TRUST WITH ANIMALS NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 3rd, 2021

            There are 3 things that I find especially important now in my everyday life. They are being peaceful, patient, and persistent. Waking up each morning with these three "P's" hovering in my awareness, brings a sense of calmness, acceptance, and determination into my existence.

            First I meditate, next I plan my day, then I set out with my intention to make the day productive, purposeful, and enjoyable.     Most days I meet my expectations.
Some days I do not, and that is OK too. We are not machines or robots, we function in a complicated mind, with a body that sometimes cannot keep up with our intentions. So, I smile to myself and let that go.
            It's the same intention I carry with me when I go to work with animals using the Trust Technique. In fact, I learned the 3 "P's" from their program. Now, as a Trust Technique Practitioner, it has become sort of a mantra for me. 
Learning to get peaceful with your animal, being patient through that learning process, and being persistent in your practice of mindfulness with them, produces an elevation into a much deeper relationship.  It’s about letting go of the busy-ness in your life and letting in the peace. Ultimately, it’s about building trust and confidence in both you and your animal. Then you can imagine shared goals and fun.

​             In my work with animals and their people I have witnessed so many shifts of consciousness, so many problems being solved. Peaceful solutions develop without domination or assertiveness coming into the picture. We truly can connect in spirit and energy with animals. Be still and they will show you how. 
           
Christine and Solo have opened this avenue of new awareness and conversation between each other. Here is her story of the evolution that took place and continues since I introduced her to the Trust Technique back in October 2020. 

  Solo’s Journey
 
    Solo came to me in the summer of 2020, from a local rescue. They had done a lot with him and drastically improved his life and relationship with people in the time they'd had him, and he was ready to go to the right home, but he was still distrustful of people. 
     Something about him told me that I should take him home--maybe it was the look in his eyes that I understood all too well, the desire for peace. But I am probably just projecting, lol. Regardless, I am a sucker for the ones that need a little extra love. So together we embarked on this journey. 
     These last few months I have been taking things from scratch with him. Step 1 was getting the halter OFF, which was a feat in and of itself. My goal was and is to always take things one step at a time, never forcing him beyond what he was comfortable with, so things have taken time, but we have had all the time in the world. 
     Since having learned how to get present using the Trust Technique with Barb Vince, I've been building trust with him through patience and persistence in 5-10 minutes sessions most days. We have progressed from him trusting me, to petting his nose. Now he will stand completely calm, loose in the pasture, and allow me to halter him. 
      This has been a new journey for me, and I am learning from him all the time and continually reminding myself to meet him in reality: being present, honest, and aware. This isn't always easy, but as I've learned, so has Solo. First step, trust. The next? Time will tell.   Christine Steendam



Wondering where Trust Technique might take you on your journey with your animal? 

Join us on a FREE Presentation on the Trust Technique on ZOOM
February 12th & 26th Fridays 7:00 PM cst
March 12th & 26th Fridays 1:00 PM cst

Or book a Private Consultations for you and your animal by ZOOM. Either way or both ways, it will bring a new peace into your relationship...for both of you. 

Contact me for more information, to reserve Presentation spot, or book a Consultation.

Barb Vince
barbandspirit@gmail.com
1-204-841-3991
trustwithanimals.ca

Until next time, may the horse be with you...peacefully. 

​

Barb Vince

Trust Technique Practitioner
Presenter and Consultant

 
Imagine…having a deeper relationship with any animal.
 
The Trust Technique can help all sentient beings with this gently,
profound non-dominant approach. The result is a new dimension
of trust and confidence between animals and humans.

~ Experience a quantum shift in shared feelings, trust, and confidence.
~ Overcome problems in a kind, considerate way, which saves time.
~ Develop inspired levels of cooperation making training/ learning a delight!
 
Is this the missing “peace” you are look for in your relationship with your animal?
Evolve with the discovery of this non-dominant way to connect with any animal.
 
You will come to hold your animal in higher regard, and remove areas
of high thinking, stress, and anxiety for you both. Solve your animal’s
behavior problems and create a more pleasant, joyful coexistence.
 
I offer FREE 1-hour Trust Technique Presentations for groups
of animal owners or caregivers. The method works with wild or
domestic animals. Many animal care organizations can benefit
such as - animal rescues, zoos, shelters, sanctuaries, and
wildlife protection facilities. Also, veterinarians, animal therapists,
breeders, dog obedience students, horse, or dog agility clubs,
sport or leisure riding associations or clubs.
 
Private 1-hour consultation sessions can be purchased to explore
and develop this deep connection between you and your animal.
This is a great opportunity to learn one-on-one in the method with your animal.
The Trust Technique truly offers the missing “peace” in our relationships with animals.
 
Presentations and Consultations are available via a video link.
In-person presentations and consultations will be available
when it is deemed safe for people to gather.
 
Barb Vince is a graduate and alumnae of the Trust Technique,
based out of the UK. She holds a Practitioner’s license to offer her services
anywhere in the world. She is one of the two certified Practitioners located in Canada.
Barb has 30 years of experience as an equine trainer and teacher,
specializing in animal communication, bitless riding, liberty training,
horse agility and barefoot hoofcare.
 
Learn more about the Trust Technique:
http://trust-technique.com/product/messages-of-trust/tt/102
 
Contact Barb to book a Presentation or Private Consultation with your animal.
 
Phone 204-841-3991, St. Malo, Manitoba, Canada
EMAIL barbandspirit@gmail.com, WEBSITE www.trustandfreedom.com
https://www.facebook.com/barb.vince.965/
​

    
Introducing: Inigio Montoya 

A very dignified name for a smart, sweet pony.
He resides with and presides over a herd of
equines – horses, mini horses and donkeys.
​It's his job...according to him, and he is very proud of it! 

He holds court in a pasture at Hooves N’ Hounds Stables in St. Malo, Manitoba.  My mare Zoie is one of his subjects. Inigio presented his dominant side as Zoie was being transitioned into HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS's pasture. Indy 500, I nicknamed him, because the little guy can run like a racing Maserati! When Zoie was moved into Indy’s domain, the little red Royal Highness chased her around and away from HIS subjects for a couple days. Zoie had more exercise in those 2 days, then she likely has had all year, seriously! 

At first, I saw him as a bully, the leader without a heart. I questioned why his fellow horse mates would be so loyal to him. Leadership by dominance is controlling and can lead to danger and trauma for the pursued and the pursuer. I thought...this is a horse that needs some help being more peaceful. I asked Jessi, stable owner, if I would be allowed to help Inigio feel less threatened or antagonistic. She was pleased I asked and agreed. Jessi stated that Indy was quite sweet in nature, being a favorite pet of her children.

Hoof N’ Hounds, which Jessi co-manages and owns is an animal rescue and boarding stable. Indy was awaiting sale at a local auction yard. He was the last horse in the lot. Passed over due to his feet being in terrible condition and obvious lameness. Jessi approached him in the pen. He was calm and friendly, despite his pain. His level of tolerance of pain must have been unusually high. Still, imagine the anxiety he must have felt and all the other equines assembled. More often than not, “kill buyer” purchase most of these rejected horses, then they would be loaded into trailers bound for distant slaughter houses. The reasons these equines were destined to this fate most often are simply being old, or lame or the owner could no longer afford their care and feeding. Many are often just misunderstood and not in the hands of people who care enough or are capable of good horse management. Many may have tried selling them privately and failed due to the horses’ perceived behavior problems. Others just want to be rid of them, put some cash in their pocket and hope the animal gets a new home. For those with chronic, unmanageable illnesses, a better kindness is a vet with a needle to put them to sleep instead of a trip to the auction yard. 

Many times these horses are foundered, suffering from chronic laminitis. Their person perhaps lacked in money, knowledge or time to try to help their horse. As a barefoot hoof care practitioner and clinician, I have seen dozens of these cases presented during my clinics. There is hope for these equines. With nutritional & diet changes, natural horse care and trimming, I know that a good percentage of these "cast away" horses could live a much longer and pain free life. Indy was lucky that day...and just don't get me started about lucky horseshoes...the metal abomination nailed into their hoof walls, into the interior soft tissue of the hoof capsule. Theonly lucky horses are those that never had to wear shoes. 

Indy kept catching my eye in the pasture as time went by. He was seeming aloof and untrusting, staying out of the throng of horses I greeted in HIS pasture upon my visits. I could see he had times of lameness. I also could tell that was being managed and monitored well. He was one of the fortunate fellows and dames that populated HIS pasture, and the adjacent one which housed another small, close knit herd. 

Indy's herd numbered just under a dozen and I could see Zoie was accepted whole heartedly after a few days of oppression by His Royalness. She thinks herself of some royal blood as well, coming from a long line of Missouri Foxtrotting horses out of Missouri, formerly from deliberate crossings of Arab, Thoroughbred and Canadian and Morgan horse stock to name a few. She is part of the "gaited” community of other amblers, pacers, and foxtrotting stock including Tennessee Walking Horses and Standardbreds. So, she shook off his offense to her, and repositioned her head upward in a royal manner and carried on. 

Recently... I have been spending time being present, meditating and visiting with this herd, whilst sitting in my chair.  My Bumblebee red and black Royal red plastic lawn chair… ahem, among Indy's herd. I had come to have a reputation among the herd to occasionally have a horse cookie to offer. I gained a lot of friends quickly...but not Indy. Oh, he would eventually come for a cookie, snatch it out of my mittened hand, then bustled himself away, his imagined royal robes flowing out behind him in a most pretentious manner as he fled. Slowly over a couple of weeks span in January, he could see I had no agenda, with my mind quietly studying, sending love and peace to him and his majesty’s loyal subjects. 

Then at last...a few days ago, dear Indy deemed it important to check me out at a closer range.  There sat I, upon my patio chair throne. Just he and I, eye to eye, heart to heart, feelings and thoughts intermingling. He muzzled and nuzzled and revelled in my scratches, which became a mutual grooming session of peacemaking. I would become present, send love and peace to Indy and in return he started to openly share his thoughts and feelings. 

The peaceful state induced by being present in a meditative state with a horse and relaying your thoughts of peacefulness, trust and love has a very powerful and positive effect on animals. They start to relax, sometimes to the point of laying down. They will often need to release the stress they have held inside, much like humans, that they carry in their day to day existence, or from their past. 

Somehow in space, time or no time, we connected, he felt safe to show me his thoughts. He would look intently at me, get dreamy sleepy, then his eyes searched mine. Was it safe to trust? To share his thoughts and feelings? Yes, came the answer from him, as he swivelled his head around, gesturing to me with his muzzle pointed. He was watching Zoie and a couple of other members of his herd in a separate corral to his right. He would swing his head back to me and I understood clearly that it was his job to continually check on everyone. I recognized his thought and he then switched directions to stare far to his left at the remainder of his herd gathered around a hay bale. This group too was a part of his overseeing obligation. In fact, he conveyed his feelings proudly and a bit anxiously stating that everything which moved or didn't move within his domain was ever under his watchful eye. 

He is truly a protective, conscientious monarch. What an important job and position he has! Clearly, being a herd leader is hard work, with little pay and little time off! He barely mentioned his feet, saying they are a lot better now and makes his work easier. I mentally bowed to him and gave him his due. I have begun to understand how brave and honest this pony is.  Newcomers beware, whether you are fox, hound or fellow, Indy has his eye on you! I can't wait for further insights he might express as our relationship continues.

Me, I am just the listener, and I hold a space of peace and trust where the animal can relax and freely communicate. Thanks Indy. It's been an honour to be allowed to glimpse into your heart and soul.   

Want to meet your real horse?  I suggest you stand or sit near them, get very still and listen. In this exercise of peaceful presence, after you release your agenda, calm your busy mind, you may have opened a doorway to your real horse and their story. 

​Thanks to The Trust Technique, where I have already learned much about their peaceful gateway into the inner mind of an animal. I look forward to continuing my journey with Trust Technique. Beginning in March, I I began my 1 year long intensive online study and practicum, in order to obtain my Level 3 Diploma in the Trust Technique. Upon graduation, I will be certified as a Trust Technique Consultant and Presenter. I would then offer one-on-one consultations between a person and their animal (equine or domestic animal) as well as give demonstrations, and presentations to the public.
​ 
Visit www.trust-technique.com  to learn more about a kinder, more peaceful way to deepen your relationship and solve any behavior issues they may be presenting to you. There is more to their story to learn and a more peaceful way to co-exist. You both deserve this peace. 
Barb Vince
Freedom Horsemanship, St. Malo, Manitoba, Canada
barbandspirit@gmail.com 
www.trustandfreedom.com
    

If you are moved by this article, please press like below and/or leave me a message here or on my contact page. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great 2020!

I thought I knew a lot about horses after almost three decades of studying with well known natural trainers in Canada, USA and the UK, and teaching horsemanship, horse agility and natural hoofcare...I had but scratched the surface.  Underneath the skin and bone, there lies a heart and soul of a horse that can be reached only from our heart and soul. 
     So started my journey a few years back to find the link to that heart and soul.  My journey led me to Carolyn Resnick, a California based world class teacher in HORSE. Her method brought me closer to these magnificent animals and within fingertip reach to their true essence.  This was a wonderful part of my education. Meeting this dynamic, kind and intuitive woman was to me like meeting Ghandi, or Mother Teresa. 
I studied with her and her trained instructors over 3 years. Now I was getting close. 

     My next step of evolution came from James French, a UK teacher of animal behavior via his THE TRUST TECHNIQUE. I began studying his online Video course in 2017. I was knocked out of my shoes by what he taught. Imagine...a real encounter with the moment to moment thinking and feelings from the horse, or pet, that without lifting a finger towards them, connects to the marrow of their being.  WOW!  I became a stronger believer in true intuitive communication, which is based on mindfulness with the horse, very non invasive, just being with them in a peaceful state of mind and exchanging thoughts and feelings. 
 
His was not a training program so much as a "connection" program that worked with any animal imaginable...from lions and tigers and bears..to our furry pets. I am sure it would work on an ant! 

     I have found that these insights have worked wonderfully in creating an even deeper relationship with my own animals.  I strongly suggest you check out his on-line mini course to learn about this amazing program. www.trust-technique.com. As he says, "Trust is everything"! 

My next  journey with Trust Method begins  in March, 2020, which will take me through and intensive program to become certified, and gradute as a Trust Technique Consultant. It will be an intense year of study of the 

      I welcome your comments, questions and hope to see you in 2020. I will be teaching out of Hooves and Hound Stables in St. Malo in the form of private or group lessons on being. I am available to teach workshops as well in other locations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

 Freedom Horsemanship offers a blending of feelings, thoughts and love between equine and human.
  Happy horsing around
​
​Barb