Texas, "Haflinger Donkey Cross;-)" gelding, 15 years
Texas is Anke's personal horse, an incredible teacher, very sensitive, has very expressive facial expressions and unique way of "dealing with humans". Ian got Texas as a 4 months old colt. What a handfull, spoilt rotten and cutesed around: the result, a young colt which absolutely hated humans, didn't respect them at all. Even at that young age he was attacking every human who wanted to get near him, ears back, showing teeth. Ian was the first human who set him a boundary. Texas wasn't impressed and groundwork with him was even an interesting experience for Ian.
In the herd he is a gentle, soft and loyal friend and halfbrother to the boss "Flint". They have the same voice (very high pitched) and they are also known as the "Sopranos". Texas has been together with 4Sure since she was a little filly. With every new horse he is the first one who integrates them, around horses his ears hardly ever go back but he can move most of the others.
But towards humans it's a whole different story. After Ian had done a lot of work with him, Texas trusted and respected him but no other. With every new person, either clients or working students he would run a whole Test battery, every time: Anke named it "Texas Assessment Centre": minimum of one hour to catch in the paddock (didn't matter if you did the right "thing" in approaching), then when the halter was on: he would grow roots and wouldn't move if you made the slightest mistake in leaving before him and not with him, brushing: pretending to bite you (never does) but his head would turn around and his teeth clonged together with the attempt, getting the person to jump back gave him the most pleased look with himself on his face. When the person got finally in the saddle, Texas would turn into a donkey again, you couldn't get one single step if you didn't do EVERYTHING correctly (focus, slight touch with the leg, breathing and being present). Then the journey began on the trail: The first two gates, a test of the riders leadership qualities with every step, or hours of circles with one reins if the release would come just a tiny bit too late or you weren't focused where you wanted to go. After the first two gates you were sitting on a horse which followed your focus and could be incredible soft. As he was hardly suitable for trekking Ian tried to sell Texas as a 1 person horse. But even a very experienced riding instructor couldn't get this "donkey" to move (slaps on the butt just got answered with a little buck) and that was on the way home!!!.
Texas has been an incredible teacher for most of our working students. Everyone has ended up in tears with him, me (Anke) included: either out of frustration, fear or sadness.... he would find the ego button and still does. Even Nadja, one of our dear friends in Germany and horsemanship trainer, never scared of a horse in her life, ended up in tears on his back too scared to get off because Texas tried to bit her legs and feet as soon as she moved. SO WHY DOES HE DO IT? He wants you to LISTEN and he only shows this behaviour when the person doesn't listen to him, the person's ego or ambition gets in the way or the human doesn't respect him. If you want his respect you need give it first (like with all horses but Texas shows it in a harsh way and doesn't forgive).
In Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions he is a great mirror and interactor.
In Humanship Horsemanship sessions he has helped a lot of people to learn a lot more about themselves.
I knew he would be my best teacher, although his behaviour intimidated me. It wasn't easy to watch sometimes that with Ian, Texas just didn't show this behaviour anymore because he gained his trust and respect. Quite a journey lies behind us two now. What have I learned so far?: not to take things too personal, reflecting on my intention and being present. He also taught me what a partnership of 100% equality means between a human and a horse and if you are with him in the moment and listen to him he absolutely gives you the world. I have passed his assessment centre, and I'm grateful for every moment we share. But if my ego takes over, my ambitiion gets too big or I forget about him and not keeping the relationship in balance with the tasks, Texas reminds me again very clearly that I can't do it without him. For me Texas is one in a million.
In the herd he is a gentle, soft and loyal friend and halfbrother to the boss "Flint". They have the same voice (very high pitched) and they are also known as the "Sopranos". Texas has been together with 4Sure since she was a little filly. With every new horse he is the first one who integrates them, around horses his ears hardly ever go back but he can move most of the others.
But towards humans it's a whole different story. After Ian had done a lot of work with him, Texas trusted and respected him but no other. With every new person, either clients or working students he would run a whole Test battery, every time: Anke named it "Texas Assessment Centre": minimum of one hour to catch in the paddock (didn't matter if you did the right "thing" in approaching), then when the halter was on: he would grow roots and wouldn't move if you made the slightest mistake in leaving before him and not with him, brushing: pretending to bite you (never does) but his head would turn around and his teeth clonged together with the attempt, getting the person to jump back gave him the most pleased look with himself on his face. When the person got finally in the saddle, Texas would turn into a donkey again, you couldn't get one single step if you didn't do EVERYTHING correctly (focus, slight touch with the leg, breathing and being present). Then the journey began on the trail: The first two gates, a test of the riders leadership qualities with every step, or hours of circles with one reins if the release would come just a tiny bit too late or you weren't focused where you wanted to go. After the first two gates you were sitting on a horse which followed your focus and could be incredible soft. As he was hardly suitable for trekking Ian tried to sell Texas as a 1 person horse. But even a very experienced riding instructor couldn't get this "donkey" to move (slaps on the butt just got answered with a little buck) and that was on the way home!!!.
Texas has been an incredible teacher for most of our working students. Everyone has ended up in tears with him, me (Anke) included: either out of frustration, fear or sadness.... he would find the ego button and still does. Even Nadja, one of our dear friends in Germany and horsemanship trainer, never scared of a horse in her life, ended up in tears on his back too scared to get off because Texas tried to bit her legs and feet as soon as she moved. SO WHY DOES HE DO IT? He wants you to LISTEN and he only shows this behaviour when the person doesn't listen to him, the person's ego or ambition gets in the way or the human doesn't respect him. If you want his respect you need give it first (like with all horses but Texas shows it in a harsh way and doesn't forgive).
In Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions he is a great mirror and interactor.
In Humanship Horsemanship sessions he has helped a lot of people to learn a lot more about themselves.
I knew he would be my best teacher, although his behaviour intimidated me. It wasn't easy to watch sometimes that with Ian, Texas just didn't show this behaviour anymore because he gained his trust and respect. Quite a journey lies behind us two now. What have I learned so far?: not to take things too personal, reflecting on my intention and being present. He also taught me what a partnership of 100% equality means between a human and a horse and if you are with him in the moment and listen to him he absolutely gives you the world. I have passed his assessment centre, and I'm grateful for every moment we share. But if my ego takes over, my ambitiion gets too big or I forget about him and not keeping the relationship in balance with the tasks, Texas reminds me again very clearly that I can't do it without him. For me Texas is one in a million.
4 Sure, Crossbred mare, 12 years
4 Sure is Texas's and Luca's girlfriend and our other black beauty with a interesting name and a strong personality. She is out of one of Ian's favourite horses and was supposed to be his personal horse, "that's for sure". Well, when she was born she developed more and more this Roman nose and she wasn't going to be Ian's personal horse anymore: That's 4 sure.
The first time she was going to be saddled she took the saddle blanket out of the working student's hand and flicked it out of the roundpen. One year when Ian was overseas a self-declared "horseman" had some sessions with her in the roundpen without Ian's knowledge (he found out later). Afterwards 4Sure would attack people in the roundpen. So there were alot of things to undo and regain her trust again after that. Synnove, a good friend and working student took 4Sure over as her project. With Ian's help, a lot of patience, persistence and time Synnove turned 4Sure into a horse which trusts and respects humans again, also in the roundpen.
The first time she was going to be saddled she took the saddle blanket out of the working student's hand and flicked it out of the roundpen. One year when Ian was overseas a self-declared "horseman" had some sessions with her in the roundpen without Ian's knowledge (he found out later). Afterwards 4Sure would attack people in the roundpen. So there were alot of things to undo and regain her trust again after that. Synnove, a good friend and working student took 4Sure over as her project. With Ian's help, a lot of patience, persistence and time Synnove turned 4Sure into a horse which trusts and respects humans again, also in the roundpen.
