Name: Tonka
Gender: Gelding
Breed: Quarter Horse
Birth: 2006
Tonka came to Blue Rider from a loving family, who were able to provide him with the best of everything — feed, blankets, tack, trainers, and his own private paddock. He belonged to the daughter, and he taught her about dressage and jumping. Tonka, a Quarter Horse, was also well trained as a reined cow horse; he is very well educated in several disciplines, and the family who donated him to us loved him dearly.
Most of his training, though, emphasized obedience above all else — above his natural instincts as a horse, above any reaction to confusion or discomfort of any sort. This creates something called Learned Helplessness, which means that the animal (horse, dog, human, etc.) has learned that they cannot react to anything but the commands given by the trainer. This sounds like what we want (a quiet, obedient horse who will put up with anything), but it is created by punishing the horse for reacting to things that are naturally scary or painful, instead of supporting and reassuring them. It does not create confidence or trust between horse and rider. It is also what most of us were taught was the RIGHT way, and we often see the aftermath in both horses and humans who come to us. It has been a difficult journey for him to open up, but he has so much to teach about speaking up for one’s self.
Tonka has spent his time at Blue Rider learning that he has a voice, that we value his input in lessons, and that he can play! He is finding confidence in himself and takes great joy in the many hours he spends running and playing with his friends. It is a delight to watch him open up to the world around him.
