Thursday Kathy and Try

Actually, reflecting on this more--I don't think it matters what Lynne does or doesn't know about any problems/successes Try and I may be having. Thinking back she has snapped at me in the past and one time even snapped, while Lisa and I were discussing BMe/Alchemy of lightness, that it was all a bunch of hogwash (or words to that effect). We are all different and at different stages of life. I will be prepared for the next time to just say to myself--"oh that's just Lynne."

I do love, love, love how well you understand Try. It is such a high priority for me that her life be good. I doubt very seriously that she has ever experienced a riding instructor who can come close to understanding what she needs to be happy. Also Try isn't all that thrilled with PNH instructors--she has said she likes Dan but does not like the way he has her work through problems. Haha Of course she is a happier horse for the psychotherapy she got from Dan!

On another note, I videoed BA and Rockwell. He seems to really enjoy the games on the ground and is relaxing more all the time. BA sent the video to the woman who bred/owned him (not a natural horsemanship person) and explained how much this sort of ground work is making a difference for him. Cute still shot attached above. The photos BA took of us not real good--the best when we were just standing there and Try could show off her muscular development from her past couple of years with you!

Thank you.

Elizabeth 

-----Original Message-----
From: rglielmi1@ec.rr.com [mailto:rglielmi1@ec.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 1:04 PM
To: Elizabeth Pope
Subject: Re: Yesterday

So sorry!  Lynne was having trouble with LF offering possible solutions to Lynne's aides, and without thinking, I mentioned Try offering solutions to you.  It was meant to help her understand that the learning/problem solving was found in horses of all levels of training.  I believe I also mentioned Suzanne's Connor doing the same problem solving.  I should have realized that Lynne is a talker and still lacks a greater level of understanding.  I will assume that she meant it as a support for her frustration with the learning process.  The success she had last lesson wasn't there that ride.  That if EVEN Try was having to process the exercise, LF was not being obnoxious just still trying to solve the problem.  I will not mention anything again, except You & Try/Sephira had a good ride. Lynne is not on the same page at all.  She is trying to learn more and is beginning to understand how important imagery is in communicating on a deeper level.  She has trouble holding the focus as her mind falls into analyzing her position and she loses the intent & purpose and LF falls apart.  This is a vast improvement as she is getting better on holding her focus.

  You & Try worked on some new concepts of feeling timing in the use of your aides.  The actual problem with the serpentine with 180' ToFH as you crossed center line was timing of aides and not picturing the 1/2 turn and walk off.  You rode up to the ToFH and didn't finish the image.  When Try gave you the 360, she was energetic and with you.  When you asked for 180 is was labored and frustrated Try, in my view.  Your torso turning through the turn and life up were hesitant, leaving Try wondering what the problem was.  It will all come together, as I know you.  This is something that you could also play with on the ground.

  That we finished with an emotional reward for Try with the trot & canter, was to help Try relax again and show she knew what was wanted.  I helped Try remember to stand up better in the canter and she showed us she understood what was needed and got comfortable. You and Try finished on a high note with strong success and satisfaction for Try.  She was very relaxed and happy with herself.  To me this is more important than completing the exercise.  The learning & processing will marinate and success is just around the corner.  I continue to be amazed at the bond you & Try have and the level of M-B-E.  You are so cerebral

Me  

---- Elizabeth Pope <ehpope@embarqmail.com> wrote:

> Kathy,

>

> I enjoyed the lesson yesterday and look forward to digging in to the

> new books!> 

>

> Today I have decided to tell you about something that bothered me. I

> went to the intro session for Pilates last night with Lisa, Paula,

> Lynn and Mary Ann--Lynn happily told the group that you had told her

> about Try backing up--her manner felt negative to me although I am

> sure what you said to her was not negative. (I enjoy hearing from you

> about your students successes as that is inspirational to me and I

> learn from hearing what Lisa is doing so I get a feel for the

> progression.)

>>

> Perhaps it would be good not to share about me with her?? I just feel

> that Lynn isn't necessarily on the same page with me. I want to view

> life as positive--when I do so successfully it really works for me but

> I must strive for it by reminding myself  and being conscious of my

> thoughts, especially if I start whining and complaining GGG. (I am

> sorry that I have fallen into the habit lately of complaining about the new arthritis this fall.

> Apologies)

>>

> I am very pleased that this fall I have had two extended periods of

> time of really getting that lovely, golden,

> "all-is-right-with-the-world" feeling going and using it with joyful

> results. Needless to say Try and Sephira appreciate it!

>

> > Thus for a session with Try or Sephira it works best for me to focus

> on what we did well and what we can enjoy improving on in the future.>

> ______________________

>

> My notes from yesterday's lesson:> 

>

> I am grateful for ...

>

> 1. Lovely time with Try, slow passenger warmup walk and a trot at her

> pace until she felt good and her trot and walk were lively.

>

> 2. We had some beautiful turns on the forehand from a walk to a halt

> in an M pattern.

>

> 3. We enjoyed some free yeehaw trot and canter at the end

>

> 4. Some lovely strides of canter.

>

> For next time: I did not act on my little voice that said to stop and reward Try for the simple turns on the forehand before we went on to doing them maintaining the walk rhythm--something new to both of us. Then I was confused causing frustration for Try. As homework Try and I can play with variations of walk/halt/turn on forehand--not necessarily even 360 degrees--even in different patterns until we are really comfortable with it. We can do this!

>

> I learned a new way to sync--feel her shoulder swing from side to side > and my opposite leg moves in sync with it. Felt very natural and I was > able to incorporate it into the pattern some. I do have to stop and > think to get it and then can maintain for a while. Great feeling!

Wednesday and Sephira

Big ride today w/t/c--including 2 laps of canter. I did a pretty good job and I feel the bond between us growing. Issue is how much fitness can I myself provide both Try and Sephira--how much do they need, how much do I want others riding them and how much am I able to do physically.

Monday and Tuesday

Warm, sunny weather. Christmas Glow and Flow. Time with my horses--Try offering uphill canter as the answer to everything and awesome at liberty in the field--no ropes or sticks etc and Sephira lovely to be with and relaxed and melting into the ground. Happy horses. Life is good.

Thursday - Lovely day with Try

Went out to the barn early and moved Parelli toys behind the round pen.

Then went to see Try in her pasture. Began thankfulness time sitting on log and Try came to me within a couple seconds and we breathed on each other. I thought she might be ready to play then but she was not--so played with liberty--GM then quickly into alignment--she was great by the 2nd attempt so asked for catch the thought part 1 which was lovely. Put halter on and into barn for grooming.

Barn: high energy level with guest farrier doing Richmond's feet--stallion and scarey smells for Try. She was uncharacteristically a bit up and nervous. Left for ring and a lovely ride--decided to ride there as I thought Try would enjoy riding with Ramone more than being in her pasture with Lexie tho Lexie was good about leaving Try alone today.

Took plenty of time to warm up--walk/little jog/walk/suppling etc. Then a couple of laps of trot, some nice cantering.

Finished with more B Me--GM good, alignment-good, catch the thought part 1 fabulous, part 2 softening and bringing head in/down from the chest I am confused a few tries but not so good on my part--need to review. Went on to direct the shoulder for the first time--in the beginning Try offered other stuff and was confused--then I helped her a little with lead--she got it, quickly rewarded the thought and 2nd time was fantastic. Quit--treat--goooood girl--session over.

Back to the barn--second farrier had arrived--both ends of the barn blocked--got Try in, tack off, brush--Try nervous then back out to her pasture and visit/dwell time.

Monday - Try and Wednesday - mostly Sephira

Monday: Today I enjoyed Try's company

• She seemed happier, relaxed, responsive
• nice turn on the haunches
• enjoyed the canter
• weaves were fabulous
• BMe good and also stick to lme

next time: canter on the rail

watched BA ride Sephira--BA is enjoying getting to ride Sephira to learn dressage and I enjoyed watching Sephira being good at learning. BA trimmed her mane and she was amazing and not in a good way!

Wednesday: I enjoyed reviewing with Try the B Me lessons in her pasture and she was just lovely in all ways. BA gave her a partial clip on Tuesday and she is looking good also.

Sephira--I rode her and loved it

• She was pleasant, relaxed and responsive
• We did 2 laps of canter on the rail and she broke gait only one time to poop--I was able to easily catch any other potentials breaks of gait.
• Her canter is fabulous
• We had a lovely fluid serpentine with the changes of bend flowing nicely
• She was agreeable about a bit of vertical flexion--a non issue

next time: I have a plan including canter on the rail 2 laps.

Sunday Nov 30 with Kathy and Try

We discussed habits--mine

I would like to make good progress in replacing several old habits:

1. maintaining my leg by the horse's side--bounce leg to correct/cue

2. maintaining hands close together

3. make turns with my torso while I look where I am going

4. open upper torso

Today I really liked mini serpentines going forward without asking for a bend.

Today we played with the concept in bends of asking for more bend in the HQ.

I am truly loving the difference in Try's canter using her HQ!

Last week in November - "Vacation"

It rained and was muddy and cold through Wednesday so I caught up on Christmas stuff. Thursday Thanksgiving. Friday watched Lisa's lesson with Kathy.

MMJ BMe Update

On Sun, Nov 23, 2014 at 7:13 AM, Elizabeth Pope <ehpope@embarqmail.com> wrote:

Hi Mary,

Lisa and I got together yesterday. I thought she did great with Tiara--was able to see Tiara progressively relaxing, increasing the alignment and the catch the thought goes pretty well for them with the dressage background. That's the good news. 

I learned a lot playing with Try yesterday. Mainly I learned if she isn't in the mood and I can't change it, there will be no sincere alignment so no point in going on.  

(Note: Try bit two people this week and snapped at another when they tried to put her halter on her in the pasture--very uncharacteristic for my perfectly wonderful warm, loving, safe friend. Both vets have checked her out and found nothing physical. I have asked Try what is going on and she is saying to me--if I am hearing her correctly--"I am in a bad mood, I don't know why, I am confused, I don't want to do anything, LEAVE ME ALONE, do not ask me to do anything.") 

2 minute video--not sure it is worth your time to watch but link is included below. 

1. Because Try was cranky I picked her to play with thinking she might enjoy the low-keyed attention in the sunshine etc.

2. GM she was fairly relaxed but tuned out--energy ribbon not leading to more relaxation so went on to alignment. I kept trying to find a way to reward the slightest relaxation and release but she wasn't offering any. I stopped and rubbed her forehead at one point and she did melt for me really well--this is our go to spot for relaxation.

3. Alignment: although it got slightly better as we went along and we did both sides, I could see her cutting her eyes at me and she was so slow--no energy put forth to connect with me--I was embarrassed to see the video. I am wondering if I need MORE TM energy in some way. Today I plan, however, a session just to see if I can change up the mood.

4. Catch the thought: I could see her chest tighten and this was not difficult for her and she responded quickly but she did not have the lovely catch the thought and round up simultaneously that she has had twice in the previous week.

5. A question about teaching Try to soften when I touch her face--am I correct that this is while focusing on the center of her chest and will this lead to Try rounding up every time I touch her face with GM whether I holding lead or not--just touch lovingly while focusing TM energy on the center of her chest?

6. Do you reckon she is bored with what I am doing and do I need to somehow change things up?

7. Will let you know if I have good results today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE0CaFDRzJU&feature=youtu.be

From Mary:

Try has so very much pre-exhisting communication with you - she could be getting frustrated when she thinks she should know how to answer you - yet it is not resulting in reward - I would be quick to get out and move on to something else when she first starts to soften in the face the slightest bit - was this video in one time frame? She had a great shift of Energy early on - but then seems to tune out as you went - try to notice when you get a 2 + 2 is 4 and go on the something else.

yes to 5 - but only if she understands clearly that this is the answer - it sounds like she has a lot of other things she is pretty certain are the answers and is getting frustrated if she does not know what path you want her one -

make it really clear just with the slight pressure on the nose for now - lessen the exaggeration of you body moving into hers - and just work on that one 'sheet' of communication - when she softens her face  release - and treat if you want - be real quick to get out and change it up to something else to reward her - she has a lot of well paved roads - we want to be helping the communication on those roads even clearer.

Mary

Mary,

I think this is huge--ordinarily I would be rewarding in so many ways step by step i.e. good girl, pats, rub her forehead, wait, treats (I have 3 categories of treats and am careful how I give them and when--gave treat too late in the previous session then too many. I have so-so treats for ok stuff that I still want to reinforce, good treats for big improvements and a super treat when the session ends.)

In my desire to be perfect in my BMe learning I was only just trying to reward with GM cookies and I think we were both frustrated and communication was so unclear between us.

Also Try is absolutely a horse not to drill--move on when she gets it!

Will let you know how it goes--between rain and barn being inundated with water, I have lost consistency.

From Mary:

Please keep me in the loop on Try's progress - Anytime I've had anyone say their horse was nippy or cranky it has usually stemmed from the horse being frustrated by the human's communication - and this is one of those things that can be really hard to diagnose via internet - if I need to come up for a short visit just for you and Try - I am willing to do that to ensure I am helping guide you both in the way I intend - just keep me posted please :-) MMJ

Will keep you informed. Try has cranky periods. She had a bad one August of 2013 and vet found arthritis issues--injected hocks/adequan. I have whatever vet is at the barn continuing to check this and so far no need for repeat of this. Last January, Try was cranky and vet thought it might be hormones in aging mare. But now if it is physical neither vet can find anything. I am considering chiropractor for accupuncture or massage therapist.

Also she is grumpy in her pasture when I drive in before she even sees me AND her biting people/children when I am not even there and Try doesn't even know them--doesn't seem an immediate reaction to human communication. It could be a general frustration to humans, weather, her 2 y/o pasture mate, arthritis. I am very concerned as I want this to be a good time in her life when she feels good, is healthy and feels loved and valued.

Will let you know.

Thank you for offering the workshop and sharing your expertise!!! YES to continuing with the workshop on a monthly basis.

***************************************************************************

COURSE WRAPUP QUESTIONS: I would like to ask that you respond to the following questions with candor and heart. (you may reply in the body of an email or attach a word doc)

1. What have you discovered is your best way of creating GM within yourself? Little smile and think of my golden girl Try. I even think of it as GM golden mode. I think of how much I love her and love to stroke her golden coat. I have this linked to the "one with the universe" state of mind I learned to create years ago. I don't always remember to bring GM forth in me LOL!! However, if I want it, its there.

2. What have you discovered is the best way to guide your horse to reach GM? Stroke her forehand and ears and she will melt. She doesn't see the energy ribbon as a cue to melt--just tolerates it. I believe I de-sensitized her to it. OR perhaps I need to find ways to give her a reason to want to relax/be released from pressure.

3. Out of all 8 Sessions - which was the easiest for you and why? I just looked back through them and I don't feel that any of them were/are easy. In a way working on myself is the most difficult as it requires working on some fundamental change and the need for fairly constant awareness of my relaxation and positive thinking. On the other hand, applying sessions with Try and Sephira are more difficult because I am not the only one in control of what happens.

4. Which Session was the hardest and why? Session 1 thankfulness/GM/relaxation--creating in myself what my horses would like to experience.

5. Was the workshop what you expected it to be? Please elaborate. I had few expectations--my feeling was that I just wanted to learn more about using energy and visualization with my horses. So the workshop exceeded my expectations.

6. What was the most challenging part of the workshop as a whole? I have tried to not use Parelli methods along with the energy ribbon/B Me to further my learning and I think it was a mistake as it takes me away from using my intuition to focus in so much on learning a technique. (I am task oriented enough as is.) I have done the Parelli so long that I am not sure it is even Parelli but just me--I do have the right brain/big energy/artistic creativity part very strong in me and my intuition with horses is good if I will just let it be the highest priority.

7. What would you say that you have gained from this workshop? Belief in my ability to communicate with Try and Sephira on a deeper level.

8. Is there any constructive criticism you could offer to help the program help more horses & humans in the future? I have not tried session 8 yet with Try and Sephira. The fact that the workshop went eight weeks was a positive for more time for exploration but I suspect my de-sensitizing may have come from not moving along when Try and Sephira needed it. When I signed up for the course the Aug/Sept time frame was a selling point for me--i.e. to use that hot August time productively. I knew October would be difficult with trips/projects etc and I dropped the ball for nearly a month and lost momentum and lost the depth of GM I had been using/creating.

I wonder if there is a way for the facebook group to be more learning oriented. I am happy to like and support everyone--that is me. I am not comfortable posting there all the time if it is more than others as that feels selfish.

I wonder if there is a way to make journaling more a part of the workshop--I blog and make notes on the course each time I play with my horses and I am keeping a notebook with the course text, my notes, your notes, private session notes, etc.

I actually think I have a fairly good intellectual grasp of the course work BUT when I am with my horses I lose pieces and am never as effective as when you are there. I do make a list of key points and memorize them before I go to the barn and still have trouble in action remembering 5 or so points simultaneously. LOL I realized with Lisa and Tiara--that the points to remember come to me so easily, steps to follow etc--when I am just WATCHING. I want so much to read my horses moments as they happen and not miss important stuff.

ok I am rambling. Thank you for undertaking sharing your knowledge with us.!!!!!

***************************************************************************

Learning to be good with horses?

Learning to be good with horses

A complex pursuit involving human emotional fitness, physical fitness, knowledge as a rider, ability to read and understand the horse’s emotional needs and what is needed for the physical development of the horse—all the while forming a partnership between 2 very different species. If the prerequisite to riding is calm, connected and responsive—that requires the understanding of helping the horse to be relaxed, mentally connected with the human and desiring to follow the suggestions/desires of the human. Setting priorities is important as it is impossible to do it all.

ME

1.      Emotional fitness requires physical relaxation and positive thinking as prerequisites to the magic of communication in great times and trying times. This is homework that can be done before going to the barn and requires conscious awareness at the barn. Also homework for identifying and changing unhealthy states such as fear of injury.

2.      Physical fitness for riding to me requires homework of strength training with weights and abdominal work and flexibility conditioning is huge to prevent injuries. I am relying on riding for aerobic conditioning.

3.      Mentally homework is study. Study of written/video/audio coursework in the areas of natural horsemanship, rider bio-mechanics and dressage for the physical development of the horse. The amount of material available to study through internet and home study, clinics, lessons is vast to say the least. Study includes planning priorities for sessions at the barn and assessment of those sessions afterward.

TRY

1.      Emotional fitness: Try is calm and brave and not particularly motivated to move her feet unless she becomes emotional. She is especially safe to ride and be with, even when emotional--she does not lose sight of relating to humans. She fears pressure in learning situations and fears losing control. She is very expressive of how she is feeling. She and I are hugely emotionally connected. She reads my mind.

2.      Physical fitness: the dressage training is being fantastic for Try with positive changes in muscular development occurring at her age of 23. She is not getting the aerobic training she was getting from hunter riding and this could be added although carefully as laps bore her greatly.

3.      Mentally: Try enjoys the accomplishment of learning, nickers when she gets it, as well as licking and chewing easily. Mental challenge is important for her as she gets bored easily and will not desire to be “responsive” if so. She does a lot of stuff for me just because she knows I want it—not because of any genuine ambition on her part. However, she seems to enjoy having human audiences and perhaps is competitive with other horses in showing what a great learner she is. She has been a student of western pleasure, gaming, reining, natural horsemanship, English hunter riding on the flat, dressage, and responds to the beat of music, energy levels and subtle cueing.

SEPHIRA

1.      Emotional fitness: Sephira is calm, brave but not quite as much as Try. She is more introverted than Try. She does not have Try’s emotional swings, staying, at least on the surface, calm and sweet. She gets emotional over rough handling in grooming—more offended than fearful. While having a reputation for sweetness, especially in riding, she also has a big ego and knows she is gorgeous, special and an advanced dressage horse. She is tolerant of two kinds of riders: intermediate but kind and not asking too much of her and also advanced riders who are very clear and fair and also do not push her too far or fast. She is confused about relating to a human on a deeper level though we make strides--though consistency is lacking on my part. We are sometimes very connected and other times there is no connection. She draws easily to humans but will crowd their space if allowed. She is curious.

2.      Physical fitness: this is increasing at a good pace after years of inattention. Hunter hacks and dressage lateral and vertical flexion 3-4 times per week.

3.      Mentally: Sephira is a good learner under saddle. She is pretty clueless about learning tasks on the ground and tunes out mentally. She is enormously smart and enjoys testing humans, especially with ground manners issues. She has not found satisfaction or enjoyment in learning on the ground but does enjoy dwell time and liberty. She has learned dressage to at least FEI Intermediate level and although she burned out--that learning and accomplishment says a lot.

Saturday with Lisa, Tiara and Try

Yesterday, I had a good time, learned things. Lisa and Tiara did great. Enjoyed visiting and sharing thoughts.

I learned: if I can't change Try's cranky mood, she will not really align. To get her to "catch me" I needed to stop the B Me and go back to whatever it took Parelli/Dan stuff to get the connection. I was embarrassed at how unwilling she was--certainly not a sincere thought to do things with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE0CaFDRzJU

I am feeling frustrated with myself to not know what to do to help Try out of her current malaise.

Friday - More on Catching the Thought from MMJ

MMJ sent video to watch on furthering catching the thought: End has incredible slow motion of this beautifully done.

Good video on Catching the Thought:

11 12 MMJ\catch the tht more.mp4

11/21 video sent to me by MMJ to further catching the thought—incredible slow motion of Dance doing this beautifully.

Review:

1.      Be clear about the goal. It is not about the feet. It is about the THOUGHT!! About the horse thinking of shifting their center of gravity back as the result of catching my thought.

2.      Softening in the shift will transfer to the saddle i.e. ½ halt—not just backing. Rebalance.

Two things to recognize:

1.      The pressure (TM alignment) goes to the center of the chest so horse recognizes this. Look to her chest muscles to tighten as first physical sign of the thought registering. The second will be the beginning of the horse rocking or making a weight shift.

2.      Softening the front of the body and coming up through the topline. This is to be taught separately. Reward only one thought at a time with a horse. MMJ: “When I touch the horse’s face, I want him to soften—soften through everything—his front end, face, poll, neck—all to melt.

a.      Ignore the backup and wait for the softening. We don’t care about the feet—only the face.

3.      Lastly when 1 and 2 are well taught, horse will put the layers together

4.      Remember to release on the softening

Thursday - Started studying Silke pack

Really like this--seems like a bridge between Parelli and B Me

Silke – 7 Games

Dvd1

4 Qualities of an Exercise

1.      Reward the slightest try

2.      Don’t break gait/slow and right

3.      Speed up w/o pressure/fast and right

4.      Healthy mind/body/emotion

Friendly Game

·        Rhythm, relaxation and retreat

·        Cock the back leg to encourage mirroring relaxation

·        Toleration is not relaxation—reward the slightest relaxation tiny

·        Give tiny releases for tiny tries: eyes, ears, nose etc

·        Good better best, never let it rest

·        Phase 1 is human’s relaxation

·        Fawn stretches HER back for horse to mirror

Massage techniques in friendly game

·        Lateral, with the muscle, circling skin over muscle

·        Watch for slightest relaxation

·        Smile and think how proud I am i.e. 60sec GM cookie

·        At a walk/trot touching at withers—can she relax—release on the try

·        Can she mirror my long, low body

·        Lifting the horses back from under carriage—soft hands can she lift

·        Good to teach the lift on the ground before asking for it in the saddle

·        If she is grouchy don’t do it, call your therapist

Porcupine Game #1

·        Gives you lightness

·        Transfers to riding aids—reins and leg

·        Increases the relationship

·        Reward the slightest try, not break gait, speed up, healthy

Backup

·        First from the nose then from halter knot a la MMJ

·        Mind, flexion, weight, feet

·        Flexions according to Silke: lateral, vertical, longitudinal, latitudinal, head and neck

·        Teaching vertical flexion in the backup is healthier for the horse than backing flat

o   Soft, open hands, reward the slightest try

o   Careful not to feel rough to horse as then she can’t understand

o   If a little bracey and head low, lift head a bit so horse doesn’t evade

o   Gives a mental connection

o   Reward connection and relaxation

o   Mini releases for mini tries; big release for big try

Thursday - Best day with Sephira and Try lethargic

Today began with walking to Sephira's pasture and Try catching me on the way to say "pick me." Gave her treat at the fence then went back to barn and came out again with BA to help her get Lexie. Try walked away from me!! That was fun as we got to play the catching game--she came to me but I likely quit too soon. Then a little attention in the pasture and left to get Sephira.

Today with Sephira--no tricks, really working with me, walk/trot/canter. Canter lovely compliments from Bethanna. With the trot I took a soft feel and tried to identify when she was "soft on the bit." I realize I have had years of not caring about this. BA has been taught by Joey to jiggle legs to get her to soften. I would have used ring fingers softly on the reins to do the same thing. After good with alignment and catch the thought but not so much with softening the front end.

Then went back to Try and went to lovely new round pen with new footing. Cool. Try honestly did not feel like moving. Played gently with lots of Parelli games and B Me alignment and catch the thought. She was resistant in catch the thought today after being lovely the last time. Tiny bits of trot not sustained/liberty. Circling on the rail, sidepass to me from intention. Concentration scattered. Also she snapped at me when I went to put her halter on in pasture 2nd time. I know she was saying to me. LEAVE-ME-ALONE-I-DO NOT-WANT-TO-DO-ANYTHING! NOT IN THE MOOD!! I do not know what to do--vets don't see anything. I think perhaps it is arthritis and wildly changing weather.

Monday - I'm back and Tuesday ride with Sephira

Starting to feel that I am getting back into the swing of things.

1. Sephira--riding with draw reins--lovely trot and canter. Remember to use leg for forward energy with Sephira especially at the canter.

next time: ride the canter on a loose rein and for the trot--light connection looking for softening, jiggling LEGS to soften.

B Me:
1. Sephira--after riding.
a. Did fairly well with alignment--she was able to "see me" so much better than yesterday.
b. "Catch the thought" shifting my weight and focusing energy and line of lead/halter to her chest was the answer. The energy ribbon was clutter.

2. Try--her usual self today--groom, hang out and B Me:
a. Some melting, aligned well by 2nd ask
b. catch the thought--she was even better than last Thursday. Nose and chest in one movement from focus on her chest. She knew what I was asking and offered--several nice ones--the third with several steps back. Gave treat and quit.

Tuesday rode Sephira with draw reins WTC on the grass in front of the barn as that was the best footing on the farm. Went really well.

Sunday

Sephira
Getting her to see me in the round pen. BME didn't work, circling with lots of walk/trot transitions and back to B ME and it was getting better. Then pleasant ride and at the end played with alignment and catch the thought and was much better--especially when I had my act together remembering all the pieces.

Try quick B Me in her pasture. Not as good as Thursday but easy back/didn't add the nose nearly as well.

Thursday - Try, Kathy and "catch the thought"

Try was great: enjoyed the lesson especially the canter--she was using her HQ for longer than before in the canter. We also played with task 2 catch the thought and Try was awesome--third attempt she put back and nose together.

Wednesday - MMJ

More on this as I get the chance to watch video and collect my thoughts.

Basically we did the session 7 "catch the thought" backup-with-collection exercise with both. For Try the issue was she kept offering things she knows. For Sephira it was tuning out/going to sleep/and her attempts much more subtle than Try.

Monday - Nov 10 - Try in prep for MMJ

Played in round pen with Try on MMJ stuff but concentration was scattered with workmen building paddock fences next to the fence. Then pleasant ride with nice concentration. Then back to round pen and all was much better.

Jennifer rode Sephira as it was a school holiday and her friends were visiting and all riding.

Friday

My first priority was observing myself for positive thoughts. It was a beautiful day and I loved the drive seeing all the fall colors in the sunshine. I carried the positive feeling with me until I got to the grocery store mid afternoon then forgot it as I was tired.

Try:

• She came to me
• She was loving
• She was relaxed
• She gave me great warm golden feeling energy
• She acknowledged my presence during the day

next time

1. pleasant ride

2. ?mental stimulation?

Sephira:

• We started with the respectful energy from Wednesday
• In the round pen we played with the golden ribbon and as we progressed I saw greater relaxation
• She follows me at liberty zone 1 to zone 1, and side-by-side for a little while.
• We played friendly game at mounting block without mounting.
• we made strides with lead line, mirroring and refreshing our memories as to lead line ground manners

next time

1. I will want to be observant. As I play friendly and help Sephira relax she loses respect and gains dominance. I believe she equates gentle, loving connection as wimpy. I now know I can use Parelli methods to change a disrespectful attitude as it arises and it likely will.

2. Time to get back to some really riding rather than lovely putzing about.

Thursday - Starting over with B ME - days 1, 2 and 3

Day One: Starting over from the beginning:

1. reviewed session 1 notes and video
2. plan 3x a day for at least 3 days - 7 min GM golden mode:

• physical relaxation
• 5 minute movie, visualization--bringing in Try or Sephira, listening to inner voice
• 60 second count down to set the feeling

Going back to reset my relaxation and positive thinking path.

Forgiving myself for getting off track. The answer if I see negativity in my horses is always GM, dwell time, mirror, just hangout together. Positive warm, loving GM cookies.

For me--I got off track with trips and non-horse stuff that is not geared for spiritual development. However, it is up to me not to others to challenge myself to stay with the program with other distractions, getting tired, etc.

Journaling to provide discipline. Perhaps in notebook, perhaps here??

So Day 1 thankfulness time

1. tension--observed, movie--focus an issue, 60 sec ct good--did with MMJ tape

2. worked on relieving tension for several minutes, movie attempts better, 60 sec great

3. less tension, movie--jogging in the sand and rubbing Try's neck--focus scattered, 60 sec touching set more GM than in quite some time.

Day Two: Session Two - Mirroring

Today I plan hanging out, dwell time, lots of GM cookies and mirroring--1. not asking for anything, and 2. ask/release and reward with cookie. (gm/visual/60sec).

THankfulness time:
1. Did in bathtub 8 am physical relaxation better, movie--asked Try for movie??, 60 sec ok
2. At Rollover with Try: phys tension better, movie--both Lexie and Try came to me physically and I quit as Lexie was nearly on top of me and I do not know her.
3. I forgot to do a 3rd time.

Mirroring: I did this with both Try and Sephira--Try at a standstill and on lead line and Sephira on lead line. Should I be seeing some result?

The MAIN thing I did was be conscious of positive thoughts and washing out any negative. I had a lot of success with this. This is especially important with Sephira as fears or anticipation of problems can affect our connection.

I played with GM and energy ribbon a lot with both horses and for both I saw greater relaxation as I went along. I even saw Sephira get a little sleepy looking. Using TM focus and energy ribbon both Try and Sephira come to me and are connected. Sephira has difficulty stopping with me.

Exhale--both Try and I exhale and recognize the cue but don't have it coupled with stopping. Sephira licked and chewed a lot but rarely exhales.
They both back from my focus and energy without the energy ribbon--unsure if its a sincere thought--catching the thought. Please review--lessons 5-8.

Day Three: Thinking and Studying

Constant Conscious Awareness

1. think positive
2. think in terms of energy
3. think about catching the thought/reading the horse
4. find release and reward with cookie: gm/vis/60sec

7: use my energy bubble to catch Try's thought and ask her to shift away from me

8. direct Try's thoughts to move her feet

Using GM to create new + pathways

ITS ALL ABOUT AWARENESS

Wednesday with Sephira

• She followed me--really sticking to me--at liberty immediately in the round pen
• She was perfect at the mounting block
• She was so much better on the lead line
• I loved her beautiful big trot and today we trotted a lot in a relaxed easy way--loose reins
• She was sweet for grooming and showering
• I was able to be gentle and loving and she recognized it as a good thing

1. check the mounting

2. progress the??

3. what's in it for her?

Tuesday with Sephira!

Today was the first attitude adjustment day in the round pen.

Sephira was lovely until I wanted to mount and kept moving as I tried various approaches. Finally enough is enough--went to round pen. Sufficient free lunge/changes of direction/not completely full out for her safety until she was ready to come to me/stick with me and follow me like a puppy. Went back to mounting and she stood still then took a step as I was mounting. Correction given then easy ride. She started out nervous both the step and walking--but we walked until she relaxed and then trotted a little. Then played with mounting several more times until we got it right.

• I loved her trot
• I felt successful in attitude adjustment
• I felt successful in winning the mounting issue
• I felt successful in reading her confidence level
• I felt successful in helping her relax

1. continue mounting block
2. what's in it for her?

Mondays

Monday October 27
Easy hack with Try, play in round pen liberty and play with kicking ball out of dressage ring. Try lovely to be with.

Monday, November 3
Same--Try in and out of bad mood.

• Cadillac who drives herself
• relax - no worries
• no pressure - safe
• we share a language
• she knows me

1. cranky/boredom whats in it for her
2. talk with her
3. ??she doesn't know why she is cranky??

Sunday with Kathy and Sephira

This was not a great day,

My goals were self-confidence after 2 week absence, relaxation and emotional fitness, visualization and communication and matching Sephira's energy in the trot.

What happened:
1. over bending--the neck in shoulder-in and frustration in making the correction and keeping forward motion
2. Sephira testing me rather than maintain self carriage in lovely, free trot

Solution from Kathy: closer physical connection with reins and use of outside leg and outside aids.

catching up - Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday

Try: easy "passengerish" ride--groom, walk around ring with new footing, choices to go up the drive but not out on the road left to Try. Communication: if Try would remain calm, we would leave the ring. Treats, hangout and B Me in round pen. Draw good--unsure about HQ/sincere thought, stopping but not really melting. "Catching the thought" and moving back from the chest--again unsure about sincere thought. Also Try was offering Parelli tasks of sideways and HQ yield towards.

Sephira: went to her fence and gave her a couple treats--she seemed pleased to see me.

Thursday

Try: lesson with Kathy and Try was absolutely magic!!

Kathy post at facebook: Had a wonderful session with Elizabeth Pope & Try this AM. Elizabeth has such a wonderful bond with Try. Elizabeth was focusing on visualizing uphill transitions with some jump into them. Try came through with such energy, they were beautiful transitions as were the broken line leg yields.

We did leg yields, shoulder in and haunches in and played for the first time with concept of half pass. Also I was reminded that when Try chooses to extend her trot that is good--if it became runny I could relax my energy level or do downward transition to reset.

Sephira:
Groom and B Me. Much like Try-- Draw good--unsure about HQ/sincere thought, stopping but not really melting. "Catching the thought" and moving back from the chest--again unsure about sincere thought.

Friday and Monday

Fri was the first time in over 6 months that Try was not the most perfectly wonderful any horse could be. I don't know exactly what was going on. The plan was just a tiny bit of review for Sunday lesson and then just hangout and enjoy the day...I had sent that message I thought. We were not connected and distracted and ended with some high energy liberty play in the big ring. 

Sun lesson was cancelled.

Mon getting ready for Colorado trip and played a bit with Try on the ground only.

Thurs vet Karen came while I was mid flight from Charlotte to Denver.  She said Try looks best she has ever seen her! So that is not problem...did not have pain or need hocks injected etc. Good news. Don't know what is going on with Try. Karen also checked Sephira and she is doing well.

Beginning Mary Wanless - On the Bit online study

1. Week one -- Seeking the Reflexes

Noticing what is happening in the moment is all important.
It's all about what is happening in MY body.

Strung bow image and others: Shortening the bottom/ab muscles causes the topline to be pulled into an arc. This requires muscular change though some changes can come relatively quickly. This does not come from focus on head/neck but from more effectively from the RIDER's alignment and biomechanics.

I like the image of circuit of ENERGY best and that there are various points at which the horse or human can break the line of energy. I can expect this to take time. i.e. Until I sit right, my horse can't go right and until my horse goes right, I can not sit right. So we want a positive spiral toward better.

I also liked the image of two water hoses coming up horses HQ to his ears and that we want the water to flow freely. Images of through vary--dominos. For me the feeling is one of UNITY and energy.
The result is beautiful fluid movement. Each horse is different but all horses can do this and it is so much healthier for them.

Another image is stuffing from the back end--when horse inverts he is stuffing the other direction. LOL To me it is a tightness and coming in of the musculature.

So for the rider--NOTICING:
1. I must not be afraid to match the great energy when it comes--I felt I did this better Tuesday than Thursday and I felt proud Tuesday and frustrated on Thursday.
2. The front of my torso must be the same length as the back of my torso.
3. Stirrup length--looking for 45 degree angle.
4. Foot rests lightly in the stirrup
5. Cowboy prongs. seat bones rest and melt into horse--rather than move in walk, 1/2"
6. Extraneous movement is rude and prevents lovely 2 way communication. Pushing with the seat is extraneous movement. Forward comes from legs or tap, tap with stick. Pushing blocks the hoses.

(2 supplementary videos to watch on alignment and plugging in the seat bones)

Thursday with Sephira and Kathy

Today was a frustrating day but a good learning day.

1. Shoulder in with Sephira: my concentration needed to be outside rein to avoid over  bending and outside leg forward of the girth to move the shoulder.

2. My attention and persistence had to be highest priority on maintaining my position--elbows and hands so Sephira could understand that I really wanted what I wanted. LOL When I would focus on transitions etc I lost my focus thus, for a while anyway, the transitions, etc. need to be made with a secondary focus and concentration.

3. Sephira is such a good teacher. i.e. my leg means forward

4. I want to match Sephira's energy when it is really good.

5. My frustration today I realize came from ignoring Sephira in the conversation and focusing on what Kathy was asking. Sephira wants me to talk to her and learn to listen to her.

6. I lost my sense of relaxation, visualization to telegraph what is coming. Soft concentration and enjoying the moment.

Checking in with Try and Sephira

From Try: First let me say all is well. I am enjoying having this new human around and sharing time and space with her. I don't feel threatened in any way, and the ease in which we work is delightful. It's time in my life for comfort and less stressful learning. I'll always love my main human and will try to do any and everything she wants to do that makes her happy. It is nice, though not to have an agenda in these days and times. My hips are a bit ouchy but no severe pain, and nothing that will restrict riding in the fashion we're doing. Elizabeth, is doing a great job communicating using her abilities as a telepath. I know and feel her appreciation on every level. We don't need words to convey our feelings. I send her..love.

From Sephira: I know I'm wonderful and I'm glad you recognize the same..We're really getting a "connection" between us at this point in time. Yes, I understand, and got your thought about the draw reins before hand. Your hands are light enough not to be a bother, just remember to push forward a bit more with your legs. Remember..we're teaching each other. As for respect..good going! I'm learning you can be a force to be reckoned-with!

Both horses seem to have just what they need right now! I can't help but chuckle at Miss Sephira's ego. But, ya know..I think it's pretty cool she knows her worth! I'm so proud of you, Elizabeth! You're doing a wonderful job "communicating" with these horses. Keep up the good work!

I had a gal email me last week about teaching some classes. She's friends, and a client of Nikki Heath. I'm thinking about doing some online workshops. Maybe via Skype. Still in the works. Keep that in mind in case you know of anyone that maybe interested..

Many Blessings..S

My concerns were--was Try ok with Dawn--especially now that they are slow trotting without out stopping for 30 minutes. In my conversation with Try she did not like it boring and a bit exhausting but she likes Dawn a lot. Also I really was uncomfortable about using the draw reins with Sephira, warned Sephira about them in advance and checked in with her yesterday to see if she was ok with it and she didn't seem to think it was that big a deal.

photos

Wednesday, October 8 - Sephira

Today Sephira met me at her stall door. We played/hung out out back. Dwell time. Some GM, cookie, mirroring and a little backup from intention. A little stroking fav places. etc.

MMJ

Email posts on progress in GM/TM alignment and rewarding the release with exhale.

My email to MMJ:

Sephira and I played out front with the gold ribbon before a lesson today and have been able to do so for three days in a row.

TM energy ribbon and seeking alignment: Sephira comes to me when I move and stays aligned until I stop. However, I am unsure about whether my focusing on her stifle has any effect. I did watch her energy and it seemed to begin with her HQ. Still I don't know if I am teaching anything.

Also although she is pleasant and happy, she does not melt into the ground. I also don't know that she cares about the GM ribbon because I don't see her degree of relaxation changing AND I only feel the alignment when she is following me as I back.

Try--yesterday we did not need halter/rope, she aligns from intention and stays aligned and relaxes tho not as completely deep and rooted as she can be but I think would have if I had had more time.

from MMJ:

I so get it - I saw that in her too - so sweet, kind .. playful - but a bit of a wall up - as if she's not aware she can connect with you to the depth you are accustomed w/ Try ....

I think a bit of aligning her thoughts - through slight TM at stifle and draw, that circle of Energy - will help - but being very careful to notice her slightest release - and mirror it deeply to guide her that she is on the right track. This whole concept of connection is rather foreign to her I think.. yes, you going deeper is good (GM) - but it will only work if she 'sees' you - the alignment will help her see you - then your depth in GM will prove to her that she WANTS to see you.

Tuesday - Sephira and I lesson in the dressage field

Yesterday Sephira and I and riding lesson: I was so pleased--first of all that she blew out two separate times during walking before the instructor arrived. Also I could feel her responding to my cueing of gait transitions before I asked and she was just lovely about following my focus so that I only needed reins for some lateral cueing. This is so hugely different from where she was when she came to Rollover! 

Also we used the draw reins to avoid having unproductive negativity over using HQ. She quickly got the idea and I was able to give her slack. I look forward to not needing to use them at all!!

Next, I am looking forward to playing on the ground again today with giving lots of GM cookies to reward releases!!! 

Monday - Watched BA ride Sephira and played B Me with Sephira and Try

BA took last week off from riding etc. last week with all the work on the ring and three new horses on the farm. Today she rode Sephira--warmup WT on loose rein then asking for her to come up thru her top line a bit at WT but mostly trot as that is easier for Sephira to do. Then canter and Sephira offered the flexion at a slow canter. Interesting when BA took one of a couple breaks to reward Sephira for trying and improving, Sephira looked at me and without thinking I said, "hey girl" and she started walking to me.

Gorgeous day and after lunch went back to the barn for B Me with Try and Sephira. Try had a bit of a nosebleed so we left her pasture where we were playing to tend to it and apply fly spray as insects were totally distracting. Played on the grass in front of the barn. Easy draw/alignment from intention. Increased energy to come to me, when I increased the distance. Gave exhale cue as we were melting back to standstill but unsure it is having any effect. We have exhaled/blown back and forth at each other for years. Try has the habit of blowing to help me relax. Riding I can exhale and Try will match and exhale as well. Our riding warmup begins with walk until she blows out.

Sephira--we played beside the drive outside her pasture and MiMi hung out with us while we did. Sephira also comes to me/draw/align from the a bit of a look at her stifle and my taking a step away from her--on both her left and right sides. Also she will increase her energy to come to me if I increase the distance. I also don't know if my exhaling is registering with her. In the past when I have blown out to reduce my tension, she has looked at me curiously.

I wonder when to go back to the cookie reward of asking Sephira for something, then giving the 60 second GM mode visualization of how wonderful she just was in completing whatever task we did.??
She was really licking and chewing back when we were doing that.

Sunday yeehaw with Sephira and lesson Kathy and Try

Cold am and horses silly. Sephira full of nervous energy. In playing the circle game to release some energy she got away from me and we played a full out catch me game. In just a couple minutes she stopped and most of that tension drained away. This was a first for us to play hard and it was successful!

Then lesson with Kathy and Try--first time riding on the new footing in the ring. Lovely ride WTC.
High light for me was realizing that Try uses her HQ and comes up thru topline a lot without my cueing. Also pleased that I am finding a dressage riding form for myself at the canter.

homework: keeping forward momentum in 1/4 turns on the haunches at the walk and trot.

Thursday - Best Ever strides with Sephira

Lesson with Kathy and Sephira

After two lovely days with Sephira I was really looking forward to lesson today! Sephira and I played out front with the gold ribbon for awhile before Kathy arrived. She comes to me when I move--unsure about my focusing on her stifle having any effect. Also although she is pleasant and happy, she does not melt into the ground. ASK MMJ





LESSON:
warmup now consists of basically everything I was doing before and is basically hunter on loose rein with lots of bending lines, patterns, suppling. Walk and trot. Walk--work on my "leaning back", shoulders-pinched dressage position to make a new habit.

Bends: serpentine, bend in corners, circles and spirals, shoulder in, shoulder fore, figure eights, diagonals, leg yields. Be creative and BEND

Then take up a connection/contact and continue bending in everything we do
1. outside leg says go forward
2. outside rein steadies her balance
3. elbows not hands--wear gloves and keep the connection--especially outside rein
4. inside rein asks for bend (or my body does)
5. inside leg asks for bend
6. both ring fingers ask for her to come up thru top line.

We got--really using HQ, good impulsion, bending, HQ really stepping across at the trot and it felt wonderful. Stopped, good girl, treats! (LBI whats in it for me).

Love having the ring in the field!

What's in it for me? for us girls. B Me day

Progress yesterday...I could see an increase in energy to fill the space with Try and, although Sephira still hasn't "retained" the idea that my focus on her stifle means forward energy from the HQ to draw/align with me, we can use the exercise with the lead line in the beginning so she sees me before we proceed to doing whatever. 

I decided to organize all my session 5 notes and found myself starting over from the beginning with session 1. No riding today with Try and Sephira--reviewing from the beginning for me with both.

• Improvement today. After reviewing--started the first session with Sephira with hanging out at liberty, TTime for me and then some mirroring. Today for the first time Sephira was the strongest magnet ever and I never needed her to feel the lead rope so, bless her heart, she did learn. OR perhaps she just wanted to connect align and I did not check to see if my focus on her stifle was causing the energy to come from her HQ first.

  
  
•  Next with Try I repeated the hanging out at liberty. Ttime and mirroring. I never got around to even putting a rope on her. We did the GM energy ribbon for relaxation plus asking her to align with me from focusing on her HQ and she comes and aligns strongly from intention. BUT I did finally check to look for the energy coming from the HQ first--at first I wasn't sure--perhaps it came from the FQ (and was therefor, not a sincere thought on her part but that I was in some way Making her do it.) The second time I could see the HQ energy. WooHoo. Some success.