Kenda's Philosophy
Kenda teaches the basics of horsemanship. She teaches you how to be in control of all 4 feet, how to feel the movement of different gaits, and when to ask. She teaches what a soft feel should be like. She teaches softness and how to get into your horses' mind. She teaches how it's not only about the exercising of the horses' muscles that is important, but the exercise of the mind in equal as well. Kenda will help your horse to learn to respect you, as well as love you and eagerly await your next visit with anticipation of what will come next.
My program in Horsemanship is not about “RIDING”. It must start with the psychology of the horse. It doesn’t do you much good to come learn about riding when you don’t understand the mental make-up of the 1100 pound animal either you or your child is going to get on top of. These are animals that have their own minds, they have their own spirit. They are to be respected. If you go to a place to learn about only RIDING, in my opinion you are setting yourself up for disaster. For instance, if you go to take “riding lessons” and the horse is already tied up to the pole, saddled and “ready to go”, what have you learned already... well you learned "JUST GET ON AND RIDE". This is COMPLETELY the wrong idea. DON’T just get on and ride, go through your ground checks first, make sure that horse is in the right frame of mind to... GET ON AND RIDE!! I’d surely like to know that BEFORE I “get on and ride”, wouldn’t you?
Learn the animal, learn to respect and admire that animal. Learn how to care for that animal. Learn “how” it moves, how it thinks, what it likes, what it doesn’t!
I cannot completely do away with horse-related accidents, but I believe I can reduce the percentage of accidents related to horses. I believe through ADMIRATION, CLEAR COMMUNICATION, AND LEADERSHIP you can have a safer environment with your horse and other horses.
To learn more you can contact me by either email at kendafirkins@tx.rr.com or by phone at 817-291-2829.
Thank you for your interest.
~ Kenda ~
Kenda loves A Rider's Prayer below, as she feels it describes her feelings about horses, and the relationship she strives to have with them.
Give me to eat, give me to drink, and worry about me when the day’s work is done, give me shelter, a clean bed and a wide box, talk to me, often your voice substitutes for the reins, be good to me and I will gladly serve you and love you. Don’t jerk the reins, and forego the whip when we go up a rise. Don’t hit or kick me should I not understand you, give me time to understand. Don’t think me disobedient should I not follow your orders, perhaps the harness and hooves are not in order. Examine my teeth should I not eat, perhaps I have a bad tooth. You know how much that can hurt. Don’t tie me too short and don’t braid my tail, it is my only weapon against flies and mosquitoes. And at the end, dear master, when I am no longer useful, don’t let me go hungry and cold and don’t sell me. Don’t give me to a new master, one who will torture me to death and let me starve, but give me a quick and compassionate death, dear master, and God will reward you, in this life and the next. Let me ask this of you, not in disrespect, when I request it in the name of Him who too was born in a stable, your savior Jesus Christ.
Amen
(From an inscription in an old English barn)
Copyright© 2010 Kenda Firkins - All rights reserved