Tuesday 30 April 2013

Rapport, respect, impulsion, flexion

Rapport, respect, impulsion, flexion

The leading theme of the week-end workshop I attended near Marmande on 27/28 May, once again with Jo Bates, 2* Parelli Pro instructor. We started with a discussion of what each of these mean and ways to try to achieve each of them with our horses. Also thinking about how to adapt our strategies to refine the tasks and support our horses in performing them; being particular without being critical, assertive not aggressive, looking for how the horse was responding, not just overall but with each step or each time asked - was he trying with effort, or just going through the motions with his mind elsewhere?

I began to see these 4 elements as a stairway of progress, started on the ground and leading to and carried on in riding, and I saw an improved attitude in the horse I was playing with; Polly got interested in the task and forgot the grass. From being disinterested and looking elsewhere, or eating,  I got two eyes and two ears; this was feeling like rapport and respect, and the result was she put more effort and thought into her movements, which foot she moved and where she placed it; the whole thing then becomes how little can you do to convey to the horse what you are asking, and she was looking for the solution, we were communicating and both enjoying it.

Some of the challenges included sitting on barrels and backing the horse up between two cones on the 22' line; and getting 2 circles at trot in both directions with a change of direction in between. We gave ourselves marks out of ten, not looking for perfection but aiming to improve by a couple of marks.

At the end of the day, asking ourselves did we have rapport, did we have respect, did we have improved impulsion and could we then think about flexion, the answer was yes. Ready to play with this next day.

On Sunday we looked at preparation for riding and neutral lateral flexion, indirect rein and direct rein. Before getting the horses out we started by sitting on the barrels again, sitting on the end of our sticks to simulate having the horse's neck in front of us and the string of the stick as our rope as in one-rein riding, practising throwing the rope over the horse's head without losing our seat position; then feeling the lateral flexion, as you would ask for a one-rein stop.

Polly couldn't wait to come out of the box today; she was immediately connected and we were able to build on our rapport of the previous day. Playing with her before we got into the day's tasks, she was willing and responsive and interested.

Polly is huge and I always have difficulty organising myself and the rope on her neck to set up the flexion and rein positions. Not easy from the ground with a big horse, and practising the flexions at a walk from her side. Always asking ourselves, is this horse ready to be ridden; because if the flexions and responses aren't there and can't be achieved on the ground, you shouldn't be getting in the saddle because it probably isn't going to get any better. On Saturday there was no way I'd have got on her back but on Sunday I would. Maybe next time...

Our next workshop is going to be 15/16 June, and this time Russell Higgins is coming with Jo; I don't know what is planned and of course he won't be bringing horses, he's just instructing us, but should be interesting, based on what I've seen here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSIcT2UC5U4





Wednesday 24 April 2013

Changing horses: the full story

Yesterday we took Lucie to Monpazier to join the herd and meet the stallion there. It was a quite a day for all of us. I hate seperating the horses and always feel terrible about it, they hate change and so do I. Lucie came with me quite happily, she loaded easily in the trailer and was allowed to move freely, back doors closed, front top open; after all while you could see her little head looking out enjoying the air, ears pricked! So good for travelling to be a positive happy experience. When we arrived the herd there came rushing to the fence to greet the new arrival. We unloaded Lucie and everyone laughed because she is orange with contact with our red clay, compared to the white & grey of the Camargues there.

I was going to take home the 5 yo I had liked on previous visits, if she loaded. With some very expert calm direction from the guy whose trailer outfit it was (Christian Cazor, probably the best horseman I know), she loaded in about 10', amazing for a horse that has barely been out of the field.

Then Lucie was released into the herd, I have some video of that when I have time to process it. She wasn't at all phased by a herd of about 20 horses surrounding her. I'll go & see her next week but she's in good company there.

Back home, I was dropped off with Tayene at the end of the lane so I could get connected with her on the walk home. She was a handful, very stressy, but by about halfway she accepted to walk fairly calmly with me but was very tense and distracted.

Seraphina was waiting. My neighbour had been keeping an eye on her. Fina wasn't too happy that it wasn't Lucie coming back. Tayene didn't think much of Fina. They say horses are racist. I would agree that they know their own sort and it was interesting that when Lucie touched noses and met Tayene, as we did the exchange, there was instant empathy. Fina is very different, her breed and her look must be apparent to other horses too.

In retrospect, I didn't prepare for this meeting as well as I'd prepared when Fina met Lucie for the first time. I released Tayene into the field with Fina, she was becoming very anxious and pushy, so I thought just let them sort it out in the field. Result: Tayene galloping up & down, Fina chasing her (video to come). I had to go in for a pee & a drink & when I came back, they were gone!!!! Tayene had galloped through the opening into the next field, crashing through two lines of electric fencing, pursued by Fina. I saw them briefly then they disappeared into the woods. I grabbed bucket and halters and galloped round myself but no sign, so I got the car out thinking maybe Tayene would head off in the direction of home. Thankfully found them, they'd cornered themselves in wood and brambles down the lane and were happy to be rescued, both tired and sweaty. Walked them home abandoning car & bucket. Spent time grooming and settling them, then manipulated Tayene as it had become obvious she had never been taught to yield to pressure, in fact I was wondering by now what the hell I had done. After a while she softened & when I led them back to the field she accepted being asked to step back or move aside and was mirroring Fina too which was great as I had to take them with me to mend the fence; they stood quietly and respectfully while I did so but had to shut off one field as there was a breach in the electric wire & they knew the weakness at the point.

Eventually I let them off again, but Fina just wouldn't leave Tayene alone to explore & settle; so I stayed with them, moving between Fina & Tayene to interrupt the pattern. Fina can't help it but she fully understood when I asked her to stay apart from Tayene, & she stood respectfully near me. Eventually T started to settle but I had to step in a couple of times. I gave them their small evening feed and some hay & left them eating the hay peacefullyish at dusk, wondering if there was any chance I'd still have two horses there in the morning.

I have, otherwise I wouldn't be here writing this; but there's work to do on young Tayene and I'm thinking OMG what have I done and Fina & I are missing Lucie dreadfully.

Fina & Lucie, before departure

Reception committee for the new arrival, Lucie

Fina and Tayenne shortly before she went through the fence (read the body language... )



Monday 1 April 2013

March update and videos



I was away for a week in the UK and before that it was wetwetwet so am keen to spend some time with the girls.

On Friday, my first day back, I got them out for a fuss and a groom. Lucie was very pleased to see me and immediately gave me her head for a good ear scratch. However I felt Fina was a bit indifferent and when I asked for her feet there was a lot of tension there and she kept snatching them back which I felt might be part of a lack of connection following my absence. The week-end had to be devoted to him indoors and jobs so it was Monday before I had more time for the horses and a chance to set things right with Fina. I played with her on line, asking her to go touch things, trying to set her some little puzzles with objects and she soon got interested. It can be so annoying when they will only think about grass then so rewarding when they get involved with your ideas and give their attention to you. Afterwards, when I took the halter off in the field she didn't rush off but stayed close and was really relaxed and I felt we were back where we wanted to be. I love to see that she follows me with her look when I walk away from her in the videos.

Yesterday the sun was shining again and I managed to set the camera up to video a bit of our messing about in the field and roundpen. With Fina, I am playing with direction and circling game. The circling game develops responsibility in the horse; its responsibility is to maintain gait and direction until you ask for a change. The human's responsibilty is to remain in neutral having given direction and only to correct or encourage if necessary, not to micromanage. With Fina, I am constructing the parts of this and she is asking what it is I want her to do; I'm sending her back, away from me, so I have room to give her direction to send her on the circle. I am using different ways to back her up to see her reactions. I only bring up the stick to put some rythmic pressure in the air behind her if I feel she needs a reason to move her feet. I'm trying not to rush her, let her work it out and offer me something. Once she moves off, I want to leave her alone, until she needs more help to understand what I want her to do. If she is unsure, or comes in or stops, I'll reassure her and set it up again. Trying to build from a few steps in the right direction, to a full circle, which is about where we are. I'll bet tomorrow she'll have cracked it and go two circles without stopping. And so on. Once we have the circles going I can start to make it more interesting, with obstacles, changes of direction and pace, longer lines and moving circles (outside the round pen), control at distance.

Fina isn't looking very happy about it because she doesn't quite know what is wanted, she is very hesitant and looking outward on the circle, but what I like is that she's trying, giving it a go; I have her attention, she's not trying to eat or leave or go to Lucie. I love the way Fina learns and shows an interest in learning and in giving my suggestions her consideration. Lucie would rather not try, if you put her under pressure to do something she looks like you're really making her; even with catching her, if you rush her or reach for her too soon, she's gone; if you let her think it's her idea she's fine so I look for when she's ready and present the halter. She's a very playful horse but feels pressure easily and takes offence. She needs to think it's her idea. Fina is slower to react and doesn't over-react, she thinks before moving her feet in a learning situation. Interestingly, Lucie is much more laid back now Fina is around.

Then I played with Lucie to compare; Lucie understands the circling but doesn't see the point, what's in for her; that's been difficult because of her leg injury, I can't push her & can never be sure if her objections are pain-related, can't rather than won't. She is still trying to block me but there is air between us on the turns. It's a bit untidy, but we do have good communication and understanding. I know I am too intense sometimes and not firm or clear enough other times. Lucie prefers to be close and is not confident at distance; she comes to me readily here because if she's on top of me I can't ask her to do anything.

Afterwards I tacked up and we went for a hack; they needed to get out and were quite jumpy at first, I had a bumpy ride until they settled, especially when a jogger appeared rather suddenly - ropes and horses flying everywhere! I was happy to find that when I checked feet when back, Fina gave them happily and was like putty in my hands, so it was definitely a temporary lack of confidence in me earlier and I felt I had earned it back.

Sending into the roundpen: http://youtu.be/aJE5obcB4WE
Funny bit with Lucie not staying put while I turn off the video (Fina's gone off to eat but Lucie can never resist an open gate) http://youtu.be/fRtXfVNxV8c
Playing with ropes and assessing feel with Fina http://youtu.be/n8bt8F2J60s
Circling game with Fina; first steps: http://youtu.be/hfhic36IXpA
With Lucie, seeing where we're at: circling and stick-to-me http://youtu.be/1SJqVMYbyfI