Horseplay

"ThinkingHorses" returned to Wisconsin this week, following up with clients after a successful trip last fall. Pat only had a week to come play this time, which isn't enough for his clients (or mom).
He not only thinks about horses all the time, he literally "thinks horse", and has the ability to teach others to do the same.
The first session of the week was at a neighbor's round pen, so it was easy for the siblings to ride over together from the farmhouse, catching up on horse stuff and strategizing.

Working five horses at liberty (no halters or ropes on them) in the round pen, teaching two handlers how to communicate with equine brains, is all part of a day's work for Pat. It's fascinating to watch, which is a good thing because his scheduled 90 minute sessions are always at least two hours long. Gotta get that guy a watch...not that anyone cares, including the horses. They seem to be thrilled that someone is finally speaking their language...

The communication process between the human factors is just as important as the horse-talk. It takes a lot of thought and concentration to get results.

Learning the horses' body language is the beginning of the equation. Responding to them accurately, directing them in a way they can clearly understand, takes practice.

The effort put into the process isn't work for horselovers. The results can be magical, like a ballroom dance with an accomplished partner.

Having a horse fully focus on you, responding to your direction and literally "playing" with you at liberty, is an awesome experience.

It's hard being the photographer, I get so wrapped up in what they are doing that I forget to snap the shutter. I'm thinking a camcorder on a tripod would be a nice thing...with extra battery packs.