November 20th, 2008
Natural Horsemanship Is Everybody‘s Dream.
Helping people understand horses, naturally.
Would you like to achieve more communication and understanding with your horse?
Is having a positive relationship with your horse more important than anything?
As Pat Parelli says ‘Horses will respond to Love, Language and Leadership, in Three Equal Doses’. So don’t give up on your dream, learn to be what your horse needs you to be and learn the secret of success with horses.
Join me on a journey of discovery to be the best horseman or woman that you can be…
Helping people understand horses, naturally.
Would you like to achieve more communication and understanding with your horse?
Is having a positive relationship with your horse more important than anything?
As Pat Parelli says ‘Horses will respond to Love, Language and Leadership, in Three Equal Doses’. So don’t give up on your dream, learn to be what your horse needs you to be and learn the secret of success with horses.
Join me on a journey of discovery to be the best horseman or woman that you can be…
My journey started quite a few years ago, so I’ll just give you a brief background if you’ll bear with me.
Click to find out more.
Click to find out more.
Back in the UK.. Catch up Colt Start ...Lots to do!
Hello again, and I have to start this entry in the same way I started the last one, by apologising for being away so long...... a whole month since I last 'blogged', is that the correct term?
Yep, well, I'm back at home, I actually spent a few days in Kansas, with Sharon. We had lots of plans but in fact didn't really do much... which was GREAT! Thanks Sharon, for letting me really chill out and get my head together before the trip home. Which I might add , was pretty uneventful, unlike my trip into the US. Immigration don't make quite such a fuss about you leaving the country!!! And I even managed to get my beautiful new western saddle back home, yes guys, I bought a Natural Performer, and I love it! And Socks appears happy with it too.
Ok, before I whizz off with telling you whats happening back here in glorious sunny Devon, I think I promised a few more details about the Colt Start, and of course riding with Pat!
Colt starting is about Horse Development as opposed to Horsemanship which is about the human learning to be with the horse. The Parelli levels programme is about Horsemanship. However, the basis of colt starting is Level 1 with excellence. Putting Principles before goals and timelines. And the route to that first ride is for the colt to accept the human, as a friend then a leader, then to accept the saddle, the placement then the cinch, then to accept the rider as a passenger, then a guider/leader and finally accept the bit, wearing it and then communicating through it.....
This was the first time I had ever experienced starting a horse in a herd environment, but I soon understood how effective it could be. The first objective was to 'catch' the herd, and then the individual. Catch the mind, not just the feet. In order to achieve that we had to cause the herd to stand still, and then cause the individual to stand still. Friendly game really. Then we were looking for motion, i.e., asking the colt to move in a particular direction, as opposed to commotion, the colt moving us in all directions.So thats the next 6 games..... nose , neck , maybe the feet. Then action towards a goal, which really means providing purpose. Simple really !!!
We had 3 different herds of colts, and by the way, I should maybe explain that in the US a 'colt' is just a young unstarted horse, male or female...................
There were a group of colts from the Attwood Ranch, 2 & 3 year olds who had been handled some, then there was another group of 2 & 3 year olds from a local breeder, with a couple of yearlings thrown in, and lastly a large group of yearlings , also from a local breeder and these two herds had not had much if any handling.
In total we spent 12 days with the colts, (they did get some time off), There was a taming period, and some needed more taming than others, specifically Spirit and Donkey, a couple of yearlings who were sure they were on the menu for dinner.
#IMAGE=74#
I was given them as a project, basically lots of friendly game. Then we played online, 7 games, with obstacles and trailer loading , swimming in the pond. Riding bareback, even sitting on the yearlings, before bareback pads and saddles and eventullay riding. First as a passenger, in the herd, then as individuals and on our third ride, first ride outside the arena we went and drove the cattle! The yearlings were not saddled or really ridden, but lots of ground skills, including farrier prep, cliipng prep, trailer loading. And the 2 guys I was given to tame actually went up in the trailer first when the were taken back home.
#IMAGE=75#
I also started a bay colt, not too much commotion, just a couple of bucks with the saddle but then he really began enjoying himself, especially when he was given a job rounding up the cows.(I called him 'Little Star', cos he was).
#IMAGE=76#
As you know, during the colt start Rob became ill, which was a shock for everyone and he was sorely missed. But he's a great guy and he set us up so fantastically well that we were able to just move right along and keep things going,even though we were all quaking at the knees when we heard that Pat was going to take over! Everybody wants to get the chance to ride with Pat, thats for sure,but it would of been better under differnt circumstances. Nevertheless, I am thrilled that I got the chance to ride with Pat, and I'm really glad I had my cowboy gear on cos it certainly gave me advantages..... I got to go bring down the cows.... i mean cattle! It was kinda scary, not the cattle, just the Pat factor thing, but I survived !!!
Ok enough of colts,and i guess i should tell you about the conference. BUT I'm not going to, cos if you weren't at either the US or the UK conference, you should have been, but you will get to see highlights on Savvy Club dvds or TV. Now I just want to post some more pics, of some of the great friends I made during this uni course.
There's Mira and I, on our last trip to the laundry..... Oh dear, we had such fun.
#IMAGE=77#
THen there's Feliz, Maude and my cabin mate, Sally, who I shall be seeing in a couple of days time at HOYS...
#IMAGE=78#
And Terri, who will also be on the stand at HOYS next weekend..... not sure who's in the background, think it's Berrin...
#IMAGE=79#
and of course.... Ben. Who is Swiss, but also speaks italiano!
#IMAGE=80#
It is I have to say, strange to be home. For a while there I thought it had all been a dream, but then I went up to a demo the other day with Alison Jones, and met up with Sally again which was wonderful. We just sort of looked at each other and grinned..... all those shared memories......... We had a busy productive weekend, helping Alison with the demo , then putting on a tournament on the Sunday. Actually, I kinda of got off the plane and hit the ground running... lots of plans and reorganisation.
But before I tell you any of that, I just have to say a HUGE, MASSIVE, thanks to everybody who looked after things for me while I was away. I'm so sorry that you all had such a wet and soggy time, but I do thank you so so much. Jim , of course in charge of things,with Annie as second in command, Rose and Kay and Sybil,who looked after Socks and Russet. Tashy who tried hard to de-flea dogs and cats.... Tom and Sarah Widdicombe, who kept an eye on Solo, up there on the moor.... Mum and Dad, who emailed me lots and were actually at home when I called.... and everyone who wished me well, read this blog and posted comments.... Thank you all xxxxxxx
So ,whats next.... well, I'm not absolutely sure..... apart from looking after my horsemanship so that it takes care of me... Briefly, I have another horse to play with and hopefully bring up through to level 3, which is the first requirment for attaining my 2*. She's is a sweet little 4 year old mare, watch this space to find out more in the future. I have students to teach, but would love to have more, I have Solo, a yearling with lots of attitude who needs my attention. I am on the stand next week at Horse of the Year Show, look forward to seeing you there, will also be at Your Horse , Stoneleigh next month and Olympia at Christmas. And of course, the most important person who has barely had a mention, I have Socks, and together we will just keep journeying on...... til next time...x
Click to find out more
Hello again, and I have to start this entry in the same way I started the last one, by apologising for being away so long...... a whole month since I last 'blogged', is that the correct term?
Yep, well, I'm back at home, I actually spent a few days in Kansas, with Sharon. We had lots of plans but in fact didn't really do much... which was GREAT! Thanks Sharon, for letting me really chill out and get my head together before the trip home. Which I might add , was pretty uneventful, unlike my trip into the US. Immigration don't make quite such a fuss about you leaving the country!!! And I even managed to get my beautiful new western saddle back home, yes guys, I bought a Natural Performer, and I love it! And Socks appears happy with it too.
Ok, before I whizz off with telling you whats happening back here in glorious sunny Devon, I think I promised a few more details about the Colt Start, and of course riding with Pat!
Colt starting is about Horse Development as opposed to Horsemanship which is about the human learning to be with the horse. The Parelli levels programme is about Horsemanship. However, the basis of colt starting is Level 1 with excellence. Putting Principles before goals and timelines. And the route to that first ride is for the colt to accept the human, as a friend then a leader, then to accept the saddle, the placement then the cinch, then to accept the rider as a passenger, then a guider/leader and finally accept the bit, wearing it and then communicating through it.....
This was the first time I had ever experienced starting a horse in a herd environment, but I soon understood how effective it could be. The first objective was to 'catch' the herd, and then the individual. Catch the mind, not just the feet. In order to achieve that we had to cause the herd to stand still, and then cause the individual to stand still. Friendly game really. Then we were looking for motion, i.e., asking the colt to move in a particular direction, as opposed to commotion, the colt moving us in all directions.So thats the next 6 games..... nose , neck , maybe the feet. Then action towards a goal, which really means providing purpose. Simple really !!!
We had 3 different herds of colts, and by the way, I should maybe explain that in the US a 'colt' is just a young unstarted horse, male or female...................
There were a group of colts from the Attwood Ranch, 2 & 3 year olds who had been handled some, then there was another group of 2 & 3 year olds from a local breeder, with a couple of yearlings thrown in, and lastly a large group of yearlings , also from a local breeder and these two herds had not had much if any handling.
In total we spent 12 days with the colts, (they did get some time off), There was a taming period, and some needed more taming than others, specifically Spirit and Donkey, a couple of yearlings who were sure they were on the menu for dinner.
#IMAGE=74#
I was given them as a project, basically lots of friendly game. Then we played online, 7 games, with obstacles and trailer loading , swimming in the pond. Riding bareback, even sitting on the yearlings, before bareback pads and saddles and eventullay riding. First as a passenger, in the herd, then as individuals and on our third ride, first ride outside the arena we went and drove the cattle! The yearlings were not saddled or really ridden, but lots of ground skills, including farrier prep, cliipng prep, trailer loading. And the 2 guys I was given to tame actually went up in the trailer first when the were taken back home.
#IMAGE=75#
I also started a bay colt, not too much commotion, just a couple of bucks with the saddle but then he really began enjoying himself, especially when he was given a job rounding up the cows.(I called him 'Little Star', cos he was).
#IMAGE=76#
As you know, during the colt start Rob became ill, which was a shock for everyone and he was sorely missed. But he's a great guy and he set us up so fantastically well that we were able to just move right along and keep things going,even though we were all quaking at the knees when we heard that Pat was going to take over! Everybody wants to get the chance to ride with Pat, thats for sure,but it would of been better under differnt circumstances. Nevertheless, I am thrilled that I got the chance to ride with Pat, and I'm really glad I had my cowboy gear on cos it certainly gave me advantages..... I got to go bring down the cows.... i mean cattle! It was kinda scary, not the cattle, just the Pat factor thing, but I survived !!!
Ok enough of colts,and i guess i should tell you about the conference. BUT I'm not going to, cos if you weren't at either the US or the UK conference, you should have been, but you will get to see highlights on Savvy Club dvds or TV. Now I just want to post some more pics, of some of the great friends I made during this uni course.
There's Mira and I, on our last trip to the laundry..... Oh dear, we had such fun.
#IMAGE=77#
THen there's Feliz, Maude and my cabin mate, Sally, who I shall be seeing in a couple of days time at HOYS...
#IMAGE=78#
And Terri, who will also be on the stand at HOYS next weekend..... not sure who's in the background, think it's Berrin...
#IMAGE=79#
and of course.... Ben. Who is Swiss, but also speaks italiano!
#IMAGE=80#
It is I have to say, strange to be home. For a while there I thought it had all been a dream, but then I went up to a demo the other day with Alison Jones, and met up with Sally again which was wonderful. We just sort of looked at each other and grinned..... all those shared memories......... We had a busy productive weekend, helping Alison with the demo , then putting on a tournament on the Sunday. Actually, I kinda of got off the plane and hit the ground running... lots of plans and reorganisation.
But before I tell you any of that, I just have to say a HUGE, MASSIVE, thanks to everybody who looked after things for me while I was away. I'm so sorry that you all had such a wet and soggy time, but I do thank you so so much. Jim , of course in charge of things,with Annie as second in command, Rose and Kay and Sybil,who looked after Socks and Russet. Tashy who tried hard to de-flea dogs and cats.... Tom and Sarah Widdicombe, who kept an eye on Solo, up there on the moor.... Mum and Dad, who emailed me lots and were actually at home when I called.... and everyone who wished me well, read this blog and posted comments.... Thank you all xxxxxxx
So ,whats next.... well, I'm not absolutely sure..... apart from looking after my horsemanship so that it takes care of me... Briefly, I have another horse to play with and hopefully bring up through to level 3, which is the first requirment for attaining my 2*. She's is a sweet little 4 year old mare, watch this space to find out more in the future. I have students to teach, but would love to have more, I have Solo, a yearling with lots of attitude who needs my attention. I am on the stand next week at Horse of the Year Show, look forward to seeing you there, will also be at Your Horse , Stoneleigh next month and Olympia at Christmas. And of course, the most important person who has barely had a mention, I have Socks, and together we will just keep journeying on...... til next time...x
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Cover image by Hazel Ray