Potty and I did the Jump Cross pairs, 2'3" at Ticknall this October. It was the first time we'd done this class, and boy did we have fun.
Maestro was a superstar!! He felt steadier than last year, although we came in at 3:33, 3 seconds faster than last year. He was "with" me all the way ound, listening to me saying "steady" when we had to reorganise ourselves for a single jump. what a change from last year when he just raced round with me taking a passenger lesson! :)
It reflected the change I noticed in him at Stoneleigh. this year I felt happy to ride him in the big field with just a c/s, doing puzzles, patterns and attached to helen and Paris. He could bring his life up, and drop in down again so easily. Last year I would have been anxious about doing this, but hey guess what I discovered, I get impulsive, and I sometimes think my life is down, when my energy is still up in my body....Thanks Carmen Z for catching me doing this! my self awareness is sometimes lacking because I'm too busy thinking/planning/reviewing, to be in the moment! (which is of course where my horse is...) D'oh...
Thursday, 22 October 2009
A Review of a Busy Summer with Jerry
This summer, I had some great opportunities to advance my horsemanship, and although I couldn't make all the courses/events, etc I did as much as I could. My husband still has a strong opposition reflex to horses and associated activities, but I'm working on finding a balance point!
Jerry has been out and about with me, to another course at Barbara's with Rachel. We played on the ground, pushing his buttons, and he showed quite a bit of attitude. I see this as progression though, I feel as though he's exploring new boundaries and feeling able to express his personality and views.
I had everything on his back, balls, tarps, etc, and he was calm and accepting even when i was boucing the balls and he was trotting along. However, he still lost the plot somewhat when he thought someone may get on him. There wasn't really a safe place to mount in the field, and although Rachel tried she felt he was too unpredictable and suggested Dave or David Zund/James Roberts to help him progress.
What really struck me was how attached he is to me. He was in the stable when I moved my car and trailer around the barn, and although Helen and Barbara were with him, he screamed a whinny when he lost sight of my car! as soon as I drove back into sight he was wickering away to me.
I took Jerry with me when I went to Shropshire to be Dave's Student. What a week we had.
I learnt how Dave lays a horse down, and the reasons why. It is done for the horse, not the human, and is not without danger for both involved. Dave showed me the technque Ray Hunt taught him last year, where a saddle can also be used to give a bit of extra leverage. Dave laid Jerry down, but in stages, and after I had had time to think it through and assess the risk. Thanks to Steve on this one who really helped me think it through!
One of the important lessons the horse learns is how to move on 3 legs. When I watched Dave with Jerry, I was worried - it was my beautiful boy in the round pen - and i was willing him to go down quickly without a fight. I was amazed that this horse could go from almost on the floor, one foreleg out in front of him, the other tied up, to vertical on his hind legs in one movement. The power and strength of the feelings within him was staggering to see. I also saw a really spirited little dun pony who fought Dave like his life depended on it. He was 7, and had always lived out in a herd. I could see what wild mustangs must be like! Dave took 3 hours one day to get a "try" out of this little guy - they were both dripping in sweat at the end.
Dave rode Jerry 4 times during the week. Firstly in the round pen, and then in the big school, and eventually up the road and round the yard. Jerry didn't give him an easy time. After a couple of bucking bronco style circuits of the pen, Dave decided he wasn't the kind of horse you can just ride the buck out of. I still have the mental image of Dave holding the front and back of his saddle as Jerry careered around. It made me think do i want to ride that?!
I rode Jerry 3 times in the week. Once in the round pen with Dave on the end of the 12' -passenger style, then on the saturaday and sunday in the clinique. The saturday was amazing. I took the time it takes to get Jerry into the right frame of mind. This meant several hours of playing, and stepping up in the stirrups. Then getting the HQ to disengage and a few calm steps forward. I rode him on my own in the school, with Dave giving a running commentry to the audience and instructions to me. It was a bit scary. but the NLP Steve had done with me before I went helped. Jerry is an amazing horse to ride. I thought trot and got it, sat down thought canter and got it, and the same with downward transitions. However, I felt him reading me, like a submarine sonar. I need to be confident enough for both of us, because there's a lot of attitude and he will test me.
Sunday was different. It was raining heavily, and both Jerry and I hate the rain. still we had to do as we were told; Dave got me to mount before he was ready, and with the other horses in the school. I found this a real challenge, and so did Jerry. I had to close him down fast a couple of times, and the other riders were looking very anxious. When Dave said to go out into the park - 3000 acres - I said no, that was enough for me, my confidence had all gone by then.
I was really upset that it ended like that. I felt angry with myself that I couldn't "cowboy up" enough to ride him out, but I knew that I was lacking big time. I understand why Dave pushed me to breaking point, like he said, he's not here at home so I've got to be able to do it alone, and I need to know what to expect, and what to do. I also need to accept that I'm likely to hit the deck. Although I don't want to do that, reinforcing a negitive pattern is my major worry, as he's managed to dump pretty much everyone except Dave, or those who wont admit it! The problem is with a horse like Jerry, and with my current savvy, there's a gap and I feel the need of another savvy person to see the things I can't - like his eyes and hind legs, whilst my leg goes over. Dave tells me to mount him like he's been mounted a million times, but also like it's the first time!. (Finese, balance, timing and feel.)
where do I go from here? I haven't ridden him since then. I came back from the course, and went away on holiday, then I went to Stoneleigh and we did an online course. Jerry was amazing, and the best thing of all was being able to get his life right up so he would go off at a fast canter, reach the fence, diengage, and look at me eyes bright and ears up asking "what's next? No falling off the cliff!!!
Talking to Carmen Zulaf I found out about her mare, who is not dissimilar to Jerry, although not as extreme. Also playing and being more particular with zones and feet made me realise there are some holes around z3, and things I should work on which will help to build confidence in both of us, so that's my plan for now.
Jerry has been out and about with me, to another course at Barbara's with Rachel. We played on the ground, pushing his buttons, and he showed quite a bit of attitude. I see this as progression though, I feel as though he's exploring new boundaries and feeling able to express his personality and views.
I had everything on his back, balls, tarps, etc, and he was calm and accepting even when i was boucing the balls and he was trotting along. However, he still lost the plot somewhat when he thought someone may get on him. There wasn't really a safe place to mount in the field, and although Rachel tried she felt he was too unpredictable and suggested Dave or David Zund/James Roberts to help him progress.
What really struck me was how attached he is to me. He was in the stable when I moved my car and trailer around the barn, and although Helen and Barbara were with him, he screamed a whinny when he lost sight of my car! as soon as I drove back into sight he was wickering away to me.
I took Jerry with me when I went to Shropshire to be Dave's Student. What a week we had.
I learnt how Dave lays a horse down, and the reasons why. It is done for the horse, not the human, and is not without danger for both involved. Dave showed me the technque Ray Hunt taught him last year, where a saddle can also be used to give a bit of extra leverage. Dave laid Jerry down, but in stages, and after I had had time to think it through and assess the risk. Thanks to Steve on this one who really helped me think it through!
One of the important lessons the horse learns is how to move on 3 legs. When I watched Dave with Jerry, I was worried - it was my beautiful boy in the round pen - and i was willing him to go down quickly without a fight. I was amazed that this horse could go from almost on the floor, one foreleg out in front of him, the other tied up, to vertical on his hind legs in one movement. The power and strength of the feelings within him was staggering to see. I also saw a really spirited little dun pony who fought Dave like his life depended on it. He was 7, and had always lived out in a herd. I could see what wild mustangs must be like! Dave took 3 hours one day to get a "try" out of this little guy - they were both dripping in sweat at the end.
Dave rode Jerry 4 times during the week. Firstly in the round pen, and then in the big school, and eventually up the road and round the yard. Jerry didn't give him an easy time. After a couple of bucking bronco style circuits of the pen, Dave decided he wasn't the kind of horse you can just ride the buck out of. I still have the mental image of Dave holding the front and back of his saddle as Jerry careered around. It made me think do i want to ride that?!
I rode Jerry 3 times in the week. Once in the round pen with Dave on the end of the 12' -passenger style, then on the saturaday and sunday in the clinique. The saturday was amazing. I took the time it takes to get Jerry into the right frame of mind. This meant several hours of playing, and stepping up in the stirrups. Then getting the HQ to disengage and a few calm steps forward. I rode him on my own in the school, with Dave giving a running commentry to the audience and instructions to me. It was a bit scary. but the NLP Steve had done with me before I went helped. Jerry is an amazing horse to ride. I thought trot and got it, sat down thought canter and got it, and the same with downward transitions. However, I felt him reading me, like a submarine sonar. I need to be confident enough for both of us, because there's a lot of attitude and he will test me.
Sunday was different. It was raining heavily, and both Jerry and I hate the rain. still we had to do as we were told; Dave got me to mount before he was ready, and with the other horses in the school. I found this a real challenge, and so did Jerry. I had to close him down fast a couple of times, and the other riders were looking very anxious. When Dave said to go out into the park - 3000 acres - I said no, that was enough for me, my confidence had all gone by then.
I was really upset that it ended like that. I felt angry with myself that I couldn't "cowboy up" enough to ride him out, but I knew that I was lacking big time. I understand why Dave pushed me to breaking point, like he said, he's not here at home so I've got to be able to do it alone, and I need to know what to expect, and what to do. I also need to accept that I'm likely to hit the deck. Although I don't want to do that, reinforcing a negitive pattern is my major worry, as he's managed to dump pretty much everyone except Dave, or those who wont admit it! The problem is with a horse like Jerry, and with my current savvy, there's a gap and I feel the need of another savvy person to see the things I can't - like his eyes and hind legs, whilst my leg goes over. Dave tells me to mount him like he's been mounted a million times, but also like it's the first time!. (Finese, balance, timing and feel.)
where do I go from here? I haven't ridden him since then. I came back from the course, and went away on holiday, then I went to Stoneleigh and we did an online course. Jerry was amazing, and the best thing of all was being able to get his life right up so he would go off at a fast canter, reach the fence, diengage, and look at me eyes bright and ears up asking "what's next? No falling off the cliff!!!
Talking to Carmen Zulaf I found out about her mare, who is not dissimilar to Jerry, although not as extreme. Also playing and being more particular with zones and feet made me realise there are some holes around z3, and things I should work on which will help to build confidence in both of us, so that's my plan for now.
Monday, 1 June 2009
Past Present and Future
Well, Many thanks to Norma,for suggesting we all do this, and of course Max for making it a requirement of the groups commitment to "never ending self improvement".
I refelect and review constantly, and in my "day job" it is written down. I reflect and think constantly about my horses (much to my husands annoyance) but i don't commit it to type -why? because of the time it takes and arguements it causes. I can review, dabate and re-run things in my head, or find them in a book whilst we sit watching TV in an evening, in the same room. Typing/pc use annoys him (so why doesn't ironing??- topic for another day I feel!!)
So, the solution.... do my thinking, write bullet points, and type up little and often. Will do more when the opportuntiy arises!
Past
So, where was i this time last year? Having achieved L2 and starting to play in L3, I was looking forward to summer with Maestro and Jerry, learning to control a 45' line, and a week at Stoneleigh: natural lead changes. I didn't honestly expect to get any, and I wasn't disappointed!!!
What I did get was a better understanding of where I was, not my horse. I know he's having to wait for me whilst my savvy level increases, and I know that graph is not a smooth incline. I realised that my journey is exactly that, MY journey and I learnt not to compare where I was to where others were. I saw things which inspired me in each of the people and horses on the course, and met some people I hoped would stay in my life.
Jerry was still a big challenge for me, but he finally let down. (only took 2 years, lol!) I think he had been moved about so often he had to go through the "time limit " to know he was going to stay with me. Plus I used a horse communicator, boy have I learnt about some alternative therapies from him!
Present
Having fun!! :)
I don't pressure myself about a green string, that'll happen when it happens. My time is divided between work, university, family, and my horses, they are all interlinked and interdependent, and if I try to bring any of the direct line thinking from the other parts of my life into my horsemanship, it will ruin it.
My attitude is such that I set myself goals, such as a focus for a session, but if it all goes in another direction, great! If i get bored or feel frustration creeping around, I change what we're doing. I have two horses that need different things. Maestro likes change and loves a bit of speed! Jerry likes repetition as an unconfident learner, and likes calm. I feel I have many arrows in my quiver now, and it takes a lot to shake me. I know I'm a grounded type of person, so i try not to have feet of clay, sometimes I need to be "upthere" a bit for both my guys.
I read a lot of horse books, watch dvd's youtube, sky programmes about different horsemen and women and try to widen my knowledge about horsemanship. I really enjoy our group meetings, and it's great to be with such postive people, all committed to developing themselves and their horses in the way that is best for their relationship.
My Dream
Well no-one said think small, and Norma asked,so here it is, this is what I really really would love to do.
I would like to operate an Holistic Horse Centre. Working with professionals, helping students with their horsemanship. Start/restart/rehabilitate horses, and offer a range of alternative therapies including Communication and Reiki.
Sam x
/\,,/\
0 0
(o o)
/\
I refelect and review constantly, and in my "day job" it is written down. I reflect and think constantly about my horses (much to my husands annoyance) but i don't commit it to type -why? because of the time it takes and arguements it causes. I can review, dabate and re-run things in my head, or find them in a book whilst we sit watching TV in an evening, in the same room. Typing/pc use annoys him (so why doesn't ironing??- topic for another day I feel!!)
So, the solution.... do my thinking, write bullet points, and type up little and often. Will do more when the opportuntiy arises!
Past
So, where was i this time last year? Having achieved L2 and starting to play in L3, I was looking forward to summer with Maestro and Jerry, learning to control a 45' line, and a week at Stoneleigh: natural lead changes. I didn't honestly expect to get any, and I wasn't disappointed!!!
What I did get was a better understanding of where I was, not my horse. I know he's having to wait for me whilst my savvy level increases, and I know that graph is not a smooth incline. I realised that my journey is exactly that, MY journey and I learnt not to compare where I was to where others were. I saw things which inspired me in each of the people and horses on the course, and met some people I hoped would stay in my life.
Jerry was still a big challenge for me, but he finally let down. (only took 2 years, lol!) I think he had been moved about so often he had to go through the "time limit " to know he was going to stay with me. Plus I used a horse communicator, boy have I learnt about some alternative therapies from him!
Present
Having fun!! :)
I don't pressure myself about a green string, that'll happen when it happens. My time is divided between work, university, family, and my horses, they are all interlinked and interdependent, and if I try to bring any of the direct line thinking from the other parts of my life into my horsemanship, it will ruin it.
My attitude is such that I set myself goals, such as a focus for a session, but if it all goes in another direction, great! If i get bored or feel frustration creeping around, I change what we're doing. I have two horses that need different things. Maestro likes change and loves a bit of speed! Jerry likes repetition as an unconfident learner, and likes calm. I feel I have many arrows in my quiver now, and it takes a lot to shake me. I know I'm a grounded type of person, so i try not to have feet of clay, sometimes I need to be "upthere" a bit for both my guys.
I read a lot of horse books, watch dvd's youtube, sky programmes about different horsemen and women and try to widen my knowledge about horsemanship. I really enjoy our group meetings, and it's great to be with such postive people, all committed to developing themselves and their horses in the way that is best for their relationship.
My Dream
Well no-one said think small, and Norma asked,so here it is, this is what I really really would love to do.
I would like to operate an Holistic Horse Centre. Working with professionals, helping students with their horsemanship. Start/restart/rehabilitate horses, and offer a range of alternative therapies including Communication and Reiki.
Sam x
/\,,/\
0 0
(o o)
/\
The Importance of Intention
playing with Maestro this weekend brought this home to me, as I realised that when I had wasn't entirely focussedon what I wanted, it became unclear to him. We were playing with the trailer, I was asking Maestro to trot in. He went up the ramp and stopped a couple of times, no problem -he needs to build up his confidence I thought. We walked away, circled, changed direction, stopped, backup, did some falling leaf, then were back at the trailer again, with me on the opposite side. I asked again if he'd like to go in, but blocked him unintentionally with my arm trying to put the rope over his back. He did what I asked and stopped.
Off we went again playing around, working our way back to the trailer. This time I stood on the ramp, not asking him to go in, and he stepped up from the side to join me- boy did he think he was clever, so did I! We continued playing like this for quite some time, going away and coming back, on, off, over the ramp, then I asked him to go in. He got in with his back legs just inside then came back out straight away. How interesting! Mmmm, was he unconfident? Didn't appear to be, he was trotting up the ramp. What was I doing? Then it hit me - I dropped my life and my intention as soon as I couldn't see his eye. He needed more from me, he needed to feel.
I sent him again, and this time when he paused I thought "forward" and kept a low level life energy, stroked his rump, and gave it a gentle pat and in he walked quite confidently. He poked his nose out of the back, and I walked round and gave him 2 of his favourite treats. Was he in hurry to come out? An LBI who just discovered a sweetie earning trick.. what do you think!
Off we went again playing around, working our way back to the trailer. This time I stood on the ramp, not asking him to go in, and he stepped up from the side to join me- boy did he think he was clever, so did I! We continued playing like this for quite some time, going away and coming back, on, off, over the ramp, then I asked him to go in. He got in with his back legs just inside then came back out straight away. How interesting! Mmmm, was he unconfident? Didn't appear to be, he was trotting up the ramp. What was I doing? Then it hit me - I dropped my life and my intention as soon as I couldn't see his eye. He needed more from me, he needed to feel.
I sent him again, and this time when he paused I thought "forward" and kept a low level life energy, stroked his rump, and gave it a gentle pat and in he walked quite confidently. He poked his nose out of the back, and I walked round and gave him 2 of his favourite treats. Was he in hurry to come out? An LBI who just discovered a sweetie earning trick.. what do you think!
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Recent Play Times
It's been a while since i've updated this blog - that's not to say I havn't done anyting, just spent what time i've had doing or reflecting insted of committing to type!
Had a lovely time with Jerry at Max and Bryan's playday. I thought it wastime he came out to play again, stretching his boundaries with supportive folk is paying off, he's thinking this new life of his is good, especially when he gets to eat lots of good grass and make friends with Harley whilst we humans play our own games!
Enjoyed the simulations, and even the quiz, although it took a while to get the grey matter working that morning. (late night and red wine to blame!!) Jerry had a few buttons pushed - especially when a few folk were practicing phase 4's with headcollars tied to the fence. I was asking him to trot a circle, and there was a tarp in his way. He couldn't do the tarp and continue to circle with all the noise and action going on, but although his life came up, he didn't loose the plot! after a few circles he started to relax a little, so I disengaged him and asked him to stand by me whilst we watched the folk at the fence. He could do it!!
His nervous twitch was in evidence for most of the day, but lessened quite considerably at times - it's all progress! He also managed to relax with me leaning over his back from the right this time. All in all a sucessful day!!:)
Had a lovely time with Jerry at Max and Bryan's playday. I thought it wastime he came out to play again, stretching his boundaries with supportive folk is paying off, he's thinking this new life of his is good, especially when he gets to eat lots of good grass and make friends with Harley whilst we humans play our own games!
Enjoyed the simulations, and even the quiz, although it took a while to get the grey matter working that morning. (late night and red wine to blame!!) Jerry had a few buttons pushed - especially when a few folk were practicing phase 4's with headcollars tied to the fence. I was asking him to trot a circle, and there was a tarp in his way. He couldn't do the tarp and continue to circle with all the noise and action going on, but although his life came up, he didn't loose the plot! after a few circles he started to relax a little, so I disengaged him and asked him to stand by me whilst we watched the folk at the fence. He could do it!!
His nervous twitch was in evidence for most of the day, but lessened quite considerably at times - it's all progress! He also managed to relax with me leaning over his back from the right this time. All in all a sucessful day!!:)
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Jerry's 3 day Adventure
i took Jerry on a 3 day course with Rachel Moreland, in Derbyshire. I purposely went with no expectations, just the mindset of "how interesting it will be to see what happens." Jerry stayed over at Jenny's farm with Paris and a couple of other horses, whilst Helen and I travelled daily. Well my boy was a superstar and showed me so much of himself it was an amazing feeling. I donlt know how else to put it, but I adored having 3 days just to be with him and i think he really enjoyed it too.
His anxiety levels increased immediately on entering the school on day 1, but giving my RBI the time he needed paid off, and even when another horse got free and charged around panicking, he stayed with me without going catatonic. His nervous tick is a really good indicator of his emotional state, and although i haven't seen it for a while at home, it was back. As his confidence increased over the days it became less and less evident. However, what astonished me was that when Rachel took his rope and he moved 6 feet away from me it immediately came back. althougn I knew he associated safety and comfort with me, i didn't really acknoweldge the depth of this feeling in him. He is quite a sociable horse now, but realising just how much the thought of being asked to do something- especially by someone else, can cause him stress was an eye-opener. How I wish every horse had a natural start, and never had to suffer at the hands of humans. Ignorance can be cruel, whether deliberate or not, and human priorities when inflicted on a horse can cause mental and spiritual damage which is so so difficult to repair and rebuild.
Working with Rachel was great, she seemed to have a good understanding of his behaviour, and was prepared to help me as the only non-rider in the group. I used blue barrels as a place of comfort, and got to the point where relaxation for Jerry was me laid across his back. He started looking for the barrels - very leftbrain!
Following Dave's advice I have worked on Jerry's left side. however i took note of something I heard Karen Rohlf say in a demo I watched. she talked about "rocks in the river" when the horse has blocks in their necks and top line. I guess Linda and Pat would say thresholds or brace. Anyway I decided to work from his nose all the way to his tail, as I knew some blocks were present. The time spent doing this paid off. On day 2 and 3 I was laid over Jerry squiggling around whilst he walked, and he was even able to relax. when he did wow- what a huge stride he has - it took effort to stay on!! so very very different from Maestro. It was a dream come true to feel him relax under me, such a special moment as i know how hard this is for him.
Now I'm repeating the same process on the right as he is not as confident on that side. He is a sensitive guy, and learns quickly when he understands the pattern (thanks Pat) and me in zone 3 is fast becoming a signal to relax.
I realised many things over the 3 days. Firstly I thank my lucky stars that this horse is still willing to speak to me.
I can send him sideways, slow, stop etc etc just using my energy, I have been bellowing not just shouting. When he's focussed on me, everything i do means something to him. He is an expert at subtly moving to put me where he feels most confident.
When my leadership is not good enough, he politely leaves, but is willing to come back when I get my act together.
He is a big powerful horse who needs to feel secure to be able to function.
What I percieve as a massive strength and presence means nothing to him in his unconfident moments.
Everything needs to be as good on both sides, and although I may think i'm working on just one thing, e.g. leading from a leg, the lessons learnt affect the whole relationship, and show in other areas. -Jerry was anxious about the c/s lapping from side to side in Z1, and could only relax when it was over 22' away, and i was walking awayfrom him. Day 3 we did this again and he walked right up to my shoulder unprompted, no anxious twitch!
Everything we do has to be good for both of us, (esp LBI!)
Focus on the positives, and reward the try's. Ignore the negatives.
Have a plan, walk confidently when your horse is "lost".
Read Jerry's breathing - very subtle changes.
Get him confident with his own energy.
I love this horse so much - what a teacher he is. He is so complex and interesting, challenging and changable. The mixture of dominance and unconfidence, arrogance and disprespect, what i see in him in different circumstances, it all quite blows me away at the moment. I feel that now I'm beinning to really get who he is, and to understand him. It's a fab feeling and worth every moment of everything we've gone through!
His anxiety levels increased immediately on entering the school on day 1, but giving my RBI the time he needed paid off, and even when another horse got free and charged around panicking, he stayed with me without going catatonic. His nervous tick is a really good indicator of his emotional state, and although i haven't seen it for a while at home, it was back. As his confidence increased over the days it became less and less evident. However, what astonished me was that when Rachel took his rope and he moved 6 feet away from me it immediately came back. althougn I knew he associated safety and comfort with me, i didn't really acknoweldge the depth of this feeling in him. He is quite a sociable horse now, but realising just how much the thought of being asked to do something- especially by someone else, can cause him stress was an eye-opener. How I wish every horse had a natural start, and never had to suffer at the hands of humans. Ignorance can be cruel, whether deliberate or not, and human priorities when inflicted on a horse can cause mental and spiritual damage which is so so difficult to repair and rebuild.
Working with Rachel was great, she seemed to have a good understanding of his behaviour, and was prepared to help me as the only non-rider in the group. I used blue barrels as a place of comfort, and got to the point where relaxation for Jerry was me laid across his back. He started looking for the barrels - very leftbrain!
Following Dave's advice I have worked on Jerry's left side. however i took note of something I heard Karen Rohlf say in a demo I watched. she talked about "rocks in the river" when the horse has blocks in their necks and top line. I guess Linda and Pat would say thresholds or brace. Anyway I decided to work from his nose all the way to his tail, as I knew some blocks were present. The time spent doing this paid off. On day 2 and 3 I was laid over Jerry squiggling around whilst he walked, and he was even able to relax. when he did wow- what a huge stride he has - it took effort to stay on!! so very very different from Maestro. It was a dream come true to feel him relax under me, such a special moment as i know how hard this is for him.
Now I'm repeating the same process on the right as he is not as confident on that side. He is a sensitive guy, and learns quickly when he understands the pattern (thanks Pat) and me in zone 3 is fast becoming a signal to relax.
I realised many things over the 3 days. Firstly I thank my lucky stars that this horse is still willing to speak to me.
I can send him sideways, slow, stop etc etc just using my energy, I have been bellowing not just shouting. When he's focussed on me, everything i do means something to him. He is an expert at subtly moving to put me where he feels most confident.
When my leadership is not good enough, he politely leaves, but is willing to come back when I get my act together.
He is a big powerful horse who needs to feel secure to be able to function.
What I percieve as a massive strength and presence means nothing to him in his unconfident moments.
Everything needs to be as good on both sides, and although I may think i'm working on just one thing, e.g. leading from a leg, the lessons learnt affect the whole relationship, and show in other areas. -Jerry was anxious about the c/s lapping from side to side in Z1, and could only relax when it was over 22' away, and i was walking awayfrom him. Day 3 we did this again and he walked right up to my shoulder unprompted, no anxious twitch!
Everything we do has to be good for both of us, (esp LBI!)
Focus on the positives, and reward the try's. Ignore the negatives.
Have a plan, walk confidently when your horse is "lost".
Read Jerry's breathing - very subtle changes.
Get him confident with his own energy.
I love this horse so much - what a teacher he is. He is so complex and interesting, challenging and changable. The mixture of dominance and unconfidence, arrogance and disprespect, what i see in him in different circumstances, it all quite blows me away at the moment. I feel that now I'm beinning to really get who he is, and to understand him. It's a fab feeling and worth every moment of everything we've gone through!
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Playtime!
Yippee! got time to play yesterday. Did a review of several games to start with just to see what frame of mind Maestro was in, he was obviously ready to play because he was tuned in straight away. He was on my 22' and the barrels were lined up, which was my plan for somewhere in the session. Stick to me was good, although I realised my energy was greater than his, when we moved up to trot. However true LBI, he decided that treats made it far more interesting! We did a few transitions, walk-trot-walk-turn on the HQ-rest, and these were good, getting smoother each time. Big reward for Maestro, a big big scratch all over - his nose was wrinkling, neck stretching, he loved it!
We walked over to the pedestal and he immediately stepped up and over, going diagonally across the square. I asked him to come round and stop before crossing over again. I had to lift and put a slight wiggle in the rope to stop him, as he was anticipating that he should cross and didn't check in with me. I asked him to put first his front legs on, stop, then his back legs. At this point he had committed his weight too far forward to stop, so he walked over and I disengaged his HQ, which he did so lightly. He stopped with his nose near my left shoulder, which is becoming a bit of a habit with him, so I decided to be more particular, and moved him back and sideways using small movements of my c/s until he was directly opposite me. Reward was big scratch up and down his nose! He was leaning into this, and i thought is he trying to dominate me
using Z1? So, i planted my feet and rubbed just a tiny harder. He released his pessure on me just a fraction, and kept rubbing, so I'm thinking maybe he just wanted a firmer scratch. on the other hand, maybe he realised I had his game worked out.
We went back to the pedestal and this time he came over slower and stopped when i raised the rope when he had all four feet on, and then only his back feet on it. He backed up to all four feet on again from my life and finger wave. At this point i was really happy to leave it there, so we went to weave the barrels. This was fun! He got the pattern straight away, and we could do it at trot with me quite a way from the barrels, 6-10 feet? Must concentrate and note the length accurately next time. He took the instruction to move to the far side of the barrels from my c/s, just holding it horizontally by my side, slightly forwards and towards Z1 worked for him. At the end of the barrels he spied the pedestal, and so trotted on his circle and straight to it and stopped with his front feet on it - very pleased with himself! - So was I!!
After treats and a scratch i jumped on and it was so good just to sit there scratching his withers. He was still for a good couple of minutes and then he offered to move so i took a passenger lesson. The only time i took over was when we went past the gate of the corral which was open, but it took only a small increase on my focus, and slight pressure from my left leg to keep us straight. I was using my savvy string for reins, and so as Mike Bridges says my hands were riding in front of the pommel, even though it was only finger tip contact. showed me just how my hands affect my body - BFO!!
Ended after this, and jumped off. Maestro stuck to me all the way up the field, no charging off or rolling, he's doing this more and more now, like he sees it as his place when i'm in the field. Kept looking at his ears and thinking about the horses faces in the savvy highlights assessments. His ears were sideways, on me. I kept thinking he looks a bit under pressure, unhappy, but as soon as i stopped he did, when i walked again he did. There was no force, coersion, actual or implied pressure. He was free to do as he wished. I am thinking maybe his ears were like that because he was concentrating on me. I frown when i concentrate, maybe my horse is my mirror....
We walked over to the pedestal and he immediately stepped up and over, going diagonally across the square. I asked him to come round and stop before crossing over again. I had to lift and put a slight wiggle in the rope to stop him, as he was anticipating that he should cross and didn't check in with me. I asked him to put first his front legs on, stop, then his back legs. At this point he had committed his weight too far forward to stop, so he walked over and I disengaged his HQ, which he did so lightly. He stopped with his nose near my left shoulder, which is becoming a bit of a habit with him, so I decided to be more particular, and moved him back and sideways using small movements of my c/s until he was directly opposite me. Reward was big scratch up and down his nose! He was leaning into this, and i thought is he trying to dominate me
using Z1? So, i planted my feet and rubbed just a tiny harder. He released his pessure on me just a fraction, and kept rubbing, so I'm thinking maybe he just wanted a firmer scratch. on the other hand, maybe he realised I had his game worked out.
We went back to the pedestal and this time he came over slower and stopped when i raised the rope when he had all four feet on, and then only his back feet on it. He backed up to all four feet on again from my life and finger wave. At this point i was really happy to leave it there, so we went to weave the barrels. This was fun! He got the pattern straight away, and we could do it at trot with me quite a way from the barrels, 6-10 feet? Must concentrate and note the length accurately next time. He took the instruction to move to the far side of the barrels from my c/s, just holding it horizontally by my side, slightly forwards and towards Z1 worked for him. At the end of the barrels he spied the pedestal, and so trotted on his circle and straight to it and stopped with his front feet on it - very pleased with himself! - So was I!!
After treats and a scratch i jumped on and it was so good just to sit there scratching his withers. He was still for a good couple of minutes and then he offered to move so i took a passenger lesson. The only time i took over was when we went past the gate of the corral which was open, but it took only a small increase on my focus, and slight pressure from my left leg to keep us straight. I was using my savvy string for reins, and so as Mike Bridges says my hands were riding in front of the pommel, even though it was only finger tip contact. showed me just how my hands affect my body - BFO!!
Ended after this, and jumped off. Maestro stuck to me all the way up the field, no charging off or rolling, he's doing this more and more now, like he sees it as his place when i'm in the field. Kept looking at his ears and thinking about the horses faces in the savvy highlights assessments. His ears were sideways, on me. I kept thinking he looks a bit under pressure, unhappy, but as soon as i stopped he did, when i walked again he did. There was no force, coersion, actual or implied pressure. He was free to do as he wished. I am thinking maybe his ears were like that because he was concentrating on me. I frown when i concentrate, maybe my horse is my mirror....
Monday, 16 February 2009
Prior and proper preparation, or procrastination?
Monday 16th Feb
I am having a few moments of reflection, having not ridden this weekend, and looking at my reasons why - especially when i intended to!
These reflections in part have been brought on by the daily parelli subject of heart and desire, and Max's personality profile of human traits and tendencies, which she very kindly shared with us all. So, what went awry? well, family responsibilities in short - waiting to welcome Paul home after his week away, buying and delivering sister in law's birthday pressie, delivering youngest son to friends house for a sleepover, hay delivery for Maestro and Jerry.
These didn't take the whole weekend, so just what did i do? Catch up on poo picking, set up my 200' corral for play - moved the pedastal, barrels, discovered last years logs were too rotten, so need some poles, moved the cavaletti, and got my "carwarsh" ready. I played some stick to me with Maestro, and found this has improved since i have been feeding them hay daily because of the bad weather - food motivating a LBI! Having said that it's been fascinating to see how he sticks to me, leaving his own hay, when i walk across the field to feed the horses next door. He waits patiently whilst i give them their hay, and then walks back with me to his in the shelter.
I watched the savvy spotlights where pat was assessing and handing out ribbons. well, I got it wrong! Pat handed out a black ribbon,for a liberty demo giving 10 for the relationship, when i thought the horse was checking out and was not really "with" the woman for quite a lot of the time. He also gave the same to a freestyle display where the horse appeared to me to have quite a sour look on it's face most of the time. I need to look at them again, and hopefully discuss in our group to try and find out what I'm missing. However, taking the positives, I got some good ideas for my own play, hence the time preparing my arena.
So, did I prepare?, yes, did I procrastinate, yes. In the end i'm a LBI just like my horse, and decided that with the limited time available, my original plans wouldn't fit in, so the next best thing was prior and proper preparation so that in the next slot of limited time, my tools are ready!
I am having a few moments of reflection, having not ridden this weekend, and looking at my reasons why - especially when i intended to!
These reflections in part have been brought on by the daily parelli subject of heart and desire, and Max's personality profile of human traits and tendencies, which she very kindly shared with us all. So, what went awry? well, family responsibilities in short - waiting to welcome Paul home after his week away, buying and delivering sister in law's birthday pressie, delivering youngest son to friends house for a sleepover, hay delivery for Maestro and Jerry.
These didn't take the whole weekend, so just what did i do? Catch up on poo picking, set up my 200' corral for play - moved the pedastal, barrels, discovered last years logs were too rotten, so need some poles, moved the cavaletti, and got my "carwarsh" ready. I played some stick to me with Maestro, and found this has improved since i have been feeding them hay daily because of the bad weather - food motivating a LBI! Having said that it's been fascinating to see how he sticks to me, leaving his own hay, when i walk across the field to feed the horses next door. He waits patiently whilst i give them their hay, and then walks back with me to his in the shelter.
I watched the savvy spotlights where pat was assessing and handing out ribbons. well, I got it wrong! Pat handed out a black ribbon,for a liberty demo giving 10 for the relationship, when i thought the horse was checking out and was not really "with" the woman for quite a lot of the time. He also gave the same to a freestyle display where the horse appeared to me to have quite a sour look on it's face most of the time. I need to look at them again, and hopefully discuss in our group to try and find out what I'm missing. However, taking the positives, I got some good ideas for my own play, hence the time preparing my arena.
So, did I prepare?, yes, did I procrastinate, yes. In the end i'm a LBI just like my horse, and decided that with the limited time available, my original plans wouldn't fit in, so the next best thing was prior and proper preparation so that in the next slot of limited time, my tools are ready!
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