Enjoy a visit with some of the Colorado State University students in the Legends of Ranching horse program as they visit about getting their horses ready for their sale April 26th.
The colts arrived with varying levels of prior handling. Some had been handled since young, while others, came from more remote environments with minimal handling. There was an attempt to halter break most before the students arrived, but “halter broke” had different interpretations within the class. Some horses had never been haltered before, while others had minimal handling for basic care, and a small group were already well-handled.
The students came from diverse riding backgrounds, with many having experience in disciplines like jumping and eventing.
The students describe the upcoming sale day (April 26th) with a preview in the morning followed by the auction in the afternoon. They anticipate high emotions as it will be their last direct interaction with the colts before they are sold. For some, this is their first live horse auction experience, which brings a different emotional aspect compared to selling other livestock. They hope potential buyers who connect with the horses will be the ones to take them.
The students share personal reflections on the impact of horses on their lives. Horses have taught them self-regulation, emotional control, and provided unconditional love and a unique form of communication based on body language. They emphasized the straightforward and honest communication style of horses and how working with them has improved their interpersonal skills and work ethic.
The students express immense respect and admiration for their instructor, Alex Parsaye. They highlighted her ability to create a positive and safe learning environment, her deep knowledge, and her genuine care for the students. They appreciate her individualized approach to teaching and training, her willingness to explain concepts thoroughly, and her role as a supportive mentor. Individualized The students emphasize the importance of treating each horse as an individual, recognizing their unique personalities and learning styles. They believe this approach fosters confidence in the horses and helps them become better learners and problem-solvers. This contrasts with more traditional methods that might be more forceful.
The students acknowledge that there isn’t just one “right” way to work with horses and value learning from various clinicians and perspectives. They appreciate understanding the “why” behind different training methods.
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