And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4).
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ye are of God, little children....
and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).We had a great first Training for the Cross horsemanship event! Despite a chilly evening, the attendees enjoyed Wade's parables used to explain how to start eliminating resistance, and get their horses to willingly submit their driving factors.
Wade started with a brief description of his "Foundation for Perfection" program, and included many side by side comparisons of the relationship between our horse and us, and the relationship between us and God. He stressed that the three causes of resistance were self-preservation, lack of communication, and disobedience. And that both we and our horses are driven by self-preservation, and seeking comfort and companionship.
The riders started with ground exercises to begin learning the mechanical aspect of a Solid Foundation of Maneuvers. All participants did a great job of learning and practicing Stage 1, stopping forward motion and pivoting around the inside front foot. Stage 1 is the first step towards willing submission by the horse, where after initial contact, the horse willingly performs a task on a loose rein, and with no leg pressure.
Wade demonstrated total submission in his horse by laying the horse down completely, and compared it to our total submission to God. He pointed out the Greek word "worship" means to prostrate oneself before God.
The Sunday evening horsemanship meeting is going to be a regular event! Sundays at 6 pm, Wade will be available to help you with your horse at Kountz Arena. We hope to see you there! A big "Thank you!" to the Kountz family for the use of their arena!
Labels: horsemanship, Jan
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I Want a Nap!
We've spent the past week "doctoring" and feeding "Poco" round the clock. He's recovering from colic surgery and we're trying to transition him from very small, very frequent meals, to
larger, less frequent feedings. Three weeks ago a large lipoma (fatty tumor) strangulated part of his small intestine, and surgery was necessary to remove the tumor and approximately 12 feet of intestine. He spent 2 weeks at Montana Equine vet clinc recovering in their "ICU," but now seems to be doing well at home. He has quite an appetite, is bright and alert, and his GI tract is working again! His incision seems to be the only problem area now. It's been swollen, still has quite a bit of inflammation, is sensitive, and has started to drain a little. Hopefully the oral antibiotics that he's getting twice a day will keep the infection under control.
Post-surgical equine care is a new skill that we're learning. It involves lots of work! We're still soaking the majority of the hay that he's eating for about 10 minutes. Even though the hay we're feeding is good quality, we've been trying to sort most of the alfalfa stems out. It's amazing that once you start handling every mouthful, how sharp and "scary" alfalfa stems become!
Poco's recovery so far is definitely an answer to prayer. It makes me realize how God cares for all of his creatures. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight" (Heb 4:13).
larger, less frequent feedings. Three weeks ago a large lipoma (fatty tumor) strangulated part of his small intestine, and surgery was necessary to remove the tumor and approximately 12 feet of intestine. He spent 2 weeks at Montana Equine vet clinc recovering in their "ICU," but now seems to be doing well at home. He has quite an appetite, is bright and alert, and his GI tract is working again! His incision seems to be the only problem area now. It's been swollen, still has quite a bit of inflammation, is sensitive, and has started to drain a little. Hopefully the oral antibiotics that he's getting twice a day will keep the infection under control.Post-surgical equine care is a new skill that we're learning. It involves lots of work! We're still soaking the majority of the hay that he's eating for about 10 minutes. Even though the hay we're feeding is good quality, we've been trying to sort most of the alfalfa stems out. It's amazing that once you start handling every mouthful, how sharp and "scary" alfalfa stems become!
Poco's recovery so far is definitely an answer to prayer. It makes me realize how God cares for all of his creatures. "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight" (Heb 4:13).