July
News
2009
Honza Blaha trains with natural horsemanship
Once in a lifetime training at Ranch Wolf
For two days the most famous European horse expert taught 10 lucky participants the special art of communication with horses through ground and saddle work.
Petra Wolf, the owner of the Ranch in Bickenbach, offered the use of her hypoallergenic curly horses for the two day experience. She organized this event alongside her faithful companions so that participants would feel comfortable not only with the horses but also on the grounds of the usual Ranch Wolf.
The training started off with Honza getting to know the participants so he could inform himself about the knowledge of the horses and the participants. The age gap of the participants was between 14 – 50 and the age gap of the curlys was between a 2 year old horse with little training – a trained riding lesson horse. After the get to know phase the participants learnt about the vertical and the lateral flexion and how this is trained from the ground to be able to achieve the ultimate goal of a smooth communication from on the horses back.
Honza impressively demonstrated with a young stallion how important the respect of a horse to a human is. It was very impressive how fast it was possible for the curly stallion to work together respectively with the mares in the group.
After four various training units on the ground or on the horses back, the participants were convinced of Honzas special way of communicating with the horses. The curly horses walked relaxed and attentive while being lead on the reins with very little effort from the human. There was a mutual respect between animal and human which was magical.
Yes, Ma'm
The youngest Curly horse participant for this course was GW April Star, only two years old but she wanted to participants with all the big horses. RESPECT! April and her supervisor Lisa; who is currently studying Horse Sciences; concurred the instructions given by Honza. Unbiased they worked on their given tasks.
Tell me again
Lateral bends and vertical head posture and in what direction? And how much is too much? And the hind leg must be active and lots more ands, ands, ands… But even here you can see the concentration it takes to perfect what is learned. The now learned basic steps will be helpful for the future. Please not the perfect leg angle of both legs.
Two ladies together
...look very chic. It was a first time experience for Claudia since she had never before worked with our Curly horse mare. She had a look at Diamond before the course started and her gut instinct said it was the right decision. Honza was skeptical towards the gaited horse but it didn’t take long for him and Claudia to be pleased with the work Diamond offered.
A Curly Stallion in the midst of the Mares
Our Curly stallion Canada behaved so well that he was able to participate alongside the mares. Honza tickled typical stallion behaviors out of Canada to show how to remain professional in certain situations. It was very impressive, the harmonious work between Jutta and Canada.
Oops
What happened? Our experienced mare Tamzara was not paying attention to her partner as she backed up into an obstacle. “Did something happen to you Natalia?” is what we assumed Tamzara wanted to ask. Natalia, the youngest participant took it with sportsmanship. The unity of the two was strengthened and the next time Tamzara stayed sitting.
Who is going to break in the next Curly?
Honza can not only ride these four legged animals as well as speak and communicate with them, he also has a special way of teaching his students. With his humor and many real life examples he inspired his students. It was easy for everyone to learn something about horse-human communication throughout the day.
This is how it goes...
...when someone has put back many miles on the back of a horse. No one thought it was possible to turn gelding Kawa into such a cooperative, proud and friendly horse. Anke and Barbara made it possible with lots of time, training, lots of patience and love. Also all of us profited from Honzas tips.
Poles as Obstacles are a perfect
solution for the structure of the hind leg. For this exercise Honza built the Cavalettis up himself and sent the blue eyed Curly horse Nemo with its owner Nina first with a slow pace and then with a trot. After the obstacle had been successfully completed Nina asked Honza to show her exercises to build up the neck, shoulder and back muscles.
Happy
Beaming faces not only because of the great weather but also content with that what was learned and accomplished during the past two days. It was obvious that this is not the end, but the beginning. We have planned to continue to work with Honza Blaha on a regular basis. He gave us enough homework that we will have fun practicing.
A look in the distance
Sun kissed and embraced by the open countryside, a horse stands at the centre of all beautiful things.
Too early
The Curly Summer Foal has Arrived
Two weeks before the actual delivery date we got a surprise from our micro-curl mare Katrina, she gave birth to her first foal, a Sunday foal. Before breakfast we noticed that Katrina looked a few pounds lighter and beside her a little curly foal was jumping around. Even though it was born early the new foal looked lively and fit. We were very proud of both of them for an uncomplicated birth. Katrina is a very calm and happy mother.
GW Levi Enjoy is a trusting, nosey and lively mare foal, whose name reflects our slogan: enjoy the curlys.
Another new Curly,
is what Leonberger Buddy is thinking while watching the Curly foal drink. He discovers that this new foal is not jumpy, a little small but therefore flexible and fast. From his mother Enjoy has been passed down a beautiful brown coat and coat structure. Levi, his father, passed down his top model legs and his double sided mane.
