The Tale of Two Laddies

Bob McLardie has worked for over thirty years with countless horses and their owners to repair relationships, calm fears, nurture and protect and above all else bring owners to a new understanding of their horses. He brings to you The Cornerstone Approach - A Revolution in Horsemanship.

The Tale of Two Laddies is a story about the challenges and obstacles that every human being and creature face throughout life and living. The two laddies in my life brought me to a greater understanding and depth of the words ever give up.

As a horse trainer, coach and farrier, I have had the opportunity to meet many great people and horses.

I first met Laddie while I was working on a little Arab at a 450 acre ranch in Northern B.C. There was another horse on the ranch named Laddie. He was a 10 year old appaloosa gelding and he had been running wild for 8 years on the ranch. Apparently as a 2 year old Laddie had been tied to what someone had thought was a secure object but Laddie had managed to pull and drag that object. The result was a broken halter and Laddie running off. For the next 8 years Laddie had no human contact, therefore no halter on, hooves not trimmed, unlimited feeding with the cattle and unlimited pasture which led to him being severely foundered.

I learned later that Laddie had been put into a log corral and in trying to catch him that Laddie had reared up and dropped his body on the top log and it broke. Laddie was then able to scramble over the logs and was free again.

I asked the owner if I could take on the challenge of repairing Laddie's foundered feet as well as training him to be ridden with the objective of saving his life and finding him a new home. Laddie was so sore that at times he would lie down and eat by pulling himself in a circle to eat the grass where he was laying. I was surprised that he had not been attacked and killed by the large pack of wolves that were known to travel and take calves from this ranch. An agreement was made between the owner and I for me to pick up Laddie on a Sunday afternoon. I thought the owner would have him in a corral or fenced area waiting for us. When my son and I arrived he was welding some farm equipment and I asked him where Laddie was, he pointed to the large whit butt that could be seen over the rise on the distant hillside. Although disappointed, I thought that catching Laddie would not pose a great challenge I told my son it wouldn't take long! After all Laddie had sore feet.

We set off with a lead rope and halter in hand. Unknown to me was Laddie's in-depth knowledge of this 450 acres and his great desire not to be caught! Laddie knew every nook and cranny, every cow trail into the bush and pasture, and all the ways to evade capture. He would hide behind groups of cows and calves and as we got close he would scatter the cows. He would hide in small groves of trees, deadfall, brush and brambles. Laddie seemed just like a moose, he was that comfortable in the wilderness. It was hard to imagine that with his feet in such bad condition that he could continue to walk.

After 2 1/2 hours we were close to the house and close to giving up so I went in to talk to the owner. We needed to get Laddie into a smaller area. The cows were used to coming for grain so we got the grain and the cows, the 2000 lb. Bull named Harcourt, 2 huge sows, and 2 goats heading for the corral. Cam and I were part of the herd as well, the corral was full. The owner controlled the gate as the last of the animals went in. We poured the grain on the ground to get the animals settled and we started the process of cutting out cows and calves. It was easier to walk up and pat the 2000 lb. Bull, Harcourt on the head than it was to get close to Laddie. Laddie was extremely anxious and agitated and had fear written all over his face. Our idea was to cut out the cows, calves, pigs and goats, keep things calm and capture Laddie. We got the majority of the cows and calves out, then Harcourt, the pigs and the goats. There were a few Herefords left and Laddie. In trying to approach Laddie he again reared up trying to clear the log corral, but with fatigue and soreness it prevented his attempt to flee. This was our opportunity! With a bucket of grain my son approached Laddie's head. This gave me a chance to move towards Laddie's shoulder so I could stroke his withers and neck and put a halter on. Cam and I breathed a sigh of relief, this was the first time in 8 years he had had a halter on!

With the lead shank and the halter on I moved him around in the corral for a few minutes. What were amazing were that after all those hours of following behind him, Laddie now just accepted the halter and the lead shank and followed me willingly.

It was now a mile and a half walk to get Laddie to my training facility. On my way home I have to go by the farm of an old local cowboy, John. He used to break horses in the style of his father. He was sitting on his front porch and could see me walking down the road towards him. He was an old friend of Laddie's owner and had been in the corral on the first occasion when Laddie had broken free. John couldn't help himself, he came down the driveway to meet me. He asked me in amazement if that was old Laddie and how on earth die I catch him. Without going into great detail I said it took hours of walking. John looked at Laddie's feet and recognizing how badly foundered he was told me that I would never be able to repair them and what was I going to do with the horse anyway? I told him that I was pretty confident that I could fix his feet and that I was going to train him and ride him. John looked at me and said, You'll never do it. Laddie's too old, you can't teach an old dog new tricks! You're crazy! I said, Just hive me a couple of months and you can come over with the owner and have coffee while I ride Laddie.

When I got Laddie home I bathed him with the garden hose and cleaned the dirt and sweat from his body. He seemed to really enjoy the bath and drank water directly from the end of the hose. We measured and photographed his feet at this time. His feet were over 6 1/2 (they should be about 3 1/4) and the size of dinner plates. They were flared and very misshapen. It was quite remarkable that his legs and tendons had been able to take all the abuse with all the years of not being trimmed. He is a remarkable example of the will to survive!

I bedded him in deep shavings in the barn. This was another first for the old gelding. After 3 days of rest I led him to the 60 foot round pen to trim his feet. All four feet were foundered and extensive abscesses and large amounts of torn tissue. The toes on all four feet were squared off and large amounts of the flaring were removed. As much heel as possible was left on all four feet. These trimming techniques are used to aid in making a horse more comfortable and to remove the stresses from the tendons. It also allows the horse to break over the toe of the foot with the least amount of stress. (It took a year of trimming and dieting to get his feet to normal shape and condition.) Although I am familiar with heart bar shoes, it was decided that I would continue to trim his feet and work him in the soft ground in the round pen. After a couple more days of rest in the barn it was back to the round pen to teach him the basics. Without being restrained he was saddled and bridled on this day and taught to go right and left, walk on, trot and canter. Laddie had a big soft kind eye. He was so full of try and his kindness showed as he always gave 100% in whatever I asked him to try.

Laddie was about 200 lbs. overweight so I decided to put him on a diet of last year's hay and continue with a program of gradual conditioning in the round pen. At the end of 8 weeks he continued to lose weight and had been trimmed a second time. His conditioning and training was now allowing me to ride him in the 70 x 120 ft outdoor riding ring. I was pleased with the progress. He felt solid under saddle.

Corresponding with the arrival of Laddie, the second little laddie entered my life. His name was Joshua and he was a 4 year old autistic boy. (Autism is a disorder that causes delays in social and emotional development, language skills and behavior difficulties.) He visited the farm quite frequently as the care and training of Laddie continued. Joshua loved to be outside and the farm offered a safe, secure and new environment for Josh to explore. I was able to establish a relationship with Josh very quickly and he was very willing to take instructions from me. Although many other people had great difficulty in communicating with him, I was able to create a special bond with him right away. Joshua functioned at the higher end of the autism spectrum and he did have some verbal skills and was able to understand instructions that were short if he had time to process the information. Joshua always took everything that was said in the literal sense. Josh loved all the horses at the farm but he seemed to show special fondness of Laddie. Whenever I was working with Laddie Josh wanted to help. Many times he would bring his favourite toy, a Star Wars light saber and run around the riding ring waving it at Laddie who got his work out bye running away from Josh.

One exercise with Laddie using the lunge line was to teach Laddie to stand still and face me and then to come to me by giving him a hand signal. Josh would watch this process. Josh loved to make the lunge line whip up and down like a large green snake towards Laddie but wouldn't keep eye contact with the big gelding. (People with autism have difficulty making eye contact.) Being concerned that Josh should know where the horse was I would shout Josh keep your eye on the horse! Josh would still shout Whoa Waddie!\ whip the lunge line and look down at the ground. On closer observation I noticed he would peek at the horse by slightly raising his head and indeed had one eye open and one eye closed. He had one eye on the horse!!

Josh could not say Laddie, he used to call him Waddie. He got very confident working him in the round pen and the arena. He could lead him and give him instructions to whoa, and walk on. Their relationship progressed to the level where Josh would walk alongside him going to the left, Josh would say Who Waddie and lift up his right arm and the big horse would stop. Then Josh would lean his upper body forward and point his right arm and say Waddie walk on. Laddie walked on. This is a unique example of the bonding that is possible between a human being and a horse.

School was especially trying for Joshua. He required constant supervision and they had not yet mastered the skills required to communicate with him. One day the school called his mother to tell her that she would have to pick Josh up from school because the did not want to take him on a field trip. Josh's mom could not believe that with all of their education and knowledge that they would refuse to try and take Josh on the outing with his class. Joshua was also upset so his mom brought him out to the farm as a special trip. Joshua then asked if he could RIDE Laddie. Bob, Bob, I Want to wide Waddie, prease, prease!! I saddled up the big gelding and Joshua got up on the horse without any fear. I led them around the farm as Joshua gave Laddie and I directions to go right, go left, cross the bridge, walk here, walk there, whoa, walk on. Nearing the end of the ride we crashed through brush and walked through an old creek bed. As we got closer to the barn Joshua could see his mom. He shouted at the top of his lungs, I Win!! I Win!! His mother and I looked at each other in amazement. Where did that come from? When I helped Joshua down from the horse he said to me Thanks for the most beautiful horse wide! We were both brought to tears. A day that had begun with frustration and hopelessness had ended in exhilaration and success!

In retrospect, both this horse and this boy had many challenges and obstacles to overcome and yet each in their own unique way were doing their best and giving their all. We couldn't have asked for more.

I know my role was that of teacher and trainer but I know I learned so much from Joshua and Laddie about facing life's challenges and obstacles that may be in our paths, on how to start a new life and to leave the past where it belongs, in the past. Live in the moment and live in hope of an ever unfolding future. For this I thank them both.

p.s. I wintered Laddie on a strict diet. He continued to do well and in the spring a little girl and her mom came and took Laddie to his new home.

You may contact Robert through the following:

Telephone: 1-250-413-3152
E-mail: rjm@cornerstoneapproach.ca
URL: http://www.cornerstoneapproach.ca

2000 Robert J. McLardie

Gift ideas for sports peopleajay pats

This article briefly summerizes gift ideas for sports people.
- The once strict exercise regimen of many fitness enthusiasts tends to taper off in the winter months. But the latest and most advanced sports equipment not only provides top of the line performance, it motivates us to get out there and play!

Skiing

The winter is here and as the snow begins to fall, people begin to hit the mountains - sometimes literally. Nordica has a fantastic line of skis and boots that are sure to please all of the skiing friends and family.

The Trend Exo 7.1 Boot ($349) is perfect for skiers who desire comfort and ease of use. This boot has Nordica's patented Exopower technology, which combines two different synthetics of different densities - a hard frame and soft skin for the ultimate balance of performance and comfort with enhanced transmission of skier energy to the ski. It also comes with Outlast temperature regulation. Outlast is a chemical application that regulates the temperature in the boot throughout the day.

To create the perfect ski/boot system, Nordica offers the Trend 7.1 Ski ($499) to match the Trend 7.1 boot perfectly. This ski provides maximum versatility in all snow conditions at medium to high speeds. For intermediate technical skiers, the Trend 7.1 ski provides complete control on any type of terrain. The ease of use and maneuverability that distinguish these skis guarantee a great skiing experience, even for beginners.

Visit www.nordica.com to view Nordica's entire line of ski equipment, apparel and accessories. Call 800-283-6647 for a dealer near you.

In-Line Skating

Rollerblade, the founder and leader of the in-line skate industry, is introducing what they are calling their best line of skates ever. The 2001 product line incorporates some exciting new technologies that are certain to thrill the experienced skaters and entice beginners.

The new Pro 07 ($189) in-line skate is a stylish looking soft skate for intermediate to expert skaters that want excellent technical features and performance. The Pro 07 has Rollerblade's exclusive Bio Dynamic Triforce shell with an athletic shoe upper for ultimate comfort. The skate also features the third generation of Rollerblade's award winning ABT brake, the ABT Lite. This brake offers a lighter, sleeker design integrated right into the boot and frame as well as improving stopping power by 30%. The Pro 07 comes in men's and women's models.

The Advance ($119) skate is perfect for the beginner putting on their first pair of in-line skates. This comfortable skate still offers the ABT Lite brake and adds the stability of a hard shell boot that a beginner needs.

For the kids, Rollerblade offers the Maxx ($99) skate. A soft skate to ensure maximum comfort for young feet, with Rollerblade's exclusive extendable design to accommodate growing feet. The skate size is adjustable by a tool-less pushbutton device that extends 4 full sizes. Hey mom's and dad's, this means you don't have to buy them new skates every time their feet grows!

So you're skating downtown and want to pop in a shop but they won't let you in with skates on? You'll need a trendy looking backpack to easily store those skates in for just such an occasion. Rollerblade's Skate Backpack ($45) is perfect for virtually every skate size and model. Just toss a pair of sandals or shoes in the pack and make the switch when you're ready to enter your favorite store.

Visit www.rollerblade.com to view the entire line of Rollerblade skates and accessories.

Tennis

Tennis is a great sport that is back on the rise. Prince, the leader of racquet sports innovation, has some fantastic products that are sure to put a smile on your face, and a frown on your opponents.

One of Prince's newest racquets is the Triple Threat Bandit ($159). This racquet makes stealing victories look easy. The Bandit is part of Prince's Triple Threat series of racquets. The key to the success of Triple Threat is a revolutionary weighting system featuring Triple Braid - woven titanium, copper and carbon placed in three critical racquet locations: 10 O'clock, 2 O'clock and at the bottom of the handle. The Triple Threat technology produces an expanded sweet spot in every direction providing ultimate stability for increased power and control and reduced shock to the arm. This technology has resulted in Prince's most successful introduction since the launch of the oversized racquet.

If the tennis player on your list is just starting out, Prince's Synergy Series of racquets ($29-$95) is a good choice. A combination of outstanding game improvement features is what players get when they play with a Prince Synergy racquet. The new Synergy racquets are the best playing, easiest swinging racquets for the value.

Now you'll probably need a new tennis bag to carry that new racquet in, won't you? Well, Prince's new line of Hornet bags are outstanding looking. The Prince Hornet Triple 300 ($39) will hold approximately 3-4 racquets and has a total of three compartments to store all of your tennis necessities.

Visit www.princetennis.com for more tennis gear and accessories to stuff in that bag. Prince offers everything from racquets to apparel.

Racquetball

While we're on the subject of racquet sports, let's move indoors to racquetball. Racquetball is a great indoor court sport; one of the most popular in the US. If your special someone plays racquetball, you can be sure they've heard of Ektelon, the number one brand in racquetball. Power is the name of this game and Ektelon incorporates this knowledge into every racquet that they make. Here are some great products by Ektelon that are great for any racquetball player.

Ektelon's Power Ring Ultralite racquet ($169) is the lightest racquet in Ektelon's history. This racquet gives you the maneuverability a player needs without sacrificing power. The unique PowerWEB stringing design also gives you an extra power boost.

The Ripstick Titanium racquet ($129) gives you Ektelon's biggest headsize and widest frame design ever for maximum power. This racquet also has Ektelon's Sweet Spot Suspension System for a solid feel with, of course, added power.

Now you'll need some eyewear when you get on that court, you don't want to loose an eye do you? Ektelon's new Hornet Eyeguards ($25) not only protect your eyes from harmful fast moving objects, but they are also really cool looking! So ... keep your head up and your eye on the ball.

About the Author

Ajay Patole is a qualified management professional working as sales manager and runs a site 'Venturemall',a cool hangout to play money games,buy and sell in auctions,date and photochat.It is available at URL http://venturemall.tripod.com and newsletter to rediscover true colors of life at http://www.topica.com/lists/venturemall.Also he runs a community 'Venturecon', for entrepreneurs which is available at URL http://groups.msn.com/venturecon.