I played with Prinny again tonight, and we had a pretty nice session. It's like someone flipped a switch in our relationship, and I guess that might have been the case kind of.
Tonight I got out there kind of late, so I didn't have too much time. Anyway, Princess, Crest and Cricket all came up at once, which was cool, because earlier, Crest was leading the cavalry charge around the north paddock, and my thought was "Oh dear lord, I'm glad I'm busy clearing for the arena and not trying to catch them!"
Prin was eager enough to be haltered, we snapped up to the 45' line, and off we went. I didn't want to jump right into the circling things we've been playing with because that's another really great way to build resentment in a LB horse...how boring can I be, really? So, for the first 5 minutes or so, we played around with getting our yo-yo game really snappy, and BOY did that go well. I only went out about 30 or so feet, and after the first go only, Prin was almost drawing to me at the canter (hard to do that close, really it is) with just my energy. There's a L3 task I'm pretty sure we can get a pass on-haha.
Next, we did move to circling,and it was just a totally different feel. Her transitions were snappy, she had a bright look in her eye and was really tuned in, We goofed around and had a great time. This may have been the first time I've ever seen my horse actually truly ENJOY circling. And the only time she pulled on me at all was when I oh-so-gracefully went to draw her into me, and fell backwards...She just planted her feet and STARED at me...like "You...FOOL! WOW!"
Also, just for fun, we're working on a super secret task. No one gets to know what it is, but lets just say it's going very well,and I might be able to unveil in Kansas City if I'm on the savvy team there. And also, Heidi, if you read this, the key was the savvy string! She totally gets it now!
Anyway, all's going really well, Prin and I are having a blasty blasty blast...thank you Dane Cook for that phrase. I'm just enjoying this so much, I can't believe how much of a L3 online breakthru we're having here (me especially, my attitude is a complete and total BFO!), I don't we've gone thru anything THIS BIG in a long time. I'll keep posting!
Photo by Margaret Chant and edited by Jessica Metropulos
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
It's not about the ____, it's about the relationship.
If I were equine right now, I imagine my lips would be licking EXTREMELY hard.
I had a bit of an...erm...session with Princess on Thursday night. Enough to get both of us pretty worked up and frustrated. I very rarely get frustrated with MYSELF anymore, let alone my horse, thanks to Parelli, and particularly Linda. But everything was working against that on Thursday and long story short, we were certainly having some issues. See Princess is a very LB confident horse. VERRRYYYY LB. So LB, in fact, that because a lot of people are used to confidence being the root of the problem in most cases, they're having trouble wrapping their brains around this issue that we're having being a LB thing. Here's what was up:
*Please note that I don't need advice anymore, I realize what's up now and a lot of this is outdated, I just thought it would make an interesting post*
I'm trying to tune up our Level 3 stuff so we can start filming for assessment (I'm facing my phobia, yay me!). Princess is anything but fond of online in general. She'd much rather be doing liberty, and since reading the aptitude article in the savvy times, it makes sense, she's ANYTHING but RBE, and is somewhat LBE. Anyway, as we get to our circling on the 45' line, and I'm paying attention to perfection, I've suddenly realized that Princess leans on the halter and pulls so there's not much slack in the rope. It's generally between 10:00-2:00 on a circle, doesn't matter where I'm facing.
The reason I'm so confused about this is because I'm not reading it as unconfident. If she were always pulling off towards the gate, or towards the pasture, or towards the barn, or towards the other horses, I'd think it was a pressure/unconfidence thing, and I'd know what to do, but its always at the one spot on the circle, no matter what direction I'm facing, so that seems less likely.
I thought at first it might be having the pressure of me facing her was too great, but if that was the case, what would I do about that, and why isn't it so at liberty?
I've been experimenting a little bit, but it's really tough to do for too long, because my LB horse HATES circling for long periods of time. Tonight we had a little success taking in the slack to about 20-25 feet, and putting the spot between 10:00 and 2:00 on a fence line so she literally COULDN'T pull off...and it seemed to translate a little when I took it away from the fence. But really, I'm still at a loss
The response I got when I emailed a friend:
UMMMM, I think I have some ideas.
1. Stop trying to be perfect.
2. Do a lot of transitions, preferably before 10 or 2.
3. Ask her to go real slow. Slower than slow. Slower and slower than slow. She'll get fascinated. And that's what you want. It sure is the opposite to bored or evasive.
4. Smile a lot. Exhibit glee when she does something kookie or different than what you expected... "hah! I didn't think you'd do that! Come here... let me give you some scratches, a cookie...." I can hear you now. WHAAAAA??? You are not rewarding the wrong thing. Remember, it's not about the.... What it is about is the relationship. She needs to know that you love her no matter what. Give her approval and she'll want to be with you more. Hmmm. No parallels anywhere ;)
5. How can you get her to feel successful on that circle? You can trick her, sure... shorten the rope as she comes through 4 or 8 for a couple of laps and she'll put more slack in there, but in the end it doesn't improve the relationship. And THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT! She's trying to teach you something Fran. What do you think it is?
All I can say is DUH. Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, and by the way, how about some more DUH!!!! Argh. Of course I realize all this after the fact. It makes perfect sense! My goals have been coming before my principles and relationship with my horse, and she's getting way resentful. OF COURSE! She's not RB, so she isn't frightened by it, she's LB and she's getting annoyed by it. She had absolutely no reason TO cooperate with me! You've gotta LOVE savvy. It's very humbling, always learning, always reading, always absorbing information. And sometimes a bit of a pain in the ass.
So, my first session applying this obvious brilliance went VERY well. I've come to a point as a budding horseman where I never expect things to instantly get better. And I wouldn't say that they did today necessarily. But there certainly was a marked improvement. Princess and I started putting things into practice in the pouring rain. Man was it wet.
Anyway, it's not about the _____, its about the relationship. Princess picked up on that shift in my attitude right away. She had a much larger "smile" on her face the entire time. That, and she really picked up quickly on the concept that the center of the circle is where Fran, goddess of cookies and scratches resides, and it is best to be close(r) to her than away. While the entire problem was not solved in one session (I certainly wasn't expecting it to be anyway) after about 15 or 20 minutes, instead of pulling out/leaning, she was pretty loose in her movements, and even though the belly of the rope wasn't totally dragging yet, there was great improvement. I'm absolutely thrilled with that! Yay progress :)
We also goofed around a little with slowing the circles way down and doing some transitions/getting them snappy, mainly just to keep her motivated and interested on the circle. Like I said, things weren't perfect, but I certainly saw a change. I'm over the moon about it!
Savvy on, and out! Will keep logging as progress continues, PLEASE comment and let me know what you thought of this!
I had a bit of an...erm...session with Princess on Thursday night. Enough to get both of us pretty worked up and frustrated. I very rarely get frustrated with MYSELF anymore, let alone my horse, thanks to Parelli, and particularly Linda. But everything was working against that on Thursday and long story short, we were certainly having some issues. See Princess is a very LB confident horse. VERRRYYYY LB. So LB, in fact, that because a lot of people are used to confidence being the root of the problem in most cases, they're having trouble wrapping their brains around this issue that we're having being a LB thing. Here's what was up:
*Please note that I don't need advice anymore, I realize what's up now and a lot of this is outdated, I just thought it would make an interesting post*
I'm trying to tune up our Level 3 stuff so we can start filming for assessment (I'm facing my phobia, yay me!). Princess is anything but fond of online in general. She'd much rather be doing liberty, and since reading the aptitude article in the savvy times, it makes sense, she's ANYTHING but RBE, and is somewhat LBE. Anyway, as we get to our circling on the 45' line, and I'm paying attention to perfection, I've suddenly realized that Princess leans on the halter and pulls so there's not much slack in the rope. It's generally between 10:00-2:00 on a circle, doesn't matter where I'm facing.
The reason I'm so confused about this is because I'm not reading it as unconfident. If she were always pulling off towards the gate, or towards the pasture, or towards the barn, or towards the other horses, I'd think it was a pressure/unconfidence thing, and I'd know what to do, but its always at the one spot on the circle, no matter what direction I'm facing, so that seems less likely.
I thought at first it might be having the pressure of me facing her was too great, but if that was the case, what would I do about that, and why isn't it so at liberty?
I've been experimenting a little bit, but it's really tough to do for too long, because my LB horse HATES circling for long periods of time. Tonight we had a little success taking in the slack to about 20-25 feet, and putting the spot between 10:00 and 2:00 on a fence line so she literally COULDN'T pull off...and it seemed to translate a little when I took it away from the fence. But really, I'm still at a loss
The response I got when I emailed a friend:
UMMMM, I think I have some ideas.
1. Stop trying to be perfect.
2. Do a lot of transitions, preferably before 10 or 2.
3. Ask her to go real slow. Slower than slow. Slower and slower than slow. She'll get fascinated. And that's what you want. It sure is the opposite to bored or evasive.
4. Smile a lot. Exhibit glee when she does something kookie or different than what you expected... "hah! I didn't think you'd do that! Come here... let me give you some scratches, a cookie...." I can hear you now. WHAAAAA??? You are not rewarding the wrong thing. Remember, it's not about the.... What it is about is the relationship. She needs to know that you love her no matter what. Give her approval and she'll want to be with you more. Hmmm. No parallels anywhere ;)
5. How can you get her to feel successful on that circle? You can trick her, sure... shorten the rope as she comes through 4 or 8 for a couple of laps and she'll put more slack in there, but in the end it doesn't improve the relationship. And THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT! She's trying to teach you something Fran. What do you think it is?
All I can say is DUH. Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, and by the way, how about some more DUH!!!! Argh. Of course I realize all this after the fact. It makes perfect sense! My goals have been coming before my principles and relationship with my horse, and she's getting way resentful. OF COURSE! She's not RB, so she isn't frightened by it, she's LB and she's getting annoyed by it. She had absolutely no reason TO cooperate with me! You've gotta LOVE savvy. It's very humbling, always learning, always reading, always absorbing information. And sometimes a bit of a pain in the ass.
So, my first session applying this obvious brilliance went VERY well. I've come to a point as a budding horseman where I never expect things to instantly get better. And I wouldn't say that they did today necessarily. But there certainly was a marked improvement. Princess and I started putting things into practice in the pouring rain. Man was it wet.
Anyway, it's not about the _____, its about the relationship. Princess picked up on that shift in my attitude right away. She had a much larger "smile" on her face the entire time. That, and she really picked up quickly on the concept that the center of the circle is where Fran, goddess of cookies and scratches resides, and it is best to be close(r) to her than away. While the entire problem was not solved in one session (I certainly wasn't expecting it to be anyway) after about 15 or 20 minutes, instead of pulling out/leaning, she was pretty loose in her movements, and even though the belly of the rope wasn't totally dragging yet, there was great improvement. I'm absolutely thrilled with that! Yay progress :)
We also goofed around a little with slowing the circles way down and doing some transitions/getting them snappy, mainly just to keep her motivated and interested on the circle. Like I said, things weren't perfect, but I certainly saw a change. I'm over the moon about it!
Savvy on, and out! Will keep logging as progress continues, PLEASE comment and let me know what you thought of this!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Home again, home again, Jiggity-jig
Ooooohhhh boy it's been a long week!
I've been in Mosinee, Wisconsin, visiting my friend Jessica, my friend Heidi, and giving lessons to another friend, Anne. It's been a wonderful week, we goofed around, played with horses and cameras, took one horrifyingly LONG road-trip to Green Bay to visit Heidi and her horse Charmer, and we all had a good time, and most of all, we all learned something.
It was a big week for Anne more than anyone I think. Anne has a bit of history with all her horses, and while I won't delve into why, she's got some very respectable (and justifiable!) confidence issues around them. Starting out on day one, I could tell even since last time I'd been out, that things had changed in her confidence level. The way she moved about and handled her horses was considerably more relaxed.
The first couple of days, we went about learning the seven games, and breaking them down into reasonable bits of information for Anne (and the horse for that matter) to digest. They did really well, and I was very impressed with their quick progress. I did spend a day and a half puzzling over Blixen's horsenality, before answering my own question by telling Anne that he needed to be calmer and more trusting. RBE with RBI...and then a little later, realized that innately he was totally different. I filled out about 7 horsenality charts for different situations...man he's an interesting horse, someone remind me and I'll post his charts in a couple days.
Day 3 was really interesting, because then the saddle came out. Blixen has always been reactive, but man, it was impressive, he bucked...and bucked, and bucked, and bucked...WOW. It was impressive. Again, remind me, I have pictures! Holy CRAP, I don't want to ride that horse in that state. We also played with Bailey that day, little miss sassypants. LBI classic, and oh so eager to charge through the gait to her yummy green grass. 2 hours of reverse psychology in the rain later, and she was doing all 7 games, going through the gate, and being ridden willingly enough. I LOVE my LBI horses-haha.
Day 4 we played with Blixen again, and he and Anne were looking really sharp. They got their sideways going pretty snazzily, and we took some videos. Fun! Also went to visit Heidi in Green Bay. The barn where she boards is possibly the most perfect place ever, and I loved Charmer, although I really have realized now just how EXTROVERTED Prin is. Charm rings true to the "real" LBI stuff, and Heidi's done a wonderful job in developing it. Got to try her out in the cradle bridle, and now that's on my "must have" list as well...man am I spoiled!
Today was el finale for lessons in Mosinee. We first played with Bailey, then Anne casually asked me to ride her. I did. I got on, played around a little with walk, trot, halt transitions, and got miss LBI going pretty well. Then, the most remarkable, impressive, amazing testimant to my teaching came out of the woodwork. Anne, who has not ridden since last July, asked if I thought she could ride Bailey. I didn't show her then (Anne, if you read this, be GLAD you didn't see it!) but I teared up. I really did. I am SOOOOOO proud of Anne for coming as far as she has this week. I know how much emotional fitness and downright courage it must have taken to ask me that. She rode around the paddock for 10 minutes, and she LOOKED FANTASTIC! Not at all tense, sitting very naturally balanced and relaxed, I was just...ahhh! So PROUD!
Anyway, time for Fran to hit the hay. I've got a long weekend coming up, starting in about 5.5 hours, so yeah. Adios. Someone remind me about pix please!
I've been in Mosinee, Wisconsin, visiting my friend Jessica, my friend Heidi, and giving lessons to another friend, Anne. It's been a wonderful week, we goofed around, played with horses and cameras, took one horrifyingly LONG road-trip to Green Bay to visit Heidi and her horse Charmer, and we all had a good time, and most of all, we all learned something.
It was a big week for Anne more than anyone I think. Anne has a bit of history with all her horses, and while I won't delve into why, she's got some very respectable (and justifiable!) confidence issues around them. Starting out on day one, I could tell even since last time I'd been out, that things had changed in her confidence level. The way she moved about and handled her horses was considerably more relaxed.
The first couple of days, we went about learning the seven games, and breaking them down into reasonable bits of information for Anne (and the horse for that matter) to digest. They did really well, and I was very impressed with their quick progress. I did spend a day and a half puzzling over Blixen's horsenality, before answering my own question by telling Anne that he needed to be calmer and more trusting. RBE with RBI...and then a little later, realized that innately he was totally different. I filled out about 7 horsenality charts for different situations...man he's an interesting horse, someone remind me and I'll post his charts in a couple days.
Day 3 was really interesting, because then the saddle came out. Blixen has always been reactive, but man, it was impressive, he bucked...and bucked, and bucked, and bucked...WOW. It was impressive. Again, remind me, I have pictures! Holy CRAP, I don't want to ride that horse in that state. We also played with Bailey that day, little miss sassypants. LBI classic, and oh so eager to charge through the gait to her yummy green grass. 2 hours of reverse psychology in the rain later, and she was doing all 7 games, going through the gate, and being ridden willingly enough. I LOVE my LBI horses-haha.
Day 4 we played with Blixen again, and he and Anne were looking really sharp. They got their sideways going pretty snazzily, and we took some videos. Fun! Also went to visit Heidi in Green Bay. The barn where she boards is possibly the most perfect place ever, and I loved Charmer, although I really have realized now just how EXTROVERTED Prin is. Charm rings true to the "real" LBI stuff, and Heidi's done a wonderful job in developing it. Got to try her out in the cradle bridle, and now that's on my "must have" list as well...man am I spoiled!
Today was el finale for lessons in Mosinee. We first played with Bailey, then Anne casually asked me to ride her. I did. I got on, played around a little with walk, trot, halt transitions, and got miss LBI going pretty well. Then, the most remarkable, impressive, amazing testimant to my teaching came out of the woodwork. Anne, who has not ridden since last July, asked if I thought she could ride Bailey. I didn't show her then (Anne, if you read this, be GLAD you didn't see it!) but I teared up. I really did. I am SOOOOOO proud of Anne for coming as far as she has this week. I know how much emotional fitness and downright courage it must have taken to ask me that. She rode around the paddock for 10 minutes, and she LOOKED FANTASTIC! Not at all tense, sitting very naturally balanced and relaxed, I was just...ahhh! So PROUD!
Anyway, time for Fran to hit the hay. I've got a long weekend coming up, starting in about 5.5 hours, so yeah. Adios. Someone remind me about pix please!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Lotsa Lessons
Today was a very busy day, I'm super tired, but its that kind of tired that makes you feel SO GOOD about how busy you've been.
I was woken up about 3 hours prematurely to a phone call from a student, who couldn't make it to a lesson. Ugh, not that I was mad or anything, but for the love of Pete, call me at 8:00 and expect me to be chipper...it ain't gonna happen-haha.
So, First thing I did was give a friend of mine, Lisa, a lesson. We got up there and the bugs were MISERABLE. I mean, I've NEVER hated gnats so much in my life. Sure, they're annoying little buggers, but yeesh, they were SWARMIN' today!
We pulled Amigo out to do the lesson, since Princess looked ornery. (She tends to get cranky with too many bugs and humidity) He did really well for her, and was just a wonderful guy. Pix to come as soon as my computer decides to stop telling me that my pictures can't upload due to an internal error.
Next we went to Dana's to give Cynde and Shashi a lesson. Shashi got ridden, and that was an adventure. He did SO WELL though, he's a smart little devil, and so good too. Cynde also had a big break thru with her confidence, and I really think they're going to go far. It's great to be told repeatedly "That was SO GREAT Fran!" after a lesson. I must be doin' something right.
Again, pictures to come when my computer decides they really aren't the Anti-christ.
Fun day overall, off to Mosinee tomorrow for week of lessons!
I was woken up about 3 hours prematurely to a phone call from a student, who couldn't make it to a lesson. Ugh, not that I was mad or anything, but for the love of Pete, call me at 8:00 and expect me to be chipper...it ain't gonna happen-haha.
So, First thing I did was give a friend of mine, Lisa, a lesson. We got up there and the bugs were MISERABLE. I mean, I've NEVER hated gnats so much in my life. Sure, they're annoying little buggers, but yeesh, they were SWARMIN' today!
We pulled Amigo out to do the lesson, since Princess looked ornery. (She tends to get cranky with too many bugs and humidity) He did really well for her, and was just a wonderful guy. Pix to come as soon as my computer decides to stop telling me that my pictures can't upload due to an internal error.
Next we went to Dana's to give Cynde and Shashi a lesson. Shashi got ridden, and that was an adventure. He did SO WELL though, he's a smart little devil, and so good too. Cynde also had a big break thru with her confidence, and I really think they're going to go far. It's great to be told repeatedly "That was SO GREAT Fran!" after a lesson. I must be doin' something right.
Again, pictures to come when my computer decides they really aren't the Anti-christ.
Fun day overall, off to Mosinee tomorrow for week of lessons!
Friday, May 30, 2008
MORE TORTURE! EEK!
I need to stop teasing myself. But seriously...look at her. Just LOOK AT HER!! I CANNOT WAIT!
I talked to the Parelli Collection today, they said they're getting truckloads of saddles in at a time, and as soon as my size and measure comes in, they'll assign it to me, send me a tracking number, and off we go. Sounds FANTASTIC to me! YAY! Can't wait.
Had a nice play day with Cresty this evening too. He was very mellow, and we had a good time. did some transitions on the 45' and rode a bit too...YEESH he's bouncy!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Talk about torture
This is going to be the longest month of my life...seriously...lol.
I talked to the Parelli collection people today and they think they have my color and sizing of saddle in stock, and my it'll be shipped in 30-45 days. Talk about an awful month and a half, especially as we get well into June, I'll be checking to see if Fed Ex came EVERY SINGLE DAY...
CANNOT WAIT to get the thing! YEEEEEP! It'll be so beautiful.
I do have one critique/statement for the Parelli people though. They really should post pictures of each saddle width from the front so people can at least get an IDEA for how wide the things are. I saw a photo of a used Standard tree one on ebay tonight and had a horrible notion I ordered too wide, but then reminded myself that Linda's super wide fit Prin uber well.
Ah well...I digress. So begins the horrible "waiting" period. I think I'll sit here and twiddle my thumbs.
Here, have some photo fun whilst we wait here together. Taken with my new Canon Rebel XT:
Pretty Cricket!
Prinny being the wonderful teacher that she is for one of my students...she makes me seem better than I am...really.
I talked to the Parelli collection people today and they think they have my color and sizing of saddle in stock, and my it'll be shipped in 30-45 days. Talk about an awful month and a half, especially as we get well into June, I'll be checking to see if Fed Ex came EVERY SINGLE DAY...
CANNOT WAIT to get the thing! YEEEEEP! It'll be so beautiful.
I do have one critique/statement for the Parelli people though. They really should post pictures of each saddle width from the front so people can at least get an IDEA for how wide the things are. I saw a photo of a used Standard tree one on ebay tonight and had a horrible notion I ordered too wide, but then reminded myself that Linda's super wide fit Prin uber well.
Ah well...I digress. So begins the horrible "waiting" period. I think I'll sit here and twiddle my thumbs.
Here, have some photo fun whilst we wait here together. Taken with my new Canon Rebel XT:
Pretty Cricket!
Prinny being the wonderful teacher that she is for one of my students...she makes me seem better than I am...really.
Monday, May 26, 2008
My Dream Come True
ITS ORDERED!!!!
After 10 months of lessons, hard work, hardcore saving, and dreaming of how my horse would feel when I had it, I FINALLY ordered my fluidity saddle. Here's all you need to know about it:
Color: Dark Brown
Seat Size: 17.5
Tree/Gullet: Superwide
The picture above shows pretty much what it'll look like.
This whole crazy scheme started on June 30th, 2007, and it's all Linda Parelli's fault. We went riding after Saturday's presentation at the tour stop in Madison, and I was having some canter issues with Princess, with her not being pleased about cantering even after I adjusted my seat. Linda very discretely pulled me off to the side and asked if I would like to borrow her fluidity saddle for the evening. Without any hesitation and several expletives (I was SURPRISED..so sue me!) I accepted the offer.
That 30 minutes of riding was a life changer. Princess's gaits changed/got bigger, she became willing to collect, she maintained gait for as long as I asked, she stretched, her back rounded up and her back legs came under her, and her trot got so elevated and bouncy I had to hold my visor on. I knew I HAD to get that saddle. So...the rest is history.
I cannot wait to get it. YAY!
After 10 months of lessons, hard work, hardcore saving, and dreaming of how my horse would feel when I had it, I FINALLY ordered my fluidity saddle. Here's all you need to know about it:
Color: Dark Brown
Seat Size: 17.5
Tree/Gullet: Superwide
The picture above shows pretty much what it'll look like.
This whole crazy scheme started on June 30th, 2007, and it's all Linda Parelli's fault. We went riding after Saturday's presentation at the tour stop in Madison, and I was having some canter issues with Princess, with her not being pleased about cantering even after I adjusted my seat. Linda very discretely pulled me off to the side and asked if I would like to borrow her fluidity saddle for the evening. Without any hesitation and several expletives (I was SURPRISED..so sue me!) I accepted the offer.
That 30 minutes of riding was a life changer. Princess's gaits changed/got bigger, she became willing to collect, she maintained gait for as long as I asked, she stretched, her back rounded up and her back legs came under her, and her trot got so elevated and bouncy I had to hold my visor on. I knew I HAD to get that saddle. So...the rest is history.
I cannot wait to get it. YAY!
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