Tuesday - considering music and rhythm

Very curious and new thoughts.

In thinking towards creating a training level musical freestyle for Try and I, MH had advised matching music to video of Try for rhythm. Kathy had advised a cohesive approach to avoid a piece meal group of music with jarring transitions--more of an overall piece of music--likely a classical piece with variety that means something to me.

So I took video of MH and Try as they seem to have such a good rhythm together and played various possible music selections to their walk/trot and canter and found NO Match with any of the music. Just no connection.

Next I tried video of Try and I in a lesson with MH and the music fit.

How very curious is that? So a horse is that different with different riders. Also, what does that say about the way I ride? My ballet background survives within me when I ride?

Very interesting to consider.

Monday, December 30

Saw Try today after taking a break though I did visit with her last week some, taking her for a walk to her favorite off the farm grazing spot.

Today she was happy to see me and left her hay to come. Groomed, played around riding in the ring, some passenger, some review of leg yield and downward transitions walk and trot in the muddy ring. Then walked down the drive and up the road to the grazing spot. Dismount and remove bridle to Parelli halter and 15 minutes of grazing and visiting with the geldings.

Session with MH, her two warmblood yearlings and Dan Thompson

Session with Try and Dan Thompson on Attitude

2013 December 20 – All About Attitude - Session with Try and Dan Thompson

This session was about changing Try’s hohum, bored, monotone attitude of doing things that makes dressage study and being together less fun for both Try and I. So we played with ideas to create sparks of enthusiasm, energy, connection and interest through mirroring. All of this can lead to improved dressage riding.

1.            Use music and go from moment to new moment playing many Parelli games with BOTH of us staying in rhythm with the music and Try mirroring my energy and intensity, rhythm and quality of the music. Try and I have lost connection in stick-to-me with focus on dressage this fall.

2.            One game is for me to store up energy and explode similar to preparation for ballet lifts or big leaps (grand allegro). At first the explosion need not be pretty as I explode into Try BUT can be channeled into positive, purposeful movement. With this stored energy, the purpose is precision and intricacy of movement. BUT Try has to have the attitude part of this before it will happen.

3.            Right side: there is no reason to expect any less of Try—we had some great sideways away with energy on her right side.

4.            Circling game: when I get a good trot or canter, can we quit and hang out BEFORE she has the thought that she is bored—most important can I identify this moment?

5.            Circling game varied with change of direction and HQ disengagement—play with varying my energy, tempo and level of intensity through the process (light, slow, big energy and slow, faster tempo with less intensity, etc.) and have Try mirror me.

6.            Stopping is important. Will Try stop on a dime in stick to me?

7.            Plan: fit in between lessons and homework and fill her + bucket of dwell/grazing/hanging out, at least 15 minutes of this kind of intensity play to make progress in attitude.

8.            I set a goal that I will have a video of play to Dan by January 7-10 so I don’t get side tracked.

Note: I had sooo much fun and joy. It really turned loose the full positive expression of my RBE self!!

Thursday

MH rode Try. (I groomed and rode bareback first and Try was feeling lazy in the warm weather.) I saw improvement in the canter--for a longer time, using HQ--also a nice, relaxed, pleasant frame at the trot and walk. MH says Try does not like much leg pressure in the canter.

Homework for me: downward transitions--keep the frame and play with leg yield--MH added rail leg to rail rein cues to prevent front end from escaping.

After the ride Try and I went for a nice long grazing walk up and down the drive.

Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday
My goal was to review a bit for Dan's visit Friday and have a ++s bucket filling day. Try was GREAT at the review--right side sideways away and towards for instance and circling at liberty. BUT she was most annoying with the bucket part--she only wanted to leave the farm and eat grass in the ditch. Ask BA if she is getting enough to eat? Anyway, we played circling game variations to get on the same page and reviewed a bit from Monday lesson with MH and then some dwell time.

Wednesday
I just did not want to go to barn but did it anyway and had a pretty nice ride with Devon. Warmup wtc--some nice canter. Cool down with stretching at the trot and walk. Peaceful. He has ??cold?? with runny nose really bad--cleaned him up 1/2 dozen times.

Monday - Lesson with MH

My Notes: 

1. good to alternate straight lines and circles and fix on the circle. 

2. leg yield think neck rein on the rail side rein--and move opposite hip with leg cue with goal to remain parallel to the rail, 

3. canter trot transition to keep the body position/connection together in the transition. 

Also I did download the training level musical freestyle: lots of circles.

Discussion

• Elizabeth Pope

  Was thinking yesterday how I really like the Parelli system for how positive it is and that it makes me feel good. Also I love the way both my horse and I are learning/improving in the emotional fitness realm. (Especially as I am RBE LOL).
  
  Anyway have been thinking of this in terms of being positive about the weather/time of year and that it isn't necessary to always be super goal oriented with a plan etc--this time of year better to let some of that go. The past couple rides with both Try and Devon we have just played, listened to music etc and had a lovely time. I figure I can get back to stronger focus on learning/goals in January.

  • Seen by 13

    Mary E Wilson, Chris Shallcross, Kit Stark Jordan and 6 others like this.
  • • 

      

      Lisa Roeder Graf Good thinking! The point is to have fun, so play and have fun!

      December 11 at 5:46pm · Like
    • 

      

      Kit Stark Jordan great words of wisdom!

      December 11 at 8:31pm · Like
    • 

      

      Lisa Roeder Graf I love riding to music, I took my iPod and player over to Wind Drift Sunday and had a good time riding T and playing with Q to music.

      December 11 at 8:40pm via mobile · Like
    • 

      

      Elizabeth Pope I love riding to music with my dance background and have done this now and then for fun and Try is great about staying with the beat of the music. After Kelly Sigler's clinic last year I have worked some on finding music to help Try and I have a good rhythm and played with putting together walk, trot and canter playlists with music that has bpm (beats per minute) that will assist us in having a good rhythm.
    • 
      
  • Elizabeth Pope 

    • More: I have to say that--given that I am investing my social security income in horsemanship learning and have the privilege and opportunity to study with Kathy and MH, that it is important to be as diligent a student as I know how (in keeping with Parelli principles). However a full out effort towards that goal I find is too much pressure with weather, holiday stuff. I want to be JOYFULLY pursuing horsemanship knowledge!!
  • That said I am looking forward to Dan Thompson coming next weekend--both for time for Try and I and to audit other sessions that look like they will be interesting and fun.
• 1. 
     

     Kathleen Glielmiposted toElizabeth Pope

     11 hours ago

     You are allowed to ride "just for the love of it and your plan can be to commune with nature from the perspective on the back of your horse. Watch what your horse takes interest in. Is your horse enjoying the passenger game? Is your horse willing to be leader and take you to places you don't normally go? You can always ask a question to your horse of moving shoulders or haunches, move sideways and then back to passenger game. You do not have to "train" every time you ride. ENjoy your horse as the free spirit you both are.

     
     

     Like ·

     • Lisa Roeder Graf, Brandy Rivers and 2 others like this.

     Coincidentally yesterday was a passenger (filling her bucket) day. We rode all over the farm, up the road, grazed, visited with other horses and listened music for an hour or so. Try is more than willing to lead and enjoys getting out of her pasture and exploring. Also finding better grass to eat!

Monday Tuesday and Thursday

Monday

Try: groomed and warmed Try up for lesson with MH. Try was feeling energetic. MH suggested paying attention to being parallel to the rail on leg yields. Also she worked on suppling with circular movements, rhythm and in the canter--forwardness and a bit longer rein to prevent the little HQ hiphop step.

Devon: basic walk and trot and a little canter--muddy ring. Reviewed from the last lesson with Kathy. Offered him a passenger ride up the road but he wasn't enthused.

Tuesday

Try: Fun day, played with syncing to the beat of music.

Thursday

Devon: basic hack wtc--did not connect with music for rhythm. Nice enjoyable canter.

Try: Passenger day: listened to walk music as we walked all over the farm and up the road--Try making the choices of where to go (mostly). Grazing at times, visiting with other horses who seemed curious about ??the music or whatever we were doing. Fill er bucket day.

Thursday and Friday

Thursday

Footing was a mess in ring and pastures not rideable so Try and I played with right side and HQ/FQ stuff in the ring and then rode up and down the road. Dwell/Passenger.

Friday

Windy, lesson with Kathy. Warmup with Devon did not go well. He spooked in the wind 3x coming in from the pasture so for warmup I walked and trotted and was fearful of the canter as large as he is and being unaccustomed to a horse affected by wind. (Try being so unaffected. However, Dawn rode Try and said she had more energy than usual but thought that was because she was distracted by Sarge as new horse in field by ring.)

The lesson was almost totally frustrating. Took forever to convince Devon that I wanted a good rhythm at the walk and a nice energetic trot. Worked on leg yields--rail side rein to prevent FQ escape to keep Devon straight and parallel to the rail. Turning my body in turns was the most effective to get a nice trot.

Monday and Tuesday

Monday

groom, walk and jog in preparation for MH to ride Try. Try had a funny hip hop canter where he landed simultaneously on both hind legs. We tried to figure if it was physical or druthers or what.

Tuesday

I was pretty sure it was druthers so we had a fun liberty session and renewed our connection--lots of stream of consciousness games and right side. Then freestyle warmup followed by lesson with MH

walk: we found a good connection with the reins, framing up and rhythm
trot: we did serpentines bending and remaining balanced and straight between my legs--even 5 or 6 loops in the dressage ring
canter: worked it out--I may have been holding Try back?? anyway good moving forward without the hiphop at all on both leads

update

Friday and Monday - Try

Cold weather, injuries, time off for Thanksgiving and begin Christmas preps: Friday was a complete dwell passenger day--all about filling her +s bucket. Monday was a review of connection in the dressage ring followed by some yeehaw let loose in the field and a bath followed by grazing and hanging out. Try was comfortable for the first time going down and rolling with me beside her.

Friday - Try and I - Ineffective Connection

See video: 2013 11 15 Try and I not enuf leadership:

Cranky at the walk so went to trot fairly soon and had some pretty nice trot as long as I wasn't asking for anything. Some improvement to trot-to-walk transitions. Very ineffective in maintaining the connection! Canter I was sitting and concentrating on separating seat and having nice elbows BUT no connection.

Thursday - Kathy and Devon - Downward Transitions - Laterals and Canter

1. After warming up we worked on trot to walk transitions. Conclusion: take the following steps.

1. Visualize the transition
2. Alert Devon with less leg and Try ?? (attention)
3. Sit deep
4. Apply 1/2 halt phases
5. Goal--smooth, immediate, good energy kept thru rebalancing the gaits, without little extra steps, etc using HQ. 
6. Homework: visualize this process and make it a habit. Film this each ride and watch for progress. 

Using intention and energy to power up i.e. in changing rein on the diagonal straight away.

Laterals: leg yield, haunches in and shoulder in.

Canter on the circle and then onto the rain.

Video: 2013 11 14

Tuesday lesson with MH

Set the camera and picked up parts of the lesson: see 2013 11 12

1.  Walk:

• Getting a good walk: energetic but relaxed, tracking up--not sticky or jigging. 
• On the video the walk looked pleasant. 
• She was in and out of connection--that had been better previously but at that time it was my primary focus.

2. Trot walk transitions:

• Cleanly from trot to a good walk--avoiding little falling out steps
• 1/2 halt, repeat until Try figures it out. 
• Make it a new habit. (Rest/treat to reinforce??)
• Upward transitions are important also. Notice the tendency to go from walk to jog to trot.
• Downward also want it to be relaxed and keep a good energy into smooth immediate walk.
• Very pretty trot after a few transitions

3. Circling to supple Try's right side

• Watch for Try's tendency to fall in and make the circle smaller.
• Use inside leg for this to keep the circle round whatever the circle size.
• Right rein and give, right rein and give.

4. Canter:

• Help Try every few strides with right rein
• Sit deep and follow with seat
• Separate my seat from reins, elbows. 
• Same downward transition as above. 
• Rhythm issue--trotting behind as my primary focus was independent seat and hands.
• I had several times 14 strides or so of a consistent good rhythm on the CIRCLE on the straight line I lost rhythm. Once we had two circles in a row of good rhythm. 
• Reins were bobbling some!

This was the best day so far in sitting the canter.
I see myself transitioning from in effect being a passenger to helping Try to have nice relaxed gaits with a good energy and helping her to use her body to be between my legs without falling in etc.

Videotape my rides with Try also!!

Monday MH rode Try and I rode Devon

Try and MH:

I watched and Katie filmed for me--18 minutes filed under 2013 11 11
1. I noticed a good bit of head bobbing and Try does it quickly with a sharp energy.
2. Walk, then trot for rhythm and downward transitions.
3. Canter twice tracking left and once to the right--MH said Try seems sore and was beginning to pin her ears so did not pursue it further. Normal for horses (and humans LOL) to have some soreness.
4. Saw nice little rounding up, more consistent frame.
5. Nice relaxed trot with good energy although not tracking up as much as she can.
6. ??How to help Try to step deeper with her HQ in the walk.
7. At about 12 minutes--MH stops and talks to me--go back to video to see if can pick up sound (ear phones if necessary).

Devon and I:
I wasn't feeling well and the old tricks were back and tension--partly Devon was hyper aware because of pack of hunting dogs barking near the ring. WTC not breaking gait. Carrot stick used and put down used and put down as it would add to the tension. Next time see if the little black bat would be better.

Friday

Update on this week:

I think Try is finally coming around with my not riding on loose reins and asking her to come up a bit thru her top line. Yesterday we walked on a casual rein til she blew then I took up the reins and asked--and by a few strides she was there with just a few reminders. Finally!!--I felt like I struggled with this all last year. No doubt having MH ride her a few times has gotten the idea across better than I was doing. LOL Anyway she seems pretty happy with MH and is licking and chewing a lot and fairly relaxed afterwards--so good so far. (I worry that Try is going to get negative--actually that is silly of me--of course she will and we will deal with it when it comes.)

Devon: I am seeing a real change in our relationship. The talk you had with me last week has really helped my approach--understanding that I wasn't using phases effectively, if at all and losing confidence made such a difference to my approach. Perhaps also he enjoyed our lesson last week as something different or having a good show was relaxing for him?? Who knows--anyway he has dropped several of the "testing me" games for the past two rides and we are both feeling more relaxed. Also I have no problem keeping him going at a pretty good pace--I am carrying the carrot stick and putting it down when he get anxious then getting it again if he feels like he might be losing energy.

Wednesday

Lesson with MH and Try:

Forgot to videotape.

1. Worked on downward transitions from trot to walk--sit deep half halt--engaging rather than throwing her away--so to speak.
2. Sitting trot: post, sit a few strides, post
3. Serpentines, circles. Falling in right front--help her with inside leg.
4. Canter: ride more from my legs--cueing/balancing/controlling the rhythm, get a good canter etc. Separate legs from reins.
5. Me: be careful about resting wrists and connect through my elbows.

MH and Try and Devon and I

Warmed up Try at the walk for MH: including patterns and lengthen and shorten the walk. Video etc of Try's lesson with MH who said Try is fun to ride and will do anything for you. BA complimented the progress Try is making. I saw Try looking really good for longer stretches of time. MH suggested lots of serpentines to help Try be balanced.

canter 

trot

Devon: I was ready for him having considered my increasing lack of confidence and unwillingness to up my phases with him. So today I had no problems with getting and keeping a good energy and had the gentle spurs and carrot stick as back up. Walk/trot/canter and no stirrups. BA suggested wtc warmup would be good for lessons with Kathy as well followed by dwell time to get calm after the canter.

Monday - Yeehaw Some with Try and Extended Trot

Went out Monday afternoon after three days off and Try seemed happy to get out and do something. After quick grooming, we walked til she blew then started in the dressage ring and she connected quickly. We trotted just a bit and then cantered. I was experimenting with the western saddle and the canter felt good.

Next we went to the field to play with extending the trot. BA saw and said she looked really good. This time Try did not break to a canter, was even rounding up on self carriage and extending as we trotted across the pasture. When we played with the canter she had lots of energy and was pounding on the front end and I was not able to sit it in the western saddle--so much for that experiment.

Thursday - Lesson with Kathy and the awesome Devon

Thursday I got a taste of incredible with Devon.
We did pieces of dressage patterns with the beginnings of suspension. WOW.
Also Kathy helped me get over an increasing lack of confidence with Devon. I realized later that I was letting the fact that he is Joey and BA's special special horse make me a pushover using only the lightest of phases and being ineffectual.

Also to note on the weekend BA showed Devon and was champion both days.

Wednesday - Try and I in the field - YeeHaw sorta

"Loosen the Spring" day:

Trotted in the field--see video. Just to let loose some. I remembered Gretchen's slow medium fast trotting at Williamston and thought some trotting really moving out would be a good idea. We did get some--Try was a bit confused and offered canter instead a few times. I was also working on NOT lifting my leg behind me to cue.

Also played with right side steps from session with Dan and feel confused--see video

I learned:
1. Tap behind the shoulder
2. Tap in phases
3. She did repeatedly look out her right side and walk off with that front foot.
4. Lateral flexion from a standstill was not as incredible after I spent 15 minutes of dwell time and treats on that side on the ground.
5. HQ yield: cross over with stick?

Tuesday - Lesson with MH - Try--pretty trot

I arrived early to have 20 minutes to warm up Try at a walk--she was still in her stall so turned her out for 10 minutes or so while I set things up for the day. Then quick groom (now that she is clipped and blanketed) and out to the ring. We actually walked for 25 minutes playing with patterns, straightness, etc. (forgot to work on rhythm). It only seemed like 5 minutes to me but when Try let me know she was ready to trot I checked my watch and stopped--then 15 minutes of dwell time.

Lesson with MH: I can't remember--so much said. BUT I filmed and saw a lovely trot coming with more swing and freedom in the shoulders--she looks so pretty vs tight, stiff, muscular etc. Also watching the video pretty nice attitude as well.

I saw that my leg is sooooo far back--what is going on there--is this what Kathy has been talking about?
The canter back in my saddle--the first go was a mess for me--then after releasing the tension in the legs and just sorta balancing on my butt only it got better. (??Try it bareback, lengthen stirrups, use carrot stick??)

I was able to keep reminding myself about elbows and resting wrists. Try made downward transitions from canter to trot before I could visualize, relax, sit deep and progressive half halt--except once from trot to walk it was really good.

Monday - MH rode Try

Catching game in the pasture, avoiding Richmond as MH rode him first, then MH rode Try. Today I noticed a different pattern--more head movement--MH said she was trying to rebalance herself. Also MH said when Try jigs at the walk to keep my legs on her--it is emotional--don't release--help her work through it. Also when going from left bend to right bend/circle, watch for Try dropping her right shoulder and help her stay square.

Later in the day I rode Devon:
Lovely catching game in the pasture twice today. Taking the bit in bridling still an issue. WTC Also did Intro A test before and after cantering. Canter went well--good energy and did not break gait except to poop which is permissible for him.

The test:
1. The first time was before cantering and I had problems getting a good trot.
2. The second time we had good energy in the trot but during the walk at the end he broke to a trot twice.
3. I learned: straightness was an issue down the center line and on the diagonals.
4. The circle at A we did not reach the first side marker--both times!
5. Pretty good at bending in the corners, and reaching the letters at the shoulder.

Conclusion: this was fun BUT better to work on the pieces than do a whole test--basically practicing things incorrectly.

Saturday - watched EDCTA show at Wind Drift

Enjoyed the show day. Great to be able to sit with Kathy to see if I could see what she was seeing. I saw it on an intuitive level that she was able to describe with knowledge. I was especially interested in seeing Lynne Green's Intro A test as this was her first show and Kathy was coaching her/reading the test for her. I took the photo.

It was also fun to see Lisa doing the Sport Horse Versatility with her two year old pony Waiku (Q).

This inspired me to learn the  Intro A test:

Saturday and Sunday with Try: Saturday both Dawn and I stopped by and hung out with her in her pasture and gave her treats. On Sunday, C.H. and I brought the big pumpkin and I visited with Try again.

Thursday Fun Patterns with Kathy and Devon

Went to the barn about noon as its getting colder in the mornings and dressage ring is free in the afternoon. I spent 20 minutes of dwell time with Try on her right side and she did not attempt to move the position. Just hung out while she grazed.

Then talked to BA about changing Devon to 2x per week instead of 3 and picking up the extras in January etc--providing he is still at Rollover. Also may help her with turn in next Friday.

Then Devon, groom and warmup in the ring. Kathy arrived and we played with dressage patterns and geometry and I am stoked. This is going to be fun. Devon was great about moving off my leg etc. Also I showed Kathy video of Try and I cantering in the bareback pad and my not having an issue sitting the canter. I cantered with Devon and really worked at sitting deeply as his canter is so lovely. I have to admit to some fear at sitting in that position instead of forward and Kathy said it is my position check MY THIGHS are long and relaxed--move them out and down and back in place.

Got back to the barn and BA had clipped Try for me!!

Geometry lesson:
1. diagonals: arrive at the letter with shoulder--okish to zone 3 not terrible if arrive a little soon--judge just thinks I need more precision, bad to be late--shows a lack of preparation. Use legs to stay nicely on course to make this happen.
2. straight on the rail: needs just a bit of bend of the shoulder fore to give the illusion of straightness from the judge's point of view--otherwise HQ appear to be out of line.
3. 20 meter circles: i.e. at C--3 points on the rail for only a couple of strides--again using right or left leg to cue so horse stays straight between my legs on the circle. A 20 meter circle in the middle (not at A or C) is more difficult as there are only 2 points where I connect with the rail.
4. This should be a seamless dance especially in the transitions from one pattern piece to another.
5. I want to practice this with Try--including closing my eyes on a straight line down the center line to feel and correct with my legs AND with my eyes open and a strong focus to see if she is following my focus.

Wednesday - I am in trouble!

Rode in MH's saddle and the difference was way too huge to ignore. I really don't have $3,000 to spend on a new saddle but from that ride I can truly see the need.

Great ride ever so pleased at how easy it felt especially at the trot and the canter was great also. Try coming up and maintaining so I can think about other things and I sat that canter.

Homework, etc.
1. Warmup at the walk for rhythm, tracking up, walking on a straight line before asking for contact/connection. 5-20 minutes! Try needs a long warmup??
2. Trot and canter was so much easier with my arms wider and lower--Try really understood. MH says it is used a lot for young horses.
3. Circles and walk/halt/salute--something fun to practice especially 20 meter circles that are not a 1/3 of the ring.
4. Canter on the circle then go off the circle on a diagonal and use 1/2 halt and sit deep to get a better transition to the trot.

Try's Right Side
Before the lesson with MH I rode Try bareback in the back paddock to play with the right side issue. She was amazingly light in the basic lateral flexion and not afraid to step out. I did not play with maintaining the flexion and ask for HQ yield. I remembered to mount and dismount on the right side. Forgot some to be on her right side on the lead line and we did a lot of dwell time and treats on her right side.

Tuesday - MH rode Try and I rode Devon

I arrived early and groomed Try. MH rode and Try looked like a dressage horse. MH said she was really responsive to seat cues and that I had done a good job with her. Also that as she got going she was responding more and more--shorten and length canter, turns, helping her on her right side, etc. Also being in raging season she and Richmond were very aware of each other. I noticed Try cutting her eyes before she got the idea of connecting/contact then her eyes softened. After I saw a lack of self-confidence.

We then went to the back paddock and played various liberty games all on her right side: i.e. weave cones, touch it with a cone on the barrel and sideways across the barrel, sticking together/dwell/friendly and apple slices.

Showered her with warm water as it was cold, cooler and in her stall to dry off. Her winter coat is really coming in and takes a long time to dry. Looking forward to that blanket clip soon!!

Next got Devon in from his field--all three of those horses are friendly and nice to be with. With Devon we warmed up w/t then no-stirrups posting trot and I needed to walk between my two laps. Canter was better--broke gait once only and was more relaxed at the end and we did more laps than Monday.

Monday - Strange Day

Went to the barn at 1 instead of 9am. I had no energy or concentration--sunny and I ate a brownie for lunch. Anyway spent the time with Devon--he did not break at the canter even tho both of us were feeling really lazy. Treats, dwell--first day Devon did not want me to leave when we got back to his pasture. Could be treats and with 50 some hours together--who knows what he thinks of the relationship. Only tricks today was mounting block--should bring kids carrot stick out next time.

Try: spent 20 minutes with her in her pasture only on her right side and in zone 3 or 4. She kept trying to change that and put me in zone 1 and off the right side. Interesting.

Friday - Dan Thompson

2013 10 18

·        Questions/help

·        Slow, fun non-physical stuff on line or liberty—filling her +s bucket priority—creative ideas??

·        Stiff on right side – lateral flexion

·        Canter and emotion—Dawn comments—does Try ever like to canter—always emotional?

·     

·       ·        Balance in Try’s life

o   Dressage learning—shortens the body, tightens the spring, benefits to health and to my learning. So far Try is positive or neutral in response. This includes stretching.

o   Loosen the spring necessary for balance. This is the yeehah factor—go out in the field and just go for it stuff. Ride ‘em cowboys. Barrels and poles: has she been taught use of body or just pushed thru it like jumping.

o   Filling the + bucket

§  feeling smart and appreciated without much physical exertion

§  sweet spot like the pedestal

§  precision and degrees of advancement

§  short duration of high physical activity or emotional stress

§  Parelli puzzles—solving a puzzle and nicker—enjoying learning process

§  Dwell, do nothing

§  Mirroring, sync

§  RIGHT SIDE

o   Fixing emotional issues:

§  right side emotional stiffness

§  intensity is our friend

§  Canter:

·        Lateral movement to release emotion

o   Offensive/defensive

o   HQ/shoulders/ribs

o   Serpentine

o   Heavy on forehand—counter bend on the circle—leg yield for lateral drift to take tension out of the ribs

o   Task her brain to get focus off the emotion

·        Vary the speed within the canter—use this in an approach and retreat manner to reduce the emotional reaction. Change her expectation and help her find a better answer.

·        Note: most emotional bending around the corner on the right lead—right side lack of trust and confidence.

THE RIGHT SIDE

·        ONLY the right side unless not possible until 2014.

·        Constant conscious awareness—post reminders at home—calendar etc. and in tack trunk, etc.

·        Ask BA/Dawn etc. to help with this when leading/dwell time

Preparing to ride

·        Lead on Try’s right side and spend extra time there as halter fastens on left

·        Groom both but spend more time on the right side

·        Tacking up can be done mostly on the right side

·        Mount and dismount on the right side

On the Ground—On Line and Liberty

·        7 games

o   Friendly!!! Including dwell/treats especially after riding

o   Porcupine and driving

o   Sideways to and fro and bring yer butt

o   Squeeze—pedestal

o   Touch it

o   Sticking together

·        Obstacles—cue from the right side

o   Weave

o   Tarp

o   Sidepass the barrel or whatever

o   Touch it cone on barrel

o   Straddle a pole

o   Small jump

Riding the Right Side!!!

·        First Can Try think out of the right side when touch right side from a stand still?
·        Then think and move stepping first with right front foot
·        Add HQ good step release and watch for right eye to relax (white not showing)
·        The walk and slow trot turns from right and left side and later without using the reins
·        Then release ribs and shoulder releases·         

Kathy comments:   Dan said he has been working on a book as he has been exploring,  what he refers to as having the horse think out of their stiff side.  By watching the horses eye you can see where they are thinking/leaving.  A horse may be doing what you are asking, but, where are they really thinking.  The hook is that when a horse is giving you stiffness, resistence, spookiness it may not be naughtiness, leaving etc., it may be that the horse just can't think out of that side of the brain.  It is not a right brain controlling the left side motor responses as in a brain injury, it is something no one has ever taught them or given them the chance to solve/find the right answer.  WHen I reran my mental images of Try in my head, I could see the biggest problems have been on the right side.  It was a totally new way of thinking about and looking at a horses' problems.  It reminded me of my first horse Nauti, who had rt lead problems and they were corrected by my touching her on the right shoulder to signal which lead she should throw.  In essense, I helped her think out the right side.  It is a very new way of looking at how horses think and connect to & with us.  Dan is so interesting.