Lillan Notes from Maureen Raskin

Maureen Raskin said Jane and I spent the day at Land's End, just a mile or so from my house, auditing the private lessons Lillan Roquet was teaching. We learned SO much. I can't wait to get busy applying these techniques to Lou. They included: if your horse won't listen to a soft ask with your legs, "make a commotion" by disengaging hindquarters, then give a moment of silence before you move on. Repeat as necessary. To get your horse to stretch his neck down during the trot, push your hips forward as you post, as if you are trying to push his ears down with your hips. For a horse that travels with his head high and a bracy neck, get him to release and relax by turning his head slightly to the outside and continue walking or trotting until the horse gives and relaxes his neck, then release and let him straighten his neck. To transition from trot to soft walk, tip horse's nose to outside and release when horse takes his head down to relax. To teach a halt with your body, pick a spot. If your horse doesn't halt at the spot, then allow him to walk until your body reaches that spot (his grace period). Then pick up the reins and back him up to the spot. If he doesn't get it after a couple of trys, make a commotion by tapping him on the shoulder with your stick as you back him. Repeat as necessary. I must remember that horses process as follows---mind, flexion, shifting wt, then lastly, moving feet. So much more, but I'd be writing a novella. Great job Lillan! It was your birthday but we all got the present!

These are notes from another Parelli student I found interesting. I originally copied it for a personal reminder, but these are definitely tips everyone can benefit from!