It's The Little Things :)

I went back home last weekend and finally got some pony time in with my girls :) Friday afternoon I whistled and leaned on the fence, and Cheyenne cantered over to see me!! Six weeks was entirely too long to be apart, even for her :) Gweny was the second one over, and we just sat there and had a little love fest. Their feet were a little long when I got there, so I wasn't able to really do much with them until Sunday after the farrier came. It worked out well, since Saturday I ran in the Run or Dye 5K!! If you haven't ran one of these yet, you definitely need to check it out!

Sunday morning Ryan, our fabulous farrier, came and saved the day, and the girls were ready to boogy! Cheyenne (as always) insisted on playing first. She still isn't used to having to share her human, even though I've been playing with Gweny for quite some time now. I always like to see how little I can do with her after a long break. And Chey always impresses me. We could do walk/stop/back and walk/trot trot/walk transitions without having to touch the reins :) I was so proud! We just played around after that, and I introduced the first step of the Spanish walk on the ground. She really gives 110% with everything she does, which is such a great perk of an RBE. Yes they may be flighty and spooky when they see a leaf wiggle three miles away, but they really put their heart and soul in whatever you ask them to do.

Smiles from my bay-bies!!

Gweny, on the other hand, is an LBI and has a very definite "why should I do that?" outlook. Her and I have come a long ways, and she has gotten fairly willing on the ground. We did our OL warm ups, and even though I got some sour faces when she was asked to trot, she was really on cue after not being played with for a while. I hopped on, and she had a lot more forward than normal! Our second ride in a row when I didn't have to convince her that taking two steps wouldn't kill her. She started out really willing to trot, and even offered it once or twice, however after a few straight trotting lines, she became resistant. Maybe because we repeated it too much? I'm not sure, but we worked through it and no matter how few trot strides she offered she got a release, and she eventually decided it was ok again. 

Things were going well, and I decided it was time to introduce the HQ/FQ yield from her back. She did not agree. FQ was ok, but we had done a little of this before so I wasn't too shocked. HQ, however, turned out to be a little bit of a battle. When Gwen doesn't understand something, she throws a fit. And when Gweny throws a fit, she goes right to the extreme. She knows how to yield her HQ from the ground like a champ, but she didn't translate the cues once I was on her back. She pinned her ears, that didn't work, and then she reached back to bite my leg. This was a first! She was gentle, her top teeth just barely made contact, but she definitely made her point. My first instinct was to poke her cheek when she moved back with matched energy. It wasn't hard, and I was really proud of myself for staying centered emotionally. Pat says to take it as feedback, not personally. It was just enough to let her know that wasn't the right answer. I learned in the beginning that the key with her is persistence, no matter what sort of fit she throws, and she will eventually engage her brain instead of react and figure out what is being asked of her. She reached back to bite again, but this time I was expecting it and she got her cheek poke before she made it half way to my leg. I kept cuing, and she finally crossed her right back hind over her left hind. Wa-la! We had a HQ yield! I got two more nice yields, switched sides, and called it good.

I took her out to the back yard to work a knot of out of her mane, and Cheyenne was not amused. She kept looking over the fence, trying to use her Jedi pony powers to will me back and come get her instead. 

We took a walk around the yard to a downed tree that fell victim to a wind storm. I sent Gweny over it to think about foot placement in preparation for one day riding in the mountains, with hopes she would take it upon herself to jump it. After a few times over, she took a half leap! She was starting to get into it, but I only had my 12' line and wanted to see what she would do if she really had a chance to set herself up for the jump. We got a running start and she soared!! Zero resistance, all heart! She over jumped it by a mile, I'm sure just out of inexperience, but that was a huge mile stone for us :) We did it two more times and ended on that amazing note :) 

She had a wonderful expression on her face, and I couldn't have asked for more. I just chilled in the pasture afterwards and had some downtime scratching and loving on the girls before I called it a night. I am so grateful to have two such amazing horses in my life :) 

Expanding My Horizons

The great horseman today have all learned from multiple masters. Friday I expanded my learning bubble and attended my first Buck Brannaman clinic. Buck was highly inspired by Tom and Bill Dorrance, and rode with Ray Hunt for over 30 years. He learned from the best of the best, and has a Vaquero horsemanship twist to his style. 

The class was Horsemanship 1, so it was somewhat like the mounted portion of the old Parelli L1 clinic. The goal wasn't new, but the approach was definitely a different style. He really strove for responsiveness right from the get-go, and it had a big impact on the group. They transformed very quickly, and if you weren't properly executing what Buck asked, he would call you out on it and have you do it over and over until you communicated correctly and accurately. He kicked your butt, but everyone progressed quickly, and he had assistants that were able to run out and help riders who were having a more difficult time than others. He was extremely blunt about how and why he did things, respect for your horse, as well as being respectful to other horses and rider's bubble. When someone had a question he was blunt yet polite, and I really enjoyed listening to his answers. I personally appreciate someone with a no-nonsense attitude, because I am corrected quicker and feel I get more out of the experience. Oh, and by the way, he was freaking hilarious.

Students watching as Buck demonstrates

I brought my notebook with me to take notes when the wind wasn't trying to blow it away, and ended up making an entire column of silly/witty Buck remarks. A few examples were "Next time do that before you're ass deep in alligators!", "Kick a fart out of him!", and "I want you busier than a cat burying crap!". He kept the whole group of riders on task, productive, and lighthearted. 

I was surprised to find out he has an extensive hunter/jumper background, and had an impressive list of gold medal jumpers that use his methods. This really caught my attention. He is very anti-contact, and I'm interested to find out how he would get his horse to carry their frame without it. The more I can be out of my horse's mouth, the better. 

Below are some of my favorite Buck quotes from the day. Again, this was from his beginner horsemanship class, so they are things that I've heard before but from a different approach. Coming at an old technique with a new perspective in mind helps see things in a different light and sometimes helps grasp a concept. Here are some of my favorites :

* Mean what you say, say what you mean

* If a horse is dull to your legs, he will never be light for your hands

* The only time you can direct a foot is as it leaves the ground

* You want your horse's feet to be your feet. It's a dance. He's not your slave.

* Do less than what you think it's going to take and then in a moment or two, do what it takes to get a change. Sooner or later you'll do less than what you think it would take and he'll surprise you. You always give them that good deal first

A student practicing her one-reined stop

Buck will be back in WA in November, and I'm hoping to stay for several days this time instead of just half of the first. There are two other women that are L3+ Parelli people that go to Buck's clinics religiously, and I'm hoping to be able to meet up with them and pick their brains while he is teaching. I'm also going to save up and get his 7 Clinics DVD set, as well as a few of Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt's DVDs. The more I can learn the better. 

I've heard Buck say to learn a technique from your mentor, but then find a way to make it your own. Tweak a method if you find it works better for you. I really liked hearing this, because one of my goals now that I'm branching out is to start finding my own way of doing things. Lorenzo The Flying Frenchman (the guy who rides roman style while communicating with an entire herd of white horses at liberty), Alycia Burton ("founder of Free Riding NZ"), Sylvia Zerbini (former Cavalia headliner), and many others taught themselves by just trial and error when playing with their horses. Each style is different yet effective in forming an amazing bond with their horses, and with little to no tack. I want to give myself the opportunity to find a unique way of conversing with my horses and not stay in the mental confines of one particular style.

Buck and his horse Reuben

I'm excited to continue learning and soaking up all this new information :) I can't wait for my bay-bies (;p) to come live with me again once we are able to get a place with property and really get this show on the road. Until then, I'll do as much as a I can when I am able to visit them at my parent's house (sadly 3 hours away) and make the most of our time. So much new stuff, and so much to play with!! :D

A Student of the Horse

This year I was chosen to be the summer intern at the Northwest Natural Horsemanship Center (NWNHC). Unfortunately due to my work schedule my "summer" there turned into three weeks, but I learned so much in that time. However, it wasn't my typical lesson. It wasn't about psychology, a new technique, or anything of the norm. It was about having an open mind.

I started my natural horsemanship journey when I was about 11 years old through Parelli Natural Horsemanship. Up until now, I've had Parelli tunnel vision and nothing else was even worth looking at. Before I discovered Pat and Linda, I had checked out Monty Roberts, John Lyons, etc, and although they were good, they weren't great. I felt I had done enough research and found my "way". I am now playing in level 3 in the Parelli program and I feel I have a good foundation stuffed with problem solving skills, psychological approaches, tool handling skills, and confidence. However at NWNHC, they are open to all trainers, not just Parelli. They have clinicians such as Craig Cameron, Jack Brainard, Sylvia Zerbini, and many other accomplished horse men and women come in and teach, and the new information people seemed to have gotten from them is incredible. Dorothy Coomer, the trainer at NWNHC, had the chance to ride with Craig Cameron, as well has learn from Alice Trindle for 11+ years, who learned first hand from Ray Hunt. Hutch, the center's founder, and his girlfriend Karen had influence from Sylvia Zerbini (a former Cavalia headliner) about liberty, and insight from many other trainers which gave them new perspectives and strategies. 

This reminded me that I am a student of the horse, not just Parelli. I still plan on officially passing through L3 of the program, and one mythical day I still would like to attend Fast Track. Parelli is always going to be part of my life and continue to influence my horsemanship, but I need to remember to not have a closed mind when so many other incredible horsemen have so much knowledge to offer. Just because it isn't endorsed by Pat yet doesn't mean it's wrong.

So after mulling this new information around in my head, I finally sat down and watched the movie Buck. Yes, I know, I'm like the only horse person who didn't see this movie it's first week in theaters lol. But I honestly thought it was a waste of my time. 

The movie didn't really teach anything, but it gave a background of who he is and where he came from. He learned from the same masters Pat did, and has many of the same philosophies, just a different style of getting there. The way I look at it is two people can attend the same class and pull two different lessons from it. Buck still puts the horse first, and still accomplishes great things with his horses while nurturing their confidence and putting their needs first. 

Buck Brannaman

I have the opportunity to see Buck teach a clinic tomorrow at the Washington State Horse Park, and I couldn't be more excited! One great thing about him is that you learn directly from HIM, not one of his instructors. Don't get me wrong, I have an amazing Parelli instructor and have learned from many incredible other instructors, and I'm not putting them down in any fashion. But the chance to learn from our modern day master vs. his student is a huge advantage. He will have two Horsemanship 1 classes tomorrow, which is perfect. I can see how, what, and why he introduces ideas and methods to horses and owners and get a good idea of his way of teaching. Even if I don't come away with any new knowledge, or even if I decide I don't agree with his approach, I'm really excited to be branching out and taking steps towards making myself a more well rounded horse woman. Again, Parelli Natural Horsemanship will always be in my life, but I need to remember I'm a student of the horse first and foremost. A closed mind won't get me anywhere.

Another reason I'm branching out is because of the levels program. Up until now I really had my sights set on becoming an instructor. I created this "you must pass level 2 officially, then level 3, and by the way all these other students are performing well so your performance better be freaking perfect". It's made my life all about the 7 games, accomplishments, and work instead of play. As a fellow LBE Emily states in her blog,  "I like to go out to the arena with a plan and be a good leader. What I am now realizing are that those goals are turning me into a direct like thinker. Whatever I plan for the day, that’s exactly what I do. Rather than let my horse determine the principles and the time, I push to accomplish what I have in mind." I feel like I get too focused on passing levels and accomplishing goals instead of putting my horse first and having fun! I need to have horse ambitions and play time that isn't related to Parelli, that will snap my mind out of its direct-line-edness and back into having fun, being creative, and coming up with my own ways of problem solving. Never ending self improvement, and never ending fun :)

A "Bit" of Information ;)

Recently I have realized how little I know about bits. I knew how to identify a few different bits, but I had no idea what pressure points each one worked off of, or that certain bits need certain parts of the bridle to work. I grew up using a Tom Thumb bit and never thought twice about it. It was just the one I was given, it worked, and I saw the break in the center so I just assumed it was a snaffle bit, thinking it was gentle. After a few lectures, videos, and articles, I can't believe that is what I have been using on my poor ponies all these years. I'm reevaluating everything I "know" about bits and bridles, and soaking up all the information I can about them. Below are a series of videos from Dave Myler of Myler Bits, about the mechanics of how bits work inside the horse's mouth. Everyone has something to learn from these, and I will definitely be re-fitting my bridles.

* Video #1 - Understanding Bit Resistance

* Video #2 - Horses Evade The Bit

* Video #3 - Pressure Points Before and After

* Video #4 - Theory of Tongue Pressure

There are many other amazing videos online about bits, but I found this series extremely helpful. It was also great to hear it from a bit manufacturer themselves, and seeing their specific products being broken down and explained. It gives me a lot of comfort knowing they seem to really be putting the horse's comfort in mind when designing and manufacturing.

Also, I have discovered a really unique bitless bridle developed in Germany called the LG Zaum. It works off of a wheel and a specific nose piece and chin strap. You can adjust how sensitive the system is by where you place your reins on the wheel, and it can even be used for english disciplines where contact is needed. I haven't gotten the chance to try it yet, but I met a woman who uses this system and absolutely swears by it. It's been a little challenging finding articles in english, but at the bottom of this blog is a statement and video on the LG Zaum system. 

There are many people who swear up and down against using bits. My current belief is that there is a time and place for them. However, if the LG Zaum system can effectively communicate with the preciseness of a bit, I may just switch to that. Knowledge is power, and as I keep reading and experimenting I will let you know what conclusions I come to and why I came to them. Any input and feedback is always encouraged, I would love to know your experiences with different bits and different bitless bridle systems!

The LG bitless bridle is an excellent alternative to a bit. Its functionality encourages the horse to round up without mouth discomfort.  It works especially well with horses that lean on the bit, play with it, or shake their head.  It is intended for experienced riders, with light hands, looking for more refined maneuvers.

The wheels are made of solid rust-free stainless steel. The chin strap comes in the option of either leather or chain, in three different colors. Add optional shanks for two-rein riding. Can be used with any traditional headstall.

Video - The LG Bridle - Why Don't You Ride Bitless?

Compilation of a Little Bit of Everything

Today I watched a short video of David Lichman playing with his horses at liberty. He was talking about doing his demonstrations without fences because he is catering to the horse's emotional wellness, and doesn't need the fence to keep his horses by his side. I've heard people talk about having a round pen made of soft material, such has hot wire rope, because it forces you to be sensitive with your horse since they can so easily jump out or blow through it. But without a fence at all? Obviously it's a little more of an advanced idea, but it really got me thinking.

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 :)

Personality and Self Discovery :)

This month's Savvy Club DVD was AMAZING! I would love to see more discussion and get more insight on humanality, and matching it with horsenality for sure. And it really helped solidify my personality for me.

I never really knew which I was more... I knew I bounced around between all but RBI. When I am around two or more people I'm very comfortable with, I can be a very strong RBE. When I am at work trying to get a lot done at once, I can become very LBI with the "leave me alone, don't talk to me, I just want to get this done" point of view. However, innately, this DVD helped put in concrete my innate personality is LBE :) I used to have friends specifically find me and have me talk to people because I am extremely blunt, but I just see it as being honest! It's the truth, who wouldn't want to hear it? I don't think I'm bossy, but I can be if those around me aren't getting done what I think should be. My RBI mother lovingly refers to me as her "slave driver", and has me come over (like I just did last weekend) to help her get things done that she needs an extra push for. See? It's helpful! Lol! And when the psychologist was talking about his LBE wife, and how when she is frustrated she kind of blows up and talks out all her problems, then lets out a deep breath and goes out on the porch and reads a book... OMG! That is EXACTLY me!

At the end he talked about growing, and controlling your personality as well as have it bleed out into other personalities, and to think about what aspects of other personalities would be beneficial for you. For me, I would like to have the confidence to be more RBE sometimes. I really admire their talent for just walking up to strangers like they've known them forever and striking up a conversation, so I think that's how I'll focus on expanding my personality traits :)

It's really empowering to find out clarification of who you are... to put it into a label and research it, and then to have a psychologist put your personality into multiple situations, and also match it up with horsenality? It really helps see things clearly, and also keeps you conscientious of the impact your actions and energy have on other people of other personalities. I'll definitely be watching that DVD again, but next time make my boyfriend watch it with me ;p

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!