Top 5 Virtues of Good Horsemanship

What do feel are the top 5 Virtues of Horsemanship? This question came up recently in a discussion group I follow. Here is my list…

1. Courage 

• The ability to control your fear and trust in your relationship with your horse while training, without becoming foolhardy or reckless.
• Reliance on intellect in place of emotion when faced with a dangerous situation.
• The ability to suppress instinctive reactions in favor of calm reasoning.

2. Patience

• Ability to continue under difficult riding circumstances.
• Persevering in the face of apparent delay or provocation by your mount without reacting with annoyance or anger.
• Not allowing arbitrary goals to cause you to rush the training ahead of its proper pace.

3. Humility 

 

(Flickr/FiveFurlongs)

• Realizing that your way is not the only way and being open to the ideas of others.
• Accepting instruction with an open mind.
• Putting your own ego and image secondary to the needs of the horse.

4. Honesty

• Accepting and acting on the truths of good horsemanship, even when said truths are not convenient nor in line with preconceived notions or past instruction.
• Recognizing the fact that most of the difficulties the horse has are directly related to the actions or inactions of the rider.
• Accurately and honestly assessing your own riding and training abilities and admitting when you need help.

5. Kindness

• Remembering that your horse is “innocent” in the training and riding relationship and we are the ones with a choice.
• Reacting with empathy and understanding when the horse does not respond as expected or wanted.
• Understanding the horse either does what he thinks we are asking of him, or what he feels he has to do to protect himself, and recognizing the difference.

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 About the Author

Troy Griffith is a horse trainer and classical riding instructor living outside of Salem, Oregon. He specializes in training Warhorses for medieval gaming activities, including Jousting, Mounted Combat and Mounted Archery. Troy’s “Hands On Horse Training” method is designed to forge a partnership between horses and their owners with a focus on the cornerstones of Classical Horsemanship.

The Money for Her Diamond ...

CowboyClassifieds.Com

1 hr · 

The Money for Her Diamond ...

While bringing in the hay,
He gave her a baling wire ring, And this is what he had to say...

“Someday I’ll put a diamond,
Here on your hand.
A diamond pure and perfect,
As sure as I’m your man.

But, you know, a diamond,
It won’t ever shine,
As long or as bright,
As this love of yours and mine.”

So they saved for her diamond,
By putting little bits away,
Money for the diamond,
He would buy for her one day.

But the money for her diamond,
Fixed the tractor and bought a plow,
And in the dead of winter,
Paid the vet. bill for the cow.

The money for her diamond,
Put the water to the barn,
And paid the increased taxes,
The county levied on the farm.

The money for her diamond,
Paid the doctor in town,
And when their daughters were all grown,
It bought the wedding gowns.

It paid for the new roof,
When the big wind came through.
Then it it paid off the mortgage,
Before it was due.

The money for her diamond,
Was always well spent,
She never even asked him,
Just where the money went.

The money for her diamond,
Helped them to survive,
The money for her diamond,
Kept their hopes and dreams alive.

Today it’s been sixty-three years,
And the diamond is on her hand.
But, as usual, in her pocket,
Lies her original wedding band.

A twist of baling wire,
Bent and covered up in rust,
A symbol of the greatest of loves,
His Promise and Her Trust....

BY ~ Debra Coppinger Hill @ .... www.alwayscowboy.com
Photo ~ Unknown ....

Never speak of others in a bad way,

Surround Yourself

Paddle Your Own Canoe

BORN LAKOTA: Grass Dancer Danny Garneaux By Dawn Karima on January 17, 2015

Spirit meets Spirit: Danny Garneaux sharing Native Spiritual Traditions!

Veteran. Educator. Lakota. Grass Dancer Danny Garneaux dedicates his life to The Red Road, while he shares his traditions with others. Life on the Powwow Trail begins with the blessing of beliefs and culture, which Danny Garneaux describes to us here at Powwows.com!

“And finally, we are ALL human beings…or People…as our ancient tribal names remind us.” –Danny Garneaux

Interview by Dawn Karima, Native American Culture Editor

Marine. Educator. Veteran. Grass Dancer. (All Photos Provided by Danny Garneaux.)

DK: You are such an inspiration when you dance!How did you find your path to start Grass Dancing at Powwows?

DG: Miss Dawn, the reason I chose Grass Dance was thanks to four older men who showed me the Old Style. They told me the stories of how the Grass Dancer and how he served his people by dancing down the grasses so our people had a place to put up their tipis. They also shared the story of the little boy and how his legs were healed through that special song. They told these stories through the dance and it spoke to me.

DK: Amazing miracles happen when we seek out the old paths! What role does dancing play in your life at the present time?

DG:Our Grandpa Dan Garneaux was involved in educating the public on who we are. He shared for 40 years, my dad shared for 40 years as well. I am third generation educator. Grandpa Dan had us dancing as soon as we could walk.

DK: You are such a tremendous educator! What lessons have you learned as you lead others on this path?

DG:I have been sharing and educating for more than fourteen years myself. Some of the more important things that dancing has taught me was to honor those traditions, honor those feathers we wear and know where they came from. If you can’t tell the stories of your feathers, you have too many. Also, many elders tell us we were BORN Lakota…everything else is extra blessings.

DK:Yes, your people have such beautiful ways!

DG:One thing about our Lakota people is we are everywhere!!! Ask around at any powwow, good chance there is at least ONE Lakota there…dancing or watching.

DK:So true!Lakota ways form the foundation of many powwows, so please share some insights with us?

DG: Some of my important tribal traditions are our spirituality and how to walk the Red Road. Always listen to the Elders, because getting to their age is not luck alone.

DK: Righteous!What do your Lakota values mean to everyone else on Powwow Highway?

DG:The influence on life that dancing has is simple. Always learn from teachers, young and old, no matter which nation. There is no correct way to live because life was meant to be experienced…not followed like a book.

DK: If someone feels that their way to live life includes dancing, how would you encourage them to start?

DG: I encourage other people to start dancing by being in the circle. BE the example and show everyone-no matter the age-if I can be out here with these 43 year-old legs, anyone can.

DK:It’s a blessing to be able to do what you love, especially when it means entering the Circle!

DG: Powwows are powerful by what we bring to the circle…we all play a part. No matter if you have been dancing for the first time or have been dancing for 32 years like myself. Every single one of us completes that circle. We pray when we dance, we honor our ancestors who made sure we would still be here today to tell our stories.

DK:I so much appreciate you sharing your story with us!

DG: Thank you for the opportunity!And finally, we are ALL human beings…or People…as our ancient tribal names remind us. Remember who we were born to be…honor and respect and love one another!

“Remember who we were born to be…honor and respect and love one another.”—Danny Garneaux

Read more: http://www.powwows.com/2015/01/17/born-lakota-grass-dancer-danny-garneaux/#ixzz3kJJXalb4

My Kind of Compass :D