The Game of Contact
FEEL SLOW HANDS
1. Reins mean go:
a. Driving seat steady feel
b. Practice on a barrel
2. Displaced behaviors: complete release when horse starts to make a change
a. Behind the bit—low head
i. Maintain contact
ii. Suspension or two reins
iii. Wait for Try
iv. Bring up like Cobie
b. High head—higher reins two or suspension
c. Sideways—following reins—reverse psychology
3. Walk without reaction to the bit
a. Match the intensity—more provocative if necessary
b. Shorter reins to maintain contact without noise
c. Trot when horse steps into the feel of the bit when you take contact
4. Trot
a. Bicep/tricep
b. Use of my body
c. Few strides and come to walk to release
d. Come to walk by setting horse on its hind end (stand horse on his tail—seat/suspension rein)
e. 2-3 successes then stop for the day
Saturday, November 27, 2010
day 2 Game of Contact course
Day 2 Linda Game of Contact
This is not fully edited
Morning session Question and Answer
1. Take the time is takes and expect the first session may be painfully long
Reins mean go
2. Teaching: reins means go—that is the first step
3. Don’t use leg for turn, about release, turn upper body as a unit, quick with release/open door
4. The moment the horse starts to turn, there is the door--quick response. Back foot is what moves??release depends--maybe a yes just to get movement
5. Reins mean go or do they mean keep going?
6.
Nose Neck
7. Bobbing head, not a habit: in early stages horse doesn’t know the puzzle yet.
8. Don’t release at the trot—come to the walk to release.
9. AMAZING when it’s the horses idea to do it
10. Behind and above the bit simulations
11. Pulling low and open mouth?
12. Suspension rein—reins not too long so horse finds contact down low.
13. Horse needs to experiment
14. Training = pressure and the timing of release, When and how to take up pressure and when and how to release. Can even release on the thought or emotion
15. Want horse to not be threatened or shut down
16. High level of refinement
17. Learning proves
18. Falls apart because I’m not playing the GAME
19. Learning to become excellent trainer
20. Trotting and holding—triceps think about standing horse on his tail ie. Rear to transition from trot downward, Raises front end and transitions then on the HQ. Suspension rein if needed
21. Bit cradle or confidence snaffle, thicker bit good for horse who lacks confident. Thin single jointed snaffle apt to pinch roof of horse’s mouth
22. Aw shit versus lets dance. Picking up reins. Film Try and I so I can see what is happening
23. Horse feels noise/cluttered communication, horses brace themselves, tune you out or get upset
24. Bad hands—horse won’t seek contact—its not about the bit
25. Later focus on being a better rider
26. Head tossing, release at first, nose to get idea of the open door, release as 1st step complete release—later micro release
27. Learning at the walk. Behind the bit—timing of release—hit the wall and immediately release. Was that it? I don’t know=-then release anyway.
28. Baggage—just takes more time
29. Prerequisite: horse has bit in his mouth. Rider skill
30. Very beginning pick up the contact and release to develop trust
31. Easy transition from HQ is goal
32. 3 pieces nose neck feet
33. Horses have troubles with bits because of misuse by humans
34. Going to be hard, not quick or perfect. Again video/carol coaching later? Linda says take the time go slow on many levels before seeking more help
35. Go home and work on yourself every day
36. Soft slow solid
37. Picking up a lead rope--feeling for horse.
38. West point bridling himself—Linda teaches with a cookie
39. The More I learn the Smarter My Horse Gets
40. No legs reins means go—I’m nothing but a butt
41. Later can use legs--need to isolate in the beginning
Group 1 ride
42. Emma: goal is stretching the neck to the ground and in so doing lift the back. This horse is a bad banana now. Physically not been using the right muscles. Baggage of a lifetime of bad banana. Ride correctly horses start to do it.
43. Stacy: suspension rein doesn’t trap their forward movement. Horse who flips head or is high headed
44. Suzanna stuck in the corner. Keep contact elastic when horse stretches. Lift step 1, run hand down to neck step two--almost took a step
45. Note: stretching down and rounding up versus lowering head to avoid the bit
46. Nancy: goal is feet—stretch and focus where you would like him to go
47. Take power at the trot—good idea to post
48. Incremental pressure until horse changes this is NOT phases. Contact requires precision and trust very different from phases
49. Release with the triceps versus letting go to the buckle—knowing when to use which
50. Suzanne want complete drop when he stretches
51. Stacy walk good head and nose then give completely to the buckle throw the door wide open to get trust. Complete release in the beginning to gain trust especially when there is baggage
52. If horse is having trouble then the bigger the release the better. Complete release not a triceps release
53. Watch mastery dvd on backing when available
54. Busy hands—think action comes from the elbows--=Linda will lift reins in whatever manner necessary to avoid creeping up and down the reins
55. Elbows slower more dependable feel
56. LB horses super fast learners and we are usually way too slow for them. We want to give them no opportunity to think of anything but where is the release
57. Stacy: incrementally increase the pressure slowly and firmly—fluffy doesn’t get it
58. Get his neck on the ground in the stretch—his back will come up versus avoiding the bit
59. Once you get steps 1-3 at the walk go on to the trot: don’t do too much at the walk. Walk is to learn/practice at the trot. Don’t hold at the walk—get the contact and release completely. Triceps at the trot.
60. When you are ready for the trot then you are ready for the bicep to triceps release. Take until he takes and then in a couple of strides downward transition to the walk
61. Feel that surge of energy.
62. Nancy: bicep . check. Scare horse if he doesn’t trust that the door is open. Go to tricep—pull armpits down and Michael Jackson. Behind the bit--nose coming up so walk and release completely
63. Suzanne: slowly take up the reins
64. If your horse is not motivated to do something NOW add more pressure in a SLOW focused way.
65. What about the fluid rein to stretch?? My question
66. Nancy when he goes behind the bit it prevents the top line from coming up
67. Emma: you want when you pick up the reins that he immediately goes into the bit.
68. Pick one of the three and be clear in asking
69. Pick up reins really slowly
70. Suzanna slow bicep/tricep RBE loses confidence quickly, quit when something + happens
71. When nose and mouth get quiet pretty soon ears will get good also
72. RB horse more in and out LB respect issues
73. Slow--gives horse time to feel and not brace
74. Holding contact at the walk leave that until much later.
75. Stretch at the walk few strides and pick up the trot
Question and answer
76. “soft feel” can be confusing can be soft and light and have no connection with you
77. Young horse: Linda would teach him to feel for her and then go to casual rein—that is for horse without baggage
78. Remember it is not going to be perfect. Horse know if you have good intentions
79. Soft feel not good if puts horse behind the bit
After the simulation
80. Trying to keep a smile on the horse’s face as you take contact by slow good feel
81. Remember Cobie’s feel coming up from the stretch down
82. Technique is nothing compared to feel—when your horse will want to do it
83. Horses seek human with the best energy
84. Simulation of reins in the mouth—pressure if it were Linda’s mouth—horse’s mouth just as important
85. Match horse but don’t block him
86. Curb bits isolate the neck not direct contact so more gentle than snaffle in a way
87. Play in disciplines not best suited to your horse’s conformation for the mental refreshment
88. Remmer best at jumping picnic tables bareback and bridles and liberty
89. Lauren learned from simulations than lifting rein above the horse’s head will motivate the horse to lower head
90. Stand him on his tail to go to walk
Day three notes
1. Shouldn’t have to relase to get the energy back—losing energy when get contact
2. Day 3-4 hardest lose the sense that it is a game
3. Horses also day 3-4 get cocky and relax as they get confident. Just need to be a bit more insistant.
4. Reins don’t mean go anymore
5. Consistency
6. Use improve rather than holes and fixing terminology more positive
7. Online with Ovation circling game. Snappy departure
8. Catch me game with Ovation ONE HOUR
9. Pepper in the contact game with trail ride other releases
10. Reins too long
11. Note Lauren and Suzanna only ones who got the power—others a soft connected trot
12. Quit when it feels good then start again to keep the horse in a learning frame of mind
This is not fully edited
Morning session Question and Answer
1. Take the time is takes and expect the first session may be painfully long
Reins mean go
2. Teaching: reins means go—that is the first step
3. Don’t use leg for turn, about release, turn upper body as a unit, quick with release/open door
4. The moment the horse starts to turn, there is the door--quick response. Back foot is what moves??release depends--maybe a yes just to get movement
5. Reins mean go or do they mean keep going?
6.
Nose Neck
7. Bobbing head, not a habit: in early stages horse doesn’t know the puzzle yet.
8. Don’t release at the trot—come to the walk to release.
9. AMAZING when it’s the horses idea to do it
10. Behind and above the bit simulations
11. Pulling low and open mouth?
12. Suspension rein—reins not too long so horse finds contact down low.
13. Horse needs to experiment
14. Training = pressure and the timing of release, When and how to take up pressure and when and how to release. Can even release on the thought or emotion
15. Want horse to not be threatened or shut down
16. High level of refinement
17. Learning proves
18. Falls apart because I’m not playing the GAME
19. Learning to become excellent trainer
20. Trotting and holding—triceps think about standing horse on his tail ie. Rear to transition from trot downward, Raises front end and transitions then on the HQ. Suspension rein if needed
21. Bit cradle or confidence snaffle, thicker bit good for horse who lacks confident. Thin single jointed snaffle apt to pinch roof of horse’s mouth
22. Aw shit versus lets dance. Picking up reins. Film Try and I so I can see what is happening
23. Horse feels noise/cluttered communication, horses brace themselves, tune you out or get upset
24. Bad hands—horse won’t seek contact—its not about the bit
25. Later focus on being a better rider
26. Head tossing, release at first, nose to get idea of the open door, release as 1st step complete release—later micro release
27. Learning at the walk. Behind the bit—timing of release—hit the wall and immediately release. Was that it? I don’t know=-then release anyway.
28. Baggage—just takes more time
29. Prerequisite: horse has bit in his mouth. Rider skill
30. Very beginning pick up the contact and release to develop trust
31. Easy transition from HQ is goal
32. 3 pieces nose neck feet
33. Horses have troubles with bits because of misuse by humans
34. Going to be hard, not quick or perfect. Again video/carol coaching later? Linda says take the time go slow on many levels before seeking more help
35. Go home and work on yourself every day
36. Soft slow solid
37. Picking up a lead rope--feeling for horse.
38. West point bridling himself—Linda teaches with a cookie
39. The More I learn the Smarter My Horse Gets
40. No legs reins means go—I’m nothing but a butt
41. Later can use legs--need to isolate in the beginning
Group 1 ride
42. Emma: goal is stretching the neck to the ground and in so doing lift the back. This horse is a bad banana now. Physically not been using the right muscles. Baggage of a lifetime of bad banana. Ride correctly horses start to do it.
43. Stacy: suspension rein doesn’t trap their forward movement. Horse who flips head or is high headed
44. Suzanna stuck in the corner. Keep contact elastic when horse stretches. Lift step 1, run hand down to neck step two--almost took a step
45. Note: stretching down and rounding up versus lowering head to avoid the bit
46. Nancy: goal is feet—stretch and focus where you would like him to go
47. Take power at the trot—good idea to post
48. Incremental pressure until horse changes this is NOT phases. Contact requires precision and trust very different from phases
49. Release with the triceps versus letting go to the buckle—knowing when to use which
50. Suzanne want complete drop when he stretches
51. Stacy walk good head and nose then give completely to the buckle throw the door wide open to get trust. Complete release in the beginning to gain trust especially when there is baggage
52. If horse is having trouble then the bigger the release the better. Complete release not a triceps release
53. Watch mastery dvd on backing when available
54. Busy hands—think action comes from the elbows--=Linda will lift reins in whatever manner necessary to avoid creeping up and down the reins
55. Elbows slower more dependable feel
56. LB horses super fast learners and we are usually way too slow for them. We want to give them no opportunity to think of anything but where is the release
57. Stacy: incrementally increase the pressure slowly and firmly—fluffy doesn’t get it
58. Get his neck on the ground in the stretch—his back will come up versus avoiding the bit
59. Once you get steps 1-3 at the walk go on to the trot: don’t do too much at the walk. Walk is to learn/practice at the trot. Don’t hold at the walk—get the contact and release completely. Triceps at the trot.
60. When you are ready for the trot then you are ready for the bicep to triceps release. Take until he takes and then in a couple of strides downward transition to the walk
61. Feel that surge of energy.
62. Nancy: bicep . check. Scare horse if he doesn’t trust that the door is open. Go to tricep—pull armpits down and Michael Jackson. Behind the bit--nose coming up so walk and release completely
63. Suzanne: slowly take up the reins
64. If your horse is not motivated to do something NOW add more pressure in a SLOW focused way.
65. What about the fluid rein to stretch?? My question
66. Nancy when he goes behind the bit it prevents the top line from coming up
67. Emma: you want when you pick up the reins that he immediately goes into the bit.
68. Pick one of the three and be clear in asking
69. Pick up reins really slowly
70. Suzanna slow bicep/tricep RBE loses confidence quickly, quit when something + happens
71. When nose and mouth get quiet pretty soon ears will get good also
72. RB horse more in and out LB respect issues
73. Slow--gives horse time to feel and not brace
74. Holding contact at the walk leave that until much later.
75. Stretch at the walk few strides and pick up the trot
Question and answer
76. “soft feel” can be confusing can be soft and light and have no connection with you
77. Young horse: Linda would teach him to feel for her and then go to casual rein—that is for horse without baggage
78. Remember it is not going to be perfect. Horse know if you have good intentions
79. Soft feel not good if puts horse behind the bit
After the simulation
80. Trying to keep a smile on the horse’s face as you take contact by slow good feel
81. Remember Cobie’s feel coming up from the stretch down
82. Technique is nothing compared to feel—when your horse will want to do it
83. Horses seek human with the best energy
84. Simulation of reins in the mouth—pressure if it were Linda’s mouth—horse’s mouth just as important
85. Match horse but don’t block him
86. Curb bits isolate the neck not direct contact so more gentle than snaffle in a way
87. Play in disciplines not best suited to your horse’s conformation for the mental refreshment
88. Remmer best at jumping picnic tables bareback and bridles and liberty
89. Lauren learned from simulations than lifting rein above the horse’s head will motivate the horse to lower head
90. Stand him on his tail to go to walk
Day three notes
1. Shouldn’t have to relase to get the energy back—losing energy when get contact
2. Day 3-4 hardest lose the sense that it is a game
3. Horses also day 3-4 get cocky and relax as they get confident. Just need to be a bit more insistant.
4. Reins don’t mean go anymore
5. Consistency
6. Use improve rather than holes and fixing terminology more positive
7. Online with Ovation circling game. Snappy departure
8. Catch me game with Ovation ONE HOUR
9. Pepper in the contact game with trail ride other releases
10. Reins too long
11. Note Lauren and Suzanna only ones who got the power—others a soft connected trot
12. Quit when it feels good then start again to keep the horse in a learning frame of mind
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Day 1 Game of Contact
am Session in the class room--handout notes to be available.
Simulations from Day 1
1. holding hands
2. bicep/tricep take and give contact
3. savvy string - same
4. savvy string around the waist/or on the barrel- add in turn and release as reins/contact means go
5. savvy string in the mouth: biceps is NOT pleasant
Triceps feel so solid and connected and good. Biceps especially if bouncing in the mouth do NOT feel good.
1. Walk and take contact: reins mean go i.e. keep walking without a reaction to the bit or stopping.
2. If taking contact stops the horses forward motion or horse backs--then turn horse and release on the first step.
3. Reactions to the bit: follow the movement i.e. sideways or head going up or down (behind or infront of bit) to avoid the bit. You want to turn sideways let me help you. Following not pulling until they get tired of it.
a. head up two reins lift or one suspension rein.
b. head stretching down to avoid the bit: take feel with biceps and mmaintain contact until horse decides to raise head--not pulling head up with the reins.
Hold at the trot but not the walk as need to follow movement at the walk.
Simulations from Day 1
1. holding hands
2. bicep/tricep take and give contact
3. savvy string - same
4. savvy string around the waist/or on the barrel- add in turn and release as reins/contact means go
5. savvy string in the mouth: biceps is NOT pleasant
Triceps feel so solid and connected and good. Biceps especially if bouncing in the mouth do NOT feel good.
1. Walk and take contact: reins mean go i.e. keep walking without a reaction to the bit or stopping.
2. If taking contact stops the horses forward motion or horse backs--then turn horse and release on the first step.
3. Reactions to the bit: follow the movement i.e. sideways or head going up or down (behind or infront of bit) to avoid the bit. You want to turn sideways let me help you. Following not pulling until they get tired of it.
a. head up two reins lift or one suspension rein.
b. head stretching down to avoid the bit: take feel with biceps and mmaintain contact until horse decides to raise head--not pulling head up with the reins.
Hold at the trot but not the walk as need to follow movement at the walk.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
October 26 coaching phone call - Dan Thompson
Oct 26 phone call Dan
1. Having fun with Haylie
2. Patterns
3. Stick together – distance and intersperse with other games
4. Online circling draw – challenge to draw at a trot
5. Blowing 2+3
6. Target—has to earn the right to do freestyle riding
7. Cutting cows 3
8. Treats
9. Cradle bridle
10. Anger and fear
11. Jim Carrey – having fun with phases
1. Having fun with Haylie
1.1. I will earn a higher place in the pecking order in Try’s mind if I pony her as I play the driving game with Haylie—even driving her away from the water, other horses etc. What fun. Important—not emotional for me—just fun.
2. Patterns
2.1. Patterns are a tool: can be over used, boring, harsh.
2.2. Follow the human’s focus
2.3. Balance – knows the pattern, takes over the game, my job good riding and have her focus
2.4. + reflex—she should hunt for my focus
2.5. Not about relinquishing leadership and letting Try take over the pattern while I am in lalaland
2.6. Cutting: horse must take over; dressage human does not relinquish leadership
3. Stick Together Game
3.1. Moving farther away – the breakover distance factor.
3.1.1. In the wild horse knows distance—shorter he can’t out run and must go through it; longer the horse will try to out run. This is instinct not disrespect
3.1.2. So for me what is Try’s current distance? From how far away will she stay with me, not leave or break the connection?
3.2. Yes, good to break up the intensity of this game with games she enjoys
3.3. Draw is openness eventually
4. On line circling game
4.1. Next step: if Try is trotting on the circle, can I draw her at a trot? My energy level is key. Hint: speed her up at the trot before asking for the draw—set it up for success.
4.2. Note: draw/bring back is a change of direction on the circle without the redirect.
4.3. Not be overly concerned about the ears—builds resentment. Back her IF she is actually driving me.
5. Blowing to release tension
5.1. Stages: use interaction to help her find the relaxation or wait for it to show up
5.2. How are you feeling today—open mindedness
5.3. Hand holding/leave alone/or jump in and do thing, ready to go?
6. Target: earn the right to do freestyle
7. Cutting: putting principal to purpose
7.1. Follow a cow
7.2. Follow a confident horse
7.3. Try drive a cow
7.4. RB? Threshold approach and retreat
8. Treats NO not at all
9. Cradle bridle yes
10. Anger and fear: yes anger is a form of fear—what is important is what is causing it?
11. Pushing Try’s buttons
11.1. An opportunity to play through it and come out a winner
11.2. More confident, relaxed, respectful and understanding
11.3. Match it, mirror + 4 ounces
11.4. I have to be able to ride it!
11.5. I do not want to ride a horse in a powerful position
11.6. Unpowerful is HQ disengaged
11.7. Technique for attitude adjustment: HQ disengage—just keep circling until she asks for less. Lets go and lets go and lets go. My energy level is key. When Try wants to stop I win. Not emotional. Intensity of my attitude not speed. Not a fight.
11.8. Persistance and begin it immediately to keep the problem smaller.
11.9. Circling to take control of zone 4.
12. Jim Carrey
12.1. Jokester
12.2. LB horse and me happily in the middle of Arnold and Richard then can play Jim Carrey
12.3. Game of tag to be played by me with a fun mischievous attitude. Gotcha—flick w/popper w/sideways swing of string into her body. She wins be getting going and I win by getting what I want. i.e. phase 1 snappy departure on the circle.
12.4. Have to have the problem to play and be LB
1. Having fun with Haylie
2. Patterns
3. Stick together – distance and intersperse with other games
4. Online circling draw – challenge to draw at a trot
5. Blowing 2+3
6. Target—has to earn the right to do freestyle riding
7. Cutting cows 3
8. Treats
9. Cradle bridle
10. Anger and fear
11. Jim Carrey – having fun with phases
1. Having fun with Haylie
1.1. I will earn a higher place in the pecking order in Try’s mind if I pony her as I play the driving game with Haylie—even driving her away from the water, other horses etc. What fun. Important—not emotional for me—just fun.
2. Patterns
2.1. Patterns are a tool: can be over used, boring, harsh.
2.2. Follow the human’s focus
2.3. Balance – knows the pattern, takes over the game, my job good riding and have her focus
2.4. + reflex—she should hunt for my focus
2.5. Not about relinquishing leadership and letting Try take over the pattern while I am in lalaland
2.6. Cutting: horse must take over; dressage human does not relinquish leadership
3. Stick Together Game
3.1. Moving farther away – the breakover distance factor.
3.1.1. In the wild horse knows distance—shorter he can’t out run and must go through it; longer the horse will try to out run. This is instinct not disrespect
3.1.2. So for me what is Try’s current distance? From how far away will she stay with me, not leave or break the connection?
3.2. Yes, good to break up the intensity of this game with games she enjoys
3.3. Draw is openness eventually
4. On line circling game
4.1. Next step: if Try is trotting on the circle, can I draw her at a trot? My energy level is key. Hint: speed her up at the trot before asking for the draw—set it up for success.
4.2. Note: draw/bring back is a change of direction on the circle without the redirect.
4.3. Not be overly concerned about the ears—builds resentment. Back her IF she is actually driving me.
5. Blowing to release tension
5.1. Stages: use interaction to help her find the relaxation or wait for it to show up
5.2. How are you feeling today—open mindedness
5.3. Hand holding/leave alone/or jump in and do thing, ready to go?
6. Target: earn the right to do freestyle
7. Cutting: putting principal to purpose
7.1. Follow a cow
7.2. Follow a confident horse
7.3. Try drive a cow
7.4. RB? Threshold approach and retreat
8. Treats NO not at all
9. Cradle bridle yes
10. Anger and fear: yes anger is a form of fear—what is important is what is causing it?
11. Pushing Try’s buttons
11.1. An opportunity to play through it and come out a winner
11.2. More confident, relaxed, respectful and understanding
11.3. Match it, mirror + 4 ounces
11.4. I have to be able to ride it!
11.5. I do not want to ride a horse in a powerful position
11.6. Unpowerful is HQ disengaged
11.7. Technique for attitude adjustment: HQ disengage—just keep circling until she asks for less. Lets go and lets go and lets go. My energy level is key. When Try wants to stop I win. Not emotional. Intensity of my attitude not speed. Not a fight.
11.8. Persistance and begin it immediately to keep the problem smaller.
11.9. Circling to take control of zone 4.
12. Jim Carrey
12.1. Jokester
12.2. LB horse and me happily in the middle of Arnold and Richard then can play Jim Carrey
12.3. Game of tag to be played by me with a fun mischievous attitude. Gotcha—flick w/popper w/sideways swing of string into her body. She wins be getting going and I win by getting what I want. i.e. phase 1 snappy departure on the circle.
12.4. Have to have the problem to play and be LB
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Summary of my thoughts on fluid rein, partial diseng etc from Kelly/Dan instruction
I am excited to see my thoughts coming together, not only is instruction from Kelly/Dan congruent but because Bethanna sat in on the time with Dan, I KNOW I will get a lot accomplished--actually easier between BA and I because of our instructor/student long time relationship.
I like Karen Rohlf's statement that PNH is great on the psychology of the horse and classical dressage strong on the physical development of the horse. I think PNH is also not strong on developing the rider--hard to do through home study anyway in my opinion.
Anyway....
Stretching/fluid rein
1. Try is working with a hollow back, not using her HQ well thus heavy on the forehand.
2. Stretching causes the horse to use his HQ and round up throughthe back, eventually developing strength in the top line. Method is to comb the reins with a little contact--either slowly or very slowly then immediately release when Try stretches down. Try has now learned this so well that she goes into the stretching easily and frequently--even offers it--so it is feeling good to her.
3. When she stretches then can go on to something else. When her back hollows again, can stretch and regain her rounding up through the back. Obviously being careful and giving her time to develop the strength.
B. Partial disengagement etc
1. What to work on after Try stretches: exercises to get her using her hind quarters. With Kelly the first exercise was bending on the circle using my inside leg, suspension rein or slight indirect rein and match with my body position and energy. Circle both directions at walk and trot.
2. Then we did bullseye in and out with continued shaping on the circle.
3. Leg yields on and off the rail.
4. With Dan: leg yields off the rail and later just back to rail at a walk then combine to off/on yield and then trot.
5. Then partial disengagement as an exercize to engage HQ with the benefit that same exercise can be used to help RBE relax.
6. For me, I would like to get the partial disengagement solid enough that Try reads that as time to relax.
If we get so Try is using her abs and rounding up more, develing the top line then that is great for her physical conditioning for her continued aging and ALL THE GOAL I have at present.
I like Karen Rohlf's statement that PNH is great on the psychology of the horse and classical dressage strong on the physical development of the horse. I think PNH is also not strong on developing the rider--hard to do through home study anyway in my opinion.
Anyway....
Stretching/fluid rein
1. Try is working with a hollow back, not using her HQ well thus heavy on the forehand.
2. Stretching causes the horse to use his HQ and round up throughthe back, eventually developing strength in the top line. Method is to comb the reins with a little contact--either slowly or very slowly then immediately release when Try stretches down. Try has now learned this so well that she goes into the stretching easily and frequently--even offers it--so it is feeling good to her.
3. When she stretches then can go on to something else. When her back hollows again, can stretch and regain her rounding up through the back. Obviously being careful and giving her time to develop the strength.
B. Partial disengagement etc
1. What to work on after Try stretches: exercises to get her using her hind quarters. With Kelly the first exercise was bending on the circle using my inside leg, suspension rein or slight indirect rein and match with my body position and energy. Circle both directions at walk and trot.
2. Then we did bullseye in and out with continued shaping on the circle.
3. Leg yields on and off the rail.
4. With Dan: leg yields off the rail and later just back to rail at a walk then combine to off/on yield and then trot.
5. Then partial disengagement as an exercize to engage HQ with the benefit that same exercise can be used to help RBE relax.
6. For me, I would like to get the partial disengagement solid enough that Try reads that as time to relax.
If we get so Try is using her abs and rounding up more, develing the top line then that is great for her physical conditioning for her continued aging and ALL THE GOAL I have at present.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Oct 12 3 hours with Dan Thompson
October 12 Dan Thompson REally basic, foundation stuff. Nitty gritty of whats going on with Try, between Try and I, oh my!
To Try: I am so sorry for what I do not know and have not known. I love you. How could I not know you were going RBE in situations? Yesterday I was fascinated and excited to learn—the problem solving being more interesting than having a perfect horse. Today I am feeling a lack of confidence in myself and like a “bad person” for not being more accomplished. Also I am feeling that soon—I need to set that feeling aside, suck it up and go on.
1. Foundation: draw and confidence issue
2. Walking with each other in the round pen at liberty
3. I have still been doing to Try not with. (Back to want vs make?)
4. The new walking together stick to me game
a. My hand behind the withers—I am well back in Z3-4. Life up, point and use my hip pressing against her if need be to get her to move forward.
b. Just move forward, wherever and as much as she wants. Just lovely being together and being connected.
c. Can add change of direction together and change of sides. Basically I turn away from her and move her HQ. Change sides I move out in front enuf to direct FQ—see dvd from Joyce.
d. Can later move out on the circle—Try on the rail and me more in the center for the draw. Do not do change of direction here as it destroys draw.
5. Girth: rub the itchy place—its RB brace—wait, I understand and I care. LBI’s often bullied because they are laid back and tolerant—treated rudely.
6. Circling on line (part of tightening the girth process) Dan waves at me to break my pattern of extreme concentration. Bring back is phase 1—rock back only—no rope and keep backing in a small circle until she comes to me. She did this pretty readily both directions. (So I have been rude in using the rope.)
7. Riding: lead off with a direct rein.
8. On the rail: leg yields with a suspension rein. Issue: to be effective to get a really good leg yield—add stick if need be.
9. Talking to the feet: my legs talk to, which rein talks to which foot.
10. However, Try gets up—it is RBE according to Dan so we continue until Try relaxes otherwise if I stop I just teach her to be RBE. We did partial disengagement at a posting trot for forever. Try would intersperse with the stretching down—she really has that. Dan said reason it took so long was as RBE I needed to match her energy—if she was an 8, I was only a 5. Not get stronger and do more in my leadership but be the stronger leader by bringing up my energy.
11. Sooooo, we have situational impulsion issues i.e. level 2. I guess I knew they were there and Try has taught me to just not go there?? Examples are the reining stuff, lead changes, jumps, canter at times, coming off the rail, the gait, barn sweet etc. Also transitions in general. Western pleasure baggage as well. So plan is to take some of the most basic RBE things—ones I am confident to work on and do them until Try relaxes.
12. Approach and retreat—start at the sweet spot and make it less comfortable i.e. by annoying her by rhythmically slapping myself on the shoulders.
13. Homework: identify a plan for RBE situations. Enjoy some lovely time together with the new stick to me game. Study the dvd Joyce makes of the session. Review partial disengagement dvd.
To Try: I am so sorry for what I do not know and have not known. I love you. How could I not know you were going RBE in situations? Yesterday I was fascinated and excited to learn—the problem solving being more interesting than having a perfect horse. Today I am feeling a lack of confidence in myself and like a “bad person” for not being more accomplished. Also I am feeling that soon—I need to set that feeling aside, suck it up and go on.
1. Foundation: draw and confidence issue
2. Walking with each other in the round pen at liberty
3. I have still been doing to Try not with. (Back to want vs make?)
4. The new walking together stick to me game
a. My hand behind the withers—I am well back in Z3-4. Life up, point and use my hip pressing against her if need be to get her to move forward.
b. Just move forward, wherever and as much as she wants. Just lovely being together and being connected.
c. Can add change of direction together and change of sides. Basically I turn away from her and move her HQ. Change sides I move out in front enuf to direct FQ—see dvd from Joyce.
d. Can later move out on the circle—Try on the rail and me more in the center for the draw. Do not do change of direction here as it destroys draw.
5. Girth: rub the itchy place—its RB brace—wait, I understand and I care. LBI’s often bullied because they are laid back and tolerant—treated rudely.
6. Circling on line (part of tightening the girth process) Dan waves at me to break my pattern of extreme concentration. Bring back is phase 1—rock back only—no rope and keep backing in a small circle until she comes to me. She did this pretty readily both directions. (So I have been rude in using the rope.)
7. Riding: lead off with a direct rein.
8. On the rail: leg yields with a suspension rein. Issue: to be effective to get a really good leg yield—add stick if need be.
9. Talking to the feet: my legs talk to, which rein talks to which foot.
10. However, Try gets up—it is RBE according to Dan so we continue until Try relaxes otherwise if I stop I just teach her to be RBE. We did partial disengagement at a posting trot for forever. Try would intersperse with the stretching down—she really has that. Dan said reason it took so long was as RBE I needed to match her energy—if she was an 8, I was only a 5. Not get stronger and do more in my leadership but be the stronger leader by bringing up my energy.
11. Sooooo, we have situational impulsion issues i.e. level 2. I guess I knew they were there and Try has taught me to just not go there?? Examples are the reining stuff, lead changes, jumps, canter at times, coming off the rail, the gait, barn sweet etc. Also transitions in general. Western pleasure baggage as well. So plan is to take some of the most basic RBE things—ones I am confident to work on and do them until Try relaxes.
12. Approach and retreat—start at the sweet spot and make it less comfortable i.e. by annoying her by rhythmically slapping myself on the shoulders.
13. Homework: identify a plan for RBE situations. Enjoy some lovely time together with the new stick to me game. Study the dvd Joyce makes of the session. Review partial disengagement dvd.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sep 24-25 2010 Kelly Sigler
Clinic Sep 24/25 2010
Saturday
Calm, smart, brave athletic
Zones 1-5L3 play in zones 3-4L4 play in Z5 a lot, driving, long lines, 2 lines; Good to take a horse through level 4 on line before you ever ride a horse—zone 5 imp—what if biker comes up behind you on the trail?
Distance 12’ is level 1, 22’ is level 2, 45” for L3-4--L3/4 goal is to develop an amazing connection
Longer rope good to allow drift for RBE, keep RBI who wants to be close from running over you, LBE keep him away and budy, LBI good to help LBI want to move.
Phases: L1 promise, L2 tell, L3 ask, L4 suggest (horses do this w/each other “the look”Teach reinforce refine??? Check this
Parent /child—I’ll wait to 3.5 to do it to avoid the phase 4. So once they learn goi to a quick 234. Not nagging at a 2/3. If you are nagging at a 2/3 you will never get a phase 1
Level 4 look like the horse is reading the human’s mind becauser the phase 1 is so good.
We did
1. Walk with Try 15’ or so behind. Goal to stop and have her back—want her to move more than me and use string/string aimed between her legs
2. Driving 2 22’ lines—focus walk stop back turn ? weave, pedestal
3. Circling: bring her in instead of change of direction and give her a cookie. 45’ line for communication
4. Porky all 4 legs from a snap (cookie). Also one leg front back lead by the leg
5. Yoyo driving over and back platform
6. Stick to me from z5 – liberty demo
Private riding session fluid rein, combing the rope:
Reach all the way to the mane, good contact
Do not sit the trot while doing this. Look for stretching and the feel of round up , more vertical me and use Linda physicality. Focus ¼ on the circle.
Sunday
1. Haunted house
2. Circling variations: important bring back and treats trot and canter for relaxation, flying change, drive the shoulder
3. Sideways from popper of the 22 with energy: treats only for good energy. Helper w/sideways towards
4. Freestyle riding session: lat flex and indirect rein from stick/2sticks/look and be relaxed—not leaning on the rope.
5. My bridling and saddling needs work.
6. Freestyle carrot stick weave and question box
7. Afternoon private session:
a. Combing the reins to get a good stretch
b. Hands close together
c. Relax my body but Linda’s physicality
d. Focus on the circle
e. Relax my shoulders and scoop out belly
f. Leg go when Try stretches
g. Did circle (not egg) bulls eys
h. Also leg yields on the rail w/suspension rein and inside leg
i. Lots of inside leg, suspension or direct rein to get good bend on the circle and hind leg really stepping well
Saturday
Calm, smart, brave athletic
Zones 1-5L3 play in zones 3-4L4 play in Z5 a lot, driving, long lines, 2 lines; Good to take a horse through level 4 on line before you ever ride a horse—zone 5 imp—what if biker comes up behind you on the trail?
Distance 12’ is level 1, 22’ is level 2, 45” for L3-4--L3/4 goal is to develop an amazing connection
Longer rope good to allow drift for RBE, keep RBI who wants to be close from running over you, LBE keep him away and budy, LBI good to help LBI want to move.
Phases: L1 promise, L2 tell, L3 ask, L4 suggest (horses do this w/each other “the look”Teach reinforce refine??? Check this
Parent /child—I’ll wait to 3.5 to do it to avoid the phase 4. So once they learn goi to a quick 234. Not nagging at a 2/3. If you are nagging at a 2/3 you will never get a phase 1
Level 4 look like the horse is reading the human’s mind becauser the phase 1 is so good.
We did
1. Walk with Try 15’ or so behind. Goal to stop and have her back—want her to move more than me and use string/string aimed between her legs
2. Driving 2 22’ lines—focus walk stop back turn ? weave, pedestal
3. Circling: bring her in instead of change of direction and give her a cookie. 45’ line for communication
4. Porky all 4 legs from a snap (cookie). Also one leg front back lead by the leg
5. Yoyo driving over and back platform
6. Stick to me from z5 – liberty demo
Private riding session fluid rein, combing the rope:
Reach all the way to the mane, good contact
Do not sit the trot while doing this. Look for stretching and the feel of round up , more vertical me and use Linda physicality. Focus ¼ on the circle.
Sunday
1. Haunted house
2. Circling variations: important bring back and treats trot and canter for relaxation, flying change, drive the shoulder
3. Sideways from popper of the 22 with energy: treats only for good energy. Helper w/sideways towards
4. Freestyle riding session: lat flex and indirect rein from stick/2sticks/look and be relaxed—not leaning on the rope.
5. My bridling and saddling needs work.
6. Freestyle carrot stick weave and question box
7. Afternoon private session:
a. Combing the reins to get a good stretch
b. Hands close together
c. Relax my body but Linda’s physicality
d. Focus on the circle
e. Relax my shoulders and scoop out belly
f. Leg go when Try stretches
g. Did circle (not egg) bulls eys
h. Also leg yields on the rail w/suspension rein and inside leg
i. Lots of inside leg, suspension or direct rein to get good bend on the circle and hind leg really stepping well
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Phone call with Dan Thompson 9/21 to answer questions
Dan notes phone call 9/21/2010
1. Draw issue—Try stopping on the circle and turning head to look at me but not coming to me. Dan: remember Try is an extreme LB horse—this is not a confidence issue—I do not need to retreat i.e. remove pressure. Retreating/removing pressure will NOT create draw!! Two ways:
a. If Try is tired she will decide drawing to me is the better deal—that is her choice not mine—a decision made on her terms.
b. On my terms: Move closer and closer and add phases with stick and string—if still on the circle pressure in Z5—behind the tail. Even if Try leaves then we continue to play the game the next time around the circle. I don’t have to move my feet that much—see if she can find the good deal when she comes around again. I am still drawing and putting pressure in Z5. BUT THIS IS ALL WITH AN ATTITUDE OF DRAW supported by the driving game. Can spank in front of her also. I haven’t played the game until I truly do what it takes to get her to CARE. Currently I am playing the right game and but not strong enough. Occasional phase 4 if necessary. She will begin to respond more easily. If she has turned her body toward me that will probably be putting pressure in zone 2.
2. Energy, focus, intention—
a. I do less she does more. My question about teaching Try to respond to my energy: Continually teaching (REMEMBER TEACH CONTROL REINFORCE REFINE) just teaching your LBI to be lazy. Try already knows when my life and focus comes up that would mean something i.e. if it was another horse bringing life up she would know that meant something. So I am teaching her it doesn’t mean anything. This is like doing homework for your kid and the kid never learns the material. So long phase 1 (life up focus) then quick 234. Not longer phase 1 if Try is going blah blah blah but longer if the horse is trying to figure it out. i.e. backing—life up, focus, lean and Try goes blah blah blah then give her a phase 4 she CARES about and it will be better next time. If not, it wasn’t a good enough phase 4. The next day may require reinforcing this with perhaps a lighter phase 4. i.e. may require repetition. In time Try will need the phase 4 less and less.
b. Arnold Schwartzenegger vs Richard Simmons. Arnold is into power, Richard is busy busy busy. Both will go to a phase 4. What do LB horses responds to best: Arnold!! Try will love it.
c. Try has a high play drive. Short horse will play hard but not for a long time.
d. Don’t waste Try’s exuberance. ID it and decide how to use it. Don’t use it up on the ground and then expect to find it riding (you know what you’ll get instead LOL)
3. Girthiness
a. Honestly listening to her
b. People are often rude to LBIs—think they can handle anything.
c. From Try:
i. As a human do you know its going on? Awareness
ii. Human do you care?
d. Girthiness—just wait for her.
4. Indirect rein on the right—leaning.
a. I have been trying to apply phases and not being effective
b. Set my hand and let Try sort it out—her timing is so much better than mine.
c. I have taught Try that the second she releases I release.
d. Need to hold it longer and vary it i.e. 2 sec, 5 sec whatever so she doesn’t assume she knows what the game is.
e. Reward the slightest try for the teaching phases and we are way beyond that.
f. Find a more effective phase 4 if need be i.e. add stick??
5. These are all foundation things that will effect lots of different stuff.
6. Snappy go and stop. Used to be ok to go and stop slowly but not any more. Dan says Try will like the snappy go and whoa
7. Soft feel: Get to holding it longer and do more with it.
8. 2nd horse/new horse. Horsenality? Balance on impulsion scale how GOOD is the GO and Whoa. Quality is getting better.
9. Game of Contact:
a. in the beginning freestyle and finesse are separate but there becomes a grey area between the two. If you are excellent at freestyle and Try confidently understands and respects contact in freestyle then a lot of finesse is done. Its still all body language, do it without reins.
b. Isolate and separate:
i. Z1 game: Try—can you accept the contact,
ii. Respond to it and realize it’s a conversation that is occurring partly thru z1
iii. Body connection (Linda’s physicality) becomes the connection of the two of us
iv. OK to add my physicality to the 7 step soft feel
10. Circling game: leaning on the rope
a. Continually pulling the rope to get slack is like pulling the horse’s nose out of the grass.
b. Try’s sweet spot is the gate so she will be leaning on the rope on side closest to the gate and cutting in on the other side—thus the egg shape.
c. Remedy: When Try puts pressure on the rope—I am a fence post and I lean on the rope stead and drag my feet if she pulls steady pressure
d. Z5 stick and string if necessary—her reaction doesn’t matter—can turn with her—my standing in one place is L1! Not necessary any more. Turn with her if needed to maintain power position. Apply enough pressure that she will hunt for a better answer. When she pulls on the rope she is playing her game not playing with me. She likes her idea better. Cause her idea to be uncomfortable. When she slacks or checks in with me THEN release the pressure
e. Don’t chase the heck out of her but may energetically spank the ground.
f. NOTE: If she pulls harder or goes faster that means she CARES—cause her to care until she slacks.
11. Ear pinning on the circle
a. Same as above EXCEPT if she is bored take it personally!! Variety mix it up. ONCE she gets it you don’t need the 4-7 program at that point you’ve got to put it to a purpose.
12. How to be a better learner?
a. I don’t need to learn it all!! Can’t do it all—focus on some and progress on those.
b. This learning is difficult because it goes against our predator instinct and messes us up until the learning becomes instinctual.
c. L3 know more than lots of professional trainers.
d. Story L1 clinic 60ish ranchers there because their wives learned Parelli and out performed the young cowboys. Ranchers said they felt like they had never handled a horse before.
1. Draw issue—Try stopping on the circle and turning head to look at me but not coming to me. Dan: remember Try is an extreme LB horse—this is not a confidence issue—I do not need to retreat i.e. remove pressure. Retreating/removing pressure will NOT create draw!! Two ways:
a. If Try is tired she will decide drawing to me is the better deal—that is her choice not mine—a decision made on her terms.
b. On my terms: Move closer and closer and add phases with stick and string—if still on the circle pressure in Z5—behind the tail. Even if Try leaves then we continue to play the game the next time around the circle. I don’t have to move my feet that much—see if she can find the good deal when she comes around again. I am still drawing and putting pressure in Z5. BUT THIS IS ALL WITH AN ATTITUDE OF DRAW supported by the driving game. Can spank in front of her also. I haven’t played the game until I truly do what it takes to get her to CARE. Currently I am playing the right game and but not strong enough. Occasional phase 4 if necessary. She will begin to respond more easily. If she has turned her body toward me that will probably be putting pressure in zone 2.
2. Energy, focus, intention—
a. I do less she does more. My question about teaching Try to respond to my energy: Continually teaching (REMEMBER TEACH CONTROL REINFORCE REFINE) just teaching your LBI to be lazy. Try already knows when my life and focus comes up that would mean something i.e. if it was another horse bringing life up she would know that meant something. So I am teaching her it doesn’t mean anything. This is like doing homework for your kid and the kid never learns the material. So long phase 1 (life up focus) then quick 234. Not longer phase 1 if Try is going blah blah blah but longer if the horse is trying to figure it out. i.e. backing—life up, focus, lean and Try goes blah blah blah then give her a phase 4 she CARES about and it will be better next time. If not, it wasn’t a good enough phase 4. The next day may require reinforcing this with perhaps a lighter phase 4. i.e. may require repetition. In time Try will need the phase 4 less and less.
b. Arnold Schwartzenegger vs Richard Simmons. Arnold is into power, Richard is busy busy busy. Both will go to a phase 4. What do LB horses responds to best: Arnold!! Try will love it.
c. Try has a high play drive. Short horse will play hard but not for a long time.
d. Don’t waste Try’s exuberance. ID it and decide how to use it. Don’t use it up on the ground and then expect to find it riding (you know what you’ll get instead LOL)
3. Girthiness
a. Honestly listening to her
b. People are often rude to LBIs—think they can handle anything.
c. From Try:
i. As a human do you know its going on? Awareness
ii. Human do you care?
d. Girthiness—just wait for her.
4. Indirect rein on the right—leaning.
a. I have been trying to apply phases and not being effective
b. Set my hand and let Try sort it out—her timing is so much better than mine.
c. I have taught Try that the second she releases I release.
d. Need to hold it longer and vary it i.e. 2 sec, 5 sec whatever so she doesn’t assume she knows what the game is.
e. Reward the slightest try for the teaching phases and we are way beyond that.
f. Find a more effective phase 4 if need be i.e. add stick??
5. These are all foundation things that will effect lots of different stuff.
6. Snappy go and stop. Used to be ok to go and stop slowly but not any more. Dan says Try will like the snappy go and whoa
7. Soft feel: Get to holding it longer and do more with it.
8. 2nd horse/new horse. Horsenality? Balance on impulsion scale how GOOD is the GO and Whoa. Quality is getting better.
9. Game of Contact:
a. in the beginning freestyle and finesse are separate but there becomes a grey area between the two. If you are excellent at freestyle and Try confidently understands and respects contact in freestyle then a lot of finesse is done. Its still all body language, do it without reins.
b. Isolate and separate:
i. Z1 game: Try—can you accept the contact,
ii. Respond to it and realize it’s a conversation that is occurring partly thru z1
iii. Body connection (Linda’s physicality) becomes the connection of the two of us
iv. OK to add my physicality to the 7 step soft feel
10. Circling game: leaning on the rope
a. Continually pulling the rope to get slack is like pulling the horse’s nose out of the grass.
b. Try’s sweet spot is the gate so she will be leaning on the rope on side closest to the gate and cutting in on the other side—thus the egg shape.
c. Remedy: When Try puts pressure on the rope—I am a fence post and I lean on the rope stead and drag my feet if she pulls steady pressure
d. Z5 stick and string if necessary—her reaction doesn’t matter—can turn with her—my standing in one place is L1! Not necessary any more. Turn with her if needed to maintain power position. Apply enough pressure that she will hunt for a better answer. When she pulls on the rope she is playing her game not playing with me. She likes her idea better. Cause her idea to be uncomfortable. When she slacks or checks in with me THEN release the pressure
e. Don’t chase the heck out of her but may energetically spank the ground.
f. NOTE: If she pulls harder or goes faster that means she CARES—cause her to care until she slacks.
11. Ear pinning on the circle
a. Same as above EXCEPT if she is bored take it personally!! Variety mix it up. ONCE she gets it you don’t need the 4-7 program at that point you’ve got to put it to a purpose.
12. How to be a better learner?
a. I don’t need to learn it all!! Can’t do it all—focus on some and progress on those.
b. This learning is difficult because it goes against our predator instinct and messes us up until the learning becomes instinctual.
c. L3 know more than lots of professional trainers.
d. Story L1 clinic 60ish ranchers there because their wives learned Parelli and out performed the young cowboys. Ranchers said they felt like they had never handled a horse before.
Questions I had for Dan Thompson
Questions for Dan 9/18/10
1. Catch me—draw issue: On the circle Try is no longer turning away from me and when I back up she stops and alternates looking at me and looking straight on the circle and does not come to me. I think the good deal she has found for herself is stopping on the circle.
2. Energy, intention and focus. I have given this a lot of thought. Inner furnace from acting class. Now issue I am considering is teaching this or maybe better said is making this a new pattern for us to replace “my doing more.” So far as I experiment I am finding some success with huge internal energy and a mean face to get a backup and to get a HQ yield. With the yoyo backup I am not getting the idea across when I relax my energy that she should stop. I picked these games to use as ones where she would see/feel me the best and the movement is simple not requiring a complex combination of steps.
3. Girthiness. Too funny. She has really changed as far as nice ears when I pull the girth. BUT now I am getting more pinned ears on the prior steps. What a clever girl!
4. Swinging the saddle: I got the idea of buckle under the arm pit and holding on the diagonal and I am swinging it on her and better swinging it onto the fence that is lower. But next time I would like help to refine this.
5. Lateral flexion and indirect rein: This is improved for lateral flexion and indirect rein to the left. To the right she is still largely leaning on the rein. At first she would change so quickly from leaning to slack to leaning to slack that I was having difficulty applying phases. Recently she has been clearer and taking more time to either lean or have slack making it easier for me. I think as I continue to do this every time she is going to find the good deal is to maintain the slack.
6. Snappy go, stop, back and wait with the reins down: Snappy go and stop is better but I haven’t kept snappy in mind consistently. However, having her relax and not move off after cantering has been great most of the time—even with bowties.
7. 7 step soft feel—I believe I am getting the idea of this. Try seems pretty happy—infrequent reaction and I am varying what we do once I get the feel—walk, back, turn, sidepass.
Other stuff:
• I am borrowing another horse from a friend for the variety and am looking at the possibility of purchasing a second horse in the upcoming year and would like advice on a good match up. Bethanna, my riding instructor, would like us to talk about this as well. We are thinking better conformation for riding, more willing but perhaps lower on the impulsion scale?? I rode a TB at the barn this summer who was probably a 4 on impulsion scale and found getting him going easier for me than the kids who were riding him and that I loved his way of going.
• Try seems to be a 4 on the ground and I would like a 6-7. Riding--Try is a 6-7 which can be an issue when she is pounding on the forehand—as I am putting effort into helping her find a good rhythm (circles/cloverleaf) rather than focusing on improving my riding. I do want to encourage her to express her LBE side and would like advice on this.
• Energy: I would like to be able to truly light a fire under Try on line and liberty—when I videotape us I see a sluggishness that was nice and safe when we were learning L1/2 but I would like to see both of us dancing together now. I don’t know how to get the energy without ticking her off and guess this lack of energy is a dominance/leadership issue between us. I see a better energy at clinics but don’t know but what it is really in her nature to be so slow and laid back and uncomfortable for her to be otherwise.
• Specific issues where Try gets emotional or “up” when relaxation would be nice. i.e.
o Leaving the ring with a rider
o The gate (wanting the session to be over and hold over from trail classes??)
o Jumps—not emotional just over exuberant?? Have reinstated on line and riding walking over small jumps, turn and face and backup variations.
• Game of contact—I like what Linda is teaching about muscularity/alignment for the human. This is similar to what I did with 30+ years of ballet/pilates etc and I would like to incorporate it into my riding in an intentional manner. Obviously it doesn’t work for freestyle. Hunt seat equitation when there is a challenge my body automatically goes into that alignment/muscular mode. It seems for my physical conditioning it would be great to ride with this more of the time. When I take the 7 step soft feel should I add this or remain using the very relaxed freestyle use of myself? FYI: I have signed up to audit Linda’s Game of Contact 3 day course in Ocala in November—as part of trip to visit my Dad in Tampa.
• Lead changes: Try will do them for me but it takes a couple strides before she catches up behind so they are not really “flying”. We rarely do them, I likely need to know more about it, and flying changes are something that can get Try up and unhappily extraverted.
• I have been watching Pat’s mastery lessons and use of “tenshun”, lifting rein as a signal to the horse that coming is coming—how do I do that with bridleless riding—bringing up life in my body is that sufficient? Try does seem to know when I want to canter from the second I think it in my brain?!
• Circling game On Line: pinned ears and leaning on the rope. Pinned ears—my program is to quit when I get the best attitude—note: she pins ears in front of me and relaxes them behind my back. Leaning: I have been giving the rope a tug—she has at least learned that doesn’t mean stop but it isn’t effective, I haven’t seen any sign that she is motivated to not just go right back to leaning in a few strides.
• Learning: I am trying to figure out how to learn more effectively. Any suggestions would be really welcome. Presently I watch dvds and take notes--??2-3 hours per week and go out to the barn and play with concepts—some of it sinks in and some gets forgotten. Clinics: I take really good notes, play with it for several weeks and blog—some of it becomes a part of what we do and some gets forgotten as we move on to the next fun thing. Also this is not like intellectual learning where you are only challenged mentally. This is such a wholistic combination of mental, emotional and physical and thus more complicated to learn—and its two of us doing the learning not just one. This challenge may be why PNH is so exciting to learn but also frustrating not to learn as well as I would like.
1. Catch me—draw issue: On the circle Try is no longer turning away from me and when I back up she stops and alternates looking at me and looking straight on the circle and does not come to me. I think the good deal she has found for herself is stopping on the circle.
2. Energy, intention and focus. I have given this a lot of thought. Inner furnace from acting class. Now issue I am considering is teaching this or maybe better said is making this a new pattern for us to replace “my doing more.” So far as I experiment I am finding some success with huge internal energy and a mean face to get a backup and to get a HQ yield. With the yoyo backup I am not getting the idea across when I relax my energy that she should stop. I picked these games to use as ones where she would see/feel me the best and the movement is simple not requiring a complex combination of steps.
3. Girthiness. Too funny. She has really changed as far as nice ears when I pull the girth. BUT now I am getting more pinned ears on the prior steps. What a clever girl!
4. Swinging the saddle: I got the idea of buckle under the arm pit and holding on the diagonal and I am swinging it on her and better swinging it onto the fence that is lower. But next time I would like help to refine this.
5. Lateral flexion and indirect rein: This is improved for lateral flexion and indirect rein to the left. To the right she is still largely leaning on the rein. At first she would change so quickly from leaning to slack to leaning to slack that I was having difficulty applying phases. Recently she has been clearer and taking more time to either lean or have slack making it easier for me. I think as I continue to do this every time she is going to find the good deal is to maintain the slack.
6. Snappy go, stop, back and wait with the reins down: Snappy go and stop is better but I haven’t kept snappy in mind consistently. However, having her relax and not move off after cantering has been great most of the time—even with bowties.
7. 7 step soft feel—I believe I am getting the idea of this. Try seems pretty happy—infrequent reaction and I am varying what we do once I get the feel—walk, back, turn, sidepass.
Other stuff:
• I am borrowing another horse from a friend for the variety and am looking at the possibility of purchasing a second horse in the upcoming year and would like advice on a good match up. Bethanna, my riding instructor, would like us to talk about this as well. We are thinking better conformation for riding, more willing but perhaps lower on the impulsion scale?? I rode a TB at the barn this summer who was probably a 4 on impulsion scale and found getting him going easier for me than the kids who were riding him and that I loved his way of going.
• Try seems to be a 4 on the ground and I would like a 6-7. Riding--Try is a 6-7 which can be an issue when she is pounding on the forehand—as I am putting effort into helping her find a good rhythm (circles/cloverleaf) rather than focusing on improving my riding. I do want to encourage her to express her LBE side and would like advice on this.
• Energy: I would like to be able to truly light a fire under Try on line and liberty—when I videotape us I see a sluggishness that was nice and safe when we were learning L1/2 but I would like to see both of us dancing together now. I don’t know how to get the energy without ticking her off and guess this lack of energy is a dominance/leadership issue between us. I see a better energy at clinics but don’t know but what it is really in her nature to be so slow and laid back and uncomfortable for her to be otherwise.
• Specific issues where Try gets emotional or “up” when relaxation would be nice. i.e.
o Leaving the ring with a rider
o The gate (wanting the session to be over and hold over from trail classes??)
o Jumps—not emotional just over exuberant?? Have reinstated on line and riding walking over small jumps, turn and face and backup variations.
• Game of contact—I like what Linda is teaching about muscularity/alignment for the human. This is similar to what I did with 30+ years of ballet/pilates etc and I would like to incorporate it into my riding in an intentional manner. Obviously it doesn’t work for freestyle. Hunt seat equitation when there is a challenge my body automatically goes into that alignment/muscular mode. It seems for my physical conditioning it would be great to ride with this more of the time. When I take the 7 step soft feel should I add this or remain using the very relaxed freestyle use of myself? FYI: I have signed up to audit Linda’s Game of Contact 3 day course in Ocala in November—as part of trip to visit my Dad in Tampa.
• Lead changes: Try will do them for me but it takes a couple strides before she catches up behind so they are not really “flying”. We rarely do them, I likely need to know more about it, and flying changes are something that can get Try up and unhappily extraverted.
• I have been watching Pat’s mastery lessons and use of “tenshun”, lifting rein as a signal to the horse that coming is coming—how do I do that with bridleless riding—bringing up life in my body is that sufficient? Try does seem to know when I want to canter from the second I think it in my brain?!
• Circling game On Line: pinned ears and leaning on the rope. Pinned ears—my program is to quit when I get the best attitude—note: she pins ears in front of me and relaxes them behind my back. Leaning: I have been giving the rope a tug—she has at least learned that doesn’t mean stop but it isn’t effective, I haven’t seen any sign that she is motivated to not just go right back to leaning in a few strides.
• Learning: I am trying to figure out how to learn more effectively. Any suggestions would be really welcome. Presently I watch dvds and take notes--??2-3 hours per week and go out to the barn and play with concepts—some of it sinks in and some gets forgotten. Clinics: I take really good notes, play with it for several weeks and blog—some of it becomes a part of what we do and some gets forgotten as we move on to the next fun thing. Also this is not like intellectual learning where you are only challenged mentally. This is such a wholistic combination of mental, emotional and physical and thus more complicated to learn—and its two of us doing the learning not just one. This challenge may be why PNH is so exciting to learn but also frustrating not to learn as well as I would like.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Dan Thompson - August 24, 2010
August 24, 2010 First Session with Dan Thompson
3 incredible hours – so much I thought I understood and was skimming the surface
Liberty: Draw and Freestyle as preparation for finesse: impulsion and light response to reins.
We started with my doing a few things and I chose liberty because Try was already in the round pen. I said that figure 8 had been really difficult and showed it at a walk and we did it quite nicely. Dan said how about at the trot and I just laughed—who knew what would happen and sure enough I sent Try at a trot and we left me. GAME ON.
So we played the catching game for quite some time. Try out on the circle, when she passes my belly button back up straight to draw. If she doesn’t respond, more pressure, if she makes any response toward coming to me, less pressure. I need to be hyper aware of her. Note: she does not get to change direction toward the rail—that becomes Try in charge of the game—I redirect her quickly in the original direction—the comfort side –the other side becomes the uncomfortable side. Try (being directed by Dan) began to get the idea that she could choose to change direction away from the rail (that being ok at this stage). Also a no-no is Try blasting thru me. Eventually—she stopped or Dan stopped her and then waited –Try thought about turning toward the rail then thought better, then began to draw to Dan. Pressure on, pressure off. I did it also and she was really happy to draw and come to me. Good side and bad side. Teaching Try to seek the GOOD DEAL.
Back up at liberty: Dan used stick to keep Try on a straight line—directing front end—keeping his focus on where he wanted to go. Lesson: keep my focus—don’t get drawn into CHASING Body PARTS.
Sideways: Needs energy up—my body language directing her—I don’t necessarily even have to move my feet—I could really feels Dan’s energy making me move while he stood still. I was able to use my energy for really good HQ and FQ 360 yields/disengagement??? Then direct the sideways with way more energy and intensity, intension in my body but still moving my feet—something to strive for…. FOCUS can be on a body part or FAR AWAY to get the horse to go some place. I have to be going some place in my body if I want the horse to go someplace. E up/E down.
If I am truly going some place in my body, I might not have to move my feet! I want to be able to do less and cause Try to do more.
Try ‘s LBE play drive: IF she is LBE, she wants to play—engage her, don’t turn my back and deny her need to play. We both want to play. I laughed with pure joy at both of us being able to be LBE. ENGAGE her! Note confident horse engage, unconfident release the pressure.
Western saddle: ring under my arm, diagonal hold, swing w/hip and trust that I won’t hurt Try.
REALLY great improvement on the girthiness: Dan used STEADY pressure to pull latigos and more pressure/farther away so Try would actually feel it rather than be annoyed. Dan says this is a brace and right brain (baggage) rather than a left brain lean sort of opposition reflex. The release teaches—Try learns where the GOOD DEAL is.
Riding: Freestyle as preparation for finesse
Quality in zone one—how light and responsive is Try to the reins. That is necessary prerequisite to finesse riding plus the seat/sense of responsibility from freestyle.
If Try is leaning on the rein (LB) support with driving game in phases i.e. we did this with indirect rein. Phase 1 is contact, phase two is driving on looser rein (shaking rope), phase three is driving on contact, phase four is one big jerk on one rein! Dan like BA—no nagging—the one big jerk and then learn is better AND I didn’t do it—Try made the choice to do it to herself.
Impulsion: A perfect 5 on the impulsion scale is no good if both go and whoa are bad LOL.
We worked on getting a good immediate response to the go as well as good go, then a snappy whoa:
Ask and be effective (stick/string whatever—not necessary usually—much more body energy from me worked) get good pure gait not joggy-lopey stuff. Then ask for whoa—seat energy down lift or bounce one rein to contact. Example of working cows: energy off to cut from herd then game on, energy to keep cow away from herd. Game: good go, stop, back and reins down—will Try just stand there.
Drop to trot lead changes ie. Bow tie. Indirect rein, Z1/Z4 on downward transitions.
7 step soft feel:
1. Lift casual rein to take contact
2. Slide hand down
3. Separate to two hands WHILE MAINTAINING CONTACT
4. Finger—goes to fist so Try can feel it (567 the same)
Then can go anywhere—forward, back, turn change it up. If any reaction from Try wait for her head to relax.
3 incredible hours – so much I thought I understood and was skimming the surface
Liberty: Draw and Freestyle as preparation for finesse: impulsion and light response to reins.
We started with my doing a few things and I chose liberty because Try was already in the round pen. I said that figure 8 had been really difficult and showed it at a walk and we did it quite nicely. Dan said how about at the trot and I just laughed—who knew what would happen and sure enough I sent Try at a trot and we left me. GAME ON.
So we played the catching game for quite some time. Try out on the circle, when she passes my belly button back up straight to draw. If she doesn’t respond, more pressure, if she makes any response toward coming to me, less pressure. I need to be hyper aware of her. Note: she does not get to change direction toward the rail—that becomes Try in charge of the game—I redirect her quickly in the original direction—the comfort side –the other side becomes the uncomfortable side. Try (being directed by Dan) began to get the idea that she could choose to change direction away from the rail (that being ok at this stage). Also a no-no is Try blasting thru me. Eventually—she stopped or Dan stopped her and then waited –Try thought about turning toward the rail then thought better, then began to draw to Dan. Pressure on, pressure off. I did it also and she was really happy to draw and come to me. Good side and bad side. Teaching Try to seek the GOOD DEAL.
Back up at liberty: Dan used stick to keep Try on a straight line—directing front end—keeping his focus on where he wanted to go. Lesson: keep my focus—don’t get drawn into CHASING Body PARTS.
Sideways: Needs energy up—my body language directing her—I don’t necessarily even have to move my feet—I could really feels Dan’s energy making me move while he stood still. I was able to use my energy for really good HQ and FQ 360 yields/disengagement??? Then direct the sideways with way more energy and intensity, intension in my body but still moving my feet—something to strive for…. FOCUS can be on a body part or FAR AWAY to get the horse to go some place. I have to be going some place in my body if I want the horse to go someplace. E up/E down.
If I am truly going some place in my body, I might not have to move my feet! I want to be able to do less and cause Try to do more.
Try ‘s LBE play drive: IF she is LBE, she wants to play—engage her, don’t turn my back and deny her need to play. We both want to play. I laughed with pure joy at both of us being able to be LBE. ENGAGE her! Note confident horse engage, unconfident release the pressure.
Western saddle: ring under my arm, diagonal hold, swing w/hip and trust that I won’t hurt Try.
REALLY great improvement on the girthiness: Dan used STEADY pressure to pull latigos and more pressure/farther away so Try would actually feel it rather than be annoyed. Dan says this is a brace and right brain (baggage) rather than a left brain lean sort of opposition reflex. The release teaches—Try learns where the GOOD DEAL is.
Riding: Freestyle as preparation for finesse
Quality in zone one—how light and responsive is Try to the reins. That is necessary prerequisite to finesse riding plus the seat/sense of responsibility from freestyle.
If Try is leaning on the rein (LB) support with driving game in phases i.e. we did this with indirect rein. Phase 1 is contact, phase two is driving on looser rein (shaking rope), phase three is driving on contact, phase four is one big jerk on one rein! Dan like BA—no nagging—the one big jerk and then learn is better AND I didn’t do it—Try made the choice to do it to herself.
Impulsion: A perfect 5 on the impulsion scale is no good if both go and whoa are bad LOL.
We worked on getting a good immediate response to the go as well as good go, then a snappy whoa:
Ask and be effective (stick/string whatever—not necessary usually—much more body energy from me worked) get good pure gait not joggy-lopey stuff. Then ask for whoa—seat energy down lift or bounce one rein to contact. Example of working cows: energy off to cut from herd then game on, energy to keep cow away from herd. Game: good go, stop, back and reins down—will Try just stand there.
Drop to trot lead changes ie. Bow tie. Indirect rein, Z1/Z4 on downward transitions.
7 step soft feel:
1. Lift casual rein to take contact
2. Slide hand down
3. Separate to two hands WHILE MAINTAINING CONTACT
4. Finger—goes to fist so Try can feel it (567 the same)
Then can go anywhere—forward, back, turn change it up. If any reaction from Try wait for her head to relax.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Annie Shank May 1 2010 Make versus Want
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Make versus Want
Private 2 hours with Instructor Annie Shank yesterday!
I had emailed Annie in advance my issue with consistency, wanting a lovely relaxed, soft attitude from Try instead of the mild brace that I often feel. What follows is an incredible session where I was able to learn how I was making Try do things rather than causing her to want to do things--allowing her the choice. Needless to say, with Try "make" is not going to go over well with her extreme left brain nature--frankly, it ticks her off. Also as a 19 year old with so much experience in various disciplines, overcueing and making her do things is rude as it ignores her great ability to take responsibility and do it herself. So hopefully, I can relearn from square 1 the "want" versus "make", I can have the "magic" Try, the soft, relaxed lovely Try more often.
WINNING THE FRIENDLY GAME:
I thought because Try and I were getting 4s on our auditions for friendly game that we were doing great. NOT--I was missing the point. Winning the friendly game is not about Try standing still tolerating or being oblivious to whatever I do in the way of extreme friendly--it is about what I am doing in the friendly game bringing about the kind of relaxation and softness that we would both enjoy!
Games:
1. Swinging string over Try's back with rhythm and a little energy until I see the slightest sign of more relaxation then quit--its the release that teaches. Signs to look for--any softening, lick/chew, head lowering, exhale, blinking.
2. The ball: Next we walked to the big green ball and of course Try offered to push it around some. Annie had me bounce the ball on her top line and her side. Try was a little bothered by it on her side. Again watching for relaxation and quit, rub etc the release teaches.
3. Patting Try with rhythm and energy beginning at her neck and working toward her flank. Try seemed to prefer having her belly patted to her topline--more like a massage. Same principles of release, etc.
4. Patting top of her neck with coiled 45' line until Try lowers her head even the slightest bit. Note: my arm got tired after awhile--at home I could stand on pedestal to do this one to prevent the interruption it caused.
All of the 2 hour session was really about friendly game but a caveat is that at home I will need to be CREATIVE in coming up with different friendly games or this will get really boring to Try.
Next we went to the WEAVE on the 22' line with the object being lightness, NOT using the rope and my being as far away from the cones as I could. I quickly learned how I had been using the rope AND over cueing. I was using the rope to bring her thru rather than draw AND I was oversending with the stick and found that Try responded well to my simply pointed with just a bit of energy. ??draw was it just my backing up?? can't remember.
To improve DRAW we went to the backward S (circling game, change of direction) BUT Annie taught me about the double S where not only is Try doing the S but I am as well. Took awhile to get it--I back up in zone 5, point stick at zone4 but low and focus ahead not at Try's butt until she decides to give me two eyes (draw) and then redirect/change of direction.
Next we played with my looking at Try's HQ--just LOOKING--for a loooooooooooooooong phase 1 then quick 234 until I was getting a good HQ disengagement from the look.
Then to change to the otherside which Try did not want me on her right side. I loop my hand under her jaw and hold til she gives with my elbow low enough that she can get through. Permission to change sides then repeat looking at HQ for disengagement on second side.
Walk looking at HQ, get the disengagement until two eyes come thru, stick behind my back and FQ yield.
NOTE: THERE IS A GREAT DISPARITY BETWEEN TRY AND I ON HER LEFT SIDE VERSUS RIGHT SIDE!! THIS NEEDS TO BE HOMEWORK.
Next we played with SIDEWAYS TOWARDS on the right side. Annie helped with a little porcupine on the other side. The release teaches. I have forgotten some of the learning here. She did offer as a suggestion for when I don't have a second person to help to use savvy string around her midsection to get a step so Try will understand what I am asking.
Then we went back to patting the 45' line on Try's neck--see above.
Then we played with the FIGURE 8. I had been looking for two eyes before backing before and learned to look for the question instead and not to switch hands on the stick until that moment. Also to back STRAIGHT back not on the diagonal. (Not sure why tho.) This really got a much better 8.
We took a water break and then finished up with the PEDESTAL as I would like Try to be able to put 4 feet on the pedestal. Again not MAKE but WANT--so not using string on back leg but encouraging Try to come forward. For now, just getting her to walk over the pedestal will be good. Annie suspects when Try AND I are comfortable with that that Try will offer to stay on the pedestal with 4 feet.
Posted by Elizabeth at 6:41 AM 0 comments
Make versus Want
Private 2 hours with Instructor Annie Shank yesterday!
I had emailed Annie in advance my issue with consistency, wanting a lovely relaxed, soft attitude from Try instead of the mild brace that I often feel. What follows is an incredible session where I was able to learn how I was making Try do things rather than causing her to want to do things--allowing her the choice. Needless to say, with Try "make" is not going to go over well with her extreme left brain nature--frankly, it ticks her off. Also as a 19 year old with so much experience in various disciplines, overcueing and making her do things is rude as it ignores her great ability to take responsibility and do it herself. So hopefully, I can relearn from square 1 the "want" versus "make", I can have the "magic" Try, the soft, relaxed lovely Try more often.
WINNING THE FRIENDLY GAME:
I thought because Try and I were getting 4s on our auditions for friendly game that we were doing great. NOT--I was missing the point. Winning the friendly game is not about Try standing still tolerating or being oblivious to whatever I do in the way of extreme friendly--it is about what I am doing in the friendly game bringing about the kind of relaxation and softness that we would both enjoy!
Games:
1. Swinging string over Try's back with rhythm and a little energy until I see the slightest sign of more relaxation then quit--its the release that teaches. Signs to look for--any softening, lick/chew, head lowering, exhale, blinking.
2. The ball: Next we walked to the big green ball and of course Try offered to push it around some. Annie had me bounce the ball on her top line and her side. Try was a little bothered by it on her side. Again watching for relaxation and quit, rub etc the release teaches.
3. Patting Try with rhythm and energy beginning at her neck and working toward her flank. Try seemed to prefer having her belly patted to her topline--more like a massage. Same principles of release, etc.
4. Patting top of her neck with coiled 45' line until Try lowers her head even the slightest bit. Note: my arm got tired after awhile--at home I could stand on pedestal to do this one to prevent the interruption it caused.
All of the 2 hour session was really about friendly game but a caveat is that at home I will need to be CREATIVE in coming up with different friendly games or this will get really boring to Try.
Next we went to the WEAVE on the 22' line with the object being lightness, NOT using the rope and my being as far away from the cones as I could. I quickly learned how I had been using the rope AND over cueing. I was using the rope to bring her thru rather than draw AND I was oversending with the stick and found that Try responded well to my simply pointed with just a bit of energy. ??draw was it just my backing up?? can't remember.
To improve DRAW we went to the backward S (circling game, change of direction) BUT Annie taught me about the double S where not only is Try doing the S but I am as well. Took awhile to get it--I back up in zone 5, point stick at zone4 but low and focus ahead not at Try's butt until she decides to give me two eyes (draw) and then redirect/change of direction.
Next we played with my looking at Try's HQ--just LOOKING--for a loooooooooooooooong phase 1 then quick 234 until I was getting a good HQ disengagement from the look.
Then to change to the otherside which Try did not want me on her right side. I loop my hand under her jaw and hold til she gives with my elbow low enough that she can get through. Permission to change sides then repeat looking at HQ for disengagement on second side.
Walk looking at HQ, get the disengagement until two eyes come thru, stick behind my back and FQ yield.
NOTE: THERE IS A GREAT DISPARITY BETWEEN TRY AND I ON HER LEFT SIDE VERSUS RIGHT SIDE!! THIS NEEDS TO BE HOMEWORK.
Next we played with SIDEWAYS TOWARDS on the right side. Annie helped with a little porcupine on the other side. The release teaches. I have forgotten some of the learning here. She did offer as a suggestion for when I don't have a second person to help to use savvy string around her midsection to get a step so Try will understand what I am asking.
Then we went back to patting the 45' line on Try's neck--see above.
Then we played with the FIGURE 8. I had been looking for two eyes before backing before and learned to look for the question instead and not to switch hands on the stick until that moment. Also to back STRAIGHT back not on the diagonal. (Not sure why tho.) This really got a much better 8.
We took a water break and then finished up with the PEDESTAL as I would like Try to be able to put 4 feet on the pedestal. Again not MAKE but WANT--so not using string on back leg but encouraging Try to come forward. For now, just getting her to walk over the pedestal will be good. Annie suspects when Try AND I are comfortable with that that Try will offer to stay on the pedestal with 4 feet.
Posted by Elizabeth at 6:41 AM 0 comments
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