And Yet Another Post About Being a Rock Star

1/20/2017

I've written about Dessa Hockley's book, Is Your Horse a Rock Star?, so many times now that the book should have its own category on my Topic bar. Seriously. But honeslty, the book is that good. The paperback sells on Amazon for $14.99, and no, I don't get a cut (although I should!).

When I last talked about the book, it was in reference to my big brown horse, Izzy. I still feel the same way. He is definitely the Wild Card - Dominate, Energetic, Afraid, and Friendly. Unfortunately for me, it's a bit of a lethal combination, but a continued desire to understand what motivates him is what brought me back to the book again.

It's not that I am trying something new every other day with him, but I am always searching for ways to better understand him. He's been a tough nut to crack. Most of my other horses have been less dominate than he is which makes it easier to get them on my side.

My favorite horse of all time, Montoya DSA, was The Macho Man (Dominate, Energetic, Curious, and Aloof). I absolutely adored her because her confidence was so freaking high. If you could hang on, she would get you through a race. She could read the trail ribbons better than most riders, and if she saw a hill, all she could think was bring it on! She ate up the endurance trail like it was candy. Figuring out what motivated her was easy: she just wanted to be pointed at a trail, any trail, and then be left to do her job.

Fire Mountain 50-miler 2009

Cuyama Oaks XP 50-miler 2003

Speedy is The Goddess (Submissive, Energetic, Curious, Friendly). If he was a bit more dominate, he would be a Rock Star, and frankly, there are days when he does fall into that category. For The Goddess, the relationship is everything. Right now, Speedy's a bit pissed at me because he's not getting the saddle time he thinks he deserves. The ear pinning and tail swishing are dead give-aways that he's feeling slighted.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Speedy's mission in life is to be adored by me, and anyone else in his vicinity is welcome to jump on that band wagon as well. It doesn't matter what we do; he's happy to please as long as accolades and adoration are his reward. Cookies and candies are also expected. As The Goddess, he is, after all, a divinity.

There have been many other horses too, just check out My Horses in the menu above, but none have been quite so hard to figure out as Izzy. All of my previous horses (except for Sydney) have been pretty confident. While Mickey was pretty fearful of people, the second my butt hit his back, he gave all power to me and trusted me with his life. He was an amazing horse under saddle and used my confidence as his own.

Mickey Dee at the Fire Mountain 50-miler 2006

I re-read parts of Hockley's book over the weekend for a bit more insight into Izzy's personality. One thing that she stresses repeatedly if you have a Wild Card is that you remain the boss, especially on the ground. This is a constant battle with Izzy.

He has always been a bit of a playful nipper, but lately, his nips have become more aggressive. He's not being mean, just VERY playful and intent on trying to one-up me. The other day, he got me in the shoulder hard enough to leave a temporary mark. Because I was standing on a fence rail, I wasn't able to smack him as soundly as I wanted to, but I made my point. He cantered off with his feelings hurt.

Over the past week, I've been vigilant to the extreme in letting him know that he is not permitted to put his mouth on me. Dang, but the booger is persistent. I'm more stubborn than he is though, and he is starting to develop a conscience.

Yes, YOU!

Hockley's book has once again given me food for thought. My horse isn't broken or damaged in any way. He just has a personality type that isn't as easy as say The Goddess or The People Pleaser. The Wild Card is motivated by a need to be bossy (she calls it his big D), but with the fear gene running through him, he lacks the confidence to back up his bravado. That's okay. I have enough confidence for the both of us, and I am not afraid to use it.

Izzy might be a bit of a Wild Card, but as they say, if you learn to play your cards right ...

jenj

1/20/2017 06:23:45 am

Izzy's mouthiness reminds me of a stallion I used to groom. I use to keep a short crop in one hand and my brush in the other. He'd get a sharp SMACK on the shoulder the moment he even thought about putting his face near me. He tested each new person the same way, and after about a week of constant reprimanding, he'd believe that you were boss and the nippy behavior would go away. He still needed an occasional reminder, but I thought it was super interesting how firm you needed to be with him up front. People who weren't were constantly fending off his attempts at "playful" nipping... Ouch!

Bakersfield Dressage link

1/20/2017 03:46:12 pm

I have to watch him EVERY second. He was being good there for a while, but i must have let my guard down. We're in such a private place now that no one else really goes near him, but when we are out and about, I ask people NOT to play with his lips.

And like you said, he doesn't get to even touch me with his mouth. He now flinches if I even growl at him about it! I doubt the tendency will ever go away completely, but I am going to try and keep it from getting worse! :0)

Elinor Yee link

1/20/2017 09:04:03 am

now you got me curious to read the book. not sure what my mare is... a goddess, not sure... too lazy and regal to be a wild card. if there is an option of forest bagdger, you know the black and white ones, I'd say that's what she is...

1/20/2017 03:52:54 pm

It's a great book. There are four categories: dominant or submissive, energetic or lazy, curious or afraid, and friendly or aloof. The author gives an explanation of each personality. You choose which one of the 16 combinations your horse mostly closely matches. The book has a chapter for each personality combo.

Once you've figured out your own horse, it's fun to think about other horses you've owned or ridden too. I've also loaned the book out to several friends. It's a really fun read. If you give me Valiosa's 4 letters, I can at least tell you her personality name. :0)

1/21/2017 10:08:21 am

"dominant or submissive, energetic or lazy, curious or afraid, and friendly or aloof."
Well that's easy! She's submissive, LAZY, curious and friendly.
Sounds a lot like Speedy now that I wrote that :)

1/22/2017 10:18:04 am

The only difference is that Speedy is actually energetic, but easily bored. :0)

You're lucky. If Valiosa is SLCF, she's the Steady Eddy; ""Most owners form deep and lasting relationships with the Steady Eddy. They are friendly and a pleasure to be around. Some riders wanting excitement and challenge may find them a bit boring due to their low energy level." Sound right?

Marlane

1/20/2017 03:02:28 pm

I just read about two of your horses that you gave links to. What absolutely amazing stories !!

1/20/2017 04:21:01 pm

Aw, thank, Marlane. They truly WERE special. It wasn't hard to write an interesting story when the material is so good. :0)

Montoya really was the most amazing horse I've ever ridden. That kind of confidence is really hard to find.

During one of the 100-milers that we did, we had finally reached full darkness. I was riding with another competitor whose mare had tucked in behind Montoya. We had just entered a very dark and dense forest, and I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.

I froze completely and pulled Montoya to a halt. The rider behind me urged me to go forward, but I was simply too frightened of what might on the trail. Walking forward was like stepping into a void. Montoya solved the problem for us. She jerked the reins from my hands and marched forward. I dropped the reins completely and gripped the neck strap of her breast collar.

In the pitch black, she carried me safely. Later that night, we came across a woman crying in the trail. Her horse had misjudged a switchback and had stepped off a ledge, crashing into the ravine below. Help was with her, so we continued on our way.

It was so dark that we had to ride with an arm over our heads to protect our faces from low hanging branches. We finished the 100 miler safely and in good shape. That horse never, ever let me down.

Mickey was equally as fabulous. One summer we were camping at the beach. I decided to head out on one of the remote trails by myself. It was so early in the spring that the trail hadn't be cleaned up. After passing through several VERY tight places, I realized that there was no way I could around and head out. My only choice was to keep going.

The trail got worse every turn. Eventually we came down the side of a mountain via some large steps created by water bars. Each step down was over a foot drop. Mickey hopped down dozens of those steps without batting an eye. In fact no matter how gnarly the trail and how many branches we had to crash through or how many ledges I asked him to step around, he did it without a single moment's hesitation.

Once I could see the main trail again, I burst into tears of relief. It had been a horrible trail and I felt so awful asking for so much trust from my horse. Mickey didn't seem worried in the least. He too was amazing. :0)

1/21/2017 02:35:37 pm

Worthy of a book about endurance riding I hear Amazon has a place to self publish Just amazing !!

1/22/2017 10:21:02 am

Again, thank you! Several MUCH better writers have already written a few books about their own endurance experiences. I am not sure mine would even come close. :0)

Elinor Yee

1/23/2017 05:09:55 pm

Yes, sounds a lot like my girl, that analysis!
Only, she's also VERY sensitive.
Easy to forget, but as soon as she's handled by anyone else, she can be really UP, snorty, and worried. A really special bond has developed between us, and on a day to day basis it's easy to overlook that. (you know, looking at her falling asleep as I hold the leadline talking to a friend.)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage