If you love horses, know anything about riding, or have a basic understanding of physics...

[havocmom]

check out this video page:

http://www.westfallhorsemanship.com/index.php?page=seeus&action=category&id=2

Pick a speed that suits your connection and watch Bareback/bridleless ride.

Holy shit, that little girl's daddy taught her to ride and get a horse to risk life and limb for her.

Have a hanky handy, turn up the speakers (I don't much like CW music, but this song is a keeper too, and I never heard it so it is new to me)

Stacy Westfall and a very lovely horse. You gotta see to believe.

[ashling]

1. RFD Channel

on satellite (Direct TV) has some really good riding shows.

[havocmom]

14. We watch RFD occassionally

But, we get pretty much the same thing just outside the door! ;)

Wish I could learn to ride. Horses fascinate me. Used to live next door to a family that had two mares and a gelding. I put a hammock by the fence and it was always the best sleep EVER, hearing the gentle sounds of those critters. They smell so good too

Damned fine watch dogs! They appreciated the veggies I grew and the mesquite beans I took over for their 'mama' to give them. They took good care of me in return. At a time of my life when depression was dangerous and sleep was almost impossible, they saved my health, if not my life - yes, the DID alert me to a prowler and kicked, chased and generally scared the crap out of him when he tried to hop the fence into my yard!

Even if I never learn to ride, I would like some around me again. Looking for a bit of land for retirement ;)

[knowbody0]

2. lovely and amazing

thanks so much for sharing.

[alphafemale]

3. That's beautiful. You can't train an animal to that point without love and trust.

wow

[Boudica the Lyoness]

4. I'm on my slow computer

couldn't watch the video. But it sounds like it could have been dressage.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

5. Owwwww.....my thighs hurt just imagining posting bareback.

Never mind without a bridle! Crazy.

10 years English saddle seat. :hi:

[havocmom]

17. Her and that horse.. no bridle, not even a rope around its neck

When she stood up on the back and turned to face all the audience, WHOA. I can barely do that on the floor! LOL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear havocmom...

Oh my god...

How beautiful this is!

Thank you so much for posting it...

It made me cry, it did...

What incredible horsemanship!

[havocmom]

12. Peggy, I kinda had you in mind when I posted

My sister sent it to me. She just got it in an email from a dear friend who just recently lost her brother, way ahead of his time. My sis is also one to life life fully and though she knows nothing about horses, the partnership with animals is nothing new to her. She was really amazed and inspired.

Glad you enjoyed the video. I cried too when I watched.

[fight4my3sons]

7. That was beautiful, thank you.

I have been riding all of my life. My mom had me on a horse at 6 months old (with her, of course). My dream is to become certified as a Therapeutic Riding Instuctor. Thank you so much for sharing. :hi:

[havocmom]

9. Am trying to get some of they 'horse-crazy' young ladies in my area interested in therapy

This is ranch country but it is getting harder for families to make a living so the kids can stay on the land. Some of these kids might find their passion could pay for its self if they work toward careers like raising/training horses for special applications like therapy.

Have you seen any video of amputee vets being taught to ride as a means of breaking them out of depression and helping them see themselves as still strong and capable? AMAZING power of the horse to build a bond of affection that inspires the injured to stand up to the challenges they face. I cried when I watched and listened to some of those vets on tv not long ago.

Good luck in your venture. We need more people like you doing such great things in therapy. :hug:

[fight4my3sons]

13. I have not seen that with the vets.

I have volunteered at therapeutic riding stables that serve mostly children with disabilities. I also did my thesis in grad school on therapeutic riding. Some day when I have more time to put toward the certification hours...

[havocmom]

15. One of the injured soldiers made a comment about being tall again...

on a horse. It was very emotional and thought provoking.

[fight4my3sons]

35. I emailed the link to my mom.

She saw that woman at the Equine Affaire last year and said she was amazing to see in person. Thanks again for sharing!

[lost-in-nj]

8. I can't get it to play or download

but I'll keep trying!!


lost

[havocmom]

10. Oh, hope you can get it to work. It is amazing.

That horse and woman are like one being.

[Lorien]

21. I found a whole bunch of them on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxUGEN9kS9o

She also has amazingly strong thighs and knees. I used to ride my horses bareback a lot when I was a teenager, but a stop like that would have jettisoned me over their heads!

[havocmom]

24. Those stops are the only points where I can really see thighs and feet chinch into the horse

Laws of physics... that rider manged to beat inertia.

Wasn't the horse's gait pretty? So careful and smooth when rider had her arms outstretched at the beginning. Lovely animal.

[Inchworm]

11. Thank you for that!

I love to watch horses and riders without the annoying accent and funny hats.

Truly beautiful.

:applause:

[MonkeyFunk]

16. wow!

I've never seen bridleless riding before - how does she control the horse? Leg pressure? Verbal commands?

[havocmom]

18. Watching several times, she does seem to tug on the mane a couple times,

but she has her hands just on the neck a lot. Not too much movement from her is visible at all.

What also amazed me, after the second viewing, was noticing how much concentrating the horse was doing too. Such careful, smooth gait. After one turn, the horse keeps sticking tip of tongue out, reminded me of a kid taking a tough test ;)

If I had a horse you wanted trained, that young woman would be my first pick! There are pics at the site in the gallery linked from her home page. That lovely black horse is not the only trick pony!

[lost-in-nj]

27. That was awesome

my horse was taught leg commands to also verbal... not like that of course but
to slow down, jog, lope and stop.... I noticed her hand was in a fist doing different things and I think its probably right in the line of sight for the horse so he can see the commands.... It looks like she is holding an invisible rein...

it doesn't matter
it's amazing......
and i could never do it


Thanks for the links!!!!


lost

[havocmom]

30. watching her hand on horse's neck, you see her doing different touches

Can a horse read that sort of slight tough as instructions too? I do believe animals use telepathy to some degree and know some people seem to be able to 'send' to them. I have done it often with dogs. I do it with dogs who are strangers to me, just to keep it honest ;)

[havocmom]

19. Shameless kick for the weekend warriors around here

Beautiful horse. Incredible trainer/rider. It'll amaze you. :hi:

[riderinthestorm]

20. I've had this video in my email box for at least 2 weeks and don't dare open it on my rural dial-up

without major crashing. I am really frustrated as everyone raves about how wonderful it is!

I am due to go to the library this week where I can catch up on watching all my favorite Youtube videos on their high speed computers. I can't wait!

[Lorien]

22. Check out the youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxUGEN9kS9o

[havocmom]

25. Bring a hanky. This one will make you tear up.

Public computers at Libraries are a great thing for rural populations, aren't they?

[Lorien]

23. Here's a "dancing" horse

The WEG2006 Freestyle Dressage Final:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKQgTiqhPbw&eurl=http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/week1/index.html

Even though this mare is covered in tack, she's clearly enjoying herself. She even switches her tail in time to the music!

[havocmom]

26. Lorien, have you ever been to a 'Mexican style rodeo' in the southwest?

Not much silly tossing and tying of steers. Majorly about horsemanship. I LOVE the dancing horse events. What really impresses me is the NEXT horse up to preform usually checks out the music and routing of the horse/rider in the ring.

I have seen so many horses paying attention and working out some of their own moves to the music being played for the team in the ring. Ya KNOW those animals really enjoy what they are doing and think about it on their own when you see them groovin' to somebody else's tune!

Am looking forward to getting back in that area as Havocdad has never seen that kind of 'rodeo' life and in person. I want him to see the horses in the 'warm-up circle' and the amazing improvisation they do just goofing around!

[havocmom]

28. Have seen that exquisite preformance before. But other links on that page- OMG

Patches the Coolest horse riding in the convertible, going for burgers.... :rofl:

Patches is a reincarnated good ol boy, fer sur!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teHfyby_veU&feature=related

[Tuesday Afternoon]

29. That was beautiful. Thank you for the links.

breathtaking.

[Ptah]

31. That's wonderful.

I have a couple of cousins that are like that with horses.

Thanks for posting this.

:thumbsup:

[havocmom]

34. You're welcome, Ptah.

Glad you enjoyed.

Yeah, we see some people around here who can do amazing things. And some real jackasses (apologies to any donkeys in the audience) who just expect an animal to know things without being trained. Then they blame the critter, of course, and ship if off, hoping the next one 'will have a brain in it's head'. The next one never fails to disappoint too. The idiots never once consider the problem is with the human component.

Havocdad knows how much patience and real concern a rancher or hand has just by watching how the animals react to any human. Horses, dogs, cows, they all rat out bad handlers. And their every action will sing the praises of good handlers.

[Ptah]

37. Dogs and cattle and I got along fine.

I never made a real connection with a horse.

Did some riding, and a little cattle work on horses, but never was comfortable.

Havovdad is a keen observer.

[txwhitedove]

32. Yes, I'm crying. Beautiful, amazing horse and rider. Once years

ago I had my own horse, rode bareback and without bridle on a trained cow pony that liked to chase jackrabbits so I had to be ready for her to whip around and run. Thank you for the video, and the memories.

[havocmom]

33. LOL That must've been an exciting horse!

Thanks for sharing memories with us. Chased jackrabbits? What a hoot. Sometimes when I hear people's horse stories, I think they are really a lot like big dogs.

[Justpat]

36. Some of you know

that I work with race horses and have worked with horses all my life.

This made me cry.

The licking thing the horse was doing throughout the ride is what horses do
to exhibit total trust and relaxation.

A wonderful display of horsemanship.

[havocmom]

38. Thanks for explaining the licking thing. I know so little of horses it was a puzzle

Told ya to have a hankie handy ;)

That horse DID look like it was just having a good time playin with someone it deeply cares for. The way they trotted out of the arena together looked just like a kid and her dog out for a fun and free day of play. Shear poetry in the pure honesty of that part after the preformance.

Is it me, or did rider ask the horse a question (and get a nod for an answer) after that first gallop/stop move? Am I anthropomorphizing? It looked like rider asked horse if it was OK or up for another demonstration and the horse seemed to nod 'Oh yeah, baby, we are hot today!' The enthusiasm was clearly visible. Horse was really into it after that first triumph.

Every time I watch, there is one more subtle thing to notice. I watch just to watch the horse's hooves, then to watch rider's hands, then to watch where the rider's seat meets the horse's back, then again to watch the ballet of the horse's tail and the pony tail. Then to watch the rider's legs and feet (noting how relaxed she is until those inertia defying stops!

Beautiful animal who really knows life is good with such a trainer. Yeah, brings tears to the eyes.

[Justpat]

39. I'll have to watch it again later

and see about the question thing.

Right now I have to go back to the barn and feed my own horses.

Thanks for posting this. I sent it to my daughter who is a beautiful horsewoman too.

[rateyes]

40. OK, now I'm crying....

:cry:

Wow. Just wow.

[hunter]

41. Oh my goodness!

:applause:

[sazemisery]

42. The real trick is..

the touches you don't see. She controls the speed, turning and gait of the horse with her thighs and heels. The touches she gives her horse's neck are reassurance and reward, not commands. The only reason she holds the mane is for stability when the horse is cantering. The best part are the slides. Obviously this horse is also used for either barrels or cattle driving. When the horse starts to slide, the rider will lean back with her lower body to equalize the balance.

We learned as kids to ride bareback and bridleless. It was the only way my uncle would let us ride. He had a gelding named Bocephus (Hank Williams, Jr's nickname)that would allow anyone under a 100 lbs to ride. He wouldn't canter unless you really made him. But if an adult (over 100 lbs) got on, the horse expected them to know what to do.

In my 30's, I ran bird dogs at field trials and used a Trooper saddle (Canadian Mounted Police use them) because they were the closest to bareback for me . More tree than English but less weight than a Western. Looks like this:


I have never gotten used to stirrups. I always rode with my feet dangling. After I got tendonitis in both my thumbs, I had to stop riding. I hated the day I had to sell both my horses. I still go out to the barn to see if I can get a whiff of horse smell. They are truly amazing animals.

[michaz]

43. Thank you for a great show! Makes me cry but soooo beautiful.

We have 3 horses and they really do a heart good!