Calm, relaxed, and alert

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • February 1, 2011 at 12:37 am #42397
    Donn Hewes
    Keymaster

    Carl suggested I post a copy of a letter I recently submitted to Doc Hammill and the SFJ. I guess it is in this issue (I haven’t seen it yet). It includes some observations I have been making about the animals I am working and how that has influenced my training of beginning teamsters. Rather than cut and paste it here I will add an attachment. Perhaps it will lead to an interesting discussion. Donn

    February 1, 2011 at 3:19 am #65371
    Lane Linnenkohl
    Participant

    Very nice, Don. Thank for posting.

    Whenever I’ve trained a new intern, the first step is always letting the intern and horses get used to each other. They catch, lead, feed, groom and harness until I see that all members have become comfortable. Then we start talking about driving.

    February 1, 2011 at 1:50 pm #65375
    Tim Harrigan
    Participant

    @Donn Hewes 24370 wrote:

    Teaching someone to be alert amounts to carefully and very specifically identifying all the things I am noticing and paying attention to, what each of those things can tell me, and why it is important

    Donn, I think it is a clear indication of the depth of understanding that you have developed of your craft that you have been able to take a process that has so many facets that it seems to defy description or explanation and capture it in three words…calm, relaxed, alert… Simple enough to print on the front of a T-shirt yet opens the window to a depth of experience that can challenge a serious teamster for a lifetime. Something to aspire to.

    February 1, 2011 at 2:42 pm #65370
    Carl Russell
    Moderator
    Quote:
    [FONT=&quot]So this is a little of how I am trying to prepare young teamsters that learn from and work with me today. I don’t believe I can predict all of the events of the future, but I do believe that proper preparation, planning and training can make those events as safe as humanly possible. [/FONT]

    I particularly appreciate this comment. It is the preparation and planning that give us the leadership capability when working with our animals. The more we know our work, the more capable we are, and the better horses and people pay attention to us.

    This is the drum beat I use when I address beginners. It is very hard for most of us to understand what we don’t know, and even harder for us to see how that lack or understanding interferes with our leadership, especially when we are staring out. I know how attractive it is to get leather in your hands, but it is vitally important to learn how to focus on those myriad details of all that is going on within and around the work before we try to direct the power.

    Thanks Donn for putting your process into words so well.

    Carl

    February 1, 2011 at 11:38 pm #65372
    john plowden
    Participant

    Really nice job Donn – you have articulated very well the idea of calm leadership –
    There are so many subtleties that need to be understood before picking up the lines –
    John

    February 3, 2011 at 1:10 pm #65369
    Gabe Ayers
    Keymaster

    Good letter Donn, thanks for sharing what you do and see about this culture with as many people as possible. Now if we can get you come south again and help with our educational efforts if/when we can put another event together. Carry on my friend.

    Jason

    February 4, 2011 at 1:25 am #65373
    jen judkins
    Participant

    <<" One of my new pet theories is that thousands of years ago when we humans were initially establishing our working relationship with animals, we were more like them. Hunters and gatherers would both have benefited greatly from the ability to remain calm, relaxed, and alert for long periods of time. This would have aided us in our first working relationships with animals as well.">>

    Absolutely! For me, this is one of the benefits of working with horses…returning to that more natural state. Its a chance to shed our modern encumbrances in a way.

    Nice letter, enjoyed it. Thanks, Don.

    February 5, 2011 at 7:42 pm #65374
    Robert MoonShadow
    Participant

    Your letter helped me connect a couple ideas together in my mind, to clarify a trouble I’ve had w/ working w/ my donkey…thank you for that!

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