Northern California Road Trip

I experienced many first-time things this summer.

For one, I drove to Northern California by myself.

I took off on one hot Wednesday in August. Just when I reached old highway 5 road, no car was moving. I heard it from the radio that there was a bush fire on highway 5 north. The firemen were working hard to put it off. The authority was taking no chances so the highway was shut off. People were walking in and out the car and along the highway. It was like a scene of the end of the earth in the sci-fi movie.

I was grilled on the road in the heat of the mid-day sun for almost two hours!





Back on the road again, I crossed the Golden gate bridge in the fog. This symbol of San Francisco was a mystical marvel!



After resting at my friends G and V's lake-front house in bay area for a day, I drove north to Mendocino County. I passed by Mill Calley, Santa Rosa and Ukiah. There are many vineyards along the road. I stopped by the McFadden tasting room in Hopland and sampled their Riesling. It was good. I bought a bottle.






My special mission for this road trip was to attend a horseback riding camp for three days in Potter Valley. Upon my arrival at the ranch, a lady in her fifties, was hopping towards me. She had long coarse blonde hair, looking like a horse. Her clothes were very dirty.

She told me she was limping because of a recent surgery in the right ankles. She also told me, to my surprise, I was the ONLY camper!

"Other people just dropped out in the last minute. I thought about calling you. But thinking of your having to drive a ten-hour trip here, I just want you to have a good time. Since you are the only camper, you can stay with me inside the house. It is good. you can have your own bathroom." She said, almost apologetically.

I looked around her house. It was covered with plenty spider webs. The living room was very dark and messy, and extremely smelly. Seriously, it reminded me of the house of the killer in "The Silence of Lamb"...

I wondered whether I should thank her for her good intention or not. I thought I was in a state of shock and forgot what to say anyway.





I stayed in the guest room, with my own horse-themed bathroom. It did not look too bad. It even had a window view of horses grazing on green pasture. It was a pity that it was covered with spider webs and dead insects everywhere. And it really stunk! I controlled my breathing so hard that for a moment I thought I would soon pass out.

Then I realized, it was the moment to practice "The Power of Now": I would make the best out of this experience; I would get to know her...

I was willing to take a deep breath, literally...











I started my first English riding lesson that evening. A lady from Germany also joined me in the lesson. She was an advanced rider though. So I was walking the horse while she was jumping and cantering. After the lesson, I also joined my instructor H in the chores of barn work, like feeding the animals and turning on the irrigation system for the pasture. It was a large ranch for her to work alone: a total of 75 acres of land, forty horses, seven dogs and three cats....

In the evening, H cooked me dinner. She was a vegetarian. There was veggie pasta only. Fortunately, she also gave me some cheese cake and opened a bottle of wine. I had a good talk with her over a glass of wine. Getting to know a person was always an interesting process. She was passionate for animals. She even told me her marriage ended because her husband thought that she loved the animals more than him.



We started off the next day with intensive private riding lessons in the morning and in the late afternoon. H is British and she grew up with the Pony Club school. It is a systematic graded program for instruction of horseback riding and horse-care.

English horseback riding is a different discipline than the Western school. For example, you use both hands to control the reins, you use a different saddle; and you have to use your seat and your legs a whole lot more.

H's special training is in dressage. It is sort of like horse-ballet. In those events, the riders and horses perform many expected "tricks" together to be judged.

I was so glad that I had forty hours of cross-training in body conditioning and horsemanshp classes prior to these lessons. She made me do lots of "gymnastics" on the horseback. She said that the first goal for English rider was to develope an independent seat, and an immediate goal for her is to get me to trot (a two-beat gait of the horse, sort of like bouncing) at the end of the week. I literally was working my butt off...

In the afternoon, I read up on the Pony Club principles. She has a lot of books on these subjects. That made my own "horseback riding for dummies" book really looked childish.

I spent that evening reading and talking with H. I interviewed her like a journalist. She was happy to share her knowledge of horsemanship, Pony Club, and dressage events with me, and answered many questions I had from reading her books.

She also told me many poignant stories of rescued horses.





The horse closest to her heart is Morgan. Some drug company raised pregnant horses and used their urine for medicine. There were then a lot of unwanted ponies to be disposed of. Morgan was one of them. Somehow he got rescued and has been raised and trained by H. They have been through so many dressage events together.

Sometimes she would see the potential of some of the beaten up rescued horses. She shared with me the joy of believing in a horse and training it to live up to its potential.

"Make sure you don't take those medicine when you hit menopause!" she commanded.

She has a good nature. I told her I really appreciated her rescue work with animals. And I was fascinated by her many horse stories.



On the last day of the camp I sneaked out to the main steet for breakfast. Potter Valley was really tranquil and beautiful. However, there were only one small post office, one fire station, one church, and one historical house. There was also only one restaurant, which was closed! Craving for meat after two days, I drove thirty minutes away and finally found an Indian casino to devour a hearty steak and eggs breakfast.



My last day of lesson was satisfying. The lady from Germany came back and brought her own horse. I had much practices on how to approach and lead the horses from the pasture to the arena; I became efficient in grooming them; and I finally learned how to trot!

I said farewell to H. I was able to sincerely thank her as well.


P.S.
I stopped by many beautiful scenic places on the way home. Lake Mendocino and two reservoirs on highway 5. I would like to share these pictures with you.

Thank you so much for reading my blog, my friends. You are what keep me writing!

Horsemanship-mutual respect

As I was reading on horsemanship tonight, I found an article that is really profound. It surprisingly shed much light for me to understand human relationship as well.

The writer reflected on how many horse owners were trying too hard to earn the affection of their equine companions by bribing them with "treats". I am quoting a part of the article here:

"The bottom line is a good relationship with your horse has very little to do with spoiling them. In fact it has little to do with love either, at least not the way we as humans equate love.

What a good relationship is based on is mutual respect. If you love your horse, then respect your horse enough to do what is in his best interest. This is far more important than fulfilling your own fantasy of a human like bond that horses neither understand or appreciate.

If you want to show your horse how much you care, make sure he has a clean water bucket, groom him today even if he is only going to get dirty again, exercise him, put an apple with his dinner if it pleases you.

At the end of the day what your horse truly comprehends and appreciates is his dependence upon you. He can depend on the fact that he will be safe, warm, fed and treated kindly by the partner at his side."

Horsemanship-Bareback Riding

I got to the ranch early this morning. After I gave Sugar a good grooming, we put the bridle on her. However, it looked like she was going to bite. Carol then whispered something gentle to her, petted her neck and Sugar immediately calmed down.

Carol told me there must be some traumatic incidents in Sugar's past regarding the bridle. She must have been hurt by someone. I feel sorry for Sugar. Horses just bear the painful moment and get on with it, until that memory comes back to haunt them. And it always does...

**
These are what I learned in my lesson today:

1. Always make sure the horse will be comfortable, not just us. Take care not to hurt her.

2. Don't get into the way of a horse-this one is especially for me!

3. Proper mounting and dismounting are physical skills. You have to lift your weight, jump high, and be very flexible. Not like me, crawling on and sliding off her back the first time!

4. Keep the proper equitation
Your alignment is right in the middle, sitting square and deep and balanced on the horse back. Now doing the right thing feels wrong after a lifetime of bad habits. Carol gave me some exercises to "confuse" the brain, so I don't hold on to the set habits and be able to build new posture and muscle memory.

5. Feel the natural rhythm of the movement of the horse
There was no saddle between Sugar and me today. I rode on her bareback only with a pad and a Navarro. Carol said that this will help me feel her muscle movement. After all, our goal eventually is to feel the movement of two bodies completely in sync.

Horsemanship-Grooming and Bonding

I met Tigger at the ranch.

Tigger looked like a white horse. But Carol told me he was actually born a gray horse. He got white eyelashes but gray eyelids. This was how you could tell he was actually a gray horse. But over time his hair grew lighter and lighter. If you looked carefully, there were actualy still gray spots on the body.

Carol showed me the tools-the scrubs, the brushes, the combs, etc, and the safe and efficient procedures to groom him.

"They are enormous creatures. You just don't want to get hurt when they accidentally bump into you, hoofing or kicking"

I asked her if they liked to get groomed, She said yes. If they made some special sound, their mouth chewing and their eyes half closed, they were enjoying it.

Carol said that she disagreed with those who thought grooming a horse had nothing to do with horseback riding. "It is bonding time. It is important to bond with your horse."

I learned that when a horse is in the herd, they will groom each other. I also learned that horses like companionship. If they do not have other horses, they will take human, or even dogs or chickens as companions. They just don't like to be alone.

I scrubed his hair and combed his mane, like giving him a massage I petted him and talked to him. I pampered him.

What a difference it made after grooming. Tigger looked refreshed. His hair was radiant, shiny, and smooth. I walked this beautiful and content horse back to his stable.

I have never taken care of an animal in my life, except that I have kept and fed a fish before. But I don't think that counts. It was strangely satisfying to have served Tigger. I enjoyed my bonding time with him.

Horsemanship-School in Session

Today is the first day of school. I arrived at the ranch in the morning, carrying my text book, Horseback Riding for Dummies by Audrey Pavia. I wore a shirt and jeans, without any jewelry. I found a pair of old rugged riding boots in the saddle room that fitted me. I love the simplicity of the uniform.

My instructor Carol led me to the stable where the school horses were. She said that it was important to make your presence intentional to the horses. Like me, they are easily frightened and they would panic. You don't want to startle them.

My school horse was called Sugar. What a sweet name literally! I only know how to greet her with a whisper and a smile. Carol then taught me some simple horse language to talk to her.

"Everyone will eventually come up with their own language," Carol said.

First she gave me an introduction on the mind of the horse and the equine society. She taught me how to enter the gate and put a halter on a horse. I practiced several times with Sugar. Even though it seemed like a simple task, there were a lot of practical wisdom and safety precautions of the procedure.

She showed me how to lead the horse out of the stable and walk into the arena.

"You have to walk side by side with her, keeping her with your pace. Although you have your space, and the horse has hers, she cannot invade yours, but you can cross hers," she said.

In the arena, Carol showed me ways to guide a horse on the ground, communicating with the lead rope. It wasn't exactly easy for me.

"You know, I am clumsy," I admitted to my instructor.

"Well, you will learn new skills. You will learn multitasking. You will learn to relax and be alert. You have to be in charge. You will have to become her leader," she affirmed me.

I think I sort of understand. However it does take a wise and strong leader to do it in a firm and loving way, like a parent with a child, or a teacher with a student.

There are a lot of subtlety and nuances to the techniques of telling the horse what is on your mind. You tell her what to do, not what not to do. You communicate through your body language and with your tack.

"There is a zen-like quality to the relationship of human with horses. A horse can sense your aura. If you are relaxed, she will feel it. If you are nervous, she will be too," Carol reminded me.

I walked Sugar back to her stable. I took out the halter on Sugar and closed the gate between us. I looked back at Sugar. She was resting in the stable, munching the hay.

"We are actually predators to the horses. They can easily kill us. What they need to do is just to kick us. The fact that they are willing to be with us; let us put a halter on them and ride on their backs; and learn to follow our commands; is truely amazing," Carol said thoughtfully.

I looked at Sugar again. She was such a magnificient and beautiful creature. And she had just taken a walk with me, submitting to my will.

It is indeed amazing. I am in awe and feel a deep gratitude.

Horsemanship-The Horse Whisperer

In preparation of riding school, I have been reading and researching on horsemanship. It has been an enlightening process. It has shed new lights for me to understand humanity as well.

Gentle horsemanship involves communicating in the language of horses and using their logic, rather than expecting them to use ours. It teaches us not to blame the horses as they look for the easy way out. We should show them there is a place to go and take them through. The horse and human need to learn how to liberate themselves so that they can explore the harmony between them.

Being social creatures, both horse and human need close contact with others; they need love, support, understanding, recognition and stimulation to become whole and balanced. When you are learning how to get with your horse, you are learning about what there is to see. You are trying to get with that horse's mental system. This is done through feel, because this is what fits a horse.

I watched a 1998 movie "the Horse Whisperer" tonight which illuminates the art and wisdom of horsemanship for me. This movie also explores the subtle relationship between man and animal, mother and child, husband and wife, and man and woman. It has demonstrated many times without diaologues, the power of touch.

This movie is adapted from Nick Evans' novel. A young girl and her horse was left with serious physical and emotional scars after a devastating accident. Her mother took them both to travel to the wild west to seek out a "horse whisperer". A horse whisperer is a horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on natural horsemanship and modern equine psychology. The story then unfolds the many facets of relationship and the healing process on the ranch.

I love the superb cast: Robert Redford is the horse whisperer and also the director of the film; the young girl was played by then teenage Scarlett Johansson; the mother is Kristin Scott Thomas, whom I consider one of the most captivatiing actresses of our time.

The breathtaking cinematography takes you on a outward journey of the beautiful scenary of Montana. At the same time, its powerful story-telling takes you to an inward journey of self-discovery and healing. You experience emotions like fear, pain, despair, confusion along with the characters. You also cheer with them as they find courage to make choices, and finally finding freedom. It is a poignant film, full of strength and grace.

And now how I want to touch a horse!