Today I just trimmed Prince. It was rainy and windy so it was a good day to trim. He did really well and I was so pleased with how well he stood. I think he was the best he has ever been! It was kind of nice to just take it easy and not have such a big session. I think both Prince and I enjoyed it!
Well today Ruffian and I had an interesting play time! The main thing we played with was hindquarter disengagements! Now this is where it kind of hit me... I should have done this with Ruffian before right? Yes we have done it here and there but we have never really focused on getting a good yield (and Mr. Parelli says that a yield is with less than four ounces of pressure, anything more is not a yield). So we don't quite have it that good yet but we are off to a good start.
So basically what I was faced with was that Ruffian does not yield his hindquarters, he would move.... ever so slowly if I asked and waited for a long time. But he wasn't responding with respect. I guess where we went kind of off was that for so long I was just focusing on "playing" with Ruffian, letting him get some energy out, and then maybe playing with a new pattern or something. Don't get me wrong, that is really good and all but is that is the only thing you do, you won't really get anywhere and your horse will probably get to a point where when you ask him to do something, he won't because he doesn't see you as a leader, just a playmate.
Needless to say Ruffian and I had a good conversation about that and Ruffian caught on pretty quickly about what I wanted, even though he wasn't sure he was happy about do it. But pretty soon it was fine with it. So we left it where Ruffian was responding at a phase one and even though there wasn't a whole lot of speed he was still responding and without resistance.
It was a good lesson for me to learn and one I shall not forget and I think that Ruffian and I will go a lot farther because of it also :)
Our playgroup was meeting today and everyone was invited to bring their own horses so Prince and I along with our friend and one of her horses loaded up and headed out. Prince, who we normally load first and on the left side had to be loaded second and on the right side. I didn't think he would have a problem with it though, but not make or teach assumptions. I didn't assume that he would be okay and I didn't assume that he wouldn't. I just took it one step at a time. As it happened Prince loaded up perfectly fine the first time and couldn't have been happier.
Once we got to our destination and unloaded the horses I let Prince get used to his new surroundings. We found the grass pretty quickly. My two younger brothers also came along with us. It was really nice having them a long. My youngest brother soon found the big tire swing... Prince spooked when he saw M2 on the swing. So we did some sideways and squeezes back and forth until Prince got used to it. It was really windy so that didn't help matters much but it was a good challenge!
After saddled up we headed over to the arena. We did Figure eights at the trot/canter which went really well. At first Prince was pulling a little bit around the ends but pretty soon he connected to me and we got some nice, soft, relaxed Figure eights.
I was really proud of how well Prince did with our circles! Right from the start when I asked Prince to canter he put the slack in the rope and did really well. This is why part of me thinks that the reason he was pulling was just because he had felt that pressure there for so long that he had become desensitized to it and he didn't think it meant anything. So know that I was able to teach him that it does mean something Prince is responding really well.
Once I felt that Prince was ready to ride I got on. We started with Follow the rail but Prince was a little to impulsive for that. If I had of stayed with it long enough he probably would have relaxed but I knew that doing circles would be more effective. We stayed at the walk and it worked really well. Prince relaxed and started listening to me more and more.
Prince spooked about 5 times through out the whole time I was riding him but fortunately I was able to ride them all successfully. After we finished the circles we went back to Follow the rail and Prince was much more relaxed. We still had to play with staying close to the rail because Prince didn't want to go to close to it. I think it was because of the trees and the high winds. But no matter what the reason was we kept with it and at the end Prince was able to walk, trot and canter close to the rail. We did lots of transitions too. At first Prince wasn't responding to my seat as well as he normally does but I knew what my end goal was and so we kept with it and by the end he was very in tune with me and we were able to do walk, trot, canter, back up transitions all with out my reins.
We also played this little game where we went a long the rail and I touched the top of every fence post. Just to make sure that we were following it close enough ;) Prince did well with that and there was only a couple times when he was a little far away but he was still much better than what it was like in the beginning!
Once I felt Prince was relaxed and confident enough we tried the canter. At first to the right Prince had a little of trouble getting into the canter but after a couple transitions he got it and he was able to pick up the right lead no problem. We cantered quite a ways too!! Going to the left Prince was amazing I couldn't not believe how easily he picked up the canter and the left lead! We cantered just under half of the arena before I brought him down to a stop. It was an amazing feeling!
We ended with opening and closing the gate to go into the round corral were we finished. This gate was quite a bit different from the ones we have been practicing on so it added an extra challenge but a gate is a gate and once Prince figured out what we were doing, which took a matter of a couple seconds we were able to work together and get the job done. I think both Prince and I have found the love for this task!! I was thinking about it the other day and I think it is because he puts a purpose to so many things! Plus it is just plain fun!
Another thing Prince and I have been playing with is not letting Prince eat grass unless I give him permission. "Don't make or let, but cause and allow" Prince has gotten really good. At first it would just for a short time but we have been getting the time when he isn't eating longer and longer and today he did so well. I can tell that it has made a huge difference in a lot of other areas of our relationship also. Because Prince isn't taking over and just eating when ever he wants he is waiting for my permission. It is one of those little things that make a big difference!
Loading up to go home was a bit more challenging because the wind had really picked up and just as Prince had gone in the trailer nicely and I was just about to put the bar up behind him a huge gust of wind came and worried him a little so he backed out. I didn't mind though but it just took a little extra time. After some approach and retreat Prince was in the trailer and standing well. Needless to say I was glad when we got them back safe and sound. That wind was scary.
I was really proud of Prince and how well he did over the whole day. Being in a new place, with new horses and having it be such an interesting day weather wise. He did really well!
Today Prince and I had a lot of fun playing in the fields on the 45ft line and then we went for a trail ride!
I was so proud of Prince and how well he did! He was incredible! We did circles at the canter and Prince kept the rhythm, relaxation and connection!! He didn't miss any leads either! We did LOTS of cantering. This is really one of the first times that Prince and I have had the chance to play on the 45ft line and really be able to play on it. The field was HUGE and so we did traveling circles, changes of directions, sideways, yo-yo's, and lots of other things. Prince listened really well.
I guess it proves that prior and proper preparation prevents poor performance! Prince and I have been preparing for this moment by playing on the 22ft line with quality so when we had the chance to play on the 45ft line it paid off!!
There were theses two really tall mounds of dirt with grass on them that Prince and I had a lot of fun with. The one was big enough to send Prince over lengthwise so we played with that at the trot then we did a change of direction and went the other way over it. Both Prince and I had so much fun!
After that we went into the bush and followed the trail back home. On the way home we played with one line zone 5 driving. We kept it simple and just did basic walk-halt-back up transitions. Prince did well and was really relaxed.
Then we headed back home and saddled up, played in the arena a little bit and then mounted up, did a little bit of Follow the rail, transitions, sideways and then we were off!! My friend and her horse led on the way out and we did walk-trot-walk transitions. Prince did really well. The whole time I was testing to see how Prince responded to me and how light I could be, while still being effective. On the way back home we went through the bush. Which was fun because I got to play with our turning and see how in tune Prince was to me. We were zig-zagging everywhere, around trees, over logs, etc. The whole time I hardly had to use my reins at all! Prince was so light!
On the way back to the arena, there is a small hill Prince and I cantered up that! I think it was the most relaxed, comfortable canter Prince has ever offered! Plus it was cantering properly so that helped :)
One of the biggest things that I got out the lesson on Saturday and has made the biggest difference in our riding was the phases. About lifting your rein straight up, then going eyes, belly button, leg, then use your rein if you need too. That simple thing that made the absolute biggest difference in our riding. I am not sure if it is that Prince getting lighter or just that since I am being lighter and noticing how light he is. Which ever one it is though it is incredible the difference!
On the way back to the pasture where Prince is living we played with the stick to me like we did at the lesson, where your horse is behind you and is supposed to keep the same amount of slack in the rope no matter what you do, whether it is running, stopping, backing up etc. Prince is getting better each time but what I have been noticing is that if Prince is really light at going forward when I go forward he is not as good at stopping when I stop and visa versa. It is really interesting! So that is one thing we have been playing with and it is getting better each time.
So this was Prince's and my first play session since the clinic and it had it's high points and low points but we learned a lot!
Our circles were really amazing! Prince connected to me right away and had rhythm, relaxation and connection for almost a full circle!! It was really cool! We then went and played with our hindquarter and forequarter yields. Prince remembered really well and we got those three pivots of hindquarter yield and it was at a phase one. Prince put a lot of effort and we got the lightness, speed and distance.
Our challenge was in our sideways. I had a pretty good idea of what Prince was going to be like because of how he was on Saturday. The major thing that I learned was that I think Prince was been winning the sideways game in really subtle ways i.e. now completely yielding his hindquarters while going sideways. So that was a big challenge but we ended with Prince going about 10ft or so sideways with lightness and a little bit of speed. So that was a goo place to end.
We then did traveling circles at the canter back up to the other end of the arena. Prince was connected the whole way! He did break gait a couple times but he tried really hard so I rewarded that.
Our riding again had it's highs and lows. We started out with Follow the rail but Prince was a little bit impulsive so we switched to circles. WOW! Prince was fantastic! He was so good at the walk that we took it up to the trot and Prince was so light! The last couple circles I didn't have to use my reins to correct him and he was relaxed!! It was such a cool feeling!!
Up next I decided to try some cantering in the round corral. Mr. Pyne had suggested that because on a circle it is harder for them to pick up the wrong leads. So I gave it a try. To the right Prince did really well and we got some really nice cantering but to the left Prince still had a really hard time. I had to get off a couple times and see if I could help him on the ground. Then once he was getting it correct there I mounted back up. It took a while but eventually Prince cantered to the left on the left lead and wasn't countering cantering, cross-firing or anything. He was cantering properly!!
One thing that we have been having a lot of fun with is opening and closing gates! At home we don't have any gates that you can open or close while riding so Prince and I have been taking advantage of that while we are here. Prince has caught on really quickly and it is getting easier and easier every time. It is a lot of fun!!
One of the things I find the hardest is going back to neutral or a phase one when Prince is doing the right thing. I am nagging just a very little bit, even if it is just my having my hand up, that is not a phase 1, or if I have my leg on, that is not a phase 1 either. A phase 1 is your focus that is a phase 1. So I have to pay close attention to when I am asking Prince anything that I am going back to a phase one. Even if he goes right back to what he was doing before I still have to release. It has been challenging but now that I am aware of it I can watch out for when I am not doing it.
After you learn something, are told new information, or discover something, you are left with a choice... How are you going to apply it to your life, horsemanship journey, etc? Are you going to acknowledge that it is probably helpful and would work but you never try it? Are you going to totally ignore it or are you going to try it and take the time and give it a chance to work, no matter how hard or difficult it may be or seem?
After the lesson on Saturday I was faced with that choice. Was I going to apply what I learned, give it my all, be willing to make mistakes along the way and trust that Mr. Pyne knows what he is talking about? Or was I going to leave it all behind and just continue on doing what I am doing and never try?
I decided to give it my all. No matter how messy it got, no matter how many mistakes I make, no matter what people think or say I am going to try. For the sake of my horses and our relationship I will do it.
People may think what they will but I am going to trust the process and put into action what I learned. Being progressive isn't always nice and easy, mistakes will be made a long the way but if I learn from those mistakes, pick myself back up again and try again then I will learn a lot more from that then staying in my comfort zone, where I know we can have mediocre results. I want to achieve excellence! It will take my whole lifetime but that is where I am heading and you don't gain excellence with horses by staying in your comfort zone.
So expect a lot, except a little and reward often!
Today was the lesson day with the 3* Parelli Instructor. The day started out cloudy but around lunch time the sun came out and it was beautiful. There wasn't even any wind! It was perfect!
Mom and I got there early because I wanted to spend some time getting Prince ready. We went into the barn. First though we had to get through the door. I don't think Prince has ever been in a barn, with stalls and etc in the whole four years that I have had him. I decided to go through the small door, just to challenge us a bit. After a little bit of approach and retreat Prince was inside and I decided to let him explore it himself. So off he went. Of course I was close by to make sure he didn't eat anything he wasn't supposed too. After he had finished looking around he came back over to me and stood beside me. So we then went over and I brushed him. He has lost weight and is looking really good!!
We then let him into of the the stalls and gave him some hay. Then brushed his mane and tail and that was done. Since we still had a long time I decided to hop on Prince while he ate. He didn't seem to mind. Once it got closer to the time the lesson was supposed to be starting and people were arriving I haltered Prince and we headed out. There was snow on the ground because it snowed last night so that made everything wet but once the sun came out it all melted... thankfully ;) I am not ready for snow right yet.
The lesson was amazing and and I learned quite a bit. Most of it was little things and mainly porcupine games. We started with getting our hindquarter yields lighter and with more speed and distance. I was challenged to three complete 360 turns at a fast pace, and I mean it was fast! I thought ours were fast before but speed has been redefined for me ;) Prince and I got it in the end even though it could have been a bit better but I was happy with it. One thing Mr. Pyne (the instructor) was that we should be "Always pleased but never satisfied" (He was quoting Mr. Parelli).
Then we had some time to play with other porcupine games and getting them more light, with more speed and also distance. Prince and I did forequarter yields, leading by the chin, backing up by the tail, and a few other things.
Up next was porcupine sideways at a trot. This one I think was the hardest for Prince and myself of all the things we did in the lesson. Mr. Pyne said that for Prince he should be on a 90 degree angle. It really showed me how much help our sideways needs. But I think I already knew that in a small way. We were able to get it a little bit but I am definitely going to be focusing on that!!
Then we did Stick to me with our horses behind us and the goal was to have the horse keep the same distance away from us, keeping the same amount of rope in the ground, no matter what we did whether it was running fast, stopping, walking, or backing up. Prince did well when we were going forward but stopping when I stopped was a bit harder for him. So what I did was every time I stopped I would back him up to where he was supposed to have stopped and let him rest there. The last couple ones we did were really good and Prince kept the same distance really well.
After that was circles! Prince and I did circles with a log. What Mr. Pyne pointed out was that the reason that Prince was leaving and taking all the slack out the the rope when I sent him was because I was putting to much pressure on him at the send. Interesting! Immediately once I didn't put so much pressure on at the send Prince kept the connection around and we got some really nice half circles at the canter over the log with connection.
Then we rode!! We started with a lot of mounting and dis-mounting. Then we would do a lateral flexion, turn that into a indirect rein, then went to a direct rein and then walked off, then bent to a stop and got off. We did that at the walk, trot and some of us went into the canter. Prince and I did two at the canter and Prince did really well!!
Then we did the Bullseye pattern! We started out with me and Prince in the middle and Mr. Pyne demonstrating the circle, how to make corrections, the importance of going back to neutral, and other things. We did it over a log, which will eventually lead to jumping and keep it more interesting for the horse (and test us riders). Then once Mr. Pyne had demonstrated that and answered a couple questions it was my turn. We stayed at the walk for now just so that we could learn it.
I was pretty happy with how well Prince did. I needed to correct him quite a few times at first but after a couple laps he started taking more of his responsibilities and staying on the circle. A couple times I didn't even have to use my reins. One thing that Mr. Pyne told me that really seemed to give me a new way of thinking about it was that he said that when ever I had to use my reins to make sure it was meaningful. So did Prince respond to it? Did he lean on it? Did he go right back to the direction he was going in before? It it mean something Prince? It got my wheels turning!
After everyone had a turn we went back to the other end where all the auditors were and we had a little debrief over what we learned. The day seemed to go so fast! But it was totally worth it! Even if it was just for me to know that I am on the right track and didn't have any glaringly obvious bad habits or anything. I got some small, but extremely meaningful pointers and I am excited to see how Prince and I progress!!
One major thing that I re-learned or was just re-established was the importance of always getting everything with more lightness, speed and distance!! And even when you think something is good, be always pleased but never satisfied!! Expect a lot, except a little and reward often!!
Another thing that somehow I didn't get the just how important it was, more so in our riding, is the power of going back to neutral. Let Prince make the mistake and then correct, then go back to neutral, or phase 1 again. Micromanaging can be as small as holding your rein 3 inches above your horses neck when he is doing what you want!!! I think that is one of the biggest small things that I got out of the lesson and already Prince has gotten better!!
Phases!! When you are riding... lift the rein straight up, eyes, belly button, leg, then use the rein. Be effective. Make sure it was meaningful.
Play assertive to ride soft! Basically the same as "Play strong to ride soft" but just worded a bit differently.
I know I learned a lot more but those were the major things. I think Prince and I are going to have a lot of fun with the Bullseye pattern. There are so many things you can do with it and having good, solid circles are so important!!!
Here is a short video with some pictures from the clinic and some video footage from a couple days before it. Of course that footage was taken before the clinic and so there are some things that I would definitely change in myself but anyway... it shows where we were at that time...
"For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day"
2 Timothy 1:12
I have been doing Parelli since April 2006. I bought my first horse, Prince, on April 21, 2006 at the age of 11. That was when I started this amazing journey.
I officially passed Level 3 in 2010 and with three Level 4 savvy passed my aim is to pass my Finesse within the next year and then start a new part of my journey as a Parelli Professional and help make the world a better place for humans and horses.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Feel free to leave a comment! I love them!
Naturally,
~Keri-Lynn
Golden Prince
Golden Prince is a Left brain introvert, Halfinger.
We are playing in Level 4/5, Official Level 3 Graduate and Official Level 4 Online, Liberty and Freestyle Graduate... and loving every minute of it!! :) We are still learning but over the past years we have become true partners. I love learning and I love this journey and I can't wait to see what God has planned for me!!
The Eight Principles
1. Horsemanship is natural. 2. Don’t make or teach assumptions. 3. Communication is two or more individuals sharing and understanding an idea. 4. Horses and humans have mutual responsibilities. 5. The attitude of justice is effective. 6. Body language is the universal language. 7. Horses teach humans and humans teach horses. 8. Principles, purpose and time are the tools of teaching.
*************************** The 8 Responsibilities
There are four responsibilities for the horse and four for the human.
FOR THE HORSE: 1. Don’t act like a prey animal. 2. Don’t change gait. 3. Don’t change direction. 4. Look where you are going.
FOR THE HUMAN: 1. Don’t act like a predator. 2. Have an independent seat. 3. Think like a horse. 4. Use the natural power of focus.
****************************** The Qualities of a Horseman
1. Heart and Desire 2. Respect 3. Impulsion 4. Flexion 5. Attitude and Focus—Positive, Progressive and Natural 6. Feel 7. Timing 8. Balance 9. Savvy 10. Experience
