This week I watched a movie called The Path of the Horse (I actually watched it twice). It was about a woman by the name of Stormy May who was a horse trainer that wanted to find a better way to work with horses. She had read several books by many different horsemen from all around the world. ( Arizona - Mark Rashid, Colorado -  California - Linda Kohanov ~ The Tao Of Equis & Russia ~ Alexander Nevzorov ~ Haute Ecole...to name a few).

Lyla assisting at our first Pay It Forward For Horses Fundraiser in support of the BC Interior Horse Rescue Society in 2009 Mane Event Expo ~ Chilliwack, B.C.

There is a lot of horse abuse that goes on every day. Most people don't recognize it as abuse - they think the horses are big so how can you hurt them - but it is easily done. Sometimes when the bit (or too strong of a bit) is placed in a sensitive part of the horses mouth, even a slight tug will hurt and jerking on the bit may causes excruciating pain. Any bit in the wrong hands can cause unbearable pain. Even using a bitless bridle, bosal or hackamore can cause pain as the skin is very thin and the face is covered with a lot of nerves close to the surface. The movie showed a lot of pictures of people jerking on the horses mouths and spurring them causing them to bleed. As the woman in the movie explained we would never do these things to a dog or a cat; what makes it OK to do it to a horse ??

Watching the movie made me look differently at how most people ride. Even trainers and beginners. The movie also showed how some horses backs get inflamed after being ridden. They explained that after 15 minutes of riding their backs might begin to hurt and after another 10 or so minutes, if the horse is in pain, the back could start to go numb. Lack of circulation would then start to break down the back muscles. The horses are never asked; they are not given a choice to perform, they are forced to do as they are told. If you keep forcing them they do eventually give in and do what they are told so the cycle continues because it works in most peoples minds.

Then the movie showed a trainer from Russia that didn't restrict the horses heads and only used a soft thick neck rope to communicate with them. These horses are always given the choice if they want to participate or not; horses do have a curious nature and seem to want to interact with people. Since it is unacceptable to show with just a neck rope I will have to try to develop a kinder gentler way to communicate with my horses by using less force. The horses do want to interact with us but it is not fair to them to be abused every time they choose to be with us. When I ride I do not use spurs and I try to use as little force as I can ~ right now I am not very strong so it is not hard to be soft with them.

This movie was very eye opening for me and I would encourage everyone to watch it whether you are involved with horses or not.

Lyla lives in Pritchard, B.C. with her parents Thea and Alan Mackenzie; owners of the newly developed Mackenzie Meadows Equestrian Center. Lyla has four older brothers; Tarl, Derek, Kevin and Trevor. Lyla is fortunate that she is able to have two of her own personal horses, Chase and Mickey and with this responsibility comes one very busy young lady who cleans paddocks, daily! Lyla also has her own little dog Bella who delights in sharing her companionship with the others family members of her kind; Lily, Whisper and Sandy. Lyla stays very busy with her home schooling projects for Self Design Home School Association

 Lyla & Fraser ~ A Healing Journey Shared

Yvonne teaching Lyla how to do equine shiatsu massage on Fraser

Lyla met Fraser for the first time in February 2010. He was no longer wanted from his previous owner because they did not know how to handle his continual health problems. With his chronic soreness his destiny was in question as he was not producing but worse yet, he was in great discomfort 24/7. Lyla's Mom Thea heard about him and said she would gladly take him in and he would be a new horse for Lyla ~ but first she had to fix him. Thankfully Lyla has experienced learning some equine shiatsu massage techniques which helped Fraser out right away. Although she is only 12 and not as strong physically as other experienced therapists, the loving touch that Lyla is giving to Fraser comforts him greatly. His feet were not in good shape either, even after a good trim he was very tender. He wanted to buck and play when Lyla introduced me to him but he could not lift himself off the ground. How could this happen to a horse that was only 12 years of age who had  ranked highly in halter classes for many years? The answer is, it just happens. We are pleased that Fraser's previous owners had the capacity in their hearts to keep him until they could find him a new home that would spend the time helping him to heal and where be would be loved.

So Lyla is up for a challenge! With the support of VFTH and others, we are going to help Fraser get better so he can come back into the body that he so desires. Please check back regularly for updates on Fraser's progress.