More With Less Sessions:
This is the “theme” for this next series of sessions, Up to this point we have
been using our “public conversation” and “outside” voice in training. This
means that the body language and cues have been fairly pronounced on the ground
and under saddle. Now we are transitioning into a more “private conversation”
method of communication. Why? Pretty simple really. The GOAL is to have Flames
Remedy REALLY focused and locked on to her humans. We want to really looking
for the release and the right answer. This is going to improve her willingness
to perform now that she understands the fundamental concepts and has begun to
perform them with some alacrity and athletic ability. In the weeks ahead we
will be traveling to various locations for practices and events and she will
even be part of a Body Language Workshop!
As always we begin to learn new skills in the round pen.
Once a direction was established at the gait desired we wanted to establish a
change in direction. Usually this involves a big lateral step in front of the
drive line, a big pointing up high gesture and a quick step towards the
neck/shoulder area to encourage a sort of rollback motion. We would swing our
stick/string as needed too. Now we want to quiet all that down. A smaller
lateral step and a shifting backward of the shoulder/hip is used to get the
horse’s attention and begin a change of direction. The point up high with
energy is the big cue right now, combined with a short step forward with ah “push”
of the shoulder to encourage the rollback type motion. The stick/string are
only used if motion does not happen. You can really see the gears turning as
Flames Remedy searches for the right answer and release. Lots of rubbing and
resting for the release too. We want to hep her understand that she got it
right.
Under saddle we work on making the seat cues clear without
big motion. Shifting the legs, the butt cheek and the shoulders combined with a
soft “pre-signal” is the goal. This mare gets this pretty well! Keeping the
hands “in a box” and using the reins for refinement (not pulling or dragging)
is the goal. Again, really big releases and rubs are the reward.
We introduced the concept of a rollback, side pass along the
fence and yielding the HQ along the fence. We introduced some “shoulder in/
shoulder out” maneuvers too. These have not really been a big part of Flames
Remedy’s reality before. They are now and the change in her body and mind is
pretty cool. Each session will be 50% refinement and 50% something new from
this point forward. Exciting times for our girl!
Beginning to bend in the ribcage.
Better bend.
Nice, relaxed horse!
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