Rocky Mountain Equi-Rhythm

Why Horses?

Why does Rocky Mountain Equi-Rhythm ask horses to be part of our program? For many reasons, they are perfectly suited to help us help our clients:

• Horses provide the opportunity to have a relationship with another living creature.

• Horses require being “in the moment,” hard work, responsibility, communication skills, and assertiveness.

• Horses are honest. Their reactions provide a powerful evaluative and intervention tool. Individuals seem to be able to hear a message and apply it to other life situations if it is in the context of their interaction with the horse.

• Horses have the ability to mirror human body language. Statements such as “the horse doesn’t like me” provide opportunity for individuals to discover that if they change how they interact with the horse, the horse will respond differently towards them.

• Like humans, horses are social animals. Horses have defined roles/jobs in their herd and have individual characteristics. Horses, like humans, do not all respond the same way to a situation. Horses provide countless opportunities to use metaphors with youth and often parallel what is going on with that individual.

• Horses create a learning environment that allows direct interaction between adults and youth, where the horse is the teacher and all the rest are students.

• Horses are awesome creatures both in size and power. From the first interaction, two components are set in place: the youths are removed from a comfortable setting where their problem behavior works for them. They are in a highly structured setting where their safety depends on listening and following rules. This sets the stage for effecting change.

Horses, like many other animals, have telepathic abilities based on the bond they have with other horses and humans. They are powerful spiritual creatures.

 

Our Horses- Continued

Equi-Rhythm is grateful to have the following, privately owned horses, who live at Joder Arabian Ranch, take part in our programs. We thank their owners for allowing their participation.

CALIFA: Owner Kim Speek

Califa is a twelve-year-old, 16 hh dark bay Lusitano gelding. According to Kim, "I bought Califa in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, while I was living there for one year. During that time, and for another year after I returned to Colorado, I trained him in dressage. He began to get a sour attitude toward the dressage training and then I switched to a Natural Horsemanship type of training until he became more settled. Now we do a little of both, trail riding and some light dressage work, and he is happy with the variety of work. He is very playful and smart and loves to open gates, untie his ropes, climb on the mounting block, and pick things up with his mouth. He learns quickly! He is also very dominant and pushy and will quickly take control of a timid handler. He will constantly check to see if he can be the one in charge, so you have to stay present and one step ahead of him. He is very friendly with people, but can be dominant with other horses. He is a lot of fun and makes me laugh every time I am with him!"

CHAIRMAN: Owner Caroline Roy

Chairman (Chairs) is a nine-year-old sorrel gelding who was born May 14, 1998, at 7:00 a.m. His dam was Sounding Brass, a chestnut thoroughbred, and his sire is a tri-colored paint Oldenburg gelding (yes, now a gelding) named Wow. According to Caroline (as told to her by his breeder), "Chairman was supposed to be a paint warmblood. His breeder liked to name her horses around current events of the day they were born or something related to their bloodlines or something happening in her life at the time. Chairman was born the day Frank Sinatra died and his nickname was 'Chairman of the Board' (as in 'the Man'). He's always been a huge horse and very kind. He ran through a fence when he was a weanling when a stray dog was chasing him and he ended up with a bone chip on his right hind fetlock. It was removed but the vets didn't give him much hope for being a riding horse. But it looks like he has overcome the odds for now! He was always 'Uncle Chairman' to the younger horses and was a good baby sitter for weanling colts as he liked to play with them. He's never been pampered. He's lived outside all his live with shelter and until he came to Joder's had never had a blanket on. He was broke to ride by a western trainer but he's been ridden English a lot, too, so he's very versatile."

COOSHEAR: Owner Amanda Cyboron

Cooshear is a three-year-old dark bay gelding thoroughbred, almost 15.3 hh, son of Runaway Groom. According to Amanda, "I was fortunate enough to meet Coosh in the summer of 2005 while I was working on the backside of Monmouth Park racetrack in New Jersey as a hot walker. He was a hyperactive two-year-old being trained by my boss. In his stall he would trot in circles without end. When people would take him out of his stall he would try to run them over, push them around, and be a brat. He had to be attached to a walking machine in the morning until he trained. I saw him out there, and he looked at me with the cutest face, and I loved him immediately. From then on I walked him every day (and made sure to graze him every day as well), and he was always a perfect gentleman for me. I began bringing little baby carrots to work and training him to stop pacing around in his stall, until he eventually all but stopped. After work, I would stay and sit by Cooshear's stall; I was in love. He never ran well on the track; he took a while to warm up and had problems with his back. November came and everyone was getting packed up for the winter when one of Coosh's owners walked up to me and told me that he had talked to the other owners and they had all agreed, they were giving him to me because I loved him so much. I was ecstatic! He still gets tense some of the time and can be incredibly stubborn and bratty, but he is always improving. Now at Joder's my sister and I are working on getting Coosh used to the trails and wide-open spaces. He is a very sweet, though dopey, playful baby."

CHARLIE: Owner Liz Gould

Charlie is a bay Arab with those classically beautiful looks that make many a young girl a horse lover for life. He was born March 2, 1982, and has the personality of a typical Pisces - sweet, gentle, and sometimes a bit neurotic! Liz met Charlie when she came to Joder Ranch after a sixteen-year hiatus from horses. Charlie was a Joder horse bought for the purpose of being a school horse. Liz believes he came from a cow-working ranch where his sensitive Arab nature was grossly misunderstood. She says, "He was the second horse I had a lesson on and even though he was difficult to the extent that almost nobody else would ride him, it was love at first ride and from then on he was the only horse for me. This was despite the fact that he was skittish, would fling himself away from the approaching saddle and quiver, leap over the entrance into and out of the indoor arena and completely be terrified to go out on the trail. (His nickname was Cha Cha Charlie because of his inability to stand still.) Not to mention that he was off with sprained fetlocks a good part of the time. No matter to me. The spell was cast. And I decided to buy him." After several years of kindness, patience, and love, Charlie's true nature came out and he is now the most wonderful, trusting, and friendly horse who, Liz says, "has taught me volumes about life, love, trust, and true friendship." After many years of keeping him exclusively to herself, Liz decided to share her "noble beast" with others through the Equi-Rhythm program where he can continue to do what he has always done best: share his love of life and people with others, because Charlie is truly a very special horse.

DICLEATIAN: Owner Kelly Kanizay

According to Kelly, "Dicleatian is an Anglo-Trakehner gelding, foaled on April 8, 1986. He is also a pill. He gets this from his mother: 'Hell hath no fury like a chestnut thoroughbred mare.' Di has always had strong opinions about the way of things and his particular daily routine. He just does not see the sense of lounging. He has always been my companion animal and before retirement was my dressage/trail horse. He is fine-boned and has nice light movement with a lot of suspension. A real horseman who sets the proper boundaries and has quiet hands and patience will get along well with Di. He will not really tolerate less."

GREY HAWK: Owner Larry Langer

According to Larry, "I found out about Grey Hawk (unregistered Arab, born in 1989) from Randy and Cherryl Winter (of Max Tack). Grey, whose name was Bud Dee at the time, came from Rapid City, SD. Friends of Randy and Cherryl brought him to JAR in November of 1996. I tried him for a month before deciding to keep him. I did not even like him at first, but bought him anyway. He was always good about handling his feet and trailering but has a history of being hard to catch. About 2007 Gray finally figured out he was going to be caught no matter what he did. He has never been a 'hot' horse, but is still body language sensitive and environmentally sensitive. Grey has completed about 200 limited distance miles and 1,530 endurance miles. (Limited distance is 25 or 30 miles and endurance rides begin at 50 miles. There are numerous 5,000-mile endurance horses across the U.S. A woman from Laramie, who got her mare at age 16, just retired her at age 27 with 1,200+ limited distance miles.) Some of Grey's rides were in South Dakota, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Although grey still has very good parameters at the veterinary checks during rides, I will probably just do limited distance with him, beginning in 2010, because of his age. Grey has uviitis. In his case, it's sensitivity to sunlight, so he wears a fly mask most of the time, except during a steady rain or snow."

JACK: Owner Pat Cantwell

Jack is a 2003 small bay pony gelding. He's a registered half Dartmoor and half Welsh pony. According to Pat, "Jack came to me from a Hanoverian breeder as a two-year-old in Ohio. He was to be a companion to a Hanoverian weanling my sister and I bought. In Montana, we realized how Napoleonic he was - not a companion! - so he came to Boulder where he has been at Joder's since about 2006. I am walk-trot-cantering him myself and hope to get him ready for kids, including jumping. I would love to see where he fits in with kids. He's on my 'slow' training plan. Jack may be Mr Big Stuff to other horses, but he's a real doll when I work him. He always acts very proud to be part of the people program. Jack has settled into Pen 6 where he lives with Califa, Que Pasa, Peanut, and (during warm-weather months) Jiggers."

JASARA: Owner Robert Joder

According to Bob, "Jasara had his beginning in conversations I had with Dr. Butley. The good doctor suggested that I should breed two or three more times to ensure that I would have horses at least for my lifetime. I was reluctant but eventually followed that advice and now find myself with only one horse, Jasara. Jasara was bay when he was born but soon showed his true grey color like his sire, Lucky. The grey gene seems to dominate in Arabian horses so even though Jasara's dam, Misty, was a bay, grey came through. Jasara is a 10-year-old (in 2009) gelding with a wonderful personality. I have seen him in situations where horses easily spook but he keeps his cool. He is a 'get along' kind of horse. On the down side, Jasara has some structural and neurological problems. With maturity and light use these may hopefully correct themselves. Jasara is the last of the Joder Arabians on the Joder Arabian Ranch."

MILES: Owner Nina Lewis

Miles is a six-year old Oldenberg/ Thoroughbred cross who is temporarily at Joder Ranch while Nina finishes medical school. He was born and raised in Fort Collins where he began training with Nina a few years ago. According to Nina, "Miles is the gentlest young horse I have ever worked with and I know he will be a wonderful all-around horse. He is great on the trail and I hope to start him over fences soon, too. He is an easy-going, well-adjusted young gelding who gets along well with other horses. Miles was a gentle, sweet guy from the time he was born. He has always been beautiful and a joy to work with. He comes from a friend of mine who is a breeder in Fort Collins, Sarah Smith, who has raised some amazing horses (including my mother's horse, Chairman). He kept me company and provided my sanity down in Arizona as I went through medical school. Now he is back to his much cooler home state to hang out for a bit while I finish up my rotations. He is trained in dressage and a bit of jumping and always loves a good jaunt on the trails."

PEANUT: Agent Mica Graves

According to Mica, Peanut's agent at Joder's, "Peanut is a pony with a lot of character and pizzazz. He is a fine jumper and, despite his small size, needs a rider that can keep up with him. He loves befriending little people and big horses. Because he wants a lot of attention, he'll teach you how to be a good leader and set firm boundaries. He is also an escape artist - very skilled at getting out of and back into pens!"

PIPPIN: Owner Kendra Chilcoat

Pippin, aka SC Precious, is a bay Arabian gelding born in 2000. According to Kendra, "I purchased him from his breeder, a retired physics professor in Fort Collins who bred emus, peacocks, and gorgeous Arabian horses. An athletic horse who loves to try new things (at least when he's in the right mood), Pippin's experience includes jumping, working cattle, reining, trail riding, and jousting. Like many Arabian horses, he is smart, energetic, sensitive, and very people-oriented. He is quick to pick up on the energy of people around him, and will let you know if you are coming across as nervous or calm. A cute and inquisitive little horse who loves attention, he is always eager to welcome visitors to the barn."

QUE PASA: Owner Pat Cantwell

Que Pasa is a 2004 pinto mare, 13.2 h. According to Pat, "She is by a champion sport pony stallion and out of a large grade pony mare who loves to jump. I bred and raised Que Pasa with my sister in Montana and I hope someday she will be a versatile child's pony, hopefully with jumping in her life. Que Pasa adapts well in a herd and protects the youngsters. She had one foal before moving to Joder's. I am walk-trot-cantering her but she has just been started so she is very green. I'm having a lovely time with her as she progresses in her training." Que Pasa has settled into Pen 6 where she lives with Jack, Califa, and Peanut.

SASSAFRAS: Owner Virginia Carr

Sassy is a bay mare, born in 1982. According to Ginny, "Sassy came to me as a nine-year-old training level dressage horse. She had been bred in Kentucky and had some sort of bad experiences with men. She was very headshy, and generally not trustful with strangers. We went on to compete at lower level dressage and gradually she became quite a good jumper and fantastic trail horse. Now in complete retirement, she walks as my companion on the trail five days a week. Always spunky, she has adjusted to her new lifestyle and is content. Sassy has become a true waling companion, as she freely walks out with me without the use of a lead rope - better to walk with than many people!"

TARA: Owner Julia Rudy

According to Julie, "Tara (full name Tarastyka) was bred by Magness Arabians in California. Her sire is Fantastyk and her dame is Taren. She was brought to Colorado in 1992 as a two-year-old for the Magness sale and bought by a couple from Evergreen, who trained her in the basics of dressage and hoped to use her for lessons, but her flightiness and spookiness precluded that. I fell in love with her even though she was probably too much horse for me at the time, but she turned out to be perfect for me. She has taught me true horsemanship, something I thought I already knew before she came into my life. I have used Natural Horse training to understand her and to learn how to become her leader. She is quite settled now and we have a great time together. We do some training-level dressage for fitness (not for showing) and mostly ride the beautiful trails at Joder's, where she has been since 1997. She is still reactive at times (especially to strange or sudden noises, sights, and situations) but is well mannered and a lovely girl on the ground. Everyone who handles her says she is very polite and well behaved, but she needs lots of space with regard to other horses as she is still a bit insecure. She loves treats and is my sweet 'princess'".

TIGGER: Owner Rachel Stearns

According to Rachel, "Tigger is a registered Paint horse, with Medicine-Hat markings, born on February 18, 1995 in North Carolina. He is a mostly white gelding, with a few chestnut markings on his head and his belly. He is a very sweet and devoted horse who always wants to please, is very patient, and takes good care of his rider. With his horse buddies, he can be both playful and bossy, and he always has an eye for the mares. He has been trained in reining, jumping, dressage, and natural horsemanship. Now his favorite activities are going for trail rides, rolling in the mud, and eating carrots." Tigger is a steady-eddy guy and a perfect horse to participate in the RMER programs. All his riders love him!

TOBY: Owner Brianna Haris

According to Brianna, "Toby is my 'Big Red Thoroughbred.' He was born and raised on a racetrack in Kentucky. He never ran in a race, but he sometimes forgets that when he’s out on the trail 'walking' home, or jumping fences. He has taught me a lot over the years. I learned how to accept responsibility. In my own riding and in teaching people to ride, if it's not working, it is usually the human's fault. If it's all done perfectly right . . . Toby will move wonderfully. I also learned how to ride a horse that loves to run, and how to relax and enjoy the ride, even when it's faster than intended! 95% of the time Toby is a steady ride . . . while inside. However, he's still a thoroughbred, and that 5% of the 'TB-moments' do occur as a reminder to always be aware while on horseback. Toby has a good work ethic in the arena, as long as life's not just all work and no play. He loves rolling after a ride, and in the summer, snacking on some grass while he drip-dries after being hosed off. He loves treats, especially carrots. Toby does not really like being groomed, but has learned to deal with the necessity of the ordeal. He's good at teaching people how to be gentle, considerate, and aware of horse body language. Toby has a great heart, is quick to forgive, and loves unconditionally."

TOMMY JOE: Owner Robin Maras

Tommy Joe, AKA "Ida's Rebel Joe," is an AQHA quarter horse, born in 1989. Robin Maras purchased the big red horse in 1999 from High Prairie Farm. According to Robin, "Tommy spent his first ten years as a hunter jumper school horse, taking many children around a jump course on his big, strong back. Tommy Joe loves the trail and has spent many hours on the foothills above the Joder Ranch with the several different riders who have leased him over the years. Tommy is a gregarious, people-loving horse. He loves being involved in ranch activities, especially the holiday festival and the Halloween Show. Tommy likes to have a good time but he also has an excellent work ethic in lessons and is always willing to try something new. Several years ago Tommy Joe suffered a severe infection of the right eye that called for surgery at the CSU Veterinary Hospital in Fort Collins. Since then he needs to wear an eye mask (when not being ridden) to protect his eye. This is why you usually see him standing by the gate in his pen, sporting some type of fashionable eye mask, where he's always whinnying for someone to stop by and say 'hi' and maybe give him a cookie".

WINNIE: Owner Alexa Schild

Winnie's former trainer tells the following story about Winnie: "We found Winnie at a Shire breeding farm in Rifle, Colorado. When we got there, three little boys no older than 10 were tromping out of the field with a bucket and a halter. Their mother said that they all go the field, halter the horse, all climb up on the bucket, and ride Winnie around the field together. Perfect! We rode her, jumped her, had a pre-purchase exam done, and that day took her home to Boulder. She has been so wonderful for the past several years. She loves to jump, and jump big! She stands about 16 hh and is all black with four white socks and a blaze. She was bred in Franktown, out of a TB mare in 1992. She has been the perfect horse for Alexa."

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