I have learned so much over my life with horses. ( I started riding at 3 and owned my first horse at 10) It has been 30 years of learning, and yet on so many levels I feel like my journey has just begun.
My ever changing path of learning has lead me to where I am today. And while there are parts of my journey I am not proud of I couldn't be where I am if I hadn't done certain things. I feel you can take something from almost every trainer out there. It could even be that you learn what you do not want to do. If you would have asked me 4 years ago where I got my inspiration from I would and could have made you a list of horse trainers. I wanted the relationship with my horses to look like the relationship they had with horses. Then one day I realized my inspiration shouldn't come from other trainers, but from my horses. If I wanted that relationship I had to work to get it. I had to be inspired by the true teachers, the horses. It was then that I really started to listen to the horses and learn. I am still learning with every new day and new session.
So how have they inspired me?
Pixie: She of course inspires me to slow down and really listen. She inspired me to look beyond my comfort zone and become a better trainer. She has shown me that if you give up trying to control and instead work with them that it all falls into place. Plain and simple this mare has made me who I am.
Jess: He inspired me to change not because I had to with him, but because he showed me what "shut down" looked liked. He inspires me everyday to try and help others so others horses don't end up mentally shut down. Since living with us he has learned he has an opinion and it counts.
Willow: She inspired me to slow down and breath. This mare is anxious and wants to go go go, but if you take the time to listen and show her she doesn't have to she is a dream to work with. She like Jess was mentally shut down and would listen if the pain was great enough to outweigh her own fear. She worked well in a shank bit, but wouldn't listen to anything less. To now see her work without a bit is an inspiration everyday. She no longer has to choice between fear and pain.
Navi: This little mare has inspired me to become softer. She has an opinion and she will make it known. She also has shown me that her heart is there and she will give her all if I do. Navi inspires me to keep doing what I am doing because she came to me a clean slate and it is rewarding to me to see her learn and be happy all at the same time. Through all my trial and errors with her she inspired me to keep going and now we are unstoppable.
Char: She inspires me to help show the world that throw away horses are worth something. At this point I don't plan on ever riding her again, but that doesn't mean she is worthless. She inspires me to never give up. She had no reason to ever trust us, but over time she has come to enjoy our company as much as we enjoy hers.
I do hope that through my actions I can inspire at least one person to try a different path and find inspiration from their horse instead of a trainer.
How have your horses inspired you?
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Pixie was a Rockstar
Yesterday we had the chance to hit the trails with a couple of ladies from the barn. It was our first outing across the street this season. I am loving this warm January weather, but then again what horse person isn't?
I have to give Pixie credit for how well she did considering it was our first ride out in a long time and the fact that one of the other horses became very anxious and and wanted to run home. At one point we were stopped waiting while the other horse was circling. He was very amped up at this point. Mentally checked out to the point where he ran into Pixie and I. All was okay in the end, thank goodness, as I always worry about someone getting hurt when horses get that scared on the trail. At first Pixie started to feed off his anxiety, but with a deep breath from me she came back to me. After that I would click and treat while we stood still. She did an amazing job of staying focused on me and not getting worried. It was a lot for her to handle, but thankfully our training paid off. My deep breath to cue whoa worked, it served its purpose to stop her without rein pressure and to communicate relaxation. Good Pixie!
I have to give Pixie credit for how well she did considering it was our first ride out in a long time and the fact that one of the other horses became very anxious and and wanted to run home. At one point we were stopped waiting while the other horse was circling. He was very amped up at this point. Mentally checked out to the point where he ran into Pixie and I. All was okay in the end, thank goodness, as I always worry about someone getting hurt when horses get that scared on the trail. At first Pixie started to feed off his anxiety, but with a deep breath from me she came back to me. After that I would click and treat while we stood still. She did an amazing job of staying focused on me and not getting worried. It was a lot for her to handle, but thankfully our training paid off. My deep breath to cue whoa worked, it served its purpose to stop her without rein pressure and to communicate relaxation. Good Pixie!
Monday, January 26, 2015
A couple more rides on Navi
Yesterday I had the chance to put another ride on Navi. She stood like a champ at the mounting block so I hoped on. We walked a little and then worked on whoa and flexing. She is still bracing while I am riding so I got off and did some more in hand work. She was super light on the ground, somewhere I am losing the connection between ground and riding work. Have to solve that puzzle. It got to where if I got a good stop I would dismount. We would do something else and then I would remount see if I could get a light stop and then dismount. It was a lot of on off, but it seemed to work in the end. I am still riding bareback so I can easily slid off if needed. I look forward to riding her again today :)
Sunday, January 25, 2015
How and Why I became Softer
First of all I stopped using words like disrespectful, dominant, and instead I started to look for the true meaning behind the behaviors.
I started to dissect every behavior and look at it differently. I paid attention to all the little details and signs the horses where giving me. Basically I started looking at the why.
Why didn't they want to do said behavior? What could be their reasoning behind it. Was it fear, frustration, not understanding, soreness, etc...
Instead of worry about how to get them to NOT do certain behaviors I started to focus on the behavior I wanted them to do.
Horses don't do behaviors without reason. In some way that behavior was rewarded either by you or it could be a self rewarding behavior. Bad behaviors such as bucking or rearing can be self rewarding because it works to get rid of the pressure or pain caused by the rider or tack. (There can be many different reasons) Wanting to rush home is usually rewarded because in the end the ride stopped. There are two ways to stop these behaviors: 1. Make the punishment so severe it outweighs the reward they get by performing the behavior or 2. Make the reward for the correct behavior outweigh the bad behavior. The problem with the first way is that it doesn't address the root cause. By punishing the behavior you aren't asking the question of Why. And without addressing the why you can't ever completely address the issue at hand. And if you don't fix the root cause you truly are not fixing the behavior. You will see the behavior again, it may not be often, but it will happen. However, if you look for the root cause and address that issue then you will be able to make the bad behavior extinct because they won't have a reason to repeat it.
So with all that in mind, I started to change my ways. This was a long process. The funny part is I have known this for many years. When I trained dogs my specialty was aggressive and reactive dogs. When working with dogs that have behavioral issues you always back chain to find the root cause. So why did it take me so long with horses. Well because it went against everything I was taught in the horse world. Most trainers in the horse world don't brother to look at the why they only address the issue at hand. Actually I lied, they will tell you the "why" is because the horse is being disrespectful or dominant.
You don't have to take my word for it, these are my own thoughts and opinions, but if you have even the slightest want to work your horse without pain and pressure start to look at the small details. Start to analyze every part of your relationship with your horse. Start to look at how what You do effects your horse. Try to look at things from your horses point of view. Step back and take a good long look at yourself. Also step back and watch others. Start to watch how they interact with their horses. Watch the horse...sometimes watching others do the same thing you do is the biggest eye opener. Cause yes, it looks and feels the same when you do it. I know I had a real eye opener when I did all of this.
I started to dissect every behavior and look at it differently. I paid attention to all the little details and signs the horses where giving me. Basically I started looking at the why.
Why didn't they want to do said behavior? What could be their reasoning behind it. Was it fear, frustration, not understanding, soreness, etc...
Instead of worry about how to get them to NOT do certain behaviors I started to focus on the behavior I wanted them to do.
Horses don't do behaviors without reason. In some way that behavior was rewarded either by you or it could be a self rewarding behavior. Bad behaviors such as bucking or rearing can be self rewarding because it works to get rid of the pressure or pain caused by the rider or tack. (There can be many different reasons) Wanting to rush home is usually rewarded because in the end the ride stopped. There are two ways to stop these behaviors: 1. Make the punishment so severe it outweighs the reward they get by performing the behavior or 2. Make the reward for the correct behavior outweigh the bad behavior. The problem with the first way is that it doesn't address the root cause. By punishing the behavior you aren't asking the question of Why. And without addressing the why you can't ever completely address the issue at hand. And if you don't fix the root cause you truly are not fixing the behavior. You will see the behavior again, it may not be often, but it will happen. However, if you look for the root cause and address that issue then you will be able to make the bad behavior extinct because they won't have a reason to repeat it.
So with all that in mind, I started to change my ways. This was a long process. The funny part is I have known this for many years. When I trained dogs my specialty was aggressive and reactive dogs. When working with dogs that have behavioral issues you always back chain to find the root cause. So why did it take me so long with horses. Well because it went against everything I was taught in the horse world. Most trainers in the horse world don't brother to look at the why they only address the issue at hand. Actually I lied, they will tell you the "why" is because the horse is being disrespectful or dominant.
You don't have to take my word for it, these are my own thoughts and opinions, but if you have even the slightest want to work your horse without pain and pressure start to look at the small details. Start to analyze every part of your relationship with your horse. Start to look at how what You do effects your horse. Try to look at things from your horses point of view. Step back and take a good long look at yourself. Also step back and watch others. Start to watch how they interact with their horses. Watch the horse...sometimes watching others do the same thing you do is the biggest eye opener. Cause yes, it looks and feels the same when you do it. I know I had a real eye opener when I did all of this.
Great Day with the Horses
We took Willow and Pixie down first. We ended up having to ride inside due to the wind and ice. It was really warm, just not safe footing. That was okay though as we had a chance to ride and talk with another boarder and then we got to play soccer with the girls. It was a fun fun ride! Pixie and I rode in her buckle halter. The only way to know if she is responding to me and not out of fear of pressure is to remove the object that could create the pressure. I wanted to make sure she was just as responsive without her rope halter. She did really well, even with the distractions!
After our ride, I caught Navi. We are working on her position to me while walking. She is doing so well at this. If she gets a head of me I just stop and wait. She is quickly correcting herself back to be aligned with my shoulder. As soon as she gets aligned I click and treat. It has taken us a while, but she is finally learning impulse control. We played in the indoor also and had some amazing mounting block work. She lined right up and stood perfectly still while I mounted and dismounted. I am on vacation this week so I really would like to get some rides on Navi while I have the time off.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
The real reason I ride at liberty
Why do I ride Pixie with just a neck rope or sometimes 100% at liberty. Well because it makes me a better rider. I don't do it to make her better. Sure she comes out of each ride better trained (at least I hope so, lol) , but that isn't my main goal. It challenges me way more than it challenges her. Taking away all head control forces me to ride with my whole body, not just my arms. It makes me figure out ways to communicate to her without pressure. I am forced to think outside the box! It also makes me trust in her. We had a rocky start and it took me a long time to figure out that until I trusted her she wasn't going to trust in me. I had to live in the moment, not the past.
I do liberty to make me better and riding at liberty shows me where my holes are at. It will also show me where she is at mentally. Our rides vary depending on my mood and hers. And if you know Pixie you know she can be quite moody, lol. It is the harder rides though that I get the most out of. I really have to stay soft and focused because if I push to hard she will leave me. She is very clear with how she feels.
Why is riding at liberty making me better not just her, well because unlike most people I didn't wait until she was so mechanically broke that I could ride bridle-less. I did the opposite, lol, I ditched the bridle and halter to make her and I better. (I did wait until we had a solid stop with just a breathing cue. I am crazy, but not stupid, lol) I was then challenged with how to teach her to back, turn, flex and in general listen to me without the rein aids. We spent many rides just working on one thing. Now as time has past we can practice multiple things. Some days we still work on refining a certain cue/behavior, other days we just do whatever.
The other day she seemed to have lost the ability to turn right and left. Backing that day was at 110% though. So we practiced backing, then after a few minutes, and with the help of our new target we got steering back. Her lack of steering came back on me since she was willing to give me other behaviors. She wasn't being defiant or disrespectful to me because once I took a different route we had steering. I had to change how I was asking, and that right there is the reason I ride at liberty because it requires me to work with her as a partner.
I do liberty to make me better and riding at liberty shows me where my holes are at. It will also show me where she is at mentally. Our rides vary depending on my mood and hers. And if you know Pixie you know she can be quite moody, lol. It is the harder rides though that I get the most out of. I really have to stay soft and focused because if I push to hard she will leave me. She is very clear with how she feels.
Why is riding at liberty making me better not just her, well because unlike most people I didn't wait until she was so mechanically broke that I could ride bridle-less. I did the opposite, lol, I ditched the bridle and halter to make her and I better. (I did wait until we had a solid stop with just a breathing cue. I am crazy, but not stupid, lol) I was then challenged with how to teach her to back, turn, flex and in general listen to me without the rein aids. We spent many rides just working on one thing. Now as time has past we can practice multiple things. Some days we still work on refining a certain cue/behavior, other days we just do whatever.
The other day she seemed to have lost the ability to turn right and left. Backing that day was at 110% though. So we practiced backing, then after a few minutes, and with the help of our new target we got steering back. Her lack of steering came back on me since she was willing to give me other behaviors. She wasn't being defiant or disrespectful to me because once I took a different route we had steering. I had to change how I was asking, and that right there is the reason I ride at liberty because it requires me to work with her as a partner.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Target Training
We have had the chance to play with our new target a few times now. And the verdict is...all the horses love it and so do I! I find it is an easy way to get them learn new positions. I have ridden with it twice, one time on Pixie and Willow. I look forward to riding with it more so I can have a new tool once I start consistently putting rides on Navi.
Thursday I was able to do a little target work with Willow. I found it really helped her unlock her shoulders. Moving over her front end has always been a struggle for her and having the target to follow really allowed her relax and move freely :)
Now I am super excited for spring so I will have more daylight hours to get out and play!
Thursday I was able to do a little target work with Willow. I found it really helped her unlock her shoulders. Moving over her front end has always been a struggle for her and having the target to follow really allowed her relax and move freely :)
Now I am super excited for spring so I will have more daylight hours to get out and play!
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Learned Helplessness...Fair warning rant included.
Wait a minute...isn't this is the same as learned helplessness? It is to me.
Great job trainers for teaching others how to take the will out of a horse. Perfect job teaching the horse it won't escape the boredom/anger/frustration/fear so why try.
Unfortunately this isn't the only training idea that teaches learned helplessness. Start paying attention to their other fixes for problems and you will start to see the trend. In all the answers given by these big name trainers the horse has no choice. The horse learns saying no isn't an option. But wait, these NH trainers love horses and want to make the world a better place for them. Uhmm, no, they want to make money off of you and in order to do that they have to give you a quick fix. Also don't be fooled into thinking that all the trainers are different. All NH trainers use the same technique they just call it something different for marketing purposes.
Please excuse the rant here, I am just tired of seeing all the things that we do to horses that people consider ok.
Why would we let a trainer hit our horse with the lead rope because it wasn't moving backwards, sideways, or any direction fast enough?? Why are we letting trainers put marks on our horses with spurs? Why are mouths bloody from bits okay? Many people that claim to love their horses are more than willing to let someone cause their horse pain when training them. Why are we letting trainers chase our horses around with ropes/sticks causing them fear? What are we gaining from allowing this? Pretty moving horses? Horses that fear us, but have learned they can't do anything about it so they submit?
But my horse trainer is different. Awesome! Now go ask him/her what to do when your horse won't yield to you. If the answer involves putting more and more pressure on them until they do what you want then you are lying to yourself if you believe that your trainer is different. Why you ask, well because I can almost certainly say that when push comes to shove your trainer will hit your horse if that is what is required to get the horse to move. A trainer that hasn't been trained in any other method isn't going to have a different answer other than to add more pressure when it doesn't work. I will say some trainers are good enough with their release they don't have to add much pressure. Those trainers are somewhat better in my opinion, but I would still like to see what their response would be when a horse told them "no" I bet it would include upping the pressure to show them who is in charge.
Okay rant over
Officially Bit-less
Well I put my bridles up for sale and they are going to their new homes soon, lol. So that means I am officially without bits :) Off to a great start for 2015! I did keep my leather side pull. I will ride in that or halters.
Pixie and I had a great liberty ride on Saturday. We stayed in the round pen because we were playing with our new target that we bought from Shawna Karrasch's website. I love using this new tool. It allows me to better communicate without pressure and release. It is just long enough to use during riding, but not so long that it gets in the way.
By the end of Saturday all the mares had been introduced to the target stick. All 4 of them caught on! I am so excited to keep playing around with this. Hurry up spring!
Pixie and I had a great liberty ride on Saturday. We stayed in the round pen because we were playing with our new target that we bought from Shawna Karrasch's website. I love using this new tool. It allows me to better communicate without pressure and release. It is just long enough to use during riding, but not so long that it gets in the way.
By the end of Saturday all the mares had been introduced to the target stick. All 4 of them caught on! I am so excited to keep playing around with this. Hurry up spring!
Saturday, January 10, 2015
My 2015 Commitment
For the last 4 1/2 years I have been working to find better ways to train with the horses. And 4 years ago I made a commitment to go bitless with Pixie. The only problem was that when push came to shove I went back to traditional ways and went back to the bit. In the last 4 years I have gone back and forth many times combining pressure and release methods with clicker training. However over time I learned it doesn't work well when you combine methods so my 2015 goal is 100 % commitment to force free, pressure free training.
What does this mean to me...Well it means I better put my bridle and bits up for sale this week! I can't ask other people to be open minded if I am not 100% committed myself. This isn't to say I haven't been committed, it is just that I haven't let go of all my old ways. Most people will say but you have let go of your old ways, but the truth is that I haven't. If I had I would have gotten rid of my bits by now.
So why haven't I given up my bits since I don't use them? The only answer I can come up with is that I think I might need them again. Why? Well that is what I must ask myself. And the answer I have found isn't an easy one. It is because my way of training is isolating in a lot of ways. I have to defend my ways all the time. (Which is why I try not to make people feel their way of training isn't right, unless it is out right abusive.) I feel pressure that if my horses act up that people are going to blame my way of training. I know the truth, but it can be hard to deal with. But the time has come for me to step up and just deal with it :)
Many times while I have been working with Pixie I have been asked the question of "how did you teach that?". And most times I will respond with something along the line of targeting, shaping, or clicker training. I don't usually go into much detail because usually the people asking (who I consider amazing people and I really enjoy hanging outwith) do not train the same way as I do. That is not to say their way is wrong. I just can't show them how I taught the behavior since it wouldn't be the same way they would teach it. I do know how to teach most things with pressure and release, but there are so many things I have taught Pixie through CT alone I wouldn't know how to teach it any other way. My expertise is in Positive Reinforcement, and I can show someone how to teach almost any behavior in that way. However, as with any training method, the basics must be learned first. One simply can not pick and chose which parts of clicker training to use.
Now anyone that wants to learn from the beginning I am more than happy to work with to show them what they can accomplish!
I look forward to seeing how I grow in 2015, and in turn how that helps my horses grow individually and us together as partners. :)
What does this mean to me...Well it means I better put my bridle and bits up for sale this week! I can't ask other people to be open minded if I am not 100% committed myself. This isn't to say I haven't been committed, it is just that I haven't let go of all my old ways. Most people will say but you have let go of your old ways, but the truth is that I haven't. If I had I would have gotten rid of my bits by now.
So why haven't I given up my bits since I don't use them? The only answer I can come up with is that I think I might need them again. Why? Well that is what I must ask myself. And the answer I have found isn't an easy one. It is because my way of training is isolating in a lot of ways. I have to defend my ways all the time. (Which is why I try not to make people feel their way of training isn't right, unless it is out right abusive.) I feel pressure that if my horses act up that people are going to blame my way of training. I know the truth, but it can be hard to deal with. But the time has come for me to step up and just deal with it :)
Many times while I have been working with Pixie I have been asked the question of "how did you teach that?". And most times I will respond with something along the line of targeting, shaping, or clicker training. I don't usually go into much detail because usually the people asking (who I consider amazing people and I really enjoy hanging outwith) do not train the same way as I do. That is not to say their way is wrong. I just can't show them how I taught the behavior since it wouldn't be the same way they would teach it. I do know how to teach most things with pressure and release, but there are so many things I have taught Pixie through CT alone I wouldn't know how to teach it any other way. My expertise is in Positive Reinforcement, and I can show someone how to teach almost any behavior in that way. However, as with any training method, the basics must be learned first. One simply can not pick and chose which parts of clicker training to use.
Now anyone that wants to learn from the beginning I am more than happy to work with to show them what they can accomplish!
I look forward to seeing how I grow in 2015, and in turn how that helps my horses grow individually and us together as partners. :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Be Honest with Yourself!
Over the last few years I have done everything I know how to become a better person and trainer to my horses. I am obviously no expect or professional. However, I have learned a thing or two along the way. And one of the biggest things I have learned is how important it is to pay attention to what your horse thinks about your time together and training.
So how does one find out if their horse is truly with them and enjoying the time together. Well I might suggest taking off all equipment. Go to an open area like an arena, not round pen, and let them go. Let them do what they want, they may stay or go explore,but then ask something of them. Give them cues and use the same amount of pressure you would use if they were on line. See what your outcome is. If they leave it tells you they don't enjoy what you are doing. Be honest with yourself if you have to make them stay with you by making leaving unpleasant you aren't making them like you or your actions any more. All you are doing is making them choose the lesser of two evils. Please don't kid yourself and say "but they are making the choice to be with me". No, they are not. They are making to choice to avoid something more unpleasant. Frankly, I would chose to stand next to someone I hated if my other option was being chased around. However, just because I made that choice doesn't mean I like that person now, it just means I do what I have to in order to stop running!
Start looking for little signs too. How does he/she do in everyday situations with you. Are they just tolerating it or are they enjoying their time with you. Does your horse offer you behaviors or are they scared to try new things. After you start paying attention to them pay attention to how you address the behaviors. Are you teaching your horse learned helplessness? Where they just give up? Ask yourself and be HONEST with your answer. What choice are you giving your horse? Are you using the method of making the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard? I do believe you should make the right thing easy, I don't believe you should make an underlining threat too.
Are you going to find the answer you like? I don't know. I haven't always gotten the answer I was looking for, but it was the hard answers that made me face the truth! I know some people are NOT concerned with how their horse feels about the situation and that is their choice. But others do love their horses and want what is best for them they just don't know any better.
Am I perfect? No, I am far from. Are my horses perfect? Nope! But do I try to listen to them as much as I can? You bet I do. My goal for 2015 is to be a better listener to Pixie while under saddle. She has started rushing home while on rides and I want to get to the bottom of why! Actually I know why, it is because she is not enjoying being out. It is that that I have to figure out. Is it because I am asking to much of her physically or something else???
So how does one find out if their horse is truly with them and enjoying the time together. Well I might suggest taking off all equipment. Go to an open area like an arena, not round pen, and let them go. Let them do what they want, they may stay or go explore,but then ask something of them. Give them cues and use the same amount of pressure you would use if they were on line. See what your outcome is. If they leave it tells you they don't enjoy what you are doing. Be honest with yourself if you have to make them stay with you by making leaving unpleasant you aren't making them like you or your actions any more. All you are doing is making them choose the lesser of two evils. Please don't kid yourself and say "but they are making the choice to be with me". No, they are not. They are making to choice to avoid something more unpleasant. Frankly, I would chose to stand next to someone I hated if my other option was being chased around. However, just because I made that choice doesn't mean I like that person now, it just means I do what I have to in order to stop running!
Start looking for little signs too. How does he/she do in everyday situations with you. Are they just tolerating it or are they enjoying their time with you. Does your horse offer you behaviors or are they scared to try new things. After you start paying attention to them pay attention to how you address the behaviors. Are you teaching your horse learned helplessness? Where they just give up? Ask yourself and be HONEST with your answer. What choice are you giving your horse? Are you using the method of making the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard? I do believe you should make the right thing easy, I don't believe you should make an underlining threat too.
Are you going to find the answer you like? I don't know. I haven't always gotten the answer I was looking for, but it was the hard answers that made me face the truth! I know some people are NOT concerned with how their horse feels about the situation and that is their choice. But others do love their horses and want what is best for them they just don't know any better.
Am I perfect? No, I am far from. Are my horses perfect? Nope! But do I try to listen to them as much as I can? You bet I do. My goal for 2015 is to be a better listener to Pixie while under saddle. She has started rushing home while on rides and I want to get to the bottom of why! Actually I know why, it is because she is not enjoying being out. It is that that I have to figure out. Is it because I am asking to much of her physically or something else???
For a Brief Second...
With winter here and my time being limited at the barn I had a thought go through my head. Maybe I should consider sending Navi off to be trained under saddle this next year. After it crossed my mind it quickly left and then I thought "how could you even think that". All of a sudden I had guilt for not being more consistent with her, but then it dawned on me that we have plenty of time. Then I got to play with her and her behavior reassured me that I was making the right choice by taking things slow. See no matter how hard you try to leave old the old ways behind sometimes they creep back in without you realizing it. Besides I don't even have anyone to send her too. There isn't anyone in my area I would trust to train her. Now if I lived closer to one of the amazing Clicker Trainers that I follow, I would send her in a heart beat, because I would love love love to take some lessons with them. Maybe some day I will come into a lot of money and get to travel to some clinics across the country :) Until then Navi and I will work together to get her ready for trail riding. It may take us two years, but we will get there.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
My Growth
Many times I have talked about how the horses have progressed and what they have taught me in the process. I think it is about time I talk about how I have changed. I started out as a very traditional trainer. When I was 16 it was all about dominance over the horse. They do what you want and when you want it! All bad behaviors where punished in some way. Then I grew up and got Pixie. And well we all know where Pixie and I started from and how she changed me. But did she change me completely...the answer is no. As much as I would like to say she did, I found it so easy to fall back into old habits. Maybe not with her, but with other horses that would tolerate it. I never beat them, but I also didn't look for a different way at the time. I was that crossover trainer that hadn't yet committed. I didn't want to use force and pressure, but yet I hadn't given up bits, whips, or spurs yet. It wasn't until 2014 when I decided absolutely no more bits, sticks/strings or spurs to get what I wanted. I have Navi to thank for that. She showed me that no matter how nice you think you are being when using Negative Reinforcement you are still not being nice. You are still using threats to get what you want. It has been a long road for me, one that isn't at the end yet. I am still trying to better myself. Heck it is 2015 now and you will still find headstalls with bits hanging next to my saddles. Why if I don't want to use them?? Well that is a good question and one I can't answer. Maybe that will be my 2015 goal...get rid of my bits.
Taking off the Leadrope...
Yesterday was a big day for Navi and I. We had our first free lunge session in the indoor arena. And she nailed it!! She left a few times to go check out the barrels or when my other half came inside. But she came back after a couple of minutes and was ready to play again. She went both directions on cue and stayed a perfect distance away from me while she circled around. Her stops where fantastic too! Of course we just stuck with walk/trot because I feel canter is too much right now. After moving a bit my partner got out the ball and played with her for a while.
I think I have finally managed to get across to Navi that regardless of what she chooses she will not be in trouble. I will not up the pressure to get what I want. I had to undo what I did. I made her who she was/is. Having her to start from the ground up has taught me so much. Mainly because I have to take responsibility for all her behaviors, good and bad. She came to me at 1 1/2 so her attitude towards training directly reflects on me, and me alone.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Enjoying the Beauty of Winter
I went out on a ride yesterday with some ladies from the barn. We wanted to enjoy this beautiful winter day and it was the perfect day to get out and see the ranch covered in fresh snow.
Riding in winter brings certain challenges, but the view is breathtaking. This was the first ride out in the hay fields for Pixie and I since I left in November. She wasn't perfect, but it went well overall :) One of my 2015 goals with Pixie is to better our communication when riding out on the trails. I have to use more pressure and release than I would like. All my fault and I will find a way to fix it.
Before the ride we had an amazing liberty session. I was able to ask her to target my hand and side step towards the mounting block! Success!
Navi and I had a wonderful training session also. I haven't worked with her for 5 weeks now! I wasn't sure what our session would bring after that much time off. However, she surprised me and was the best she has ever been. Maybe a little vacation was just what she needed! She was light, responsive, and tried her heart out! I think maybe she is growing up a little, lol. We kept it short. Just reviewed what she already knows. We did finish with the mounting block where she lined right up and I got on and off a few times. :) I can't believe it has been two years since we bought her at the auction.
What a great start to 2015!
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| The first ride of 2015 |
Before the ride we had an amazing liberty session. I was able to ask her to target my hand and side step towards the mounting block! Success!
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| Playing in the fresh snow in the outdoor arena |
What a great start to 2015!
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