Sunnyside Farm

 PO Box 265

   104 West First St.

 Clyde Park, MT 59018 

 

WBauwens@aol.com

Until this century, the horse was both our major form of transportation, and the engine of agriculture, helping to plow and pull loads.  Today, throughout North America and Europe the horse is overwhelmingly a family companion used primarily for pleasure. 

More than with any other animal companion, a good human/horse relationship is based upon your understanding of how your horse thinks.  Horses should not be forced.  On the same right, however, nor should the horse coerce.  A human’s relationship with a horse should develop gradually, as one of mutual respect.  Horses are highly social animals.  WE can be part of their herd, but must maintain a level of respect in both directions to create this bond.  A horse’s emotional, physical, and environmental needs must be respected. 

This is best achieved through training, lessons, and equine assisted therapy.  Its important to work with a horse’s natural behavior.  By this, we mean to learn and understand body language.  We then, may understand what the horse is thinking.  Positive reinforcement is important in every realm.  Through the help of the horse, we may become better communicators, better athletes; develop better circulation, balance, muscle tone, flexibility, and social skills.  Through the help of the horse, we may become better humans. 

In the world of horses, we are never experts.  Just as every horse is an individual with a different personality, so is every student, instructor, trainer, athlete, farrier and veterinarian.  With each new encounter, we learn new things.  With this, our lives through horses remain exciting, stimulating, rewarding and beautiful.