Enter our PARTNERSHIP and COURAGE Contest Today!!

[Barnmice Admin]

From now until June 30, everyone is invited to submit a photo, story or poem on the themes of Partnership or Courage for the chance to win one of three amazing prizes. We wish to thank William Micklem for his kind generosity in donating:

*The Micklem Multi Bridle
*The new Micklem Competition Bridle
and
*William's international best-seller, The Complete Horse Riding Manual

William is renowned as the consummate horseman. His revolutionary design is changing the way we think about bridles and his training philosophy is followed by some of the world's most accomplished riders. To learn more about William, visit his website at: www.williammicklem.com

Your entry can be long or short and you can add a photo with a story or on its own! Post your entries in the comment box below. Good Luck!!

[onlyme]

I don’t know how to describe the partnership between my horse and I, and it is even more difficult to put it into words, so I am going to be completely honest, as that is the biggest quality my horse possesses.
I am not the world’s best rider. And I never will be, I accept that. But I am always learning, and so is my horse, Merlin – we have learnt together and together we are constantly learning.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x148/actonbendino/Image004.jpg[/IMG]

Merlin is so honest, and so forgiving as a horse and a person that I thank my lucky stars that I found him as a green-as-grass 6 year old. He sorts himself out at a fence if I get it wrong, he never hits a pole and does his best to make sure he does not.

I “click” with Merlin, and I love him dearly. He will do his very best to get to the other side of the fence, so I must do my very best to keep him happy. He hates being schooled inside an arena, so I try to avoid this as much as possible and school in fields or on hacks. He loves jumping so I try to incorporate flatwork schooling into jumping exercises! This is us together at our first international - I think this shows just how much he tries for me!

I
He will come to the gate when I call for him, and every afternoon when I get home from school he waits for me at 4pm at the gate in the field, he is very punctual! Here he is waiting for me!

Together I hope we do the best that we can, and that I can fulfil ambitions that I have, but if I don’t, I am not too worried, as he is too special to spoil. Merlin and I are a partnership, we learn and grow together. As he does his best for me, I always try to do the best for him.

We jumped this fence last summer at a working hunter competition, where I was the youngest competitor there. I think it sums up our partnership!

[Brenda McArthur]

My name is Brenda McArthur and I own and operate Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue located in Hagersville Ontario. I will tell you a bit about who we are and what we do here at the rescue.
I have always had a passion for horses, even as a child. When I was 10 years old, I used to help out at a local riding stable all day to have the opportunity to ride for one hour at the end of the day. At 14 I worked at a riding facility as the lead for trail rides and any other chores that were needed. I would spend my summers and weekends there. I did this for about 3 years.
I became a member of the Dunnville Humane Society Board and held the positions of Director of Investigations and Director of Foster Parenting. These were volunteer positions as Haldimand County did not have Humane Society services at that time, only animal control.
In 2001 when Welland Humane Society was contracted to provide animal control and animal cruelty services for Haldimand County, I obtained employment with Welland to provide animal control and cruelty services in the County. I obtained my official Agent status through the OSPSA which provided me the authority to conduct cruelty investigations. I also was an animal control officer.
Upon leaving the Welland Humane Society to obtain employment with Haldimand County Administration, I became a board member on the Welland Humane Society Board of Director with which I held the position for a year.
During the past 10 years I rescued 2 to 4 horses a year which quickly became 4 to 6. I began to realize there is such a great need for horse rescue in this area as horse cruelty is not as recognized as the more domestic breeds such as cats and dogs. I realized we needed an advocate to educate and provide a service to the public to help prevent horses from being subjected to auctions and even worse, slaughter. I needed a bigger farm.
We found the farm in Hagersville in the summer of 2007 and this dream started to become reality. We moved into the farm in December and the work began. We have a 48 acre farm with a few barns and arena. The main herd has a 17 acre paddock. There are a few smaller paddocks we have built to house horses that need more hands on care. We are still building more paddocks and hope to have more built in 2009. We are also looking to build a quarantine paddock, however this all comes with a price tag.
We are not legally a non profit and receive no funding. We raise funds through donation boxes and public donations that are sent in. We sold calendars this year with pictures of our rescues and it went very well, we printed 250 and sold most of them. We are currently starting a used tack drive to collect used tack to use or sell for funds to help the rescue. We also bake horse treats and are selling them as well. We have been selected as a recipient for the Mayor's golf tournament this year to receive $1500 which we will build the quarantine paddock. We will also hold a garage sale, tack swap sale in july at the farm.
The farm operates on our personal wages as Dave and I both work full time to keep it going. We have 16 volunteers that come out to help with chores and working with the horses. I also have a trainer, which donates his time to the rescue to conduct clinics for the volunteers so that all are training the horses with the same method. We use the Chris Irwin method which is a non-resistance training program. With this program, you are communicating with the horses in their language; it is a wonderful program that is very effective with these rescues as many of them have behaviour issues. I also have a Farrier, which donates his time every 4 weeks to trim as many horses’ hooves as needed for free, what a gift!
We are desperately seeking a vet that will help us; we are hoping someone will step forward to donate a few hours a month to provide some examinations as vet care is one of our biggest expenses.
We currently have 40 horses on the farm, 32 of which are rescues.
During our first year, 2008, we brought in 42 horses, adopted 22 horses to good homes and euthanized 4 horses that we couldn’t save, however, at least they don’t hurt and are not hungry anymore. They have gone to a better place.
One of our special rescues is Rosie; she is an 18 year old Arabian mare that was so emaciated that you could count every bone in her body. She was also blind in one eye as apparently she had been hit with a paint ball. I was contacted by an acquaintance as the owner was going to euthanize her. I brought Rosie home in the fall of 2007 to see if we could save here and within 4 months she was absolutely a gorgeous loving horse. She has been adopted by a great family near Chatham and is loved by a 14 year old girl every day. Rosie touched everyone that met her as she was so kind and trusting even after the rough life she had endured. Since Rosie’s adoption, her original owner from 18 years ago has found us and is so glad that she has been saved. This man was devastated when he saw the pictures of what had happened to her.
Our current special case is Bella, a 3 year old mare that is going blind, she has cataracts. We are hoping to help her as she has many good years ahead of her. She is so very friendly and loves people. She deserves a chance.
We totally rehabilitate the horses we take in from feeding to training, even if they are already ridden, we assess them over a 6 – 8 week period and take them through our full training program from leading to riding. This is so we can best fit the horse to the new owners. There is an adoption procedure in place where I interview the potential adoptees and inspect their farm. There is an adoption contract that allows me access to the horse and vet records for follow up. I do follow up and will remove a horse if it is not being treated properly.
We rescue the horses from local auctions and take in unwanted horses for the public that can no longer care for them.
Basically in a nutshell, I have dedicated my life to helping horses. Some ask me why do people mistreat horses and I respond by saying, why do people mistreat dogs, cats, children and each other?? It is out there everywhere and we can all make a difference. My motto has become “Where the Whispers of Horses in Need are Heard”. I feel as though when I go to an auction, their eyes lead to their soul, it is as if they are saying please help me, that is where I get my strength to carry on this huge undertaking.
I BELEIVE OUR STORY DEMONSTRATES PARTNERSHIP WITH DAVE AND I, THE VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS AS WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP, WE COULD NOT ACCOMPLISH ALL THAT WE DO FOR THE HORSES. THIS STORY ALSO DEMONSTRATES OUR COURAGE TO TAKE ON SUCH A HUGE UNDERTAKING ALONG WITH THE HORSES COURAGE TO ALLOW US TO EARN THEIR TRUST

[Brooke Cooper]

Paddock Boots
Old Friends
Waiting by the door
Once your warm brown leather
Held the scent of something new
Polished in bearing
Stiff with righteousness
Sure of your technique

This morning I see the marks
Honorable wear has taken on you
Your toes curl up
From hours spent
Teaching my heels to stay down.
And I see that even leather
Has a memory

The third pair of laces
Finds a natural home
In the grooves
Carved across your tongue
Your ankles sag
When not supported by my own
From all the hours spent together
Two things become one
Finding our way home
In the stirrup

Hours of close contact
With rank horse sweat
Have emblazoned cracks
Across the arch
A badge of honor
Like the wrinkles
At the corners of my eyes

New boots could never tell
Such an interesting tale

[Amber J.]

The Warmth Of A Horse

When your day seems out of balance
and so many things go wrong
When people fight around you
and the clock drags on so long
When some folks act like children
and fill you with remorse
Go out into your pasture and wrap
your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you as he
watches with those eyes
He may not have a PhD but he
is,oh so wise!
His head rests on your shoulder
you hug him good and tight .
He puts your world in balance
and makes it seem all right.

Your tears will soon stop flowing,
the tension will be eased
The nonsense has been lifted.
You are quiet and at peace.

So when you need some balance
from the stresses in your day
The therapy you really need
Is out there eating hay!

[Shirley]

Great poem how true it is!!!

[Nora Robinson]

2 HOURS OF PRESCIOUS TIME
just 2 hours of precious time
.....in a 24 hour day
may not seem like all that much
.....but when I hear her neigh

suddenly my weary bones
are energised and light
and without a second thought
....my cloudy days turn bright.....

my greatest joy most often comes
....in watching her be free
....how she moves and interacts
without the weight of me

but then I love her ..... so much more
because she takes me on
...and puts up with my awkwardness
...because we have a bond

and on those days
when 22 hours....
is what I can endure

love and joy and happiness.....2 hours a day...
....of this I can be sure

[JUDY PAULHUS]

CHEYENNE AND SHILOH RUNNING AT THEIR NEW HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME

[Barbara Sky Horse]

.....honestly ..... these srories are just doing my head in!!
I laugh ... I cry .. I cringe ..
memories long ago tucked away, deep within come swirling up.
......I can't help wanting to just hug everyone!!
and wandering through the forum ... reading,
I keep coming across Other stories of PARTNERSHIP and COURAGE!!
Which, as I read them, think to myself...
THAT story NEEDS To Be HERE!!!
... I can't imagine the task involved in picking the winner(s)
In my mind .. They ALL deserve the Prize!!

Well Done Barnmice for such a moving Contest
And WELL DONE Mr. Micklem for Your Amazing Generosity!!

(((((((((((You All))))))))) <---- Sincere long distance hugs ;-)
~ Barby

[kerilli]

Only our partnership gave us the courage. Thankyou, my beloved mare.

[Nora Robinson]

THE PATH.......Long or short.....smooth or rough......
What always makes it better.....is that there's two of us.....

[Barnmice Admin]

Hi Everyone, The contest is now closed and William will be announcing the winners shortly. I don't envy him - these posts are ALL incredible and he'll certainly have a hard time choosing!!

[Barnmice Admin]

Hi All!

I am copying and posting William's blog post from this morning in this discussion, as it affects everyone who has entered his contest.

From William...


Why did I choose Courage and partnership as my two themes? Winston Churchill can explain the former...."Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others." And Partnership? I believe the Power of Partnership is the key to fulfilling your potential and indeed in some cases to even go beyond what would appear to be possible.

To be either a good coach, student or rider you need to be a good team player because each is half of a partnership. Of course the basis of good team work is respecting individuality and as soon as this happens individual spirits can flourish and the team is stronger. Whether I am talking about coaches or riders this is how I describe the process of team working: "The task is to complement not stand apart; to collaborate not work alone; to support not ignore in times of stress; to encourage not condemn when things go wrong; to focus on ability not disability; to be neither timid nor a ruffian, neither disparaging nor over ambitious. The task is to be there for the team."

.....and what a truly great selection of entries....if you haven't seen them do have a look at them as there are some real gems: http://www.barnmice.com/forum/topics/enter-our-partnership-and

MICKLEM BRIDLE APPROVED BY FEI

There is an added bonus both for the winners of this competition and for me because it also marks a very special stage in the progress of the Micklem bridle. It has just been officially approved by the Dressage committee of the FEI for use in International competitions where a snaffle is allowed. This is a huge step forward as all National Federations take their lead from the FEI and now no organisation can now drag their feet in approving the Micklem bridle. It really is a no brainer because it offers a more humane alternative. As Olympic dressage rider, British Dressage team captain, and Fellow of the British Horse Society RICHARD DAVIDSON said to the FEI having tested the bridle for them....

"From the Riders angle its been tested thoroughly and found to be definitely more horse friendly than other currently permitted nosebands. I am using it on my own horses and I hope it may help some riders and trainers to feel there is another option instead of the routine cranking of nosebands, and why tight nosebands man be anatomically painful and counter-productive. I recommend it is approved as soon as possible for all FEI dressage competitions where a snaffle bridle is allowed."

As you can imagine I am just so pleased about this. It has been a long slow road to get to this stage but it does seem as though we are suddenly through the fog and standing in the sunlight. Now the work to explain the merits of the Micklem bridle and how it overcomes the problems of traditional bridle s and nosebands can continue with official approval at the highest level.

NOT JUST FOR DRESSAGE RIDERS

Of course the Micklem bridle is not just for dressage riders. Hear what KAREN O'CONNOR (Current horse trials Pan American Games Individual Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist & 11 times leading USA rider) says:

“I am loving the Micklem Bridle!!! Am using it on a rather difficult and impulsive horse. It's really helpful. We have been using it on all types of horses here and have had such success with it. Mandiba ('08 Olympic horse) enjoys it too! Many jumpers in Wellington are enjoying the benefits as well."


...and high level show jumpers are just as enthusiastic....from John Ledingham (Chairman Horse Sport Ireland Coaching Team, Olympian & three times winner Hickstead Derby).....

William Micklem’s understanding of equine bio-mechanics and mental health, and his ability to think outside the box, has enabled him to develop a sure fire winner in the Micklem Bridle. If horses were choosing a bridle it would be top of their list. Let us educate our horses with kindness and reward, as happy horses reach their full potential.”

....and from Connie Kugler (Ex International German Show Jumping Team member, rider for Paul Schockemohle and now senior Coach)......

"I use Micklem bridles both on my own horses and on my student's horses. I like them very much, especially with horses that are too strong or have problems with the tongue. I use it with soft bits and I don't know why but the horses give me a good feeling, soft and loose. I now use it instead of using a pelham or draw reins. I have a mare at the moment who has been really difficult but she is really happy in the Micklem bridle. I also have a horse in partnership with Paul Schockemohle that use to go round with the tongue hanging out, but in this bridle the horse is perfect."

COMPETITION RESULTS

When we started the competition for the Micklem bridles the FEI approval was not in place so now the prizes have added value. Choosing the winners is not going to be easy! As a token of my appreciation every competition entrant can get a free chart detailing my acclaimed 'GO! Rules', which have played a huge part in my own journey with the Micklem bridle....entrants will have to put to give me a mailing address by e-mailing me at [e-mail].

Of course we now have to select the three winners! I have put a panel in place of experienced coaches and we are now going to meet to debate the merits of the entries. Rather like judging dressage there is a subjective element to this but we will do our very best to be true to the spirit of the competition. Results in my blog next week. Happy judging days! William
www.WilliamMicklem.com