It allows me to focus on the things that are important to me without distraction.

I’ve noticed that humans are herd animals too; at least they seem to like to hang out with others. I think they don’t always take the time for themselves, though. Taking time to be alone, away from the herd would give them a chance to catch up on their thoughts. If they spent time more alone like I do, it would allow them to figure out what they want to do or where they want to go next, without someone else influencing their decision. When you are a herd animal, it is easy to get swept up in the movement of others. When you do that, you are sometimes ignoring what is right for you.

I find it is useful to have both time with the herd and time apart. Both are valuable. I wish that you humans would discover this by taking some time to be apart from your herd every now and then. When you do you can really get to know yourself and can focus on what is important to you.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Ginger

P.S. If you aren't comfortable outside of your herd, my human, Linda Pucci can help you. She helps people learn how to be come self-confident and to tune into their own intuition and judgment. For more information, go to http://www.innerresourceccenter.com/

No Flies on Me--Get Rid of YOUR Aggravations

2009-07-02T09:27:00.000-04:00

The weather has gotten warm and sunny here at Hold Your Horses Farm, and along with it has come our yearly pests–the flies. Horses have a lot of different flies that like to hang around. Right now, the flies are small and don’t bite. The ones that really bother us are the ones that love to take a chunk out of us. That makes us jump!

Horses are very resourceful, so we have a lot of different ways to get flies off. Sometimes we brush up against the bark of the trees that grow in the middle of our pasture. Sometimes we roll in the cool mud and layer it on so that it protects our hide.

Usually to get away from the flies, we hang out in the shade during the hottest part of the day. It seems that the flies like it when we sweat, so staying cool is important. We have our tails to swish them away when they land, and can move our skin in sort of a shudder when we feel them light on us. Sometimes we are also able to bite at them, if they have landed where we can reach. We make it uncomfortable for them to bug us!

Sometimes we permit our humans to spray us, but I really don’t like that spray bottle. It makes a funny noise, and it smells funny. I usually run away, but the others tolerate it better than I do.

We’re used to the flies being part of our lives and we do what we can to deal with them. They are an annoyance that are part of life. I’ve noticed that humans often have things that annoy them the way flies annoy us. But unlike horses, humans don’t always do anything about it. It often seems like they just sit back and tolerate those things they don’t like.

That doesn’t seem like a very effective way to get rid of them. In fact, if those things you are tolerating were flies, not chasing them away would just invite more. I wonder if you humans invite more difficulties when you don’t take care of those things that “light on you?”

I’d like to suggest that when something happens that you don’t like, do something about it–tell someone, shake it off, get away from the aggravation, or take a stand. When you do, your “flies” will think twice about bothering you. Or at least you’ll have handled the situation. Your “flies” may not disappear permanently any more than ours do, but when you take action, they will move on.

If they don’t, just find a good rough tree, and scratch!

Neighs and whinnies,

Goomba

P.S. If you have a lot of things that irritate you, you might want to talk to my human, Linda Pucci about it. She helps people figure out how to deal with the things they have been tolerating. You can call her at 865-983-7544 or email her at Linda@InnerResourceCenter.com .

You’re also welcome to come to our farm and the horses will show you how to stand up to those things that aggravate you! We’re very good teachers!

We Get By With a Little Help from Our Friends--No Matter WHO They Are

2009-06-26T08:50:00.000-04:00

Here in the herd at Hold Your Horses Farm, we help each other. When Shade needs his back scratched, I'm there for him. When Ginger is being bothered by a human who wants to hug her, Preacher comes over and chases them away. I often end up chasing that dog that thinks he can herd us. We manage pretty well.

But every now and then we need the help of our human friends. That was true this past month. Every day, one of our humans comes and gives us grain. It is a nice change from the grass in the pasture, and we always come quickly. Each of us has our own feeding bowl, and we each know exactly where to go.

This past month I got my food, but had to move over to steal grain from Preacher. You see, there was something in my food bowl. It was blue and shiny and had a long tail. I stuck my nose in initially, then backed off quickly. My human, Linda Pucci, noticed, and came to check out why I wouldn't eat out of my own bowl. She saw it and pronounced it a "skink," whatever that it. She picked it up and put it on the ground. It scurried away and I was glad. It gave me the creeps and I wanted to stomp it.

The next day was Ginger's turn to need help. After sticking her nose into her food dish, she backed off quickly and squealed. Linda came to see, and found a couple of black things in the dish. She said they were "crickets" and scooped them out after several tries.

Even though they are not officially part of our herd, it is useful to have humans to help us. Having someone help, whether it is a horse or human is important. We're all interconnected and having someone to depend on makes life easier and safer.

Sometimes I don't think humans understand this. They try to do things alone, or don't reach out for help when they need it. I guess they don't know that things don't work very well when you are the only one to depend on. Being part of a herd is important. I think humans need to remember that THEY are also part of a herd. We all are.

We can help each other. We can all reach out to humans, horses or even dogs that are in need of some help. We can ALL ask for help when we need it. It doesn't mean we're weak. We all need our friends to get by.

It doesn't matter WHO the friends are. Believe me, I'll help you any time I can. Just don't ask me to do anything with those yucky skinks. If that's the problem, we'll ask Linda.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Goomba

P.S. If you want your life to be easier, contact our human, Linda Pucci, Ph.D. She can help you with all sorts of human problems. In fact, she's really good at helping people find solutions to their problems quickly. Call her at (865) 983-7544 to find out how...

Do Something When You Are Uncomfortable

2009-06-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

When horses are uncomfortable, we change our situation. When it is hot, we go into the shade. That keeps the sun off our backs, and the flies are fewer. I'm always surprised by how long humans stay in uncomfortable situations, when they could so easily change their situation. When you are uncomfortable--DO something about it!

Neighs and Whinnies,

Preacher

9 year old Tennessee Walker
From the Herd at Hold Your Horses Farm

Graze in Your Own Pasture

2009-06-11T14:15:00.000-04:00

Horses are herd animals, but we aren’t always together. Each of us likes to go off by ourselves from time to time. We like to keep an eye on each other, so we are usually within sight of one another. Hold Your Horses Farm isn’t a very big place–only about 7 acres–so that isn’t very hard to do.

We do have some hills that can block our view of each other, but as long as we can hear or see each other, we don’t mind being separate. In fact, sometimes it is essential to get away from Goomba and his antics. (He’s just as big a clown with the horses as he is with the humans).

You will often find me off by myself, sometimes grazing in a completely different pasture than the other three horses. They like to stick together more than I do. I like to know where they are, but I like to choose my own grazing spot most of the time. I know what sort of grass I like best, and where it is best for me. I feel most comfortable and satisfied when I’m where I want to be, rather than where others want to be.

I think it is important that people also graze in their own pasture; that they find the place that is best for them. Just as horses don’t always follow each other around everywhere, people don’t need to either. I think people need to figure out what part of their field is most comfortable, most nourishing, and a place where they can thrive and grow. They don’t have to stay in a herd and do everything the way others do it.

Like horses do, humans can connect with each other when they need or want to, and keep an eye on each other. They can be social just like we are. But they can also pick the best pasture to work in.

Our human, Linda Pucci did that when she moved her office to the farm several years ago. Other humans stayed in town and had offices there. But she wanted to graze in a different pasture. I think that is working for her, since I see people coming and going to her office most days. Other times I peek in the window and see her on that telephone thing--talking to other humans, I think.

If you stay with the herd ALL the time, you won’t have a chance to really find the pasture that is best for you. No one else can find it for you–not even a smart horse like me. Since each horse (and human) are different, what is best for one, may not be best for everyone else.

My advice to you this month is to keep an eye on your herd, but choose your own pasture to graze in. You are the one who has to decide what is best for you and your life. I do.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Shade

P.S. If you want help figuring out where your pasture is, you can talk to my human, Linda Pucci about that. She helps people figure out what to do to be happier, more successful and live with greater ease.

P.P.S. She also has a program to help people discover their life purpose–she says it is “7 Steps to a Life of Meaning & Authenticity.” I don’t really know what that means, but it seems to get people excited.

In Times of Stress, Keep Your Sense of Humor

2009-05-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

Our humans were gone quite a bit this month. One day there was black smoke pouring out of the top of the building just below our round pen. There was a lot of commotion at Hold Your Horses Farm. A big red truck came up the driveway, and lots of other smaller trucks and cars. Some had lights that moved around and around and they made a lot of noise. One of our humans, Bernie, went away in one of the trucks and came back all wrapped up in white cloth. Then both of the humans went away for awhile.

It was O.K. because they left Charlie, the man that lives in a house next to our field, in charge of feeding and taking care of us. We know him because he sometimes has a garden just over the fence from our pasture. When we stick our heads over the fence when he's working in his yard, he brings us carrots or grass clippings. Imagine being able to eat fresh grass and not even have to tear it with your teeth!

Even though we wondered what happened to our humans, we weren't too worried. We horses live in the moment, so we aren't really very worried about things as long as our needs for food and safety are taken care of. Charlie came over and gave us hay, grain and water every day, and even played with us.

In fact, we had a lot of fun with Charlie. While looking for carrots, I discovered a little box in his pocket. I was able to get it out of his pocket and run away with it. I played with it in my mouth. It was pretty fun to see him come after me and try to get it away. He said it was his cell phone. Maybe he thought I was trying to call my humans. I couldn't get it to work; I guess horse spit made the keys not work quite right.

Another day while Charlie was cleaning the poop out of the shed, Shade slipped into the part of the shed where they keep a trailer and all sorts of neat stuff. I think he was playing that game "Hide and Seek". He hid in that part of the shed and wouldn't come out. After trying and trying to get him to come out, Charlie had to go in and pull him out by his mane.

The point is that having fun during times of stress really helps you cope. I think all humans ought to make sure they keep their sense of humor when things are stressful. When you play (or play jokes) it lightens your mood. I've noticed that when humans play or laugh, their body language changes. They relax, breathe more slowly and do that funny thing with their lips they call a smile. I've noticed when they do that smiling thing, the stress just disappears, at least for awhile.

I'm glad that both of our humans are back, even though Bernie walks around with tape on his arm and limps like he has a stone in his hoof. Don't worry. We'll keep doing things to remind him to keep his sense of humor and I'll bet that the stress will soon go away.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Goomba

PS I was picked to write again this month because I have such a great sense of humor. I've been known to eat buttons off shirts, and you ought to see me with Velcro!

PPS If you want help keeping your sense of humor in times of stress in your life, I'll bet my human, Linda Pucci can help. She's really good at helping you change your perspective about negative things that have happened in your life. And she never eats your buttons or steals your cell phone. Call her at 865-983-7544 to find out what she can do for you.

NOTE FROM LINDA: Goomba is absolutely right about the importance of a sense of humor during times of stress. While we were off at the Burn Unit at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, the stories of Goomba's escapades gave both of us a really good laugh. Having a sense of humor is very important for healing and pain management as well!

What Horses Can Tell You About Yourself

2009-05-27T02:41:00.000-04:00

If you have wondered about what I do with horses, this slideshow may give you an idea about it...

What Horses Can Tell You About Yourself

View more presentations from Linda Pucci.