Do you Ride?.

by Kate
(Maritimes)

Hi Elaine!
I'm such a big fan of yours and I really want to be an apprentice someday. My only question is that I distinctly remember you writing that you were a member of Nevzorov Haute Ecole. Since the school has now evolved to remove riding from it's program, do you still ride or did you give up your membership? Sorry to be so nosey but it has been bugging me for ages!

Answer:

Hi Kate:

When I was a member of the NHE School (2006-2008) it was a requirement back then that you were not to ride your horse for at least a year, not participate in any competitive sport or use a bit. I had no problem with that at all. In fact I was already wondering deeply if we really had the horse’s best interest at heart when we did ride them and the rest was something I already was supporting and doing. As well Alexander Nevzorov had claimed that even if we were to ride it should only be done if the horse could collect himself the entire time for the safety of the horse’s back. This research was intriguing and a bit mystifying all at the same time. All in all this gave me time to analyze many things about horses I had come to believe and challenged my understandings about them. I have always been the kind of person to ask why about everything we consider to be the truth.

Like everything in this universe we cannot stop evolution (nor should we want to). Information will continue to evolve and change and providing we stay open to it, we can evolve in a positive fashion. (There was a time not so long ago that we as humans believed the earth was flat!) It doesn’t surprise me that NHE has chosen this avenue not to ride. (Until your email I had no idea about this, thanks for the update!)

Nevzorov Haute Ecole’s philosophy is quite sound (although a little too “revolutionary” for my taste: I don’t believe you can win a war with a war) and I support the research. No bits, no competition, no whip, barefoot etc. What made me feel uneasy was that Alexander himself did not participate in the forum directly nor had he ever met many of the Representatives. So who was teaching whom? There were many who spoke for him and when you get information from secondary resources the truth becomes convoluted and diluted. It became very apparent that there was a communication barrier between the country and culture they are part of vs. the rest of the countries in the world. This was most obvious when the forum became a “battle field” of “horse revolutionary” wars and political arenas. There were times many were unsure as to what the philosophy was.


Since I am a lousy soldier, I did not want to participate in a “war”. I will voice my opinion to those who ask, but you will not find me at a competitive event waving a flag suggesting they are wrong and I am right because “I” disagree with what they are doing. Everyone has the right to choose just like I have the right to choose whom I spend my time with. I remind myself often to “Be the change I wish to see in the world” and “What you resist, persists!” It’s not as passive as some may think, just look at Mother Theresa. She was once asked if she would participate in a demonstration “Against War”, she declined but then added, ”When you have a demonstration for “Pro-Peace” I will gladly attend.” She knew well then that the power of positive influence was in the demonstrating of what you “do” want to see in the world, not in the pushing against what you do not want to see in the world.

Does NHE’s decision change me?

Well, my philosophy is evolving too and hopefully I will continue to learn and move in a forward direction. I do want to see more people looking at horses like they would a companion sharing this earth with us rather than a means to just ride. Riding is not my first priority nor will it be for unless I can honestly look into the horse’s heart where the truth of freedom lies I cannot consciously see myself treating them like a means to an end for my personal ego self.

Our philosophy is not to force our human wants and needs upon nature but to ask permission and coexist with all life. We have established a unique and beautiful relationship with the amazing and magnificent horses at our place. We are not a “riding business” but do when given consent ride with our friends, the horses, we are not a training facility but do learn with and coach others to understand the relationship with horses and humans. When we are privileged to rise upon their backs, these rides are short and in treeless saddles with no bits. Then often to a greener pasture where the horses “want” to go and eager to get there.

We have the power to choose and let no club, organization, culture or society dictate this for you otherwise you will feel like the horses on a dude string, just following the guy in front not knowing why but hoping it leads to somewhere nice like home! :0)

Elaine Polny
Training Horses Naturally