Mistral29 year old Polish Arabian gelding and former dressage competition horse
In my last journal entry, I provided a link to a statement released by Alexander Nevzorov declaring that he no longer rides horses and that riding horses will no longer be acceptable among his NHE students. I also went on to say that while I may not agree that riding horses is harmful in all situations, I wanted to convey how important I feel it is to continually assess why we might choose to ride and what meaning it has for our horses.
Of the comments that readers submitted there was a bit of an outcry against Alexander Nevzorov and a fear that his campaign to ban equine sports was an Orwellian attempt to destroy freedom. I see Mr. Nevzorov's "Horse Revolution" as an attempt to put a stop to cruelty to horses and that he uses his considerable media power to expose what happens every day in the world of not just horse sports, but in more ordinary "pleasure" riding circles as well.
I would myself not vote for any legislation that promotes a sweeping prohibition, but I will for sure share information that graphically shows our human cruelty against horses, to facilitate opening our eyes to the abuses perpetrated upon horses. I feel that if we truly look at how humans are interacting with horses, we may see within ourselves something we recognize as morally outrageous and begin steps to reform this tradition of coercing horses with pain and force to do our bidding.
The Nevzorov Horse Revolution has just released a 71 page atlas chronicling the abuses which their program hopes to put a stop to. I think anyone of us that has any critical commentary for Alexander Nevzorov should certain make his and her voices heard, but not without first viewing this pdf document.
I can tell you that I can see myself in these photos published in the NHR atlas. I recognized many years ago that my relationship with Mistral was twisted and I no longer desired to force my will upon him in the name of "training", and I chose to follow different path. I closed one door--the door of a perverted tradition of subordinating creatures to fulfill human needs and desires--and opened a door of learning to commune and explore the world in togetherness.
For me there is no longer any "necessary roughness" allowed...horses do not need to be physically and mentally over-powered in order for us to feel safe and have a relationship with them. There are other ways of being with horses, some of which you have been exposed to here in the Journal of Ravenseyrie, and by following the sidebar links to other websites and blogs showing what other people on this alternate path are doing to make life better for horse/human relationships.
Lest you feel that the NHR atlas is merely propaganda, I challenge you to look at the photos shown and then, as you move about whatever equestrian circles you belong to, look at how the horses and humans interact with each other--I'm certain that you will see some of the same images and you will not be so able to ignore what you see.
It's time for a change, and it begins one person at a time. Let's change our habits and behaviors, freely, without the need for legislation. Let us humans do the right thing not because there is a law enforcing us to behave differently, but because in our hearts we know reshaping our behavior, customs and traditions is the right thing to do and we have the courage to begin each in our own corner of the world.
22 comments:
Thanks, Lynne, for posting the link to NHE's Atlas of Abuse (my title). I don't check the NHE site that often and it might have been a while before I saw it.
Like you, I recognize my former self in some of those photos -- losing my temper, using force and pain to impose my will on a horse. Acknowledging that aspect of myself was not easy and not comfortable, but without doing that there is no hope of change. My childhood dream of friendship with a horse had no chance of coming true as long as I was acting out of base instincts.
NHE is a force for change in the horse-human relationship. In general, we human beings tend to resist change... It's no wonder NHE pushes so many buttons, raises so many hackles.....
I have already sent the link to the Atlas to a friend of mine who teaches clinics around the world. Perhaps she will find it a useful educational tool. I'll send it to other horse people I know, too... not in a confrontational way, just to say "Look at this."
Thanks again for helping to open eyes.
I really don't think NHE raises hackles because it is challenging us to change. Lots of other people are challenging us - Lynne and Kris and Imke and Klaus to name four. They don't raise my hackles. I hate to keep harping on NHE, but it's too easy to pass the blame onto those of us who find NHE creepy - accusing us of being reluctant to give up our bad old ways. I've already given up my bad old ways, and hopefully will to an ever-increasing extent. I do not find NHE creepy because I find it challenging - I find it creepy because I think it's creepy, despite having some excellent goals which I share. Enough about NHE from me - I only responded because I feel strongly that my resistance to NHE stems from a bad vibe I feel coming from them, and I wanted to defend myself against the charge of being a human being who tends to "resist change."
Lynne, thank you for posting so clearly and fairly your reflections on NHE and their call for change.
I have pondered a little before adding my comment here. I have made a conscious decision on my blog to keep what I write to "the in-between" moments, the intersubjective moments, between my ponies and me and not to write opinions on issues etc. My experience with horses is limited but what happens between me and my two ponies is mine and so I can write about that.
But I relate very much to what June has commented here. I came across Alexander Nevzorov through the internet more than two years ago when I started exploring other ways of being with my last horse, Mali. I saw the photographs which were quite shocking which he published back then and are similar to this Atlas he has here. Certainly, they have coloured how I look at a horse who is being ridden wherever they are in front of me. I can also recall, shamefully, times I lost my temper with Mali.
At this time I was looking for a guide who could lead me through a new way of relating to Mali. I bought Dancing with Horses, which I loved but found mystifying in places, I tried Parelli, but not very well as I did not like all of it. I was never once tempted to join the NHE school and that was because of my gut responses to the photos (of Alexander with his horses, in particular where a horse was on the ground on its back) and the overall impression coming from their website.
"Creepy" would not have been the word I used for the feelings that I had, but its not a bad one! I can think of lots of other words too. Anyone in the public eye with horses creates impressions which provoke responses. I do acknowledge that his fearless highlighting of abuses in how horses are treated is admirable, but I think Nevzorov and the NHE bring up gut level responses from people that are hard to talk about on a logical level because they are from the gut.
Thank you for the space for this comment.
Máire
Maire said:
"I have made a conscious decision on my blog to keep what I write to "the in-between" moments, the intersubjective moments, between my ponies and me and not to write opinions on issues etc. My experience with horses is limited but what happens between me and my two ponies is mine and so I can write about that."
And that's what makes your blog so great!!!
Kris, June and Maire--
I certainly appreciate and understand the feelings expressed in your comments, for surely, in the course of years that I've been exposed to NHE (and the presented personage of Alexander Nevzorov) my mind and "gut" have experienced many similar sensations.
And, as I've written in the earlier journal entry, I recognized, again, that the elements associated with NHE that distanced me before, do so even more now--though I stopped short of delineating my criticisms because I didn't feel that such commentary on my behalf would be particularly edifying.
All that aside, I could not agree that Mr. Nevzorov's manner of pushing his ideals was Orwellian in nature--and so I wanted to make sure that those of us (myself included) who do have "issues" with the often maliciously sarcastic style understood what was at stake, i.e. for what purpose such a push for prohibition of equine sports was so ardently pursued.
Ian Flemming's "Dr. No" never had such a noble cause behind his madness as does Mr. Nevzorov. As such, I think his provocative style has a certain merit...
That there is not a universal outrage over the way horses are used and abused in equestrian sport is much more bothersome to me than the peculiar world of Alexander Nevzorov.
I am pleased that you each felt you could express yourselves here in the Journal of Ravenseyrie, and I feel encouraged that we each continue to reflect on horse/human relationships.
Kris wrote:
"My childhood dream of friendship with a horse had no chance of coming true as long as I was acting out of base instincts."
I forgot to comment on this, Kris. I don't know how you feel about this, but I've come to the conclusion that the way we used to treat horses (with the forceful, punitive dominator mentality) is not something that arose from our "base instincts", rather it was from cultural conditioning.
I'm no longer convinced that at the instinctual level humans are necessarily predisposed to forceful actions. I see the habits of humans believing themselves to be creatures "outside" or "above" all other living entities (and the disrespectful usership that accompanies these types of beliefs) as being an aberration of our true natures.
In this light, the things we all are exploring on this alternate journey with horses are helping us remember our true nature--which is a respect for all life and a spirit of togetherness.
Lynne wrote: "That there is not a universal outrage over the way horses are used and abused in equestrian sport is much more bothersome to me than the peculiar world of Alexander Nevzorov."
Yes, exactly my feelings! Our culturally accepted horse abuse is MUCH more upsetting and disturbing to me than whatever "issues" I may have with AN's style.
When discussing Alexander Nevzorov and NHE, I usually make it a point to distinguish between the work AN does with his own horses, the NHE online school, and the work of the "Horse Revolution" part of the NHE organization. Also, it helps me to distinguish between the ideals of the NHE's "Horse Revolution" and their methods of realizing those ideals
The ideals of the horse revolution -- an end to cruelty, abuse, torture, pain, etc. in the treatment of horses -- are ones that I can wholeheartedly support. However, I often find myself out of alignment with their ways of furthering those ideals, and I sometimes question certain assumptions that are set forth as facts.
Despite the differences in outlook and approach, though, I recognize the NHE revolutionaries as being firmly and unequivocally pro-horse... and that fact leads me to support their work whenever I can. In other words, I consider myself a friend of NHE.
(I do not consider it a requirement of friendship that my friend and I are in perfect agreement about everything all the time.)
After I spent over a year in the NHE online school, my impression of the organization was quite different than it had been from just exploring the website. My original exploration of the website did not make me want to join the organization. However, I eventually did and I am very grateful for the experience.
When I think of NHE now, I think of individual human beings all around the world who are working to forge loving, respectful relationships with horses. I was able to share in those relationships because all students were required to keep and post diaries of our interactions with horses. Those diaries were among the most moving documents I have ever read.
Even though I have been away from the school and forum for over two years, it is still those horses and people I think of when I think of NHE. The names and faces may have changed from my time, but still there are people striving for friendship with horses, recording details of their journey in their diaries.
In my opinion, those individual horse-human relationships -- as well as all the true horse-human friendships formed and forming as a result of influences other than NHE -- are the real front line of the horse revolution. I think it is wonderful that NHE creates a place for people to come together to explore this radically different way of being with horses. The revolution in horse-human relations happens as people actually begin to live the highest ideals of relationship, and act on their love for these beings.
You are an island of sane balance as always, Lynne.
I think one reason that one is inclined to defend Nevzorov is that he boasts as followers many individuals (such as Kris) who are a great deal worthier than he is himself. One is extremely reluctant to offend such individuals.
I don't agree, however, that Nevzorov's ends in any way justify his means. There are causes, such as abolition of the death penalty, which are far more important than the protection of horses (although of course in the end, all good causes are one), and I would never condone malicious behavior in their pursuit. I'm sure (I hope) that Nevzorov is in no way as crazy as Jim Jones, but it bears remembering that Jonestown was a bastion of anti-racism and a beacon of hope for the poor. Laudable aims indeed.
Oh, and I meant to add:
Our interactions with horses are the "front line" of the revolution... but it seems to me that helping to "open eyes" as Lynne has done in this blog entry, and as the NHE revolutionaries have done by meticulously detailing some very common and culturally accepted torture of horses and making the document available to anyone free of charge -- these, too, are ways of putting a love for horses into action.
Sorry, Kris, your comment was posted while I was writing mine, and so I hadn't read it yet. I amend my characterization of you from "follower" to "friend"!
Lynne wrote: "I see the habits of humans believing themselves to be creatures "outside" or "above" all other living entities (and the disrespectful usership that accompanies these types of beliefs) as being an aberration of our true natures."
Certainly I agree that the human habit of of considering ourselves somehow removed or apart from the web of creation is the root of much evil in the world, evil not limited to the abuse of horses and the rape of the planet.
I'm not quite with you when it comes to our "true natures." I simply don't know. What I think right now is that human nature encompasses both "base instincts" and their opposite, the "highest" thoughts and feelings. We have the power to choose which we will act on.
Certainly, cultural conditioning plays a huge role in how behave and how we see right and wrong. We get much of our information about the world and about ourselves from the culture into which we are born. What is amazing is what happens when we begin questioning "authority". We begin to discover that the great Oz is just a feeble little man behind the curtain.... :-)
June wrote:
"There are causes, such as abolition of the death penalty, which are far more important than the protection of horses (although of course in the end, all good causes are one), and I would never condone malicious behavior in their pursuit."
I don't imagine it would surprise anyone that I make no distinction between the importance of liberating horses from the mistreatment of humans and the importance of liberating humans from the mistreatment of humans. And, actually, from my perception of things, if we humans learn to first "open our eyes" to how we perversely subordinate and abuse of our natural resources and all the other living entities which we share this beautiful blue sphere with, it would automatically follow that our human to human interactions become elevated to a higher level of decency. I have an especially deep attraction to horses, so it is a good place for me to begin by helping us look candidly at horse/human relationships...for someone else getting humans to wean themselves off from the consumption of non-renewable resources is a good place to begin.
I certainly am not "condoning" the caustic "voice" which accompanies Mr. Nevzorov's Horse Revolution (and I am completely offended and baffled by the logo on their "Atlas"), yet, I am thankful he is raising human awareness and I anticipate his call for better treatment of horses will carry over into other aspects of human interactions with the world at large. Whatever malicious words the man uses to describe the faulty character of us humans who perpetuate cruel acts against horses he uses also against himself, admitting he was a "Yahoo" at one time, too. While I'd rather Mr. Nevzorov not demonize that which he finds offensive (just as I'd rather commentators here could refrain from the same demonization), he has a right to express himself, just as we do.
Kris wrote:
"I'm not quite with you when it comes to our "true natures." I simply don't know. What I think right now is that human nature encompasses both "base instincts" and their opposite, the "highest" thoughts and feelings. We have the power to choose which we will act on."
No doubt we are born with certain predilections and as youngsters exploring the world around us we have certain reactions that arise to new stimuli.
For example some children when first shown a horse will want to stroke the horse's muzzle, while others will be frightened and fight any attempts to be brought closer to see the "pretty horsey". These initial responses are reinforced by how the parents and other "grown up" people in youngsters' lives shape their responses.
I've been around children who when they see an insect crawling on the ground immediately go to squash it. Whether the very first time their base instinct was a curiosity and desire to touch the insect or the flip side, they were frightened and desired to be well away from the insect--it is the response of the parent that shapes how the child reacts to an insect in the future...until such time (if ever) the child thinks and reasons for herself why she took to crushing bugs.
Our power to choose to respond basely or highly comes only from reflecting upon why we do what we do rather than simply accepting what we are told to do.
My initial interactions with horses were a supreme attraction to them as an equal being with whom I wanted to become friends, but since I knew nothing about horses, I allowed my interactions to be shaped by those who seemed to "know" how best to be with horses. Eventually, (and I'm ashamed it took so long) I began to question "why" and when I did, that's when I saw, as you put it, "that the great Oz is just a feeble little man behind the curtain." After that, I began to finally "see" horses as they are, rather than how my teachers defined them.
What interesting thoughts from Lynne and from Kris. I find it extraordinary how horses bring up the darker side of human nature. They evoke passion which can be cruel as well as joyful. I know Hempfling writes about this and also I once read a book by Chris Irwin in which he explored this in his own reactions to a horse.
I live in a supposedly horse-lover's country. I have witnessed cruelty on a casual basis which is quite frightening. I have also seen good old 'common-sense' horsemanship where the person's very presence gives security to the horse and as well I have seen horses turned dangerous by well-intentioned leisure riders.
Hempfling has a phrase about horses as 'chaos machines' which is possibly why people seek help and certainty from experts.
For me, it was Imke Spilker's book which made me finally pay attention to the 'man behind the curtain' (lovely to see you reference The Wizard, Kris. One of my husband's catch-cries is 'pay no attention to the man behind the curtain'). And that book is the one that is leading me always back to my own horse as the expert.
Kris wrote: "I'm not quite with you when it comes to our "true natures." I simply don't know. What I think right now is that human nature encompasses both "base instincts" and their opposite, the "highest" thoughts and feelings. We have the power to choose which we will act on."
It's the difference between human nature as it was created, and fallen human nature.
Kris also said: "Like you, I recognize my former self in some of those photos -- losing my temper, using force and pain to impose my will on a horse."
Me too, and I think part of my impatience stemmed from a feeling that I was obliged to be "in control," that it was proper for me to exercise a level of mastery over the horse's actions. Part of what I'm getting from "all this" (thanks, Jen-ska) is permission to let go: it's OK not to be in charge. I can let go of impatience and bad temper partly because I can let myself off the hook.
One tries to exchange mastery over the horse's actions for mastery over one's own reactions.
I think that my horse truly does enjoy being ridden. I rarely use any sort of tack and if I do, it's merely for the benefit of anyone watching.
This is sort of a presumptuous statement, I know. However, I've never felt like I needed to ride them, they always seemed to invite me. It's not difficult for a horse to shed himself of a rider without a saddle, and they have never even tried.
For example: I bought a horse whose expression and face just seemed to tell me that he needed to come home with me. Lanny was just barely a yearling. We'd play games together, I'd scratch him, he'd follow me about the farm, so on and so forth. This continued for several years until he was about six, when he started getting impatient with how slow I am. He'd sigh heavily every time he had to turn around to come back and get me, and he always wanted to explore further than I had time to walk with him when we went out on the trails. Then I was in the barn, standing in a chair, trying to reach something on a shelf, when Lanny stood right in front of the chair, his back lined up perfectly, staring at me. I laughed and tried to push him away, trying to turn it into a game to get down from the chair. He seemed absolutely uninterested in moving, so I thought I would just jump over the chair. This happened again and again over the next few weeks until it occurred to me that possibly he might want me to ride him. The next time he stood next to the chair, I slid on as quietly as I could, hoping not to get thrown off for such a rude suggestion.
He walked off as calmly as if he'd been ridden for years.
Now we explore all sorts of places, much further than we could have were I on foot.
I think he's giving me a hand, allowing me to play with him on his level.
toLynne wrote:
"I don't imagine it would surprise anyone that I make no distinction between the importance of liberating horses from the mistreatment of humans and the importance of liberating humans from the mistreatment of humans."
I completely resonate with this statement. As long as we see our species as somehow just a little more special, important, intelligent than all others we will continue to have grounds to justify their exploitation.
My life's work is now about bringing people into connection with the more-than-human world and discovering the amazing wisdom of the horse as intermediary between these worlds and master of equanimity.
I believe we each have a unique calling in the evolution of human consciousness. As Lynne mentions it may involve the environment, human rights or a multitude of other facets of our relationship with other.
Thank you, Lynne, for delving into the core issues we face in our evolving relationships with the horse.
That's interesting, Tanya. Imke Spilker, in her book Empowered Horses, talks about horses inviting people to ride them.
I haven't read Imke's book, though the title intrigues me. Where might I be able to find a copy?
Maire wrote:
"For me, it was Imke Spilker's book which made me finally pay attention to the 'man behind the curtain' (lovely to see you reference The Wizard, Kris. One of my husband's catch-cries is 'pay no attention to the man behind the curtain'). And that book is the one that is leading me always back to my own horse as the expert."
I'm glad you brought forth Imke's book again, Maire, because I find, of all those inspirational horsemen and women listed in my side bar, it is Imke's work that is the "great equalizer", in that she presents very beneficial information without resorting to rancorous condemnation of others or with projecting limitations upon the horse/human relationship, yet nevertheless challenges us to learn to really "see" the horse and to gauge the horse's well being in a broader context than just scientific diagnosis of potential injuries. Constantly, if we ask, "How does my horse feel about what I am doing?" and "How does my horse benefit from what I am doing?" and think of the answers with a horse mind and not a human mind (as much as possible) quite likely we will not inadvertently engage the horse in any activity that is damaging to her.
June wrote:
"One tries to exchange mastery over the horse's actions for mastery over one's own reactions."
You've just encapsulated one of the monumental goals even the earliest equitation schools of ancient times defined...as well as highlighting the basic tenant of all esoteric teachings.
Tanya wrote:
"I think that my horse truly does enjoy being ridden. I rarely use any sort of tack and if I do, it's merely for the benefit of anyone watching. "
Like you, Tanya, I have experienced the invitation of horses to have me astride them and I think some do take enjoyment out of (to quote Imke Spilker) "having his person all to himself". A true connection with the horse ought to take us away from doing anything with them "merely for the benefit of anyone watching". It's something that one learns to set aside as much as possible, so that we are sure whatever we are engaged in with the horses is for them, lest we compromise what is best for the horses to suit the onlookers.
You can find a copy of EMPOWERED HORSES very easily by googling the title. There are also several Journal of Ravenseyrie blog entries devoted to this book, use the search feature if you want to read these entries. Surely Amazon.com will sell you a copy as well as any number of other booksellers. I think you will feel very good to read this book.
Thank you Maire and June for your additional comments, and Tanya and Sandie, thank you for adding your terrific thoughts as well.
Lynne, you're absolutely right. But if there's someone around, try to stop Lanny from performing. He'll dance about, leap the gate, rear, kick, and squeal, until whoever it is is watching and commenting. And if I refuse to participate in his antics, he'll often sulk about for days. So I've taken to putting a surcingle on so I have something to hold onto for some of those really vigorous leaps.
I ordered a copy of the book. I can't wait to see what I find within it's pages.
Like yourself with Altamiro, Lynne, I think horses seek approval and unadulterated love. Lanny seems to seek that from me through the way I talk with him while we're riding together, or the way strangers gasp at some of the things he can do.
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