Hi guys, long time since I posted on here, I had a block with writing and didn't have much time/motivation to keep this blog going. Then I decided to re-awaken it a few months ago and couldn't access it for some reason (gotta love technology!) so anyway, I've made a new blog. Haven't posted yet (23/10/11) but will be soon. At the moment General is off with an injury (as am I, hurt my knee again ha. ha. hmm!) so when we are both back in action I will make a special effort to update the blog!!
anyway, here's the link.
http://naomiandgeneral.blogspot.com/
In the meantime I have a fair amount of new videos on youtube since I last posted here, so you can watch those on youtube.com/naomilovesangel
savvy smiles, speak soon x
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Savvy Challenge No.2 - 'As little as possible'
Today I tried the next challenge: Set out 4 cones or barrels, can you weave your horse through them up and down TWICE in walk, without using the stick? If this is easy, try the trot!
Easy ;)
He did great again, did it in walk twice no problemo, then in trot both ways again :D I picked up the stick once in trot, but he knew what it meant and i didnt have to do anymore than lift it up a little.
Also today we played with the jumps and I was also trying to get him to yoyo back and wait longer, without eating or trying to come in. we managed 30 seconds.. sounds small but its aaages for a speed hungry extrovert!! Did the same with sideways.. sideways a few steps then stop and wait for the next thing, rather than just hurry over for a reward. I think he started to see rest as a reward too :D
Thumbs up for today!
Easy ;)
He did great again, did it in walk twice no problemo, then in trot both ways again :D I picked up the stick once in trot, but he knew what it meant and i didnt have to do anymore than lift it up a little.
Also today we played with the jumps and I was also trying to get him to yoyo back and wait longer, without eating or trying to come in. we managed 30 seconds.. sounds small but its aaages for a speed hungry extrovert!! Did the same with sideways.. sideways a few steps then stop and wait for the next thing, rather than just hurry over for a reward. I think he started to see rest as a reward too :D
Thumbs up for today!
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Savvy Challenge Number 1 - Thinking outside the box
So, today I tried the first savvy challenge with General 'How can you use the porcupine game to guide your horse forwards and backwards over a pole?'
Instead of just using the pole on the ground, i put it up on some jump wings to make a jump :) First I played circling game over it to get him comfortable with the jump then began the challenge. I tood on one side of the jump and he was on the other. I yoyo-ed him backwards and I also walked backwards. Then I put an ounce of pressure on the rope (porcupine, follow a feel) and ran backwards and he cantered up and over the jump, stopped, backed up by porcupine on his chest and I kept him backing until he knocked the pole off, then over it :)
Savvy Challenge Number 2: Set out 4 cones or barrels, can you weave your horse through them up and down TWICE in walk, without using the stick? If this is easy, try the trot!
savvy smiles x
Instead of just using the pole on the ground, i put it up on some jump wings to make a jump :) First I played circling game over it to get him comfortable with the jump then began the challenge. I tood on one side of the jump and he was on the other. I yoyo-ed him backwards and I also walked backwards. Then I put an ounce of pressure on the rope (porcupine, follow a feel) and ran backwards and he cantered up and over the jump, stopped, backed up by porcupine on his chest and I kept him backing until he knocked the pole off, then over it :)
Savvy Challenge Number 2: Set out 4 cones or barrels, can you weave your horse through them up and down TWICE in walk, without using the stick? If this is easy, try the trot!
savvy smiles x
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
New Years Resolution.. update this blog.
Just re-read my last blog post and cant believe how long ago it was...
So he was restared.. went well.. and then our problems came back ten fold. He got into bucking again and I was continually thrown to the ground then he started rearing again.. he reared on the road in front of a car and then reared as I was falling off (after a bucking fit) and landed on my leg.
Havent ridden since then. That was in November.. and since then general has been advertised for loan, for sale, and I have gradually lost all confidence and joy in horsemanship. Its been a horrible few months.
Last week, when I was completely unmotivated and had given up completely, a friend told me a parelli instructor was coming over our way to view a horse to buy. I took my chance and booked a lesson.. our last chance!! You know what they say, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
All I can say is wow. I learnt SO much. I wont go into detail but she told me so much about general I didnt know.. how sensitive he is.. how i am screaming at him in my phases without knowing it (his phase 1 is a 'normal' horse's phase -4!).. and how easily offended he gets. A lot of the problems we have had is because I have unknowingly offended him, by not rewarding him fast enough or causing him to feel stupid by not pushing him to try new and exciting things. I learnt how to be a better leader and how to up my confidence, and also that General is nowhere near as extreme as some horses and wont be that hard to fix if I follow her advice. So I was really happy :)
So he's bought himself another try. Since the lesson we've been having better results, he's been a lot more connected to me and interested in what I have to say. He is still exhuberant but now I know how to channel it and not blow him up. I hope I can ride him in the next few months. I have changed his saddle to a much wider one as well and he hasnt bucked/reared once wering it on the ground.. so I hope that will also make a positive difference riding.
So to keep me motivated I'm going to be setting daily savvy challenges to complete. They may be simple or difficult.. quick or time taking.. but I hope to complete them everyday and report how it went on this blog (if i stick to my new years resolution!!!). I'm also posting the challenges on facebook for other people to try if they want to join in :)
So savvy task number 1 (for tomorrow): Can you use the porcupine game to guide your horse forwards and backwards over a pole?
savvy smiles! x
So he was restared.. went well.. and then our problems came back ten fold. He got into bucking again and I was continually thrown to the ground then he started rearing again.. he reared on the road in front of a car and then reared as I was falling off (after a bucking fit) and landed on my leg.
Havent ridden since then. That was in November.. and since then general has been advertised for loan, for sale, and I have gradually lost all confidence and joy in horsemanship. Its been a horrible few months.
Last week, when I was completely unmotivated and had given up completely, a friend told me a parelli instructor was coming over our way to view a horse to buy. I took my chance and booked a lesson.. our last chance!! You know what they say, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
All I can say is wow. I learnt SO much. I wont go into detail but she told me so much about general I didnt know.. how sensitive he is.. how i am screaming at him in my phases without knowing it (his phase 1 is a 'normal' horse's phase -4!).. and how easily offended he gets. A lot of the problems we have had is because I have unknowingly offended him, by not rewarding him fast enough or causing him to feel stupid by not pushing him to try new and exciting things. I learnt how to be a better leader and how to up my confidence, and also that General is nowhere near as extreme as some horses and wont be that hard to fix if I follow her advice. So I was really happy :)
So he's bought himself another try. Since the lesson we've been having better results, he's been a lot more connected to me and interested in what I have to say. He is still exhuberant but now I know how to channel it and not blow him up. I hope I can ride him in the next few months. I have changed his saddle to a much wider one as well and he hasnt bucked/reared once wering it on the ground.. so I hope that will also make a positive difference riding.
So to keep me motivated I'm going to be setting daily savvy challenges to complete. They may be simple or difficult.. quick or time taking.. but I hope to complete them everyday and report how it went on this blog (if i stick to my new years resolution!!!). I'm also posting the challenges on facebook for other people to try if they want to join in :)
So savvy task number 1 (for tomorrow): Can you use the porcupine game to guide your horse forwards and backwards over a pole?
savvy smiles! x
Monday, 11 October 2010
I should really update this more often!
So... general has got over his back problem at last and is back in full swing. Playing etc. BUT we've had a million more changes.
Most of you will probably know of the million and one problems General and I have had together, be it health, behaviour, or confidence. These problems have not gone, but we're restarting our journeys in the hope of ironing them out once and for all.
So, we have made a LOT of changes. I have branched out a LOT. We will no longer be 'solely studying parelli'. I know for a while Ive been combining Parelli with my own ideas but now I'm branching out further and going for my dream. Something I've dreamt of for a long time, I mean since I was about 7 or 8, is to perform with horses at liberty, such as in Cavalia, and Jean Francois Pignon, etc etc. After seeing Jean Francois live when I was 8, I was amazed and have always been so intrigued by his work (or should I say play!). I always wished I could do something like that, but never really believed it was possible, thinking he must be some magician to get his horses to do those things! otherwise how would he teach them?! Even while doing parelli, I never really understood how he did it. I hope I can now find out. I will be studying his work religiously, I have already found out a lot, how he teaches, why he does it, and I love it! I am hoping to go work with him very soon, to learn even more. I will also be studying other horsemen/women such as Mirka Pitts, Stacey Westfall and the 'dancers' of Cavalia.
This morning, I started using some of JFP's methods on General. OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY. He picked up - collection at a standstill at liberty with a simple cue. The beginnings of spanish walk on a simple cue. wowowowowowowow.
Ok, other changes we've made. General is being 'restarted'. Right from the beginning. As if he's never ever been ridden. I have decided this is our best option to solve all the bad habits we both have! So, for 2 weeks, Ive been laying over him, jumping up and down next to him, racking the stirrups, slapping the saddle, and finally, getting on and off, bareback and with a saddle, halter and a bridle. We took our first walk a few days ago. Today, we walked for 10 minutes alone. halter/bareback. No emotional moments. no silliness. No bucking. no rearing. AND I WASNT SCARED!!!!!!
The other thing, is I am now using a normal headcollar as opposed to the parelli halter. I have many reasons for this change.
1) General is a very sensitive reactive horse and I have felt for a long time that the halter is too thin for him.
2) Most of the bucking he did was when riding in the halter/hackamore.
3) he had a sarcoid right where one of the knots fell and i was worried about the pressure.
4) I was interested to see how well he responds to pressure after a year and a half of natural horsemanship - the ultimate test is my lovely padded headcollar
5) its pretty ;)
Heres the changes Ive seen:
1) He is a lot more responsive.
2) He has not fought the pressure at all since the change.
3) When riding in it, he allows me to move him around and doesnt threaten a buck.
4) He doesnt toss his head anymore.
5) He doesnt go RBI when fastening the buckle.
hmmmmmmmmmm how interesting!!!
So, as you can tell, we've made a lot of changes. This doesnt mean we have left parelli. It just means we are opening our minds and trying new things too. I am still studying parelli, because I still love the program. In fact Ive been trying loads of things from the L&HB set which have made some great changes too. So dont think we're leaving you, and please dont judge me for changing things, using a different halter/headcollar (ive already had a student criticise me for it, and as I told them, i value your opinion, but he is my horse, and this is our journey).
I have been doing everything at liberty the past few days, and its made such a difference. I realised actually, that General and I didnt have such a great relationship outside the roundpen/arena. He left me a few times, but you know what, it was ok! I let him wander off, go eat, and I just went and did some jobs around the stables, then suddenly, a little face would appear round the corner.. 'can we play now mum?' No ropes to hold us together, just letting him do what he wanted and making the most of it.
We started having short trots and riding for a little longer, ive taken him out on his own too - and he's been great. Using my 'new' methods, he handles himself better ridden.however last night we had an 'oh boy', i got on and he went uber RB, terrifed of the sabre toothed butterfly in the hegde, and froze on the spot, grew to about 18hh with his head in my face. Stroke, reassure, turn away, retreat.. he's ok, a bit bouncy, but ok. Suddenly, the butterfly moves a wing and we spin back to stare at it. rub, reassure, turn away. 'I'm gonna turn away with ya mum, but your being slow!' spin like a barrell racer, leap up with all for feet and freaaakkkk out. I got myself in a position where i was rooted to the saddle, thinking 'he's gonna rear, he's gonna rear, craaapppp...'
he didnt rear.
WHAAAAAAT.
ok, he jumped up and down and tried oh so hard to pull me home, but he didnt rear! result!
I got off promtly and rubbed him and led him around for a bit to relax him, he was soon ok again.
It was a weird evening. he rarely goes right brain. since coming off the racetrack, he's pretty mch ALWAYS in LB land. the odd RBI moment when learning but nothing too bad anymore. So I was shocked at his reactions, but please with how he handled it. When i decided it was time to get off i think he understood, as he stopped jugging and stood still, as if to say 'yes, mum, get off, now!'
Im just glad what ive been doing with him IS making a differencem because last month, he would have gone up vertically 6 or 7 times, and if it was too scary, he would have flipped over (he has done this before a few times!) and i would have been.. possibly not in a position to tell you the story! so good news
I also got Frederic Pignon's book in the post this week, it is so good! i really recommend it to EVERYONE on here, very inspiring and some fantastic ideas in there!
Joey is back with Karen now and as far as I know doing good, a lot calmer and doesnt get so emotional about stuff. She hasnt been able to do much riding but hopefully they will get started again soon :D
I've started giving lessons to a lady called Pam and her horse Robbie, who is a RBE/LBI.. quite similar to Joey actually, but a LOT more dominant when he goes LB. He is also terrified of poles!! Hopefully him and Pam are starting a journey they will never leave :D
Very excited about Parelli coming back to the UK next year!!! YIPEEEEE :D
all for now! I think!
savvy smiles x
Most of you will probably know of the million and one problems General and I have had together, be it health, behaviour, or confidence. These problems have not gone, but we're restarting our journeys in the hope of ironing them out once and for all.
So, we have made a LOT of changes. I have branched out a LOT. We will no longer be 'solely studying parelli'. I know for a while Ive been combining Parelli with my own ideas but now I'm branching out further and going for my dream. Something I've dreamt of for a long time, I mean since I was about 7 or 8, is to perform with horses at liberty, such as in Cavalia, and Jean Francois Pignon, etc etc. After seeing Jean Francois live when I was 8, I was amazed and have always been so intrigued by his work (or should I say play!). I always wished I could do something like that, but never really believed it was possible, thinking he must be some magician to get his horses to do those things! otherwise how would he teach them?! Even while doing parelli, I never really understood how he did it. I hope I can now find out. I will be studying his work religiously, I have already found out a lot, how he teaches, why he does it, and I love it! I am hoping to go work with him very soon, to learn even more. I will also be studying other horsemen/women such as Mirka Pitts, Stacey Westfall and the 'dancers' of Cavalia.
This morning, I started using some of JFP's methods on General. OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY. He picked up - collection at a standstill at liberty with a simple cue. The beginnings of spanish walk on a simple cue. wowowowowowowow.
Ok, other changes we've made. General is being 'restarted'. Right from the beginning. As if he's never ever been ridden. I have decided this is our best option to solve all the bad habits we both have! So, for 2 weeks, Ive been laying over him, jumping up and down next to him, racking the stirrups, slapping the saddle, and finally, getting on and off, bareback and with a saddle, halter and a bridle. We took our first walk a few days ago. Today, we walked for 10 minutes alone. halter/bareback. No emotional moments. no silliness. No bucking. no rearing. AND I WASNT SCARED!!!!!!
The other thing, is I am now using a normal headcollar as opposed to the parelli halter. I have many reasons for this change.
1) General is a very sensitive reactive horse and I have felt for a long time that the halter is too thin for him.
2) Most of the bucking he did was when riding in the halter/hackamore.
3) he had a sarcoid right where one of the knots fell and i was worried about the pressure.
4) I was interested to see how well he responds to pressure after a year and a half of natural horsemanship - the ultimate test is my lovely padded headcollar
5) its pretty ;)
Heres the changes Ive seen:
1) He is a lot more responsive.
2) He has not fought the pressure at all since the change.
3) When riding in it, he allows me to move him around and doesnt threaten a buck.
4) He doesnt toss his head anymore.
5) He doesnt go RBI when fastening the buckle.
hmmmmmmmmmm how interesting!!!
So, as you can tell, we've made a lot of changes. This doesnt mean we have left parelli. It just means we are opening our minds and trying new things too. I am still studying parelli, because I still love the program. In fact Ive been trying loads of things from the L&HB set which have made some great changes too. So dont think we're leaving you, and please dont judge me for changing things, using a different halter/headcollar (ive already had a student criticise me for it, and as I told them, i value your opinion, but he is my horse, and this is our journey).
I have been doing everything at liberty the past few days, and its made such a difference. I realised actually, that General and I didnt have such a great relationship outside the roundpen/arena. He left me a few times, but you know what, it was ok! I let him wander off, go eat, and I just went and did some jobs around the stables, then suddenly, a little face would appear round the corner.. 'can we play now mum?' No ropes to hold us together, just letting him do what he wanted and making the most of it.
We started having short trots and riding for a little longer, ive taken him out on his own too - and he's been great. Using my 'new' methods, he handles himself better ridden.however last night we had an 'oh boy', i got on and he went uber RB, terrifed of the sabre toothed butterfly in the hegde, and froze on the spot, grew to about 18hh with his head in my face. Stroke, reassure, turn away, retreat.. he's ok, a bit bouncy, but ok. Suddenly, the butterfly moves a wing and we spin back to stare at it. rub, reassure, turn away. 'I'm gonna turn away with ya mum, but your being slow!' spin like a barrell racer, leap up with all for feet and freaaakkkk out. I got myself in a position where i was rooted to the saddle, thinking 'he's gonna rear, he's gonna rear, craaapppp...'
he didnt rear.
WHAAAAAAT.
ok, he jumped up and down and tried oh so hard to pull me home, but he didnt rear! result!
I got off promtly and rubbed him and led him around for a bit to relax him, he was soon ok again.
It was a weird evening. he rarely goes right brain. since coming off the racetrack, he's pretty mch ALWAYS in LB land. the odd RBI moment when learning but nothing too bad anymore. So I was shocked at his reactions, but please with how he handled it. When i decided it was time to get off i think he understood, as he stopped jugging and stood still, as if to say 'yes, mum, get off, now!'
Im just glad what ive been doing with him IS making a differencem because last month, he would have gone up vertically 6 or 7 times, and if it was too scary, he would have flipped over (he has done this before a few times!) and i would have been.. possibly not in a position to tell you the story! so good news
I also got Frederic Pignon's book in the post this week, it is so good! i really recommend it to EVERYONE on here, very inspiring and some fantastic ideas in there!
Joey is back with Karen now and as far as I know doing good, a lot calmer and doesnt get so emotional about stuff. She hasnt been able to do much riding but hopefully they will get started again soon :D
I've started giving lessons to a lady called Pam and her horse Robbie, who is a RBE/LBI.. quite similar to Joey actually, but a LOT more dominant when he goes LB. He is also terrified of poles!! Hopefully him and Pam are starting a journey they will never leave :D
Very excited about Parelli coming back to the UK next year!!! YIPEEEEE :D
all for now! I think!
savvy smiles x
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Life is a rollercoaster, you've just got to ride it... right?
When I got back from holiday I was greeted by a none too pleasant thing.. my poor ginger horsey was not too good! I had no idea what was up with him, he looked fine on the ground, other than a bit of stiffness on tight turns, but riding, he was soo weird! He wasn't lame, and everyone who watched him said he looks fine, but I knew there was something not quite right. He wasn't happy, he would trot along feeling strained and his body felt out of sync.
I had a back specialist come to see him, and all was revealed.
Its his pelvis.
Again.
D: D: D:
She put him right, but said he's gonna be one sore horse for a while because he has got so used to being 'wrong', that it will feel weird now and the muscles all have to build back up.
He had a week off, poor boy to start with I couldnt even brush his back it hurt so bad, but finally, he was able to start again. So now he's on 20 minute hacks everyday, NO ground play allowed (!!), only straight lines. Poor thing, he's so bored, and so am I!! But he's been a star, hasnt complained.. well until today of course!!
was riding out and we had an 'Oh Boy!' moment. He played up in dominance, I think he was finally telling me 'Mum, this is booooooooooooooring!!!', and thankfully I hopped off in time, as he threw in a few lovely rears just after! He's not supposed to do that.. he needs to get better! darn LBE's!!
Anyway, I'm gonna bite the bullet and play with him thursday, it will have been 2 weeks since his manipulation, and I think he will be ok to do some gentle stuff. he just needs to have his mind played with again. Hacking on a loose rein in walk is NOT his idea of fun.. Or mine lol.
So yes. All good stuff :/
Joey, on the other hand, is doing great. He's had 3 rides on him now, all very good, he's becoming much more level headed now and spends more time in left brain land than right brain - woohoo!! Progress!!
hehe.
savvy smiles x
I had a back specialist come to see him, and all was revealed.
Its his pelvis.
Again.
D: D: D:
She put him right, but said he's gonna be one sore horse for a while because he has got so used to being 'wrong', that it will feel weird now and the muscles all have to build back up.
He had a week off, poor boy to start with I couldnt even brush his back it hurt so bad, but finally, he was able to start again. So now he's on 20 minute hacks everyday, NO ground play allowed (!!), only straight lines. Poor thing, he's so bored, and so am I!! But he's been a star, hasnt complained.. well until today of course!!
was riding out and we had an 'Oh Boy!' moment. He played up in dominance, I think he was finally telling me 'Mum, this is booooooooooooooring!!!', and thankfully I hopped off in time, as he threw in a few lovely rears just after! He's not supposed to do that.. he needs to get better! darn LBE's!!
Anyway, I'm gonna bite the bullet and play with him thursday, it will have been 2 weeks since his manipulation, and I think he will be ok to do some gentle stuff. he just needs to have his mind played with again. Hacking on a loose rein in walk is NOT his idea of fun.. Or mine lol.
So yes. All good stuff :/
Joey, on the other hand, is doing great. He's had 3 rides on him now, all very good, he's becoming much more level headed now and spends more time in left brain land than right brain - woohoo!! Progress!!
hehe.
savvy smiles x
Saturday, 31 July 2010
so much fun!!
isnt it so much fun to just play and not ask anything new of your horse? This evening General and I went out into the playground and just messed around for an hour or so. We played all 7 games with new variations, like driving/squeeze over a jump with me in zone 5, also tried out my makeshift see-saw.. HA well the wood wasnt strong enough and the whole thing collapsed! General gave me the 'MUUUUMMMM what are you like?' face ;)
Then I was TRYING to just let him graze and spend some undemanding time, but he had other ideas.. he kept veering onto the pedestal xD So we spent UDT.. on the pedestal. he was so cute. we just cuddled and talked - awh!
Then I walked away and sort of expected him to just follow me back to the yard. He stayed on the pedestal, giving me the puppy eyes 'but mum I wanna play some more!' I turned to him, and combed the rope gently with no pressure on it. And he pricked his ears, got off the pedestal and TROTTED to me!! he was licking and chewing and looking really excited to come to me!!! then he stopped at the right place and rested his head on my stomach, it was soooo cute!!! I wanted to cry!!! I love him so much.
Going on holiday tomorrow :) :(
The reason why I put two faces is because im happy and excited for it... but im going to miss my little boy so much. I hope he doesnt mind having 4 days off!! So glad we ended on a high tonight, put me in SUCH a positive mood for going away :D :D
savvy smiles x
Then I was TRYING to just let him graze and spend some undemanding time, but he had other ideas.. he kept veering onto the pedestal xD So we spent UDT.. on the pedestal. he was so cute. we just cuddled and talked - awh!
Then I walked away and sort of expected him to just follow me back to the yard. He stayed on the pedestal, giving me the puppy eyes 'but mum I wanna play some more!' I turned to him, and combed the rope gently with no pressure on it. And he pricked his ears, got off the pedestal and TROTTED to me!! he was licking and chewing and looking really excited to come to me!!! then he stopped at the right place and rested his head on my stomach, it was soooo cute!!! I wanted to cry!!! I love him so much.
Going on holiday tomorrow :) :(
The reason why I put two faces is because im happy and excited for it... but im going to miss my little boy so much. I hope he doesnt mind having 4 days off!! So glad we ended on a high tonight, put me in SUCH a positive mood for going away :D :D
savvy smiles x
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