Look at this and tell me what you see....

Anthromorphize- transitive verb : to attribute human form or personality to
intransitive verb : to attribute human form or personality to things not human

We all know that it's not the best idea to anthromorphize our horses. I mean, we all KNOW they are horses, they're prey animals, they are associative learners and in general do not see or think they same as we do. Sure, we KNOW that. However, for horse people, in this case, knowing and doing are two separate things. It's hard not to humanize our "kids". Our emotional attachment is such that we must. Aware of this trait in horse owners, the marketing masterminds that are Parelli gave us the "Horsenality Profile". (check out the Nov. issue of Horse & Rider magazine)

Using this "Horsenality Profile" we can supposedly chart our horse's "type"(left brained, right brained, introvert, extrovert and all the combos of) and determine their "horsenality" hereby giving us greater insight into what makes our horses "click". Uh. Sure. Ok. So.. I thought I'd give this profiling a shot on some of our new horses- and now I'll share them here, by way of introducing some of the new characters (character being the operative term) in the barn.

First there's Digs. Ahhh..... Digs. He's a 4yo halter-bred gelding, Jr. HUS horse, with a top 10 world show placing under his belt already in 2yo HUS. The best way to describe Digs? For those of you who know "Timmie"- Digs is Timmie x 2 (T2 as I call it.) He's everything in Timmie's personality only more so, and sensitive to boot. He's big. He's talented. He's resentful of the world in a general sort of way, and playful enough for twelve horses. So lets check out our "Horsenality" chart and see where Darling Digs falls....

Right brain or Left brain? Lets see.... start with right brain: fearful or nervous? NO unconfident? NO defensive? YES reactive? NO hmm.... okay, Left Brain now: dominant? YES. pushy? DEAR GOD YES. tolerant? hmm... define tolerant... confident? HELL YES. curious? ALWAYS. Ok. I guess that means that Digs is Left Brained.

Now is he an Introvert or Extrovert? Extrovert: high energy, more "go", quick and a tendency to run? Uh... not really. Unless the snow is falling off the roof.... then..... Or at liberty.
How about Introvert? Low energy (plenty there.. but it's set on slow burn), more "whoa" (umm.. like only his favorite word ever) slow (given the option, apsolutely), tendency to stop (oh, let me count the ways....) I would have to say that Dig's would be an Introvert most of the time.. So, to clarify this lets get into specific traits, and see exactly where he falls..

LB Introvert: Clever? OH MY.. YESSSS. Non-repsonsive? Old mister elephant hide? YES, when he wants to be. Disinterested? Naw.... he's totally in the moment. Arguementative? YES, YES, YES. Food oriented? UH HUH! "Lazy"? BETTER BELIEVE IT. Easily Bored? In about 2.5 SECONDS!!

How about LB Extrovert: Playful? Sometimes Smart? HELL YES. Charismatic? WHEN HE WANTS TO BE. Naughty? OMG! Mischievous? OH MY OH MY OH MY. Mouthy? WHO? PIRHANNA BOY? Willful? MOSTLY. Exuberant? NOT SO MUCH.

Results: Digs is LEFT BRAINED, no doubt. He's an extrovert when dealing with him on the ground and an introvert undersaddle. So what does Linda Parelli say about Left Brained horses? (re: Horse & Rider acticle interview, Nov. 2008)

"This horse is much more self confident, so he's actually not looking for a leader, and in fact will challenge your leadership skills." (check!) "He's totally "present" and can "get" something in one or two repetitions." (check) "If you start doing 10 to 20 repetitions, however, he'll start thinking, 'Ask me that one more time and one us has to die! And it's not going to be me!'" (check! check! and DOUBLE CHECK!!!) "We tend to advance too slowly with these horses- we don't give them enough to do. So the horse starts pushing us around (the LB extrovert) or refusing to do anything (the LB introvert)." (Holy freakin' Cow!!! Have they actually met Digs???????)

Huh.... who knew.. This is kinda neat stuff. While any good horseman would tell you.. "DUH", it doesn't change the entertainment factor. Besides, having a spiffy little chart sure beats trying to find a black leather couch large enough to support your horse's butt and a shrink that takes "neigh" for an answer.

*note: Digs is doing fabulous.. so long as what you're asking is clear.. the differance btwn. right and wrong is black and white, and he's rewarded when he's good.. and we don't do the same thing everyday :)

Perfectly Imperfect

In this line of work it's your JOB to point out what someone is doing wrong. It's also your job to point out when someone is doing something right. It's desperately difficult to not let this filter into your "home" life. So, I have a tendency to point out people's foibles. It's the way I am. I'm not being judgemental- simply making an observation. Apparently, having one's foibles pointed out makes people uncomfortable. In cases they tend to become resentful assuming that either- a) I point these things out because I am "oh so perfect" or b) I point these things out because I'm trying to make myself feel better. I hate to disabuse people of dearly held notions, but I'm honestly only making observations. It's all in the same vein as observing that the sky is a particularly lovely shade of mauve this evening, or that the trees are as starkly naked as a playboy bunny on the day she was born.

Making observations is human nature. We make observations about everything. As such, I do not make observations only about other people. I KNOW where my flaws are. I've got more of them then an old pair of cheap sunglasses. #1) I'm painfully shy. - not the best trait in someone who holds a very social job. #2) I hate crowds. Not just a little hate either. Sure, I can deal with them in the short term, but after awhile I truly become dysfunctional. It's sad, and, again, not a great trait for someone in my line of work. #3) I have a very hard time delegating. (see #4) #4) I like things a certain way. That's why I have a hard time delegating. I want things done the way I want them done, and therefore it's easier if I just do it myself. #5) I'm a social retard. I spend way to much time in the barn. I'm rusty when it comes to carrying on a TWO sided conversation. Again, not a top notch trait. #6) I can't remember birthdays, names, or anniversaries. Remembering horses registered names, registration numbers, and most birthdays- that's cake. The list could go on, but I'm thinking that an even half-dozen is
sufficient for the moment.

The thing with flaws is this: Unless you know, categorically, what they are, you don't know what to improve. What do you work on, if you don't know what's broken?

The other thing with flaws is much more important: Unless you know what your flaws are, how do you really ever know who YOU are? Take the things about yourself that are less than perfect, and if you can't change them, embrace them. These are the things that make you special.