2013-2014 Horsemanship Journey
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tuesday - MH rode Try!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am beside myself with excitement. Today MH rode Try walk/trot/canter and it looked just like I hoped it would. And I got to ride after and feel the difference.
Try started out flat and stiff behind and avoiding the contact. Before long she was licking and chewing and blowing. I did not see the shifty angry eyes or the help me/get me outa here eyes or the tail swishing. The walk got better then the trot was better as far as connection goes. MH pointed out how much stiffer Try is on the right side and tends to over bend inward to make circles smaller because of this. She needs my attention to softening and keeping her straight on the circle. Then the canter started a bit rough and got better and better. After both the trot and walk looked even more improved.
If I could get this much quality at this level on my own in a few months, I would consider it a huge, wonderful success.
Plan one lesson and one session MH rides Try to teach her. Happily Kathy is interested in working on my canter with Devon and rider tests so this should all work together well. I will need to think about filling Try's positives bucket and riding her full out/lengthened in the field for balance.
Try started out flat and stiff behind and avoiding the contact. Before long she was licking and chewing and blowing. I did not see the shifty angry eyes or the help me/get me outa here eyes or the tail swishing. The walk got better then the trot was better as far as connection goes. MH pointed out how much stiffer Try is on the right side and tends to over bend inward to make circles smaller because of this. She needs my attention to softening and keeping her straight on the circle. Then the canter started a bit rough and got better and better. After both the trot and walk looked even more improved.
If I could get this much quality at this level on my own in a few months, I would consider it a huge, wonderful success.
Plan one lesson and one session MH rides Try to teach her. Happily Kathy is interested in working on my canter with Devon and rider tests so this should all work together well. I will need to think about filling Try's positives bucket and riding her full out/lengthened in the field for balance.
Monday - first day back with Devon
Lovely, sweet Devon--first day back after hocks injected last week--apparently he was as sore as Try was.
Nice relaxed grooming.
Lovely easy walk, no stirrups posting trot and trotting.
Canter--pretty good but breaking gait--there needs to be a consequence.
(Homework for the next ride on Wednesday.)
Also Kathy is interested in switching to lessons with Devon to work on my sitting the canter.
Nice relaxed grooming.
Lovely easy walk, no stirrups posting trot and trotting.
Canter--pretty good but breaking gait--there needs to be a consequence.
(Homework for the next ride on Wednesday.)
Also Kathy is interested in switching to lessons with Devon to work on my sitting the canter.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Life Among the Titans
Rollover is very different now and I am considering how I fit in to a barn full of professionals. I wish to maintain self-respect and confidence in the midst of all of this. In so doing here are some of my thoughts:
| Strengths/assets | Challenges | What I want |
| hugely care about horses happiness | lack of self confidence | establish some level of competence |
| hugely dedicated to learning | desire to lead and follow | be proud of accomplishment |
| history of learning | easier to follow a strong leader | need to put it to purpose |
| ballet learning to draw on that applies | get distracted easily | an area of expertise that has value |
| social work learning | can be lazy and moody | need to give back |
| RBE attuned unconciously | RBE attuned unconciously | to get better at reading horses |
| good at mentoring and supporting | feeling like a failure | to be a stronger more fit rider |
| really smart | taking the time to read the moment | improved cueing |
| social security income | training to level 1 dressage knowledge | |
| I have passed L3 Parelli and well thru L4+ | ||
| I have the physical strength for decent hack | get back on track with Devon | |
| I have learned a good bit about dressage | find fun slow stuff for Try | |
| able to help horses be more confident | filling Try's bucket | |
| able to help horses make small changes | watch BA and MH more | |
| able to help horses relax | Try: canter | |
| able to give a horse a L1-2 foundation | Try: physical connection/vertical flex | |
| self confidence | ||
| hard worker | rider tests | |
| ba keeps me tough | ||
| ba sees to my physical fitness and safety | ||
| ba finds opportunities for me | ||
| kathy dedicated to my learning | ||
| kathy supports me on many levels | ||
| kathy coaches on many levels - depth | ||
| dan helps me read horses | ||
| dan helps me see the big picture | ||
| mh is very clear and gives me visuals | ||
| competing isn't interesting to me | ||
| I don't need to be an instructor | ||
| trail riding isn't a goal | ||
| enjoy accomplishment & progress | ||
| enjoy others successes |
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Fun Saturday with Dawn and Try
THE PLAN: After reviewing lesson with MH and reviewing GoC
Film
and ask Dawn to watch
Filling
Try’s bucket: Treats/dwell/Dawn/attention
Contact/connection/flexion
and canter
Walk (briefly to check)
Reins
mean go--means use weight and seat aids but not leg aids.
sliding
rein
SLOWLY
take the contact, smoothly, lovingly, massage
GAME:
if you don't take it, I will--Jim Carrey
If I
don't want to PLAY, then Try won't either.
Bicep/tricep
check
elbows, RESTING hands
Reins
mean keep going--check Try on this
Ride
forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s
all intention and phasing.
Trot
pick a
pattern
check
moving forward in the stretch
sliding
rein
SLOWLY
take the contact, smoothly, lovingly, massage
GAME:
if you don't take it, I will--Jim Carrey
If I
don't want to PLAY, then Try won't either.
Bicep/tricep
check
elbows, RESTING hands
Reins
mean keep going--check Try on this
Ride
forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s
all intention and phasing.
½ halt
to warn of change of rein/direction/pattern/gait etc
Canter
Canter
on circle, sit on outside seat bone and use inside suspension rein. Canter in
my body to ask for the canter--no leg! Shorten reins if on the forehand
Ride
forward from the HQ with my body weight/abs etc—1/2 halt to go forward? It’s
all intention and phasing.
on my
balance point, sitting deep and rocking through the canter with my legs on Try
to help her.
Also
elastic contact following her motion.
Just a
few strides then trot.
BUT
when I feel Try changing rhythm and about to break to trot to catch it in time and
urge her forward and not make the downward transition to trot until/unless the
canter is good and I choose when.
?? Try
was coming up and shortening her stride--this was not good and she needed to lengthen??
So what happened:
1. I did play with taking the contact through the sliding rein but could see I did not have true contact until I went to 2 reins. I had success in asking Try to walk off from seat but it would be good to repeat this carefully with treats and be even more clear. Today we expected a lot, accepted a little and rewarded. So yes reins do mean go and Try passed the "test."
2. The walk on contact--we were not getting this or maintaining--I could see that I did not really have contact NOR take the time it takes.
3. Trot was better, especially after stretching and walk better after trotting.
4. FIND resting hands and good contact!!!!
5. Canter: Not good--need to rethink. What would make Try like to canter?
Having said all this, we all had a good time. Dawn played with Try on the ground and added stick to me at walk/halt/back and trot. Also she rode Try and was able to cue from seat alone for go/stop and turn with just a bit of leg added.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Wednesday - Drama at Rollover - Thursday Solutions
Drama at Rollover
1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.
Update:
I went to the barn early and talked to BA and she and then MH agreed to give Try back her pasture on the hill and I have a backup place to ride and play.
Later in the day I returned for lesson with Kathy. Groomed, hung out, dwell time.
Try OFFERED 4 feet on the pedestal when I did not give her a treat for 3 feet. I cued only from intention that it was ok for her to be on the pedestal then just waited.
Waiting for Kathy we had a passenger ride--all calm with Try and Richmond. Then lots more hanging out waiting for Kathy. Then decided to go ahead and reviewed what Try and I did with MH on Tuesday. As I was leaving Kathy arrived and we sat and talked for an hour--see notes to follow.
Discussion with Kathy
We discussed my thoughts over the past three days spurred by the 1000 hour mile stone--i.e. what have I learned in 3 years, changes and where do I want to go.
There have been dramatic changes in the connection Try and I have. Kathy stated that I take it for granted and see more of the negative whereas onlookers see a magical relationship bringing tears/goosebumps etc that human and horse can be like that. (paraphrasing don't remember exact language). 3 years with Dan has made such a difference in my understanding and approach. The whole mind reading, love and acceptance of Try's horsenality makes for so much more enjoyment.
Dressage learning the same--Kathy says go back and look at Game of Contact dvds and see how far I have come in a short time. That learning has taken place so quickly because of fitness and body awareness from dance, awareness of elements of movement such as relaxation, etc., inquiring thinking mind. Openness to change. Of course, Kathy has taken me on this journey!
The need to give back, put it to purpose, some kind of established status as no longer an adult beginner--we did not really address in a way that helps. BA and I will hopefully find time to talk about this next week also.
1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.
Update:
I went to the barn early and talked to BA and she and then MH agreed to give Try back her pasture on the hill and I have a backup place to ride and play.
Later in the day I returned for lesson with Kathy. Groomed, hung out, dwell time.
Try OFFERED 4 feet on the pedestal when I did not give her a treat for 3 feet. I cued only from intention that it was ok for her to be on the pedestal then just waited.
Waiting for Kathy we had a passenger ride--all calm with Try and Richmond. Then lots more hanging out waiting for Kathy. Then decided to go ahead and reviewed what Try and I did with MH on Tuesday. As I was leaving Kathy arrived and we sat and talked for an hour--see notes to follow.
Discussion with Kathy
We discussed my thoughts over the past three days spurred by the 1000 hour mile stone--i.e. what have I learned in 3 years, changes and where do I want to go.
There have been dramatic changes in the connection Try and I have. Kathy stated that I take it for granted and see more of the negative whereas onlookers see a magical relationship bringing tears/goosebumps etc that human and horse can be like that. (paraphrasing don't remember exact language). 3 years with Dan has made such a difference in my understanding and approach. The whole mind reading, love and acceptance of Try's horsenality makes for so much more enjoyment.
Dressage learning the same--Kathy says go back and look at Game of Contact dvds and see how far I have come in a short time. That learning has taken place so quickly because of fitness and body awareness from dance, awareness of elements of movement such as relaxation, etc., inquiring thinking mind. Openness to change. Of course, Kathy has taken me on this journey!
The need to give back, put it to purpose, some kind of established status as no longer an adult beginner--we did not really address in a way that helps. BA and I will hopefully find time to talk about this next week also.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
1000 Hours!!
Today I logged in my horsemanship hours at ParelliConnect and my total was over 1000!! That is in 1 years and 10 months. Lots of hours and amazing that I kept up with them.
So what has happened in 3 years:
1. Dan Thompson learning has truly changed the relationship I have with Try. We are connected and read each other. We match each other physically and emotionally. We have draw. We can do cool stuff at liberty just for fun. Remembering 1.5 hours of liberty with Dan in the big pasture.
2. I am more understanding and patient and can laugh at whatever--including Devon's little tricks he likes to play on humans. Try's emotional ups over having the stallion in residence is a fun new horsemanship challenge rather than a negative.
3. Game of contact course I audited 3 years ago: I can now ride with contact/a bit of vertical flexion/physical connection of energy. I see myself as being on the path to level 4 finesse.
4. I am no longer bound to progressing step by step in the Parelli program materials but applying the philosophy and picking and choosing the parts that serve our goals.
5. I can see myself in the future going back to the beginning on line with other horses to create relationship, then beginning with freestyle riding for responsibilities and foundation and adding to that foundation/relationship with liberty and finesse riding.
More--it has been 9-10 years of Parelli study
1. Passing level 4 was the goal but I have gradually been letting go of that in favor of seeking well rounded horsemanship. Try would not enjoy the pressure of passing L4--some tasks also would not be fun for her at age 22 with her conformation tho we could possibly have faked out way thru with less than perfect flying changes and getting jumps relaxed, filming and forgetting BUT this isn't truthful.
2. Tasks on line and liberty are now about fun and promoting emotional fitness and happiness.
3. Focus on finesse riding: not for level 4 but to round out my knowledge so I could take a horse through the whole process of learning.
4. Perhaps in January I could seek a new horse for beginning on line learning.
5. So this seems more balanced, truthful and in line with where I am now??
Drama at Rollover
1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.
So what has happened in 3 years:
1. Dan Thompson learning has truly changed the relationship I have with Try. We are connected and read each other. We match each other physically and emotionally. We have draw. We can do cool stuff at liberty just for fun. Remembering 1.5 hours of liberty with Dan in the big pasture.
2. I am more understanding and patient and can laugh at whatever--including Devon's little tricks he likes to play on humans. Try's emotional ups over having the stallion in residence is a fun new horsemanship challenge rather than a negative.
3. Game of contact course I audited 3 years ago: I can now ride with contact/a bit of vertical flexion/physical connection of energy. I see myself as being on the path to level 4 finesse.
4. I am no longer bound to progressing step by step in the Parelli program materials but applying the philosophy and picking and choosing the parts that serve our goals.
5. I can see myself in the future going back to the beginning on line with other horses to create relationship, then beginning with freestyle riding for responsibilities and foundation and adding to that foundation/relationship with liberty and finesse riding.
More--it has been 9-10 years of Parelli study
1. Passing level 4 was the goal but I have gradually been letting go of that in favor of seeking well rounded horsemanship. Try would not enjoy the pressure of passing L4--some tasks also would not be fun for her at age 22 with her conformation tho we could possibly have faked out way thru with less than perfect flying changes and getting jumps relaxed, filming and forgetting BUT this isn't truthful.
2. Tasks on line and liberty are now about fun and promoting emotional fitness and happiness.
3. Focus on finesse riding: not for level 4 but to round out my knowledge so I could take a horse through the whole process of learning.
4. Perhaps in January I could seek a new horse for beginning on line learning.
5. So this seems more balanced, truthful and in line with where I am now??
Drama at Rollover
1. There has been stress and drama at Rollover with new horses in and out and their emotions. Also horse emotions over male/female and general bonding issues. There are a lot of horses and stabling and pasture assignments have become tricky.
2. Because Try does not have a suitable pasture mate right now, she is getting shifted to less desirable pastures.
3. Soon there will be no place to ride other than the ring.
4. That said it is in MY best interest for all of this to work: having BA to find project horses to improve my riding, dressage lessons with Kathy and MH to really jump start the learning and Dan for the horse psychology is a totally incredible opportunity for me to improve my horsemanship in a well rounded manner.
5. I do want to establish a new identity so to speak of self-confidence and celebrate a unique knowledge. I want to discuss this.
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