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
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