WORKSHOP REVIEW:
We hosted our first Horsemanship for the Hoof Up! Workshop today at Lucky Star
Horsemanship. Cearra got to show off her skills (and kept people honest) in the
Round Pen. Being new to this style of horsemanship and training she is a good
example of what can be accomplished with consistency, love and positive energy
in a relatively short time! She worked with several different folks before she
had to be “swapped out” for a more experienced horse (Ronan) who also kept
people honest and on track with their performance of the exercises. Both Cearra
and Ronan were fine examples of good training and willing hearts.
We covered LOTS of material today! Here is a partial list:
• Horse
Phycology (Lecture)
• Catching
the Horse
• Safety,
Handling, Grooming, Leading
• Introduction
to Desensitizing
• Body Language,
Body Position
• Round Pen –
Direction, Impulsion, Corrections, Two Eyes
• Lateral
Flexion (Lead Line)
• Yield
Hindquarters (Lead Line)
• First Rider
Evaluation – Round Pen (Under Saddle)
• Hand, Seat,
Body & Leg Cue Introduction (Under Saddle)
We had a really nice mix of individuals who had a wide range
of experiences. The participants had some solid wins and some “learning
moments” where they learned about themselves and the things they need to
improve on. Just having that second pair of eyes to coach you through the
process can teach you SO much!
For the under saddle portion of the workshop we split into
two groups. The “novice” group continued to work on body, seat, leg and rein
cues and getting forward motion with their horses. Personal breathing and
relaxation was also a focus. We even helped a person who had some real fear
issues to chip away at them and regain some confidence! The “experienced” group
worked on the “quiet conversation” while riding over terrain and obstacles
along with improving their understanding of body control. Cearra worked with
the “experienced” group and did very well.
It was a little over four hours long (well, closer to five)
because folks were having such a good time. There really is a time distortion
that happens when humans get around horses! Tomorrow is a Golden State
Horsemanship Practice. Should be another fun day! (NOTE: We failed to get pictures of Cearra under saddle at this workshop. She and her new friend Tammy did great together!)
Hanging ou before the Workshop
Getting ready to be saddled up.
Round Pen
Getting the Loving!
More round pen
Teaching lateral flexion and softness.
PRACTICE REVIEW:
What a FUN day! We had some new folks join in the fun at the Golden State
Horsemanship practice. The focus was on “Improving Body Control.” Participants
started in the Round Pen to work on Position, Timing and Communication. This
aspect of horsemanship gets skipped WAY TOO MUCH in our opinion. Humans really
struggle with their round pen skills and confuse their horses more often than
not. The upside is that the solution for improvement is simple: Slow Down.
Breath. Check Your Position/Intent/Focus. Keep Practicing. If the human just
practices their round pen skills 2-3 times a week for 15 minutes or so they can
improve MANY aspects of their horsemanship.
Once the participants achieved some wins in the Round Pen we
moved to Groundwork. We got control of the head/ neck, the ribs, the forequarters
and the hindquarters. We worked on C.P.R. (Clarity, Patience, Release), We got
softness in the backing exercises and we crafted “sentences” by stringing five
exercises together in the Ground School Circle. Not easy for folks to pull off!
Still we had some wins achieved and moved on to the Under Saddle part of the
day.
After a short break we saddled up. We worked on getting a
soft back up, control of the hind end, control of the front end, rein
management, seat/leg/body cues and balance. We worked on transitions, bending and
communication. Then we headed off on the trail! The terrain is challenging and
fun as it allows the horseperson to work on body control (the horse’s and the
human’s) and balance in the saddle and NOT on the horse’s mouth. The obstacles
had a variety of difficulty and challenge as well. Folks were pretty tired and
pretty full of knowledge
at the end of the practice. The smiles said it all.
Round pen
Ground work
Ground work
Backing. She flexes like that.
Trail work
Trail work
Trail work
Impressions of Cearra’s Weekend: Cearra worked with FIVE (5)
different humans during the weekend. She really did give it her best and really
kept folks honest. The human could not be “incorrect” in their communication or
she just quietly ignored them. She also learned to stand still and relax with
someone on her back (in her “before world” everything was go-go-GO!) which was
a major win for her development. Under saddle she partnered with two very
different riders: A intermediate rider who is just getting back into
horsemanship and dealing with some minor confidence issues and a a young lady
who had some experience but also some confidence issues. They did GREAT
together and looks good too! Once the Human’s truly listened to Cearra in how
she needs to be communicated with (soft hands, more seat/body/leg and less
rein, C.P.R) she gave then Human 100% and enjoyed the interaction. Through it
all she acted as expected and acted like a Young Lady. We could not be more
proud of her.
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