Human-Equine Relationships

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning everyone. I am a student and teacher of equitation and I am thrilled to share with you my thoughts on Tik Maynard's book, "In the Middle Are the Horsemen". This book captures his amazing journey in becoming a competent horseman, and how his connection with horses has grown. In this presentation, I will investigate the methods of horsemanship as stated in this book, and consider how the ideas of these customs can be employed in other areas of life..

[Audio] ""In the Middle Are the Horsemen" is a book that provides lessons about compassion, respect, and trust between humans and horses. It is filled with interesting and informative content that will surely benefit those who are active in the equestrian industry..

[Audio] Maynard learnt the importance of patience, listening, timing and feel during his time with Savannah, upon which the foundations of his success as a horseman were built. Subsequently, Maynard was captivated when he saw these same principles in action with Ingrid Klimke - not only did it make training a rewarding experience for both horse and rider, but also enabled Ingrid to form an unbreakable connection with her gold medal partner, Abraxxas. Let us delve further into this..

Abraxxas. Horse mouth. Maynard discusses his experience with Ingrid Klimke, a German Olympic eventer and dressage rider who was one of his mentors, starting in Chapter 15. Her ability to ride different horses with ease and harmony, as well as her attitude of making training pleasurable and rewarding for both horse and rider, impressed him. He also watched her bond with her horses, particularly her gold medal partner, Butts Abraxxas. he says, "Ingrid had a relationship with Abraxxas that went beyond words,“. (Maynard, 2018) Tik explains that Ingrid was familiar with the horse from head to toe, his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes. He thought it was fascinating that she treated him as a friend, not as a tool..

[Audio] Tik Maynard has created his own approach to horsemanship, prioritizing the bond between horse and human. Rather than solely focusing on physical techniques, he takes into account the emotional and spiritual needs of horses and integrates approaches from various trainers and disciplines. This enables him to tailor methods to the specific horse and its environment, leading to a trusting and respectful partnership..

[Audio] Adapting to horses requires patience, persistence and understanding. It is important to observe and read the individual horse, customizing your technique to fit their character, temperament and preferred way of learning. Clear, repeated cues as well as communication through voice, body language and even gestures should be used to gain trust and respect from the horse, allowing an enjoyable and rewarding relationship to be formed..

[Audio] Tik Maynard's book "In the Middle Are the Horsemen" has an approach to training horses that is built on understanding the horse's viewpoint and using natural horsemanship approaches. Maynard looks for equilibrium between the horse and human to make it possible for them to have meaningful connections. Monty Roberts, a renowned horse trainer and promoter of natural horsemanship, is cited often in Maynard’s book as a source of motivation and influence. Roberts illustrates in his book "The Man Who Listens to Horses" how natural horsemanship can improve human-horse relationships in a variety of scenarios and disciplines. This technique of horse training is based on developing a good relationship with horses without fear or force, using the "join-up" method..

[Audio] Horse training is a diverse and multifaceted field, and due to this variation, there can be no single approach that works for every horse. Rather, a variety of techniques can be used to suit the needs of individual horses, both for their benefit and to strengthen the bond between horse and human. By exploring the different approaches to horsemanship, owners can find the right fit for their particular horse and develop a successful equine-human partnership..

[Audio] The book "In the Middle Are the Horsemen" offers personal guidance and insight for those seeking it, and is an inspiring and touching read..

[Audio] Maynard's book is a remarkable testament to the complexity of the relationship between humans and horses. It is a vivid demonstration of equestrian wisdom and demonstrates Maynard's willingness to learn from others. He shows a strong commitment to improving himself as a rider, which is truly remarkable. His story of learning how to interact with horses in a respectful manner is very moving. His journey of self-discovery, along with his encounters with those in the equestrian industry, paints a picture of the importance of showing understanding and compassion in our interactions with animals. Through his experiences, Maynard has provided us with a valuable insight into our relationships with horses and the rewards they can bring..

[Audio] As a teacher in Higher Education, I would like to direct your attention to the resources used in Tik Maynard's book, "In the Middle Are the Horsemen". This book offers a great insight into the equestrian industry, and these resources provide even further details on topics such as three-day eventing, the relationship between horse and rider, and the importance of earning the trust of a thoroughbred. These resources include the National Geographic book, "The Man Who Listens to Horses", Maynard's own Trafalgar Square book, "In the Middle Are the Horsemen", the Practical Horseman article, "Tik Maynard: Earning the Trust of a Thoroughbred", and "The Principles of Riding" by Prentice Hall. With the help of this knowledge, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the equestrian industry, and the importance of interacting and developing meaningful relationships with horses. I hope these resources enable you to better comprehend the equestrian industry..