I spent yesterday starting to catch up on things around the house, whining about being back to work and watching the clock feeling lousy that I wasn't outside with Chance. So now that I have had my day allowing myself to feel miserable I thought it might be a good idea to snap out of it today.
I started the day doing house work (not much) and baked a batch of dog biscuits and then headed out to the barn. A came over so I could show off a little and show her what I did at the clinic. Riding my horse at home without any of the old feelings was wonderful. In fact when I was riding and realized I had forgotten my helmet I wasn't even worried. Not that I will ever get into the habit or become comfortable riding without it! But it was nice to feel safe and have a nice connection with my horse. After spending 6 hours a day riding 30 minutes seemed like almost nothing. But it was a good 30 minutes.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Back to Reality
Today is tough. Getting back into the swing of things is harder than I thought.
I want to go back to horsey world!
I want to go back to horsey world!
The Last Day
This day was very emotional for me. I was exhausted, thrilled, and I think a little shell shocked. As I got to Piper Ridge I looked in the ring where Chance and I had worked so hard. This clinic was more than I ever expected it to be - it was life changing for us. I started out feeling so incompetent and intimidated. I don't know why, but I'm glad I got over it. And it wasn't just me that had accomplishments. I saw growth in everyone. We had become a family, 11 people from different backgrounds, lives and riding styles, some in western saddles & some in english, all there to become better horse people. Each of us had a horse with a unique personality and different issues. Even though I was very caught up in what Chance and had been doing, I saw changes in all of us. Everyone was kind, supportive, hard working and positive. As exhausting and sometimes frustrating as things got not once did I see one person loose faith or give up.
And I haven't even mentioned Greg yet. The 1st day he said he wasn't a teacher, but he was there to help us learn. What I love about how he did this is that he gave us a variety of tools, ideas and methods to learn with, never giving up if we didn't understand. If he got frustrated with us he didn't show it. He would keep explaining in as many ways as it took for us to get it. He also made sure that nobody got left hanging or standing in the background lost.
And he loves what he does, you can see it in his face when we understand, it makes him happy to see us flourish and become better horse people. I am very grateful and lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. I will be signing up for his clinic again next year.
Things were pretty quiet, low key this day. We all worked on our own things for a while. I did the exercise with the barrels again. It wasn't as intense as the day before, but it didn't need to be. The first time he got pretty caught up in it and I needed to help him by stopping his feet so he could remember the peace. The 2ND time he had it down pat. In fact he started using the corners to get out of work, which made me smile. I guess his work ethic could use some tweaking but I'll just continue to find the balance between work and quiet for us. He has figured out how to think while using his feet and that was the goal.
The last exercise we did was some individual canter work. We had to try to figure out what lead would be easier for each horse after determining where the brace was. This is still a little confusing for me, but it's getting better. Chance is a tough one, but I do know that his left lead is easier.
Then it was time to go home. Everyone packed up and started heading out. I took my time, just soaking in the experience as I put things away. Before I left I gave Greg a big hug and thanked him. He told me how proud he was of what Chance and I accomplished, that the best thing for us would be for me to ride the heck out of him this summer. And that is exactly what I plan to do...I'm going to ride my new partner!!!
And I haven't even mentioned Greg yet. The 1st day he said he wasn't a teacher, but he was there to help us learn. What I love about how he did this is that he gave us a variety of tools, ideas and methods to learn with, never giving up if we didn't understand. If he got frustrated with us he didn't show it. He would keep explaining in as many ways as it took for us to get it. He also made sure that nobody got left hanging or standing in the background lost.
And he loves what he does, you can see it in his face when we understand, it makes him happy to see us flourish and become better horse people. I am very grateful and lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. I will be signing up for his clinic again next year.
Things were pretty quiet, low key this day. We all worked on our own things for a while. I did the exercise with the barrels again. It wasn't as intense as the day before, but it didn't need to be. The first time he got pretty caught up in it and I needed to help him by stopping his feet so he could remember the peace. The 2ND time he had it down pat. In fact he started using the corners to get out of work, which made me smile. I guess his work ethic could use some tweaking but I'll just continue to find the balance between work and quiet for us. He has figured out how to think while using his feet and that was the goal.
The last exercise we did was some individual canter work. We had to try to figure out what lead would be easier for each horse after determining where the brace was. This is still a little confusing for me, but it's getting better. Chance is a tough one, but I do know that his left lead is easier.
Then it was time to go home. Everyone packed up and started heading out. I took my time, just soaking in the experience as I put things away. Before I left I gave Greg a big hug and thanked him. He told me how proud he was of what Chance and I accomplished, that the best thing for us would be for me to ride the heck out of him this summer. And that is exactly what I plan to do...I'm going to ride my new partner!!!
Back to the 4th Day
On this morning we started out with ground work again. Most of the morning for me was spent on the ground and about 1 hour of riding. I asked Greg if he would help me with the flag. I was feeling very incompetent, like I had a bunch of left hands that couldn't work together. I watched him, then I gave it a shot. I wasn't very effective at first but with a little more help I had it. Chance was able to understand separation. He has never had a problem standing still and accepting the flag, it's the moving off that has been difficult. But we got it, I still fumble a little but it will improve with more practice. I found the flag to be a huge part of what we need to help him move. Then we did some bumping up to the fence, he loves this job! It gives him the ability to think through a problem. I can sit and with the slightest direction he can figure out what I need - one step forward, one step back or maybe one step closer to me. This is lots of fun for us.
After the ground work I got on and worked on straightness and soft feels. This too is very effective for him. His backing from the saddle (and the ground) is getting softer and more fluid everyday. The morning was very nice and it was time for lunch.
Lunch ended and back to work we went. A little ground work and then riding. Greg asked me if I would be willing to be the 1st one to try an exercise that everyone would eventually do. He thought it would be a good one to help Chance and I get a better connection between us, at this point Chance was getting pretty herd bound. Greg set up 2 barrels, we were to ride towards the barrels directing our energy through them and to a back corner where we would take off all pressure and just be together. (By now all of the 1st day jitters were gone, I knew that if I didn't let that go I wouldn't get everything I needed to out of the clinic.) So, with some direction from Greg we headed in the direction of the barrels and Chance turned back toward the other horses. When this happens we were to turn the horse pretty firmly in the other direction and ask for a trot. Now we were riding back in forth in front of the barrels, every time we went by the opening I would look at the spot I wanted Chance to go to, encouraging him to go in that direction by following my feel. Every time he didn't I would turn him very firmly and ask for more speed. He took me through the barrels a couple of times but even with me petting and taking off the pressure he didn't understand and rode back to the horses.
Sometime during this exercise is when something almost magical happened between us.
I don't know where all the other horses and riders went, but they were gone. It was just me and Chance. I could hear Greg's voice but I couldn't see him, I could only see and feel my horse. Chance was trying so hard to figure it out, he had never had to think like this before and he definitely didn't know how to find relief. I could feel him asking me what I wanted, I know he could feel my directions, but because he had never found true peace with a human he didn't know what to do. We weren't trotting anymore, we were flying around that ring, riding like I had never ridden before! At one point Greg had me put the reins around the horn of my saddle and we were actually going bridless at a canter. We were in true harmony, just him and I trying with everything we had to solve a problem. He was searching and would try something different, go through the barrels and take a right instead of left, or go through, turn quickly and go back through. He wasn't shutting down! He was thinking! And he was doing it while moving his feet! I would tell him no, that's not it keep trying, go this way and I would draw an invisible line to the corner. I don't know how long we were at this, time had just stopped, the rest of the world was gone. Then he finally made it. He went through the barrels, didn't make it to the corner but went to the fence and slowed down to a slow walk. I had to help him stop, he needed the help. I just sat there on Chance petting him and giving him the peace he has needed for so long. Then I looked up and everyone was back, even though they had really never left. We rode back to hang with the other horses and everyone else had a turn.
This was our turning point. We made it. Now I know what true harmony feels like. And the best part of this is seeing Chance in a truly good place. Our challenges are not over by any stretch of the imagination, but the rest is gravy.
After the ground work I got on and worked on straightness and soft feels. This too is very effective for him. His backing from the saddle (and the ground) is getting softer and more fluid everyday. The morning was very nice and it was time for lunch.
Lunch ended and back to work we went. A little ground work and then riding. Greg asked me if I would be willing to be the 1st one to try an exercise that everyone would eventually do. He thought it would be a good one to help Chance and I get a better connection between us, at this point Chance was getting pretty herd bound. Greg set up 2 barrels, we were to ride towards the barrels directing our energy through them and to a back corner where we would take off all pressure and just be together. (By now all of the 1st day jitters were gone, I knew that if I didn't let that go I wouldn't get everything I needed to out of the clinic.) So, with some direction from Greg we headed in the direction of the barrels and Chance turned back toward the other horses. When this happens we were to turn the horse pretty firmly in the other direction and ask for a trot. Now we were riding back in forth in front of the barrels, every time we went by the opening I would look at the spot I wanted Chance to go to, encouraging him to go in that direction by following my feel. Every time he didn't I would turn him very firmly and ask for more speed. He took me through the barrels a couple of times but even with me petting and taking off the pressure he didn't understand and rode back to the horses.
Sometime during this exercise is when something almost magical happened between us.
I don't know where all the other horses and riders went, but they were gone. It was just me and Chance. I could hear Greg's voice but I couldn't see him, I could only see and feel my horse. Chance was trying so hard to figure it out, he had never had to think like this before and he definitely didn't know how to find relief. I could feel him asking me what I wanted, I know he could feel my directions, but because he had never found true peace with a human he didn't know what to do. We weren't trotting anymore, we were flying around that ring, riding like I had never ridden before! At one point Greg had me put the reins around the horn of my saddle and we were actually going bridless at a canter. We were in true harmony, just him and I trying with everything we had to solve a problem. He was searching and would try something different, go through the barrels and take a right instead of left, or go through, turn quickly and go back through. He wasn't shutting down! He was thinking! And he was doing it while moving his feet! I would tell him no, that's not it keep trying, go this way and I would draw an invisible line to the corner. I don't know how long we were at this, time had just stopped, the rest of the world was gone. Then he finally made it. He went through the barrels, didn't make it to the corner but went to the fence and slowed down to a slow walk. I had to help him stop, he needed the help. I just sat there on Chance petting him and giving him the peace he has needed for so long. Then I looked up and everyone was back, even though they had really never left. We rode back to hang with the other horses and everyone else had a turn.
This was our turning point. We made it. Now I know what true harmony feels like. And the best part of this is seeing Chance in a truly good place. Our challenges are not over by any stretch of the imagination, but the rest is gravy.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A Few Notes About Yesterday
Because today is the last day I want to make a couple of notes about what happened yesterday so I don't forget.
Get a flag.
Work on directing Chance with my mind making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.
Too little builds resentment, Too much builds fear.
When you don't have the horses mind and the feet together you don't have your horse.
Good things - I was told I have natural timing and feel. (I'm not sure where it came from and didn't know I had it, but I think so much clicked this weekend for Chance and I that together we just did well. He brought it out for me.
I can handle the flag without feeling like I have 2 left hands!
Our departures are awesome!
More details later.
Get a flag.
Work on directing Chance with my mind making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.
Too little builds resentment, Too much builds fear.
When you don't have the horses mind and the feet together you don't have your horse.
Good things - I was told I have natural timing and feel. (I'm not sure where it came from and didn't know I had it, but I think so much clicked this weekend for Chance and I that together we just did well. He brought it out for me.
I can handle the flag without feeling like I have 2 left hands!
Our departures are awesome!
More details later.
Monday, May 26, 2008
4th Day of Clinic
Today was incredible. My horse is back, he is whole again. When I rode him today I had both his feet and his mind with me. I felt completely safe and relaxed on him. He was perfect.
More details to come later, We are having a BBQ at Piper Ridge and I've got to go.
More details to come later, We are having a BBQ at Piper Ridge and I've got to go.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
3rd Day of Clinic
We rode for about 6 hours today, 3 before lunch and 3 after. I think Chance's mind is fried and his body is like Jello, but he doesn't seem to be sore anywhere. My mind is fried, my body is covered in dirt and dust from head to toe, my muscles are achy and it couldn't be any better.
Today Greg took videos of us working on the ground and then riding. We have been focusing a lot on straightness. Chance is equally unstraight on both sides, but not too bad. The videos were a wonderful tool for us. It's pretty nerve racking being taped and then having it watched by everyone. But everyone in the group is very kind and not very critical, at least not in a negative way. It was nice to actually see ourselves in action, it gave us the ability to see what isn't working so well and why, and it was also a nice treat to see what we are doing well. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad Greg did it and I think I'm going to borrow my daughter's video camera and do it again some time.
So, a brief recall of the day -
I brought Chance in to the ring, did some lead bys, backing and head lowering. Checked to see how he was stepping and when it all looked good I saddled and started riding. The morning was really good. We are working on impulsion and straightness, I started asking for some speed at the trot to bring some life into him. We did lots of one rein stops, lots of trotting and some walking. We took turns doing individual work and sometimes all of us were moving at the same time. It got a little chaotic at times, like the time a horse ended up in a corner and felt too much pressure. He didn't explode but he was very graphic about how he felt. I think Chance could have fallen apart at that time, but I remembered to help him get away, so that's what we did. I pointed his nose in a different direction, gave him the reins and some leg and we were out of there! It felt good to keep my mind in check and help my horse.
After lunch we all got together and watched the video. Then went back out and got our horses. I think Chance got into some beer with his lunch, he was all over the map. He couldn't go straight and he seemed to have lost the ability to think. It was like watching somebody who had been drinking, got stopped and was trying to walk a straight line. As things started going down hill with us, some of the riders decided to start cantering. Well, that was all Chance could take. At one point we did manage a fairly nice trot but then he started shutting down, he was on auto pilot and started going into that fuzzy place. As the cantering riders were passing us he would jump because they would startle him. Then we were all over the place again. He was overwhelmed and needed a break. Off to the middle of the ring we went and just hung out for a while watching and catching our breath. Soon everyone was stopped and Greg started individual exercises again. We all took a turn backing our horses until we got a soft feel and hopefully the horse would be straight and move into a trot from his back end. Chance and I did a terrific job, my timing was right on and he was able to soften and straighten. Chances mind came back and I think it gave him some confidence back. I know my confidence came back. After we all had a turn we took off as a group again in the other direction some trotting, some cantering. I almost didn't go but wanted to see if the straightening work we had just done would help with riding in the fast moving group. We had 2 pretty good trips around the ring and I stopped. He was done for the day and so was I.
The good things from today are - Our departures into the walk and the trot are getting really good. I pick up on the reins to give him the signal that something is going to happen, roll up on my seat bones and open my legs. 75% of the time he is moving before my legs close. I helped my horse get out of the way before he took control or lost control. I felt him stop thinking and get rattled in a chaotic situation, helped him settle, and brought him back. My timing got better today and we felt like a team.
Today Greg took videos of us working on the ground and then riding. We have been focusing a lot on straightness. Chance is equally unstraight on both sides, but not too bad. The videos were a wonderful tool for us. It's pretty nerve racking being taped and then having it watched by everyone. But everyone in the group is very kind and not very critical, at least not in a negative way. It was nice to actually see ourselves in action, it gave us the ability to see what isn't working so well and why, and it was also a nice treat to see what we are doing well. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I'm glad Greg did it and I think I'm going to borrow my daughter's video camera and do it again some time.
So, a brief recall of the day -
I brought Chance in to the ring, did some lead bys, backing and head lowering. Checked to see how he was stepping and when it all looked good I saddled and started riding. The morning was really good. We are working on impulsion and straightness, I started asking for some speed at the trot to bring some life into him. We did lots of one rein stops, lots of trotting and some walking. We took turns doing individual work and sometimes all of us were moving at the same time. It got a little chaotic at times, like the time a horse ended up in a corner and felt too much pressure. He didn't explode but he was very graphic about how he felt. I think Chance could have fallen apart at that time, but I remembered to help him get away, so that's what we did. I pointed his nose in a different direction, gave him the reins and some leg and we were out of there! It felt good to keep my mind in check and help my horse.
After lunch we all got together and watched the video. Then went back out and got our horses. I think Chance got into some beer with his lunch, he was all over the map. He couldn't go straight and he seemed to have lost the ability to think. It was like watching somebody who had been drinking, got stopped and was trying to walk a straight line. As things started going down hill with us, some of the riders decided to start cantering. Well, that was all Chance could take. At one point we did manage a fairly nice trot but then he started shutting down, he was on auto pilot and started going into that fuzzy place. As the cantering riders were passing us he would jump because they would startle him. Then we were all over the place again. He was overwhelmed and needed a break. Off to the middle of the ring we went and just hung out for a while watching and catching our breath. Soon everyone was stopped and Greg started individual exercises again. We all took a turn backing our horses until we got a soft feel and hopefully the horse would be straight and move into a trot from his back end. Chance and I did a terrific job, my timing was right on and he was able to soften and straighten. Chances mind came back and I think it gave him some confidence back. I know my confidence came back. After we all had a turn we took off as a group again in the other direction some trotting, some cantering. I almost didn't go but wanted to see if the straightening work we had just done would help with riding in the fast moving group. We had 2 pretty good trips around the ring and I stopped. He was done for the day and so was I.
The good things from today are - Our departures into the walk and the trot are getting really good. I pick up on the reins to give him the signal that something is going to happen, roll up on my seat bones and open my legs. 75% of the time he is moving before my legs close. I helped my horse get out of the way before he took control or lost control. I felt him stop thinking and get rattled in a chaotic situation, helped him settle, and brought him back. My timing got better today and we felt like a team.
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