To back up just a bit, I've been re-evaluating my approach to play time with my girls. I am very much a direct line thinking, competitive, busy minded, LBE individual. My mind is like having a browser up on your computer with about 300 tabs up all at once. When I am personally learning anything, I am very hard on myself. I am super focused, listen carefully, take notes, and always try to get it right the first time. If I don't get it, I find out what I was doing wrong and try to redeem myself. It is a mindset made of pride, ego, and competitiveness. However, how we perceive and handle ourselves is how we also handle others. Last November it was pointed out to me that I can be very strict when learning something and teaching it to Chey at the same time, and I lose my sense of play or fun in general. I get serious and focused, and poor Chey is stuck in my path.
One thing I really took away from Lillan Roquet's clinics is to break things down.. aka only have one tab open on my mental browser at a time. This way I'm not focusing on getting everything right all at once, especially the first try, and getting frustrated if it doesn't all come together. This doesn't set our partnership up for success, and I'm certainly not doing my horse any favors by turning play time into boot camp.
I also keep reading over and over again how important it is to have a goal in mind. Ray Hunt said you need to have a plan in mind every time you pick up the reins. Half the time I have a specific plan, but half the time maybe I am just riding to be riding?
Also, one thing Kalley teaches is that you must teach your horse that 1+1 ALWAYS = 2. So, for example, when I put my mother-in-law face on and wiggle my finger, this will always mean back up.
So.. after bouncing around from idea to idea.. all of these have been floating around in my mind, and it's becoming clear to me that I'm doing something wrong before I even walk into the pasture. I want to look just as good if not better than the more advanced students I watch on YouTube, I'm more concerned with getting the maneuver done perfectly than how my horse is feeling at that moment, and try to do everything all at once. And I know I could be more specific and consistent in what we practice. Ugh. My poor babies! And poor Cheyenne tries so hard for me, I either don't notice I'm doing it, or take advantage of her willing nature. We get results, she enjoys herself, and we have AWESOME velcro at liberty. However I know there is lots of room to improve.
They say do things for the horse, not to the horse, and I always thought I had been. I'm doing natural horsemanship, can do all 7 games at liberty and can bomb around bridleless.. where could I possibly be going wrong?
The farther you go in the program, the more you know what you don't know. The horse gives off so many seemingly hidden signs that can be easily shrugged aside as the horse 'being naughty', or just missed altogether. And then you go to a clinic, or watch a savvy club dvd, and so many significant subtleties are brought to your attention. I've recently realized I put the task before the horse. Getting (random task here) accomplished is put before my horse's emotional state. I feel like I'm re-learning things I already "knew". Things I've heard a thousand times before are beginning to sink in on a relative level. It doesn't matter if we are playing with trailer loading, jumping bridleless or doing the weave pattern from 35 feet away, that is all secondary. I am not less of a horsewoman if we don't conquer it today, tomorrow, or a week from now. If I'm not keeping my horse mentally and emotionally fit, then the physical accomplishments mean nothing. I want to be like David Lichman and be able to play with a permanent smile on my face and have my laugh lines get deeper with every session, and have my horse mirror that and do everything out of enthusiasm and willingness. So much to learn, and so much to look forward to :) Sorry this blog has been all over the place, but sometimes you have to be overwhelmed before you can find clarity :)
