LESLIE DESMON
by Margaret Ross
It's quite difficult to put into words exactly what I got out of this clinic, but what springs to mind is actually the title of Leslie's book, "True Horsemanship Through Feel". I'm sure everyone at the clinic was inspired by Leslie's actions and knowledge of the 'language of the horse'. By this I mean how she is able to understand their movements and transfer what actions we make into a language they understand. What I think was clear from this fantastic clinic was the fact that if we want to have a closer relationship or a deeper understanding of our horses, we need to be able to learn their language rather than have them fit into ours. This is not an easy task but Leslie who is a master at what she does has the ability and willingness to pass on the information she has learned from many years of working with horses in all disciplines.
Throughout the clinic the main point was to teach the horses to move away from pressure, instead of moving into it. By moving away this encourages lightness for all types of control instead of heaviness, leaning and pulling. In addition to this she also demonstrated the power of thought and intent - she did this by mentally 'taking the ground' from under their feet and in all cases the horses moved back or forward as she said they would - meaning no push or pull was involved. This is something we would all want to achieve and ultimately to blend with our horses to become a partnership.
For 3.5 days of the clinic Leslie worked with 6 different horses, 2 mares and 4 geldings, one unbroken. With the unbroken 4-year-old gelding she did the groundwork to breaking in; she put the bridle and bit on him without any fuss and had him accustomed to it in approx 20 minutes. She did this by 'asking his permission', and showing him how to accept the bit, but also showing him how to get it out of his mouth as well. Throughout the learning process his head was about 2 feet off the ground - this takes away the fight or any reaching - eventually even a child could bridle him. In preparation for the saddle Leslie worked with ropes around and sliding over his back and belly for a short time - one of the main things she taught him was that if 'something' or 'somebody' fell off his back, he should stop and not run off. The main point to what she did was to teach this unbroken horse he had nothing to fear from these items of equipment.
One of the other horses had the problem of not being able to back out of a trailer. The highland gelding had not been in a trailer much, and had always been able to turn around inside - but he had grown too big and now needed to back out and was unable to because he didn't know how to! Leslie could easily have pushed or prodded or used other types of force and got him out but that's not the idea. What about the next time! The gelding could not come out because he couldn't or wasn't able in his mind to move his back feet and get down the ramp. Leslie worked with him in the trailer by putting rope pressure on him till he moved away and moved his feet - until he understood. He stayed in the trailer all night with hay and water but no bedding - you don't want him to think it's a stable. Next morning he wanted out and from the work Leslie had done the previous day he was able to take these crucial steps out of the trailer (with no fuss or worry) that he had been unable to before. I can tell you everyone at the clinic was taking those steps with him and his owner as if they were their own steps.
This problem of not moving the feet was also part of another problem of him moving his owner by using his body weight and size - a problem known to many of us I'm sure! Does this sound familiar to anyone? Leslie put him in the round pen, saddled and haltered, and again demonstrated pressure and release, something he did not really understand. This came out in the form of a bucking exhibition to show his displeasure, as well as not really understanding stirrups and leg pressure. Leslie explained what was going on and what was happening and he eventually settled. With help from Leslie using the pressure and release exercises she had done in the trailer he was left with a better understanding and a look of pure gratitude.
This may sound unbelievable, but his gratitude came back later on in the clinic. On the last day Leslie had all 6 horses in the round pen and it was a sight not many of us have ever had a chance to observe and have someone explain exactly what's happening with them as a group. The two mares were vying for dominant position and the others were really just getting to know each other in this new situation with unknown horses. Leslie demonstrated her skills in moving each horse individually6 as well as the group, by using either body movement or intent - a truly amazing feat to see and probably not seen by many people in this country. Throughout the time that Leslie was in the round pen, her highland friend was standing guard over her to make sure she was ok - I would never have believed it if I had not witnessed it. That was where he crossed the line temporarily from the horse to the human world; he set himself up as her bodyguard - his way of saying thank you for the help she had given him earlier on in the clinic.
Leslie is a truly amazing lady who talks about horses and life with great knowledge and understanding. The clinic was so informative as well as being funny and enjoyable. Everyone was afraid to leave whenever Leslie was teaching, in case they missed anything. Everything she teaches has an important meaning and its all something we should know about. We need to know ourselves and our horses better - that is our eventual aim. For anyone who wants a deeper understanding or for those who know there must be more to your horse than simply pushing or pulling, you should have been at Leslie's clinic. For those who weren't there and want a chance to learn more about horse behavior and natural horsemanship with a view to blending more with your horse, there's an opportunity not to be missed. Mark Rashid (from Colorado) will be holding 2 clinics at Haddington on 16-19 and 22-25 May 2002.
I would also say a big thank you to Trisha Wren & Ian Brennan who hosts these clinics - they are giving us the opportunity to learn to communicate with our horses in a better way. The clinicians Trisha has invited are all top class, with lots of experience, from the USA. Score Hill (the venue) has excellent facilities in the form of a riding arena, round pen for loose work, excellent stabling and excellent human facilities. Everyone is made very welcome.
Please, riders, instructors, or anyone with horse interests at heart, even if you think its rubbish, pie in the sky, airy fairy etc etc, do try to come to at least one of Mark Rashid's days - he opens up a new way to understand your horse and how he operates.
At the end of the day why do we have horses? We want to enjoy them! And not fight with them. Leslie Desmond, Mark Rashid and others like them are able to show us a different and I think a better way to live with our horses so why not give the clinics a try - you don't know what you are missing!
Margaret Ross
