GOALS
As a coach for you and your horse my ultimate goal is to help the both of you achieve a harmonious partnership based upon mutual respect and trust where you both have responsibilities and can still have fun and be safe. However, this will take an attitude of justice, compassion, self-evaluation, and desire on your part.
I promise that I am dedicated to facilitating your learning in such a way that will be meaningful, and applicable to the above stated ultimate goal. However this will take time, perspiration, and patience on both of our parts. Despite the sweat, frustration, ups and downs I know that we will have fun, progress and be successful together.
EXPECTATIONS
As a teacher I do have expectations for both my students and myself. I do expect that we will be patient with each other and especially with our horses. In order for our horses to learn appropriately we must become trustworthy, consistent, persistent, flexible, and creative. I will do my best to be a confident leader and clear communicator for my students, because I will be modeling what your horse will need from you. Finally I expect all students to participate to the best of their abilities, however, anytime you feel unsafe I want you to tell me so that nobody gets hurt. Safety is a number one priority. Learning and Fun are the number two on my list. One warning, in order to learn you will probably need to get out of your comfort zone, so be prepared to try new things with an open mind.
TEACHING HORSES
1. The most powerful tool you will have when teaching your horse is the POWER OF OBSERVATION. Observe EVERYTHING very CAREFULLY
2. Always reward the slightest try.
3. It is the release that teaches. It is not so much what you do that is important, but when you quit doing it that counts. (KNOW WHEN TO QUIT!)
4. Remember the motivation for a prey animal is SAFETY AND COMFORT!
5. Focus, Feel, and Timing are essential elements.
6. Can’t teach a horse who is Scared, Bored, Tired, Confused, or In Pain.
7. Allow the horse to make a mistake and then correct. Don’t Micro-Manage.
8. Utilize the natural CURIOUSITY of the horse. Never take away his DIGINITY.
9. No more sneaking; be casual; be natural; be like a horse when in horse Ville.
10. You must learn to MATCH the energy or resistance of your horse.
11. Be and remain PERSISTANT in the PROPER POSITION!
12. Always TAKE THE TIME IT TAKES, and it will take less time.
TEACHING PEOPLE TO THINK IN A DIFFERENT WAY
It has been my observation in my learning process in becoming a more natural horseperson that I had to CHANGE my way of thinking. It is not always easy to change and it is even more difficult to change engrained old habits. It is even somewhat painful to admit our past mistakes, and begin a new pathway, especially when those around us may not agree or see the need for the change. However, I can assure you that the benefits will out weigh the pain. WARNING: There will be those who will not support your new adventure, and even those who will oppose you. Just know that you are doing the right thing for your horse!
NEW WAYS OF THINKING
1. We need to begin to think like a horse and quit expecting our horse to act like humans. (Remember we are natural enemies (Predators) to our prey friends.) They don’t just think we may hurt them but that we may KILL them.
2. Most humans are natural Left-Brained thinkers. Prey animals are Right-Brained most of the time. (We need to think more laterally and teach our horses how to stay left-brained. If we do they will learn better, stay calmer, braver, & smarter.)
3. All of our thinking needs to be based upon an attitude of justice always alert to anything that may take away the dignity of the horse.
4. What type of person are you? A carrot person or a whip person? We need to learn to be assertive but not aggressive. Be as light as possible but as assertive as necessary.
5. Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult. I believe that we should really concentrate on making the right thing easy, only resort to the wrong thing difficult after fair attempts at making the right thing easy. THINK FAIRNESS, AND UNDERSTANDING.
6. SLOW and RIGHT beats FAST and WRONG! We need to stop thinking that it needs to be done right now! Pretend in our mind that we have two days. By the way this is not a race, we are in horses for the enjoyment. Savor the moments! We need to stop rushing our horses and ourselves. Whatever we accomplish will last longer if we stop hurrying.
7. We don’t always have to saddle up and RIDE! There are a million other fun things to do with horses if we will use our imaginations. No wonder some horses don’t like to be caught, let’s change work our horses thinking to play with our horses. What about just hanging out with them doing nothing? That is building relationship!
8. The most important new way of thinking involves never blaming our horse for his bad habits, misbehaviors, or things we perceive as problems. Horses are just horses, trying to survive in a foreign land that goes against their natural instinct. They are very adaptable, however we need to start doing some of the adapting. This was a hard one for me. But now when my horse doesn’t do what I want, I think “Very interesting, I wonder why he did that, I wonder what I did to cause that, I wonder what I can do to change that or not let it happen again, I wonder if I can just ignore that?” Basically I am in WONDER and AWE of the intelligence, forgiveness, playfulness, curiosity, beauty and power yet vulnerability and frailty of the creature before me. My job is to think in ways that preserve his nature and enhance his natural characteristics and stop expecting him to be my partner when I am a dictator. If we will think and act like a partner then they will follow.
9. Our horses are a reflection of our horsemanship savvy. OUCH! They mirror our thoughts, attitudes, and responses. It is a beautiful thing when we are finally in harmony. Remember this is a journey and a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. We are all on this journey together even though we are not all on the same step. Thank goodness for those with more steps who will show us the way.
THINGS TO REMEMBER DURING PLAYTIME
1. BLOCKS and POWER STANCE
2. EXPRESSION and LIFE IN BODY
3. RHYTHM and TIMING
4. CLOSE HANDS SLOWLY, OPEN QUICKLY
5. APPROACH AND RETREAT
6. MAGIC THREE (Three second phases, three times in a row)
7. RUB PRESSURE RUB
8. WAIT TIME (30 seconds)
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9. PHASES (Suggest, Ask Tell, Promise)
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a. Hair, skin, muscle, bone
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b. Finger, wrist, elbow, arm
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c. Look, approach, tap, contact
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d. Lead, lift, swing, touch
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e. Move air, move vigorously, light tap, increase tap
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f. Eyes, bellybutton, leg rein
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g. One finger closing at a time, arms anchored, locked, hold
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h. Release on slightest try go back to phase one, ask again
SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
| RIGHT-BRAINED | LEFT-BRAINED
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| White large eyes | Blinking, soft eyes
| | High head | Low Head
| | Feet say “Out of Here!” | Can Wait
| | No Whoa | Calm, cool, collected
| | Impulsive | Licking Lips
| | Stare | Yawning
| | Reactive | Responsive
| | Fearful | Thinking
| | Avoiding | Trying
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WHEN IT GOES WRONG, WHAT TO D0
1. STOP: Breath, smile, pet
2. SAY: “How about that!”
3. ASK: “Did I tell my horse to do that?”
“Am I asking too much too soon?”
“What can I do to be more clear?”
4. THINK: “How can I break this down into smaller steps?”
“Which principle can I use?”
5. GO GET HELP! (Preferably from someone natural, a book, an expert)
6. GO BACK: Go back to something you both can do well then quit!
SAFETY EQUALS FUN!
ASK: “Can I or my horse get hurt easily by doing this?”
LISTEN: to your FEARS! (At the first thought of I should get off, DO IT NOW!)
SAY: “I’m scared” THINK: “Quick” STOP: “Immediately”
TRUST: Your natural instinct. OVERCOME fears through knowledge and experience
WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY THE TEACHER WILL APPEAR!
THINGS YOU WILL NEED FOR THE LESSON
1. Learning attitude, willing to participate with an open mind.
2. Listening ears, and observing eyes.
3. Plenty of energy. (Water for hydration)
4. A horse. (I believe Joni may have some available to use.)
5. * Rope tied halters, PLEASE!
6. * A lead rope at least 12 to 14 feet long, with a heavy snap attached to halter.
7. Carrot stick, if possible. (Very stiff stick 4 feet long, not a whip)
8. String for stick, if possible (small diameter rope 5 feet long)
9. Saddle of your choice and pad.
10. I prefer that you ride in the rope halter. We will be in an enclosed small arena.
(However, if you are very uncomfortable with this, I understand)
(I rode for the first couple of months with a bridle, snaffle bit, and reins under my rope halter, because I didn’t feel safe without my old equipment. I guess I am a little slow, because after two months I realized that I had never once had to touch those reins attached to that bit.)
*(I do prefer a snaffle bit however, because we will be doing lateral movements)
11. Notepad in case you want to write things down.
(However, I will be giving out handouts)
12. The above equipment for items #5-8 can be purchased at
www.Parelli.com
There are cheaper versions at these website, but I prefer the Parelli equipment
www.horsingaroundllc.com
www.naturalhorsesupply.com
www.silverdollarqh.com
*Very necessary items required.
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