coming off horses

Forgive me for my lack of posting...being in transition between NY and SC, I have been busy with horses.
What can I say, if you ride, you will fall off. It really is a matter of gravity at times. For me, it seems just when I am thinking well of myself (maybe too well!) and proud of my ability to master communication with horses (maybe too proud), I find myself on the ground. It seems to happen once every couple of years and I have come to call this my serving of "humble pie". A check if you will, that I don't get too big for my britches!
Last Sunday afternoon, I held a "Julie's back in Aiken, SC Demo and Social Gathering". I gave a nice demo with a couple of my horses to a nice crowd of folks who really seemed to enjoy themselves. As I was cleaning up that night and through the next day, I was pretty pleased with myself. Well wouldn't you know it, it was the next day that I came off a young horse! There were some extenuating circumstances, but none the less, I came off and have been a wee bit sore for the last couple of days. Maybe it is not a bad thing to slow down a little, accept help from friends,reflect on my personal horsemanship, and have my serving of humble pie.
Brace yourself and enjoy the attached video recently forwarded to me, credit to whoever put it to the music. Ouch, that had to hurt!

attitude of gratitude

As the saying goes, "attitude is everything" and I can't tell you the number of times this has held true for me in my work with horses! Just the other day, I was working with a young horse who had just been brought back into work.

Prior to her extended break, she was going very nicely and had made much progress. I thought I had started at a good place, acknowledging what she knows but backing up enough to give her a chance. Well, I was wrong! With her overreaction, I responded with a disappointed attitude and a huge sense of frustration! This only added to the troubles. I backed up a few steps, got a few things better and called it a day. I carried my disappointment and frustration with me all night, dreading the amount of work that lay ahead of me with this horse. When I woke up the next day, those feelings were still lurking. But then I had an "ahaa", maybe my feelings and attitude were making it worse. So the first thing I did was change my attitude, right there before I got out of bed. I made a plan that got directly to the root of the troubles she was having and implemented it without attitude. Amazingly, she came right through in a short session of work and progressed farther than I had hoped. As we were working that day, I offered gratitude every time she "got" what I was asking for...it seemed to cause a proactive shift in how she offered things up. So once again, I am reminded, attitude has a huge influence on how things go. So on this Thanksgiving Day, I am grateful for Andrew, all of my horses, dogs, friends, family and amazing experiences living my passion! Happy Thanksgiving!

transitions

Much can be learned from a horse in transitions. Transitions between gaits gives you all kinds of information about how connected to you the horse is, how well he is paying attention and what sort of influence you have with his feet. Additionally, transitions to new places will also tell you much about where your horse is mentally, emotionally and physically.
With my seasonal relocation to SC from NY, it is always fascinating to see how the horses adjust and take to the transition. This is the second seasonal trek to NY and back that my younger horses, Kaleigh and Whimsy have made. The first day after two days of travel, they were pretty tired. By the second and third days post travel, they were looking more rested and acclimated, happy to just be hanging out in the pasture for a couple of days. On the fourth day, I worked them lightly, checking transitions at liberty first in the arena individually. Both were connected to me and easy to speed up and slow down. Then, both had great quiet rides out and seemed to be interested and happy to go out. This is the fourth "transition" between north and south and each time it has gotten easier and easier for them. It has been a pleasure to help them have more tolerance for transitions.

the perfect horse

This is an excerpt from a email that was circulating,
"...The Perfect Horse has problems; He will teach you to deal with them.
The Perfect Horse knows that you can't learn to be a skilled horseman if everything goes your way.
The Perfect Horse will challenge you, but only as much as you are ready to handle. He will teach you that you still have more to learn..."

I just loved this part, it really resonated with me. All of us have aspired for "the perfect horse". Some of us have bought and sold horses, looking for that perfect horse. About a month ago, I was daydreaming out loud to my soon-to-be husband, saying how my next horse will have this and that characteristic. He smiled and said to me, "Be sure to enjoy the horse you have. Remember, he CAN do anything you dream up! And be sure not to miss the perfect horse you have right now!" I am not sure if he had read that email or just said what was in his heart. It was a great reminder to love and enjoy the horses that are right here, right now. Here's hoping you will do the same.

there's no pulling in horses

If I only had the chance to educate someone on a few things about horses, "no pulling" would be right up there on the short list. It is one of the biggest sources of frustration in relationship for both the horse and the human. First of all, horses do not pull on each other, they push. Horses need to be correctly taught to follow the feel of pressure. Second of all, it is human nature to pull, we can't help it. And when we pull, we expect to get results. I was reminded today how much no pulling means to the horse in helping with a trailer loading. The horse had loaded well for two years and only recently began having trouble. In weekly lessons with this horse and rider, we had made great strides in lightening up the horse on the rein and he was getting softer and softer. When it came to the ground work, we had not yet revisited how this increased lightness might affect the work on the ground. What came of out today's work was that the human was inadvertently and unconsciously pulling on her horse during loading. With a few suggestions, very quickly the human was able to load her horse once we took the pulling out. AMAZING!! For a bit more, see the short article on my website "Help Your Horse: Push, don't Pull"

the real basics

I am often amazed at the people I meet who have been riding horses for years who are unconsciously oblivious to the real basics. I can totally relate, for I was one of those people, for years and years! When I started riding, I was taught the basics, "heels down, chin up, hands still, sit up straight, elbows in, yes, that's it, now ride!" I do agree that much of early riding is just getting the feel for how the horse moves, but what about the real basics?
Consider this- you get in your car, start it up, back out of the driveway and the brakes don't work. Do you drive on to where ever anyway? Probably not....so if you mount a horse and he doesn't stand still, why would you ignore the fact that the brakes are broken and continue on and ride anyway?
For me, learning the real basics meant learning things like that. Learning to see the very early signs that a horse is offering up and doing something about it. I now understand that if my horse walks off and I did not ask him to go anywhere, he has just run away with me. Now because he isn't galloping off, I am not unnerved, but I should be aware and communicate to him that this is not what we were doing...we were standing. I call this the real basics!

could vs. should

In working with horses, I often meet people who find themselves struggling because they get caught in the "I am supposed to" of working with horses. This does not serve the person or the horse and often leads to accidents and injuries for both. I call this the "could vs. should" scenario.
This is easiest explained in relation to age. When I was in my 20's, I could do anything. I could ride a bucking horse, I could fall off and easily get back on, and I could make a horse do things. Sometimes the results were positive, sometimes they were not; but I could get up, dust myself off and carry on.
Now that I am 40, I am not so interested in the "could of it" if you will. Now I ask myself "should I"
...Should I get on the horse? Did I prepare him well enough? Are his transitions smooth and clean? Am I ready to ride whatever he offers up? Do I need to do more ground work?
...Should I ask for lead changes? Does my horse understand the basics that make up lead changes? Can he canter from a walk and does he yield his front quarters softly?
By shifting this one word in my dialog, I am able to shift the entire tone of the relationship with my horse. I am happier and safer because I am thinking things through. My horse is happier because I am checking the steps and working progressively. Our relationship has more partnership qualities that leads to more productive rides. Next time you find yourself struggling, ask yourself "should I..." and think of the steps that might help you get there and enjoy the process, you might be surprised by what happens.

riding dezi

Dezi is my lifelong partner and teacher. He is an amazing horse, athletic and sensitive, response and fluid. He is always teaching me and testing me. A few days ago we were riding as a friend was shooting video of Zoe, a young horse I am trying to sell. I had Dezi and Zoe in the arena and was riding bridle-less, showing this friend a bit about riding with nothing on a horse's head. Dezi kept watching and watching Zoe, desperately wanting to go move her around...so I relented and we did. Working another horse off my horse is fun and a great way to practice skills and keep my ques sharp. When I figure out how to attach video, I'll send it in this blog.

to master, teach

I am a big herbal tea drinker, especially as the weather cools off, and one of my favorite brands of tea is Yogi Teas. Not only do they taste great but I love the one liners they put on the paper tab of the tea bag. My favorite to date is:

to learn-read

to know-write

to master-teach

For me, this says much about my journey of learning with horses. When I started, I read everything I could get my hands on. I was hungry for knowledge. As I learned, I began to write. Writing helped me internalize and personalize concepts and ideas. It helped me to sort through things, re-live events and get my head around things better. Once I had a solid skill set, a few years of experience and a good working knowledge of the relationship between horses and humans (and I was encouraged by my friend Cowboy John), I began to teach. It was at that point that I became adept with the core concepts of horsemanship. I became skillful with the tools that I had learned about getting along with horses. It is one thing to do something yourself with a horse, it is quite another to teach and coach someone else to do the same thing with their own horse. It puts each concept, principle, and exercise in a whole new light and can show you a whole other perspective on the subject. I think that is why I love to teach so much, because I learn so much with every person and every horse, and every time I teach!

So thanks to all my clients, it is a pleasure to learn with each one of you!

Riding my own Horses

From time to time, all the stars in the universe seem line up and I actually get to work all of my own horses in one day. Today was one of those days! It is interesting when you work multiple horses that are all your own, for each is a relationship in and of it's own. With Dezi, we are old friends, much like a mature marriage. We know each other in and out, are supportive of each other, and have the ability to quickly push each others buttons. It is the last of these that I am working on at the moment with Dezi, to break some of our old habits that really don't serve us for the future. One technique I have been using is breathing...as simple as it sounds, I have found that how I breathe really important to how we go.
With Whimsy, a six year old Connemara mare, we are like excitable best girlfriends who often get caught up in each others drama. One technique I have been using with her is being very clear with my intentions and follow-ups on that intention.
With Kaleigh, another six year old Connemara mare, we are like opponents on a debate stage, often asking each other so much about their last comment that we forget what we have been talking about.
With Zoe, a four year old tb-pony cross, we are like lunch buddies who really just enjoy hanging out with each other and we don't mind much if we ever get up from the table. One technique I have been using is getting both our energies up and finding something fun to do.
With each of these horses, it has been fascinating to see how these techniques have been helpful. Each one seems to work well for each horse and has had great results! All in a fun day's work!

Working on Bridle-less

What can I say, I just love riding bridle-less. For me it is the utmost in ultimate communication with the horses. The first time I did this, it was not by choice, though I had seen it and had it as a "someday" goal. I was riding in an intensive clinic and the clinician came up, took off my bridle, put on a neck rope and asked me to canter to the other side of the arena! I was beyond terrified, but being a good student and not knowing what else to do, I did it. And wouldn't you know, that was the best canter I had ever had on that horse. (that horse was Ozzie, who had a history of running off with me)
Now, I ride this way often, though have to say, don't use a neck rope. Depending where I am and the circumstances, I may or may not take off the horse's headgear. Riding bridle-less can simply be done by not picking up your reins and simply riding. It amazes me at how much more my horse offers up when I don't have the reins in my hands. I have worked hard at having soft hands and try hard never to pull on the horse, but there is just a hugely different quality about our ride when my hands are off the reins. Maybe it is in the way I am without reins. Just yesterday, I was struggling a bit with Dezi, he was leaning on me with his left shoulder and I was struggling to "clean it up", so I backed up and did some basic exercises without the reins and was really surprised at how quickly it cleaned up!
One of my goals now is to bring it back full circle and get the same quality of ride with the reins as I do without. This will take some work and some lessons with my friend and mentor Del Wideman (www.delwideman.com) the only person I have seen ride tempi changes and get collection with nothing on her horses head (yes, more than one horse too!) So with lofty goals, I am off to the barn to ride and learn!

taking the time it takes

This is such a true statement, and just when I forget this simple idea, horses have a funny way of reminding me. Just when I was thinking, "I will just turn this horse loose for a few minutes to check things", the horse reminded me that my idea of a few minutes and his idea were two very different things. At the time, I was inconvenienced by this and slightly frustrated, as I had my timetable for the day set. And wouldn't you know it, as I thought about this, things seemed to get worse and take more time. He got more and more frantic and fresh, not connecting with me at all.
As I checked my watch and resolved to the truth that I would just take the time it takes to work through this excessive energy and distraction, he changed. It was only two minutes more and he came in, gently moved away from pressure, yielded his hindquarters and changed gaits smoothly.

As I put him away and drove to my next appointment, I could not help but to ponder over what just happened. I know the truth of "take the time it takes", but during the work, I did not see how my attitide about that had an affect on my relationship with my horse. So, note to self, don't dwell on the obvious, just accept it and stay present. Work with what you have in the moment, you might just be surprised!

Mondays

I am a self-admitted workaholic. What can I say, I love what I do! Helping people and horses feeds my soul! But you know what they say, all work and no play....well, I can't remember the rest of that because for years and years I did not believe it; for me, my work was play.
Well, this year I entered a new decade, yes my 4th decade on this planet, and I am changing my ways. I now try really hard to take Mondays off. For me off means no horses (other than feeding and basic care), no lessons, no paperwork and sometimes (not today), even no computer! The day has simple goals: catch up on sleep and find something to do that makes me smile. Today it will be play with the dogs and perhaps go sailing...

So Happy Monday and have a great day!

Riding my own horses.

Since my profession is helping others with their horses (http://www.horsehappys.com/), riding my own horses is often put on the back burner. This past summer and fall, I have been trying to change this and prioritize my riding. Some weeks are better than others, but all in all, I have been riding my own horses more and really enjoying it!

Today I rode Dezi, my primary partner, the bay in the pictures on the right-hand sidebar. He is my constant teacher. He is half arab and half lusitano. I have had him since he was 6 months old and now is around 15 or 16 years old, though often has the curiosity and energy of a horse 10 years younger...we can thank the half arab side for that! My goal with him is to have the utmost in connection. We ride without a bit and have been working on collection, seeing how far we can get bit-less. (Some say true collection cannot be achieved without a bit, I beg to differ...but that's a topic for another blog!) Most of the time, when I ride, I do not use the reins, they are just there for correction. We also ride bridle-less, with nothing on his head.

Today we were working on softness in using seat and leg ques, in particular the moving the front end across, I call this a frontquarter. He has been showing me that breathing, getting prepared and then asking yields the most consistent and lightest results. When I am organized and fluid in my request, he is like butter, just flows with me on the lightest of aids.

Cowboy John used to say "use as little pressure as possible, but as much as necessary", I am enjoying learning how little little can be thanks to Dezi!

Finding Horsehappys

I have been enamored with horses my entire life. My folks say I was born with it. I surely did not get it from them, my dad was a mechanical engineer, my mother was a registered nurse. Neither had hobbies that involved living animals. So I guess I was just born with it.
So what is "horsehappys"?
It is a word I invented quite honestly out of necessity to find a horsey word for one of my first email accounts years ago. By combining "horse"-the creature I love, "happys"-the smile and overall good feeling that makes life worthwhile, I devised "horsehappys"!

My definintion:
horsehappys -noun
1. that wonderful feeling you get when all goes wonderful between you and your horse.
2. the bliss of connection between horse and human.
3. overwhelming pleasure found in the company of horses.

For those who love horses, no explanation is necessary for this word; for those who don't, none is possible.

I hope you enjoy this blog, it is my attempt to share my journey of life with horses and my adventures in work with people and horses through my business, Helpful Horsemanship.