As I promised, here are some notes from last weekend's workshop with 3* Lillan Roquet on Liberty and Bridleless Riding :)
Liberty ~
* At liberty, your #1 goal is connection, not necessarily getting a quick response. If you're having a response issue, go back online. But at liberty, connection is key. Think of velcro between you and your horse.
* When you tell your horse "game over", do NOT ask them to come in. It is their choice. When you ask them in, they forget what they did right. It's like saying "Hey, good job! You're all done! Now come do this." If they choose to come in, it is a reflection of your connection :) If they choose to stay out to process and think, allow them to do so.
* With a LB horse, you want every 'try' to be a little more than the last. You have to "up" what you're asking of them each time, otherwise they get bored and you loose their interest and your connection.
* The release is always equivalent to the try. if they barely give you two ears, for example, you barely give them a release.
* At liberty, use Z5 to get connection (arc around HQ).
* Be conscious of your velcro between you and the horse
* The purpose of tagging a spot where the horse should have gone outside the cone, for example, is to get the horse's internal energy up :)
* Kalley always says "There should always be an imaginary string attached to their nose, and you should be able to pick it up at any time and send in either direction."
* L to L = Confidence in their leader, themselves, their herd, and as a learner.
* Is your horse giving you a green light, yellow light, or red light?
* When a horse feels unconfident and blocks you with their nose, respect it. Stop and wait. Make a conversation about it. Respect their opinion and pause when necessary. 1% improvements are more important than achieving the ultimate ending goal. Be aware of changes in the horse. Change your approach if necessary.
* Pay attention to mental and emotional speeds. RBEs, for example, is she mentally slow but physically fast? Adjust your energies and strategy accordingly.
Bridleless Riding Prep ~
* Look for a calm, connected, responsive partner when under saddle (and in yourself as well!).
* When riding Cheyenne, NEVER block Z1. Bend her if she gets too go-ey/bracey.
* Transitions are great for gaining connection under saddle, especially with extroverts.
* If the horse won't stand still (under saddle), yield the HQ and direct the nose. Once a horse offers a standstill, reward it.
* When asking to go forward, find new ways to ask instead of squeezing with your legs. it makes the transition more fluid vs. jerky/suprising the horse.
* Horses move in = mind > flexion > weight > feet.
* Your back-up becomes your brakes, so make sure this is responsive and automatic before taking off the bridle/halter :)
* Focus on accuracy and response to your body vs. your reins. Body isolations help.
* Ask with your body first, THEN your legs.
* HQ yields/FQ yield isolations. How specific can you be? How responsive/light is your horse? can you do the FQ/HQ yield form just your rein? From just your leg?
* Use patterns to set yourself up for success so they become second nature for you and your horse.
* Use a fence to do a 180 degree FQ yield to change direction; give it a purpose.
* Constantly think "how can i act like a partner?" Recognize red lights/signs of being offended and address/respond accordingly.
* Isolate your goals of speed, accuracy, and distance. You horse then will naturally put it all together.
* Don't say "Let's get this better", break it down idea by idea (speed, accuracy, distance) and allow them to combine it all themselves.
* Work on neck string sensitivity.
* Practice transitions off of just body cues
* Back up off neck string: how little does it take? Isolate sensitivity. Don't worry about speed or straightness. How little can you do, and how quickly can you release?
* As many cues you can have for halt/back up, the better.
* Reward with a release/moment of silence :)
* Focus on using your energy to go and to whoa.
* Can you porquipine to FQ yield off of just the neck string? Support with stick if needed, but goal is just the neck string.
* FQ yield over a step, then back a step.
* Set it up so you get "yes's" :) Do not nag.
* For halt, turn into a sack of potatoes. To back up, lift your belly button and engage your core.
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