myparellijourney

Progress Continues

Even though it was ridiculously hot and humid, Destin and I had another excellent practice Tuesday. Our steering continues to get lighter, even when moving away from the other horses or away from the barn. Really pleased with that.

Played with our man-made water crossing some more - with the circling game and freestyle. Great practice for 'real' trail rides. Also walked Destin up to a small jump, while in the saddle, that I've used during ground sessions. I asked him to go over it. He thought about it, but is to uncertain. So I'll keep approaching and retreating until one day, he goes over.

Worked on our sitting trot and got a nice slow, comfortable trot to end on. Also did some work on our posting trot - definitely easier to post Destin's big energy, big stride trot. I actually think we're getting better at this - together. I've always said I'm happy to put in the hours and miles to get our harmony under saddle.

Another excellent workout for both of us. I think we both sweated off a few pounds too.

Keep it Natural!

Perfecting Practice

Destin and I had a great session Monday. We played and rode for about 2 hours! Endurance and stamina and I'm pretty well toasted at the end - from the growth and learning and just physically too. By making our practice sessions longer, I'm strengthening our endurance muscles. 
 

Worked on our steering which has really improved since it's breakdown just a few days ago. A slight tip of the nose in the direction I'd like, slight outer leg pressure and he turns. Very nice. Also practiced following my focus, and our trotting (sitting and posting). Good work out! Getting there...
 

Played with my man-made water crossing (hose running in a low spot) on the ground - circle game - to keep it interesting. Walked, trot, fast trot and even a little canter. The dip in terrain makes Destin pay attention to where he is putting his feet, which also means he's not bored that we're doing the circling game again. Also crossed the water crossing several times while riding ( BIG DEAL :D). Walked over some obstacles, rode around outside of arena and over around house too... Direction and play area driven by location of shade. 
 

Great growth for Destin being better with my leadership when it's just our herd of two.
 
I feel good about our communication and connection today. I want us to be ready and qualified for our upcoming group play day on July 8th! I'm the least experienced in the group.   I'm motivated ; I want to
play :)

Destin is such a great horse. He really tries...
 
Keepin it Natural, 

Lauren 

Follow-up

 

I noticed while re-reading what I wrote in my previous post that my pace seemed really fast, but in reality it wasn't. That was my enthusiasm and excitement over our time together and wanting to capture it all in writing. Destin and I actually spent about 2.5 hours together, so it was very relaxed, lots of stopping to lick and chew, process and dwell and rewards with scratches in favorite spots. We moseyed along, playing here and there, enjoying our relationship. It was not task-oriented as it was written. That's why it was so much fun, actually :)

My Kind of Morning!

Just got back from a fantastic play session with Destin, where we built on what we knew, using the tools/techniques learned in Christi's clinic (www.ChristiRains.com).

Started with some friendly game - scratching, loving while brushing and fly spraying. Then did some on-line playing. Started with the 4 Rs. Respect - driving backup, then yes ma'am back up. Took a couple times to see a change for the yes ma'am. Follow me was fine. Yielding hind quarters 361 degrees! nice! Then practiced our yield Forequarters - this is Destin's hole. Backed up a few steps, then asked for FQ yield. Got several nice cross over steps from him in each direction. Nice! Step on pedestal with front feet (Destin's favorite thing), step on blue tarp (with puddles of water on it), put two feet in hula hoop. Stopped to scratch and put on bareback pad. Then did some circle game at a walk, then trot in both directions. Got nice backup and snappy departures. nice! Set up a small jump, did some circles then asked Destin to stop at jump (touch it). Next time, asked him to jump it. He basically went through it - barely over and creamed it. really sloppy. so set jump back up, circled a few times, then asked fro jump. plowed through it again. doesn't seem to be afraid just not happy about it. set jump up again, got momentum up, asked for jump again - nice, clear jump. down to 1 knee I go. Dwell! :D

Did a walking figure 8, till I didn't have to pick up stick - only took a couple times. nice!

Time to ride :) Asked Destin to pick me up at fence, and he tolerated my really sloppy mount from the fence from right side. I need to work on that! Did some arena riding. Superman turns, walking to HQ yield (nice!). lovely light backups (as usual). Not so good on FQ yield. Insists on moving front feet, so got carrot stick to assist and thought "how can I set Destin up for success?". Put us up against fence (butt too), so no backward movement. And used carrot stick to assist with communication. Got 1 step sideways on front (yeah!) stopped - rubbed. waited for lick and chew. repeated on other side. yeah!

played around a bit more in arena, then opted to go for a walk. Had a nice ride down our driveway with Simba, our dog leading. Destin is getting better at trusting me when we're out 'alone'. Focus is key. And when he was getting distracted, we played some games (superman turns, oh-no stops, trot 3 steps, stop/backup). Worked really well. Also did some FQ yield and got one step sideways without moving back feet - yea!

On the return trip, Destin was in a hurry (so funny, coming from the "I don't' want to go horse"), so practiced our "oh-no", stroke rein 3 times, one rein bend to a stop, and other hand pushing on pommel.

Back at the house, untacking, Destin was focusing on other horses, so I got his attention by doing some HQ yields, follow me at trot. Nice! And FQ yield, getting cross over step - yeah!

What fabulous morning!! We were really partnering today - fabulous! THIS is what I love about Parelli!!!

Thanks for reading! :D

Keeping It Natural and Loving It,

Lauren

The Clinic Started Before We Left Our Driveway!

Saturday morning, the first day of my participation in Christi Rains L2/3 Clinic in Brenham, I awoke to a Texas thunderstorm - lots of water, thunder and lightning!

I had prepared the night before, hooking up the horse trailer and moving it to the driveway that didn't get buried in mud during a storm. Everything was already loaded into the truck and trailer. Just had to load up Destin and myself. But it's lightning and thundering! I don't go out in lightning, if it's just me. I'm not about to go out and try to load my horse.

I called the clinic host and let her know that I would be there as soon as the weather allowed. We would stay safe and go slow and get there when we get there. She was in agreement.

Thirty minutes later, the storm had subsided to a light drizzle and the lightning had stopped. Time to start the process of loading up.

Brought Destin over from the barn; he followed me easily and didn't seem to be concerned that he was leaving the other horses. I asked him to load and he did. But he didn't stay in. He showed nervousness upon getting in the trailer and hearing the rain on the roof. And, his buddy horse had noticed he was missing and started calling for him.

So I worked with Destin to get him re-focused on me by doing some circling game and change of direction. He did end up going in the trailer and staying so that I could calmly and slowly close the door.

I reminded myself of what my teacher, Cindy Deaton, told me about being in a clinic: "You and your relationship with your horse come FIRST. Only do what you two are ready for. For example, if you are asked to canter and you have only worked on trotting, you trot.". As I went into the front area of the trailer to rub Destin, check everything and put the lead rope in the Blocker Tie Ring, I noticed Destin's eyes. They had a slight white rim. He was eating his hay, but he was nervous eating. My horse was not relaxed, not comfortable and NOT ready to go.

So even though it meant we would get to the clinic even later, I took the time necessary to hang with my horse, giving him scratches and rubs and comforintg him until he RELAXED. It took about 15 minutes. Only then, did we head off to the clinic.

Our 'clinic' started before we even left our driveway. And when Destin and I did leave, our relationship was more than intact, it was GREAT!

Keep It Natural!

My Horse is Really Smart!

The more I learn, the smarter my horse gets!"
- Christi Rains, Parelli 4-Star Instructor

 

Finally the sun came out, after 3 weeks of dreary, cloudy, cold and wet weather. Glorious sun!! Drying up all the mud and reminding me how much I enjoy being outside and PLAYING with my horse!

Destin and I have been spending quality time together the last few days, playing and advancing our communication. I had been watching DVDs, and thanks to GiddyUpFlix, had watched "My Horse Won't Go" which was perfect for Destin, an LBI.  So I took the sunshine opportunity to advance our on-line skills.

It was like we just played yetserday, not 3 weeks ago! Destin remembered everything and apparently I was focused and clear because our communication was excellent. Then I decided to stretch us by trying our first canter on-line. We had a great session; and we quit on a great note - several strides cantering in both diresctions. That is a BIG deal!!

We've continued to play on-line and work on lightness of requesting trot and canter on-line in subsequent days. I'm so impressed with how SMART Destin is; and how quickly he picks up new teachings. Now Pat Parelli would say that Destin already knows all of this, it's about me learning to communicate effectively to him. Which is working!

Today was Day 4 of cantering on-line and Destin picked up his canter right away. Both directions. Even got a snappy departure into a canter from a stop! WOW! This from a horse who doesn't like to move and likes to exert as little energy as possible. As Pat said in the "My Horse Won't Go" DVD, Destin's carburator is unclogged. Woo-Hoo!  Imagine the possibilities. I wonder what our communication will be like after *7* days in a row!

Loving my horse and loving our time together!

The more I learn, the smarter he gets!! :D

 

Study Habits

This post would better aptly titled "I've forgotten how to study". Granted it's been a few years since I've officially studied a program. Five or six years to be exact. And it's been a LONG time since college :)

I have the long-term vision of what I want to create with my horses and our relationships. And I have the Parelli home study programs - Level 1 and Level 2 (not old, but not new ones). I need and want to create lesson/study plans that build upon themselves daily, weekly, monthly; and most importantly, keep both my horses and I interested.

I find I'm a lot like my LBI Arabian, Destin, in that I get bored easily too. By the 3rd time of trying some new 'task', I'm ready to move on. So, we're OK practicing through the 7th repetition, as long as we're also learning something new and stretching.

And yet, creating that regular stretch in our play sessions seems to be a challenge for me. But I'm up to meeting it!

So this week, I'm going to pull out all the Level 1/Level 2 materials, catch up on the DVD watching and plan our upcoming lessons.

Wish me luck!

Parelli Patterns - Touch It

Today Amigo and I completed Day 4 of 7 of the "Touch It" Parelli Patterns - Online Level 1. This where I use the Driving Game to direct Amigo to up to an object, stopping in front of it and inviting his curiosity to touch his nose on it.

The first day it took several 'tries' for Amigo to start checking out the object. By the third object he seemed to catch on to the game; and today, day 4, he touches his nose on the first try, most of the time. It's fun watching both of us learning to communicate with each other.

I try to keep it interesting so Amigo knows "what's in it for him" since that's important for a Left-Brained Introvert. He loves a cookie when he "gets it".

It's really not about Amigo "getting it", it's about our communication being clear. If I'm communicating clearly, Amigo "gets it". I'm not training Amigo, I'm training ME to communicate clearly.

I'm reminded that studies show that a human audience's perception of a speaker and presentation includes only 7% of the actual words spoken. Another small percentage is tone of voice & inflection. The *majority* of the audience's perception is based on the speaker's body language. Just like horses.

Hmmmm. So when my body language and energy are congruent and clear, Amigo responds - easily & effortlessly like we've been doing this forever. Fascinating! Until next time - Be Natural!

He *Asked Me* to Touch His Face

I couldn't believe it! I was playing the friendly game with Romeo, scratching him on the back, over the pasture fence. I moved from his back to his shoulder - ahhh, his face said. Then he moved closer to me and put his head over the fence. That move, in and of itself, was a big deal. Romeo, my almost 18 year old gelding, was seized by law enforcement 3 years ago,  as he and his pasture mates were almost starved to death. (You can see his before/after pictures here) His life had been full of abuse and neglect; and not surprisingly, he didn't trust humans. I adopted him 2 years ago; he is my Parelli project horse.  Classic behavior for Romeo (RBE/I) when someone approached was to put his ears back and move away. Classic human predator behavior is to not back off, but reach forward and try to touch his face - his most delicate area. Romeo would always turn his head away. Now that I'm learning how to not be a predator through Parelli, I've learned that Romeo turning his head away is his way of saying "I don't feel comfortable letting you touch my face". So I scratch and rub his neck.  I've also learned that Romeo putting his ears back when someone approaches is his way of saying "you're getting to close". Now I know to back off a little. Then he'll put his ears forward, giving me permission to approach. Back to scratching and rubbing over the pasture fence... so Romeo had moved forward and put his head over the fence. I rubbed his neck. Then as I brought my hand down and rested it on the fence, he put his nose under my hand and pushed it up on his nose! I couldn't believe it! Is this real? Is he asking me to pet his face? I pet his nose, then dropped my hand. This time he lowered his head, offering his forehead to my hand. He is! He's ASKING me to touch his face! So I rubbed lovingly, as the tears of joy and understanding fell freely. After 12 years of abuse and neglect, this one gesture on Romeo's part was a breakthrough - that he is finally ready and willing to begin to trust a human again, well, me.  And thanks to Parelli, I've been able to give him safety and comfort and go slow and be trust-worthy.  He ASKED ME to touch his face!!! Naturally Blessed, Lauren Level 1 and Loving it!

A Fabulous Session!

My intention in playing with Amigo yesterday was to accelerate our learning. Not to artificially go too fast, but to speed-up learning the basics of our communication - Parelli Games 2-4 - Porcupine, Driving and Yo-Yo Games. I had read in one of the Parelli Level 1 PocketGuides that Level 1 can take 3 weeks to 3 months with the assumption of spending 6 hours a week playing with your horse. I found this to be astonishing! First, that Level 1 could be completed in 3 short weeks (3 months seems reasonable). And second, the idea of spending 6 hours a week playing with my horse. An hour a day for 6 days - that seems doable (although implementing it is more difficult). But I was confused about to spend that hour. Since we're learning the basics, wouldn't I bore my horse to death, playing Porcupine for an hour? I mean, how many times can you do the same thing? I'd read elsewhere that you don't keep repeating the same 'task' once the horse gets it, you move on. So I was confused. Up until now, I'd played with Amigo for 30 minutes at a time - at most. Usually 15 minutes at a time. And guess what? It's taking forever to move through Level 1. Yesterday, it occurred to me that instead of asking for exactly the same thing every time, I could mix it up; and ask for more. So that's what we did. Amigo and I played Friendly Game, Porcupine Game, Driving Game and Yo-Yo Game for 40 minutes. Mixing it up, playing around, keeping it interesting. Amigo is highly food motivated, so a treat after a Phase 2 response kept him interested in our play-work. And a good scratch on his most favorite spot - under his belly - had him feeling really good. Lots of effective communication . Lots of licking and chewing. Lots of smiles. By the end of the 40 minutes, Amigo was responding to every request with only Phase 2. Smart horse!  Next time, we'll practice on yielding FQ and HQ in a circle...   Naturally, Lauren P.S. - One challenge is that Amigo will back up (do the Yo), stop and then wants to come forward to me. We'll have to work on that. Log Entry: Level 1: Lessons 6-7: Games 1-4