Can Blue-Green Algae Make an Animal Smarter?

November 14, 2009 · Filed under Blue Green Algae, Case Reports, Horsin' Around, Leta's Philosophy 101, Superfood for Your Animals .. and You · Tagged , , , , , ,

smart poodleThis is a good question. And not to be taken lightly.

As all my animals are on some form of super blue-green algae, I may not be the best source for an opinion, but my guestimate answer is “yes,” blue-green algae can make an animal smarter.

Now “smarter” may not really be smarter per se, as in terms of I.Q. But what I’ve noticed is that my animals who are on this super food, blue-green algae, are more “with it,” more alert, easier for me to tune in to and talk with, and … more reasonable when I need to negotiate with them about something like, ahem, eating s ___ out of the cat box for instance. For lack of a better way to say it, it’s just like they can think better.

And thinking better is a really big deal. At least in my world it is, since I am an animal communicator. The better an animal can think, the better we can talk. Hence, the better we can work through all kinds of problems, be they what kind of food they would like, what kind of behaviors their person would like them to change, or how their physical pain might be ameliorated.

A case in point is the new rescue mare I brought home 10 days ago. We are now calling her Lope, short for Penelope and pronounced LOH-peh. Of course I put her on super blue-green algae immediately. And turned her in with my other three horses on her second day here, largely because I had communicated with them about her plight and because I trusted them to be gentle with her. One nearby horse friend was shocked, saying she never turned a new horse in with her herd for 30 to 90 days. But I knew all would go well, and it certainly has, largely, I feel, because my horses heard my plea. And, of course, I think that’s largely because they can think better, which is assuredly in part because they’ve been on this super powerful brain food, blue-green algae, for years. They understand everything I tell them.

But back to Lope. Obviously she had not been on anything like blue-green algae … ever, as she had been living in a wild-herd situation. But within days of her starting on it I could feel her ‘hearing’ me very well when I would tell her something. And then I began getting messages back from her as well.

For instance, Lope was extremely head shy when I first brought her home. You couldn’t even lift your hand toward her head or face without her quickly jumping away from it. She showed me she had been lassoed in order to be caught so she was scared to death of things coming toward her head. I told her this would never happen again. She got it, quickly. Now I can walk up to her and easily reach up and stroke her or catch her.

Today I started working on her body more, scratching back along her flanks. When I scratched down toward the girth area she freaked out, jumping away again and showing me that she had been girthed up way too tightly there in the past (before her broodmare herd days), AND that she was ticklish!!! What a surprise! I mean, who woulda thought?! So please, she showed me, no scratching in that area, just flat-hand massaging.

This kind of amazing dialog coming from a horse who’s just come in from virtually running wild for years as a brood mare is not the norm. But I swear it’s possible, especially if you do something like start feeding them a powerful nutrient like blue-green algae.  Granted, I’m so accustomed to the miraculous effects of this super food that I can’t even imagine doing things with my animals without it, and yet I am always amazed when I see new proof of its impact on an animal or person who has just begun eating it.

So whether you have a new rescue horse you’re trying to get to know or just want to think better yourself, do yourself and your animals a favor and try some of this amazing stuff. You can read more about it and order it HERE.

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AND HERE ARE A FEW OTHER BLOG POSTS ABOUT THE ALGAE YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ:

What’s the Big Deal About Blue-Green Algae?

How Blue-Green Algae Helped Heal My Allergies

Is Your Pet’s Food Making Him Sick?

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Old Friends

November 10, 2009 · Filed under Leta's Philosophy 101, Personal Stuff · Tagged

DSCN3327

" THE CANARIES " - CANDY, PHYLLIS, ANNE, LETA - 30 years later

 

 

This post really has nothing to do with animal communication or animals, but 30 years ago someone did dub me and 3 of my friends the “canaries,” because we chirped so incessantly when together.

We are a foursome who used to meet at least once a week to compare notes on life, babies, jobs, husbands, and … hair. Hair always came first, perhaps to table the more serious matters of life and focus on fun and frivolous doings. “When did you cut your hair?!” or “Oh, I LOVE your hair that color!” were typical of frequently and enthusiastically spouted exclamations when we would come together at a local bar, restaurant, or in one of our homes. Even if somebody had just gone through a divorce, hair was usually the first topic covered. Kind of embarrassing to admit now, but it was just part of our culture at that time. In fact I now have an acronym to describe us, based on our names: Candy, Leta, Anne, Phyllis:  CLAP … or … “Canaries Laugh and Play!” That’s what we did, to the hilt.

One of us in this picture now has cancer, a very serious form of Stage IV cancer, so this past week all four of us reunited for the first time  in at least 30 years. I flew in from out of state. Another drove five hours to reach our destination. Blessedly, my brother had offered his spa-like, six-acre property on the lakefront for the 48 hours we would be spending together, so we came together in what was literally an unreal Shangri-la setting — perfect for CLAP-type fun and frivolity!

From our first breath, the chemistry was the same – pure magic. And yes, we checked out each other’s hair first thing. The cancer topic could wait.

It’s funny how you can go through life and have many circles of friends, each one special and filling a certain time and purpose. But each is unique, and none can take the place of another.

That’s how this felt. Three decades, divorces, children, and grandchildren made no difference. Everything felt exactly the same and the group’s dynamic was identical to its earlier self. We cooked, we drank (tho’ not nearly like we used to!), we walked, we meditated. And we finally, on the last morning, picked apart the illness that was surely taking one of us away before her time and before anyone was ready.

I won’t tell you which person in this picture has cancer, and I’ll bet if you guessed you’d guess wrong. It doesn’t matter anyway. Where one of us goes, we all go. What one of us feels, we all feel. That is how close friends are, no matter how much space or time may separate us.

There was a lot of laughter, all the news, and no tears until we said goodbye. The knowledge that we might not meet again in this lifetime as the canaries was, admittedly, a little hard to swallow.

I used to have canaries. I adore their joyful singing. I am considering getting another now, as I know its daily song would remind me of this special group and of our treasured, irreplaceable bond.

Here’s to our dear friends, and may we all remember to keep laughing and playing!

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Transitioning from Conventional to Holistic Horse Care

November 7, 2009 · Filed under Blue Green Algae, Health & Healing, Horsin' Around, Superfood for Your Animals .. and You · Tagged , , ,

I OFTEN DEVOTE WEEKEND BLOGS TO HEALTH CARE. THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE  WAS WRITTEN BY MY GOOD FRIEND AND HORSE VET OF 25 YEARS, DR. MADALYN WARD. (YOU CAN FIND THE PRODUCTS SHE MENTIONS IN THE ‘STORE’ ON HER WEBSITE.)

Curious Dude 1

A holistic approach can help keep the vibrant health your horse was born with long into his old age.

Moving from conventional horse care to holistic horse care is a process. It requires, first, a shift in belief systems from medicine healing the horse to the horse healing himself. If a horse has been given drugs all of his life then his body is less able to mount a healing response on its own.

I have had the opportunity to work with many owners who have moved horses to holistic care. Many of these horses have come off the racetrack and others have been mustangs. The mustangs were given multiple vaccinations and dewormers when captured and this weakened many of them. A horse that is used to holistic care will often have more problems with side effects from drugs because their detoxification systems are not as active.

It can take a year to 18 months for a horse to respond well to holistic care. Low force body work and energetic treatments such as homeopathy and acupressure may not work well if a horse’s system is still expecting more physical support. As a horse gets healthier and healthier he will start to respond better to energetic treatments.

A horse with colic is a perfect example. If the horse is used to getting banamine for every minor digestive upset, he will not respond as well to homeopathic horse colic remedies like Nux vomica or Chamomile. If a horse is on a holistic program where drugs are used only as a last resort, he will often recover from a mild colic with homeopathic remedies and oral probiotics such as Digestive Product Fastrack.

Horse injuries are another example. A horse on a holistic program may not need antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for mild injuries. A dose of homeopathic Arnica and washing the wound with Wound Wash for Animals. may be all that is needed. The immune system of a horse on a holistic program is usually stronger and better able to heal injuries without infections occurring.

This is not to say that a horse on a holistic program will never get sick. A holistic program may not always prevent infections but the response from the horse’s immune system is usually very fast and effective. If drugs are needed they tend to work much faster if the horse is not used to getting them for every little minor ailment.

So if you are transitioning a horse to a holistic program don’t expect him to go drug free cold turkey. First make sure his diet is good and he has some foundational whole food supplement such as Simplexity Essentials or APA Blend so you know his digestion and immune system are supported. Try using homeopathic or herbal remedies before resorting to drugs, and over time you will find your horse is healthier on a holistic management plan that includes drugs only under the most serious circumstances.

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HERE’S A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE BEST WHOLE FOOD SUPPLEMENT FOR YOUR HORSE (AND YOU!) I KNOW OF — SUPER BLUE-GREEN ALGAE:

What’s the Big Deal About Blue-Green Algae?

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What Kind of Animal Communicator do YOU Want?

November 5, 2009 · Filed under Animal Communication, Leta's Philosophy 101, Thoughts About Animal Communication · Tagged , , , ,

Sonja & Sabrina (Wkshop)

One of my students, figuring out her own animal communication style.

I put the emphasis on the YOU here because this life is all about “different strokes for different folks.” Since we are all, each and every one of us, unique and special, we each respond differently to people and situations. Therefore, “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” does not apply when it comes to choosing an animal communicator.

Sorry to use all the silly old adages. All I’m trying to say is, there’s no one particular formula to follow when choosing an animal communicator.

That said, and to keep it simple, here are a few of the most important things you will want to consider:

  • First and foremost, you will want to feel a connection with your animal communicator of choice. Whether you are working with him or her through email or by phone, in person or long distance, you will want to feel a bond. Trust your gut on this one. How you respond to the person’s voice quality, their emails, or to what they are telling you will be your cue. If anything feels wrong, for any reason, don’t choose that person to work with.
  • Finding your animal communicator can be done in several ways, but word-of-mouth seems to be one of the best. Just as with a good movie, if a close friend recommends their animal communicator, and especially if they have a track record with that person, then this is a good place to start. Also check out the internet. Just about every animal communicator has a website these days and should have his or her credentials listed thereon.
  • No matter how gifted an animal communicator may be, experience counts. Never think it doesn’t. This is in no small part due to the fact that we communicators have been trained to fulfill our role objectively and with compassion for all parties concerned. Counselling, negotiating, and mediating major elements in the role of an animal communicator, and how to translate and convey information back and forth between an animal and his person can be mighty tricky. There must be absolutely NO agenda on the part of the communicator, otherwise information will be skewed.
  • If you have a special need, like looking for a lost animal, make sure you find an animal communicator who does that kind of work. Two directories of communicators that will also include what type of work they do can be found at www.animaltalk.net and www.acersplace.com.
  • Do NOT choose an animal communicator who guarantees success. There is no way to make an animal do something it doesn’t want to do. Period. Plus, animal instinct often plays in very strongly and cannot always be overridden.

And remember, animal communication is a telepathic process, not a psychic reading. Although many animal communicators do possess some psychic skills, their most important function when doing animal communication is to listen carefully to what you and your animal have to say to one another and then to relay it back and forth in a way that will help resolve issues or bring new insights into a situation.

Finally — this experience should be fun! So trust your gut on that too, and if someone appeals to you on that level, go for it!!!

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If you’d like to know more about the role of animal communicators, and the issues they face, you might be interested in these posts:

Being a Clear Channel

Never Assume Anything

Can Intention Override Instinct?

 

 

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All’s Well That Ends Well – The New Arrivals

November 2, 2009 · Filed under Horsin' Around, Personal Stuff · Tagged

Nova and her 'throwaway' mom, name yet to be determined.Not that it’s the end. In fact it’s only the beginning. We have “miles to go before we sleep” with these two equines we’ve rescued, but so far so good.

We successfully hauled the “leftover” mare and her year-and-a-half-old filly, now known as Nova, home to my house yesterday. (I don’t know what the mare’s name will be yet and would welcome suggestions. Her registered name is ridiculous.) Cindy and I decided it would be safest and best to temporarily keep the two together, in a horse-safe pen, while they adapt to a completely new and different life.

Nova will eventually be living at Cindy’s on 10 acres, with neighbor horses just across the fence, but we didn’t want to turn her out by herself in that setting right away with Cindy’s two goats. Better that she and her mom settle in over here in a safe, pipe-fenced pen first. And if, after a couple of weeks here, we feel it would be safer for Nova, we will move the mare over to Cindy’s with her for a while.

As you can tell, we have both had the fate of these two horses uppermost in our minds ever since adopting them last weekend. Bringing in new horses always has its potential perils, but since these two have been living wild on open range in a herd with a stallion, this change will be a huge shock for them.

They are both curious and getting to know my other horses – over the fence of course – and it looks like things are going to go smoothly. Even Bella, my Mustang mare who loves babies and whom I thought would be very jealous, has accepted them quietly.

One surprise to us has been that the mare is quite ready to keep the filly in her place — actually to be rid of her, probably a result of having just had a 6-month old weaned this past week. So she’s a little out of sorts, and a bit distrustful, but on the whole is very manageable. And her rejecting attitude toward Nova will surely prove to be in our favor when we do finally separate them.

For the record, we are more than impressed with the great job the cowboys on the ranch did with the filly, given the little handling she had. She’s not real excited about having her feet picked up yet, but loads in a trailer and ties well, and I know lots of grown-up horses who don’t even do that!

On the whole, we’re very pleased, mama and daughter are happy, and everybody is settling in just fine.

Meanwhile, we’ve heard rumor of another herd of about 50 registered Quarter Horses who may be up for grabs in Colorado.

Oh me oh my. How to take care of all the unwanted animals in the world. I guess just helping one horse, one dog, or one cat at a time is the best place to start.

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Can Love Boost Egg Production in Chickens?

October 28, 2009 · Filed under Animal Communication, Leta's Philosophy 101, Personal Stuff, The Hen House Gazette · Tagged , ,

girl holding chickenCan love boost egg production? I definitely think so. Those of us who have chickens definitely benefit from loving our brood. Not only from minimized chasing and pecking when we enter their pens, but also from (I think) increased egg production.

That said, I must admit I am going all out to sustain my brood’s egg laying during the coming winter months.

Apparently, scientifically speaking, chickens need at least 12 to 14 hours of light each day to lay eggs regularly. So, as all you chicken people know, your hens “lay off” during the winter months when daylight hours are short and don’t produce many eggs at all. Hardly any, to tell the truth.

What is one to do to encourage regular egg-laying during those short, dark days of winter?

Much is to be found in answer to this question online. Indeed. And here are a few of the answers:

1. Provide your hens with 14 – 15 hours of light each day.

2. Provide your hens with warmth.

3. Put a little cayenne pepper in your hens’ water to pep up their internal thermostat.

… from here on out are my own suggestions. BUT, they are based on my own chicken research over the past decade or so.

4. Give your chickens fresh greens every day (yes, even if you have to buy them in the winter — or give them some of your horses’ alfalfa).

5. Go in your chickens’ pen every day at least 2 or 3 times and talk to them. Play like you are bringing new delectables, even if what you have isn’t that special.

6. Provide interesting water. Fresh and running, if possible. A fountain would be nice. Mine have a “pool” that I refresh twice a day in summer.

7. Talk to them. When one egg per day was being pecked apart and eaten a couple of months ago, I zeroed in on the errant hen and had a serious discussion with her about cannabilism. Since our talk not one egg has been ravaged.

So here we are. It is now suddenly winter. And here’s what I’ve done for my chickens, not only because I love them, but because I really, really want to have their eggs throughout the winter.

1. I built them a huge hen house, complete with electrical outlets for various accoutrements.

2. I roofed a small yard area just outside their door so that, even when we have snow, they will be protected and can go “outside.”

3. I fenced in and covered with bird mesh another yard, outside their “inside” yard, so that they can really, really go outdoors (the mesh is to protect them from predatory birds). That is where their summer pool is.

4. I have gates and doors between all areas to insure their security, and I lock them in very carefully every night.

5. They have a lovely camping ground spot (an old shed) for passing time during moderate seasons — I call it a hovel, but they seem to love it and demonstrate that by occasionally laying eggs in it and by sleeping on it’s low roof during warm evenings.

What else? Oh!

6. Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon hooking up bright lights on a timer in their house so they’ll have the prerequisite 15-16 daylight hours in which to do their duty (eggs!). I also hooked up two heat lamps over their swank, homemade nighttime roost (which, so far, they have snubbed their little beaks at in favor of the roof of the aforementioned,  hovel for sleeping on). And, last but not least, they now have a heated water bowl. Ta dum!

I trust all this will pay off. All I want is a few eggs a week out of the deal. That’s not an unfair trade for the hundreds of dollars and dozens of hours spent on my chickens’ behalf.

But you know what? I think my love for these guys matters the most. They know me. They get real excited when I come to their pen. They cluck and posture and beg and flap for whatever tidbits I might be bringing them. We have conversations. They love the attention.

Never mind that my rooster, Mr. Smarty Pants, immediately dive bombs my feet if I walk in wearing a pair of shoes or boots he doesn’t recognize. On the whole, I just know it’s all about love with these chickens. And I will report back on egg production mid-winter.

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Be Careful What You Wish For

October 25, 2009 · Filed under Horsin' Around, Personal Stuff · Tagged , , ,

So I went with my friend Cindy to the pre-arranged “viewing” she had helped organize of the herd of throwaway horses on Sunday afternoon (previously posted about HERE). Not because I was planning to take or wanted any of the horses, even though they were a beautiful lot and well bred. Besides, according to Cindy, there were more than enough applicants to ensure that all the horses would have good homes.

But I sure did love this little chestnut filly and was sorely tempted!

But I sure did love this little chestnut filly and was sorely tempted!

I went because, as I told her, “if there are any ‘leftovers,’ anybody no one wants to take, I will take them to my place until we can find them good homes.” I mean, we had all already agreed that certainly none of these beautiful equine specimens could be allowed to go to the auction, i.e. slaughter in Mexico.

So off we went. And a very successful afternoon it was, to be sure. There were, as anticipated, more than enough applicants to adopt the 10 horses that had been made available. There was even one group who had come all the way from Texas (who, in the end, were awarded 4 of the best of the lot, including the fabulous Arabian stallion).

The horses were beautiful! And of very, very good bloodlines. It was unimaginable that these fabulous equines were simply being given away. But apparently the owners/ranchers realized they had gotten way in over their heads in the last three years with letting the herd run free, so there were many babies on the ground and nothing to be done with them. Their business was cattle, after all, not breeding Arabian-Quarter Horses.

DSCN3279Cindy fell instantly in love with a dainty, but large and refined, year-and-a-half-old bay filly who will no doubt become one of the loves of her life. They bonded immediately, even though the filly had barely been handled and did not respond to any of the other lookers. Their match was a no-brainer. Cindy had no intentions of adopting one of these horses, but she and this filly belong together. Period. Done deal.

Other applicants filled out their forms, often requesting 3 or 4 horses each. Even all the wild-child weanlings were quickly spoken for.

At the end of the day we did a tally to see who had asked for which horses, to divvy up duplicate requests, and to make sure none were left over or not requested. And … uh oh … there was one, only one, who no one had spoken for. She was one of the three Quarter Horse brood mares, an 8-year-old bay. Being rather chunky and large and quiet, she was pretty much unnoticeable during the entire proceedings, and certainly did not stand out as a good prospect for a work horse or show horse. She had good bone, good color, and seemingly a very mellow disposition. She was, in fact, the mother of Cindy’s new heartthrob.

So, as we were leaving, someone in charge said to me, “Leta, please fill out one of the forms because we’ll be putting No. 2 in your name. The brand inspector who will be coming out will have to have the name of the new owner for each horse, and since you said you would take care of any leftovers, she’ll be in your name.”

Here she is, "Miss Leftover"

Here she is, "Miss Leftover"

Gulp.

I took a deep breath and dutifully filled out the form. I had promised this, hadn’t I? There are, hopefully, two different parties who could not attend today’s proceedings who might want this mare. Meanwhile, she will be coming home with me in one week to await her fate.

The catch is: When I heard about this herd that was up for grabs I had thought to myself: “I don’t want another horse — I already have three, but if I did I would only be interested in one of the 3 or 4 QH broodmares, one that is quiet and mature and is very ridable, so we might have a second riding horse at my place.” And, another thought, just a day or two ago: “I so wish I could have another Quarter Horse some day who is as wonderful and wise as my old man Copper.”

I wish I hadn’t even had those thoughts because it looks like they may have conjured up this mare. I guess it remains to be seen. But, for sure, being the odd man out today, and the non-looker, she surely would have wound up in the slaughter house, so I am still glad I made the offer to take the “leftovers.” And, since she’s in my name, I guess I have first dibs. If she does indeed live up to those dreamy thoughts I had, well then, maybe she has a permanent home here after all. …. to be continued ….

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Throw Away Horses

October 23, 2009 · Filed under Horsin' Around, Uncategorized · Tagged , , ,

This and the other pictures in this post are all of the actual herd that is slated for slaughter in New Mexico November 1st.This herd of horses is headed for the auction block if not removed from the ranch they currently live on by November 1st. This means that probably at least half of them will end up going to Mexico for slaughter. They are basically being thrown away.

If you’re a horse lover, and especially if you have horses, you are probably familiar with this phenomenon. Especially when the economy is in a nosedive as ours presently is. Folks fall on hard times and, if they have horses, those are often the first to suffer. They are often underfed and, worse, sometimes  just turned loose to fend for themselves because their owners can’t afford any feed at all.

I am blessed to live in an animal-loving area where all manner of rescue takes place, for just about any species. I don’t know why but this frame of mind is much more prevalent here than it was where I came from in Texas. There are more shelters for dogs, cats, and horses than I’ve ever seen anywhere. And there is a huge network that relays information via email, the local paper, and phone calls when there is a dire need.

Quarabs2Yesterday the call went out to hundreds: a small herd of about fifteen horses on a nearby ranch must be removed from the ranch or adopted by November 1st or else off to the auction block they go — and that means slaughter for many. Reasons given were sketchy, but I imagine the bottom line  is that whoever owns them can’t or simply won’t bear the expense of feeding them through a hard New Mexico winter.

As is so often the case in this community, two or three individuals jumped right in, spread the word to hundreds, complete with pictures, ages, breeding, etc., and have organized a visit to the ranch this weekend by all interested adopters. They are even taking applications and screening the prospective owners. I contacted one of the women this morning to find out more about it, and she told me they already have more than enough applications to provide homes for all these horses.

My fingers and toes are crossed that this indeed comes to pass and that these beautiful animals are safely in new homes within the next few days.

In this case the horses are highly desirable, being Arab or Quarter HorseQuarabs5 or a cross of both — with a registered Arab stallion in the herd — and, at least from their pictures, being relatively healthy and in good shape. Hopefully this will make the rescue easy and fast.

I am happy to say though, that, even when this is not the case and when the horses at stake are old or in poor condition, rescue efforts in this area are always underway.

I was, and I guess still am, poised to take one of these horses if not enough homes can be found. From what it sounds like that will probably not be necessary, but I too am standing by to make sure none of this herd goes to slaughter.

If you’re a horse lover, I urge you to become aware of the need in your area for horses in dire straits. And if you can’t adopt one yourself, help get the word out or send whatever donation you can to your local rescue groups.

The plight of the horse in our country is not pretty. There are over 30,000 captive Mustangs languishing in holding pens who will probably never be adopted. And then there are situations like this one too, where those we have already domesticated are just being thrown away.

Let’s ALL try to help in some way.

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Making Peace With the Desert

October 21, 2009 · Filed under Leta's Philosophy 101, Personal Stuff, Uncategorized · Tagged , , ,

This is what it's like in the high desert where I live.

This is what it's like in the high desert where I live.

It’s been a year and a half since I left my home state, Texas, for good, and hauled 17 animals and myself to our new abode in the revered Galisteo Basin, on 40 acres just south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I’d been looking at properties  for over a year when our new home practically fell in my lap through a series of what I can only call miracles. But you can call them syncronicities if you are more comfortable with that  (and, if you care to, you can read about what happened HERE).

Everything about the place seemed blessed; perfect for my lifestyle and family. Then, the first three months here, I was put to the test.

My brother, a decades-long resident of Santa Fe, had warned me. “Leta, are you sure you want to do this?” he asked with a grave expression on his face. “I’ve seen people move to the Santa Fe area who have been dying to do so for years, only to have their marriages fall apart, their businesses fail, and all kinds of hell break loose in their lives. They buy million dollar homes and then they flee as soon as possible.”

“Yes,” I’m sure, I said.

So we arrive. A month later I have a break-in and burglary and all my jewelry and laptop are stolen. Nothing like this had ever happened on the property before.  One of my dogs developed a raging cancer and was gone within weeks during the second month. Two of my cats were carried off by coyotes, one on the first day after arriving (I didn’t even know how he got outside!). And there was more. Very strange things happened in my house and on my land, as if the spirits that abide here were truly putting me to a test.

I remember during those first few months confidentially stating to a dear friend that I really didn’t know if I would be able to stay here. I couldn’t believe I was even saying it out loud, after all the anticipation of relocating here, but I needed someone to know. I was having trouble bearing the weight of it all by myself.

I look back now and find notes I wrote in my journal during those first three months:

The high desert in Northern New Mexico is truly a force to be dealt with. At 6000’ elevation and higher, with vast stretches of arid terrain and jagged mountain peaks visible in every direction, the elements frolic together as recklessly as the drunken, cloven-hooved Bacchus of mythology. One moment the sun is blasting down mercilessly upon the land and all upon it, the next towers of writhing black clouds are pouring across the sky, pushed by winds full of portent and power. Sometimes rains come with, sometimes not. Sometimes in mere sprinkles, sometimes in torrents causing the myriad dry arroyos that lace the land to become miniature rivers in flood.                    ………….. and

After the harsh, sec winds of what seemed like an interminable spring, this season is more than welcome. Those winds swept the landscape with a fury, moving so much dry, red dust with them that it was often impossible to see any of the mountainous horizon. We had such winds in Texas too, and I’ve always hated high wind, but somehow the winds here seemed more alive and full of not just mischievousness, but malignant overtones. Perhaps it’s because there’s no real shelter on the desert, no large shade trees to block and redirect the wind currents, no creeks or pools of water to soften their impact. Seedlings and blooming fruit trees shudder and often dry up permanently. The horses stand with their backs to the west, the direction from which the winds come tearing –  heads down, looking depressed and miserable.

That first one was an unusually windy spring, I know now. And afterward, whatever spirits on the land were testing me finally decided it was okay for me to stay and ceased their malevolent “pranks.”

I adore it here, is the bottom line, and have ever since the passing of those first three months. So do all my animals. We have not only all adapted but feel blessed and special to live in such spectacular surroundings. It is not only the land here that is awe-inspiring and grand, it is the history of the area itself. This is one of the most hallowed places in North America, with its countless sites and remnants of ancient civilization.

They say this land is watched over, by the spirits of all those who came before. I believe it. I think you have to pay your dues and really understand the energy to be successful here, and I am thankful that I’ve passed the test.

I feel like I’ve belonged here forever.

The view from my courtyard -- how could one not love being here?

The view from my courtyard -- how could one not love being here?

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Do You Have a One-Person Horse? Or Dog? Or Cat?

October 19, 2009 · Filed under Animal Communication, Case Reports, Horsin' Around, The Animal's Point of View, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

kissing horseThe larger question is whether animals CAN be “one-person” individuals. And yes, of course they can. They come in as many different personality types as we do,  so why should they be any different?

I just spoke to an aging show jumper — “Cinder” (to protect anonymity) — to see if the work was getting a little too difficult for her. Her person — we’ll call her “Jamie” — is eager not to overface her. Plus, they have been together for 13 years (the horse is 19), and Jamie refers to Cinder as her “beloved,” so she very much wants and respects her input on such important questions.

The answer from Cinder was that yes, the work is a bit much for her older body and joints at this point, so Jamie will now tailor their riding and working time together appropriately.

But the interesting aspect of this session was how absolutely devoted Cinder is to Jamie. And only to Jamie.

Years and years ago, before Jamie finally decided to buy Cinder, she consulted a well known Native American animal communicator on the West Coast, by the name of Fred. (Fred is no longer with us, but those who had the good fortune of having him talk to their animals have never forgotten him.) At the time Cinder told Fred she hated all humans, but she was married to Jamie!

These days Cinder tells me that being with Jamie for 13 years has really opened her heart, so she is just fine with other people and, in fact, likes many of the staff at her barn. But she is still, positively, absolutely, a one-person horse, and her person is Jamie.

Madalyn Ward, D.V.M., has written a fascinating book about horse personality types, Horse Harmony – Understanding Horse Types and Temperaments . . . Are You and Your Horse a Good Match?, which talks a lot about how some types will work for only one person, or must have the respect of their person in order to cooperate, or become very depressed or ill if separated from their person. Some people seem to be surprised by this, I guess wondering how a horse could have such emotions that many attribute only to humans.

But we horse lovers and dog lovers and cat lovers and bird lovers understand. Our domesticated friends come in as many different personalities as we do, so it is best never to underestimate them or make a judgment call about what they are feeling unless you really understand them.

Of course there is the opposite personality type as well — the one who could kinda care less what you think and is not at all dependent upon your love and support to enjoy his or her life.

The important point here is perhaps that, since it has fairly well been proven that this wide variance of personalities does exist amongst our furry friends, be absolutely SURE you are teaming up with the right type for your own personality, your lifestyle, and your needs.

As for me, I happen to love the one-person type, and have more than one animal like this, amongst them my beautiful Mustang mare, Bella. In this case it pays. She will do anything she can to please me. But have someone else who she doesn’t know or respect ask her to do something special and she’ll go into a big sull — or buck them off!

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