Soft and Sound

04/09/2024

Not Good Enough vs Not Practiced Enough.

I have been having a conversation recently with a friend about the Not Good Enough Demons. I know them well, you may too. They’re squitterly little critters who lie in wait to grab by you the ankles as you go to get your saddle, or consider what happened in the last ride, or lie awake at 2am staring at the ceiling (some of them are ceiling dwellers).

What they can do if you’re not careful is jump in your way and stop you in your tracks. They can slide in front of your feet and make you about turn and not do that thing you really want to do.

What I have learned, along with being able to reverse a trailer, poultice a foot single handed in the middle of a storm, and other life skills, is that the antidote to the Not Good Enough demons is the Purposeful Practice Gerbil.

The Purposeful Practice Gerbil is happy to sit on your shoulder and squeak encouragement. Now, I understand that gerbils might not be your favourite animal (they’re certainly not mine) but they’re tenacious, seemingly indestructible, hang on for grim death and are the favourite creature of one of my most cheerleading friends.

Because the way to squish a Not Good Enough Demon is to practice. And that practice most have purpose. Otherwise, we can practice the same thing over and over and not actually improve. That’s why when someone tells me they have 35 years experience with horses it doesn’t mean much in itself.

The Purposeful Practice Gerbil suggests you do a number of things. First you look specifically at something you want to improve. Then you consider some ways you might improve that. Then you try those things out, usually a number of times, then you evaluate the difference that’s being made.

Say you want to improve your rising trot. First of all you need to consider specifically ‘what’ it is about it that you want to improve. Can you watch some videos of yourself to assess what’s working and what’s not? Can you watch other people whose rising trot you admire and look at the elements they have which you desire in yourself? Do you think this is something which can be best practiced on or off the horse?

Then choose something to experiment with (something you can say for the internet is that you won’t be short on ideas) and then try that thing out for a sustained period. And along the way keep evaluating whether this is making things better or worse. And you do need to have criteria for better or worse too. Have you got those?

A Not Good Enough Demon will happily lie on the sofa with you as you watch Netflix and don’t ride your horse. They’re more than happy to scuttle alongside you as you think maybe I really am too busy/tired/confused/ohhhIreallymustjustdothatdusting instead of riding your horse. They are excellent companions of the Wombats of Procrastination.

That’s the time to pull the Purposeful Practice Gerbil out of your pocket (they’ll probably be hanging on to the end of your finger) and ask them to support you in practicing better leading; because you know dragging your horse by your head feels like crap to you both and you have some ideas of how to improve the situation. Or, you’d really like to see if you can time up with your horses feet, so you’re going to spend 30 minutes practicing that (and then see if you can do it with your eyes closed, Gerbils on your shoulder suggest).

Then you may realise there is no such thing as not good enough, there is just not practiced enough and they’re two entirely different beasts.

Nb I know this pic is a hamster not a gerbil, but it seems no one as yet has come up with a super hero gerbil. Feel free to share your drawings if you desire.

03/09/2024

It’s really easy to just get used to seeing horses ridden with their noses behind their poll, and forget the damage it’s actually doing.

This is such a lovely example of why a horse feels better when they move with their nose in the direction of their future.

Thanks Rosie Bensley for this fabulous example.

02/09/2024

Phone isn't working, so messenger only for contact at the moment!

30/08/2024

Over the years this page has been the diary of Des. Or, at least it used to be. He is the Lusitano who won my heart and ruined my bank balance. And more often than not any semblance of mental equilibrium.

However, he hasn’t featured here for a long time as on and off he’s been so poorly. He had an absolutely brilliant clinic with Sylvia Stossel last November but then once again began the cycle of colicking which had dogged him in recent spring and summers.

He was diagnosed with IBD and we set about trying to manage the grassland very differently, he inspired it - but everyone has benefited. It’s been a lot of work but I have loved watching my horses health improve and the influx of wildlife as the soil also recovered.

About three months ago Des consistently started to feel and look better. I tentatively started hacking again and he appeared happy and healthy. Once a week we go in the school and just ‘see’.

Yesterday I took him to a xc schooling clinic.

The thing which has caused him a lot of digestive stress historically is travelling. And, some early experiences with ‘Des at fun rides’ means I’ve avoided events with lots of other horses charging about. Plus, he and I don’t really jump as his avante garde style doesn’t match my utter lack of competence. I’ve always lent on Fuego for jumping prowess as he can fill in for both of us.

But there was a chance to take a horse to a xc training session with someone I really trust - Tina Fitzgibbon. I had planned to take my youngest horse but looking sideways at Des’s current levels of well-being I thought we’d just see. I knew Tina would support my decisions with him based on how he seemed..

I only planned to lead him about, maybe lunge over a few jumps. However, he was so calm and happy that I got on and we jumped stuff! I mean small stuff, but jumps none the less. And we both enjoyed it greatly

And as other big boy horses charged past at speed , Des ambled along on long reins and could proudly be presented with the title ‘Captain Sensible’. A merit he has not previously been awarded and one I never thought he’d pin on his lapel.

The reason I created the Art of Hacking was because of all the things this horse showed me I didn’t know. A whirling, anxious, herd bound hurricane, who made me go right back to scratch to work out where the hell I’d missed so many things.

Yesterday this surprise outing showed me that not only is he physically feeling better, but that all those hours of input have actually meant something to him. Other horses can gallop past him flat out and I don’t even have to pick up the reins. The fact that we also jumped small logs and didn’t embarrass ourselves are just the proverbial on the top,

Thanks to Tina for always providing such a great learning environment and thanks to Des for always being himself.

Grainy photo shows delighted wander back to the trainer.

28/08/2024

Would you like to try out the Soft & Sound membership for £15?

----------------------------------------------

Throughout August you can get your first months membership for only £15 (standard price £25).

The membership is place for people who care about their horses and want to do their very best by them - without being judged or criticised.

Like most memberships you get access to hundreds of videos, members only podcasts and regular Q & A's. The information is clear and accessible and just as suitable for someone with a young or green horse, as it is to someone wondering how to develop collection or flying changes.

There are videos and webinars diving into anatomy and physiology, and what we as horse owners need to know to make best judgements on behalf of our horses. I draw on my background in body work and movement based therapy, combined with the beauty of French classical schooling.

Guest speakers share their incredible insights on a huge range of topics including bit and bridle fit, foot care, ethology, backing a young horse, and the energetic and emotional aspects of being with horses.

We look at how your horse learns, and what they need to understand to exist harmoniously in the human world. Or more importantly. how we explain those things in a logical and horse friendly way.

But the thing which is most central to the Soft and Sound membership is the community. The people who have come together to create a safe and welcoming place to ask, ponder, discuss, celebrate and share - it is people and horses who really make the Soft & Sound membership what it is.

I hope you all join us - link in comments

23/08/2024

Here is a story of a horse who has been a medical mystery – with a lameness which has been enough to make you suck your teeth. Yet in recent times his owner and I have been seeing incredible and dramatic change just via the medium of movement. While this may be an unusual case, I suspect it’s not an isolated one. I am grateful to Kay and Shez for allowing me to share their story.

This is what Kay has to say about Shez, her 16 year old Arab and ex endurance horse.

‘This started many years ago with a right hind lameness when trotting uphill. Shez had a small tear in his mania flexoria, which was then repaired. However, there was no change to the lameness after recovery period. He then had bilateral neurectomies due to suspensory desmitis - suspected to be causing the lameness. His hocks were also injected, and the entire book of veterinary investigation thrown at him, including spine x rays etc. There was no major improvement and he continued to look extremely lame when trotting uphill or on the right rein (especially on a circle).

We explored all manner of physio exercises, but there was still no change. We tried remedial shoeing with lateral extensions to support the hocks for quite a long period of time. Again, this didn’t make any difference. ‘

There were some things Kay noticed which provided valuable information - he was sound in trot over poles and transitions walk to trot really helped. Various professionals suggested this was a mechanical (or neurological?) timing issues with his hind legs – so with this knowledge we tried a new approach.

I should say that throughout all of this, Shez has remained upbeat and happy about life. His attitude and also his relationship with Kay have significantly helped with his recovery.

Over the past few months, with this ‘possibility’ that this is a timing or lack of info from brain to hind limb issue, we have developed a lateral programme to see if this could change things. This was also a last chance saloon kind of a situation as everyone everywhere had seen this horse. Therefore, there was nothing to lose in terms of trying some gentle in-hand lateral work.

As this seemed to be at least ‘not making things worse’ we progressed to the same programme under saddle. In teaching Shez a range of lateral movements we were able to increase diagonalisation in his movement, and also cause him to pay more attention to what his legs were doing. Transitions between Shoulder-In and Travers changes the weight from one diagonal pair to another. Developing the Half pass is a gymnastic for both his brain and body.

Then up into trot – while he’s sound, let him trot, if any sign of lameness reappears we come back to a lateral movement. In the last two lessons there has been no sign at all of the lameness (shhhhhhh……)

Kay doesn’t have a school so between our monthly lessons she is exploring these things in the field and out hacking. Kay has not ridden Renvers or Travers before, so she is also having to work these things out. She is very committed, in a very light hearted way. The perfect combination.

It will be very interesting to see where this all heads as we start to utilise the collecting capability of combined lateral movements. Whether Shez ever manages to Piaffe is not the point – he may, he may not. But what we can do is use the knowledge of what it takes to get there to help this horse get sounder and stronger as he gets older. And that is what makes my job worthwhile

15/08/2024

A hard truth but a truth nonetheless

Wednesday Wisdom from Tom ❤️🐴

14/08/2024

Absolutely beautiful and very educational video about the flexions created by my friend and colleague Becky Holden.

14/08/2024

One of the greatest gifts we can give back to a horse is to move with purpose.

They are born movement ready, primed to prance and dance their long legged foaly way across the earth, keeping up with their mothers and herd. They learn about themselves through movement. Movement in relation to others, the land, the weather. Where they want to go with their mind - their body will follow. They are totally united; brain and body aligned. Harmony is inbuilt, because they get to do as they wish. If they're scared they can run, if they're tired they can sleep. If they wish to play they can find a willing partner. Or be told to go somewhere else....

The challenge for the domesticated horse is that the purpose of movement becomes a lot less clear. The are many fewer reasons for 'why' a horse would leave their friends in the field and come in. Why would they get in a trailer? Why would they trot a 20 meter circle? What possible reason could there be for them doing a dressage test? When you consider it from the horse's perspective you realise it's miraculous that they do any of these things - the 'why' for a horse is really elusive.

The challenge for us is that the 'why’ then all has to come from us. The whole darn shebang is down to you.

Am I really clear why my horse would lead with me in that way? Am I confident that my horse is going to feel brilliant doing that canter strike off - so sure of this that I can translate that to my horse? I have to give my horse the purpose of movement. And one of the reasons so many horses shut up shop and lose that joy of movement is that we don't provide enough inspiration. They have no idea 'why'...

One of the things I love the most about exploring the world with horses is that we can find a why together. It makes so much more sense to a horse to move forwards with ease when you're both headed 'over there'. It's obvious you need to stop because there is a wall. Or move your quarters over because there is a gate. You can become one mind, one body in a. way which can be less easy to find in the blank canvas of the arena.

This weekend I had a partnership stay who have really struggled in the arena. It often becomes a battle, with both parties bracing up against each other and the joy gradually (or not so gradually) fizzling away....

Two days out on the moor and they found each other again - rediscovering a shared love of movement. They freed up and went; clearly sharing a 'why'. This brought them into a united state of mind and movement which was tangible to see. They crackled with happiness. Explaining things like moving your shoulders, or rein back, which had seemed so pointless to this horse in the arena - all made sense.

Then, we can bring this good feeling back into the arena. And if it disappears can ask ourselves why? And what could I do to bring the why - and the joy- to movement everywhere. It's actually the thing which we can most easily share with horses, and which has kept us together over many thousands of years.

13/08/2024

The final post in my recent series on the Flexions. I honestly don't know what I would do without being able to draw on this incredible means to communicate with a horse.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1youmk3APNdhULSw/

12/08/2024

A huge thank you to Shona McLauchlan Equine for this brilliant and insightful write up of our time together this weekend,
Shona is so dedicated to doing the best by her horses and going at the spied which suits them,

An excellent example in the competition world

Super proud of this cutie yesterday venturing out for our first clinic post ulcers 🤩

I feel that with Pecan we had a life pre ulcers and now a very different emotional life post ulcers.

The more we move forward the more I realise how sensitive he is and how easily he can switch to that slightly quiet shut down mode where if you didn’t really know him him you’d think he’s fine and wonder why I’m making such a fuss.

But the signs are there in his body language and how he feels under the saddle.

We ventured to a venue he’s been to for Osteo treatments but never been ridden with the fabulous so it was a great next step.

There was plenty to look at with the previous horse going in a stable next to the arena and a huge bank of mirrors (this place is the arena of dreams!)

To help him find his confidence I stayed in the ground working through our groundwork patterns which he instantly relaxed into. Kate got me watching his face more than his body so my reaction to him finding that release and relaxation was quicker, working on “they’ll notice when you notice”

We had another horse come into the stables which was great to have the opportunity to show him how to handle his body when he started to find it too much, bringing his mind back to his body,

Then when I got on we went through the same process using every opportunity he started to mentally drift from me to do something to encourage his body to move in a way that brings him back to me.

It’s a steady process and one we can continue to build on in future outings.

It’s great starting to get out and about with him and he was a star, traveling really well and not too many 💩🙌🏻 always a direct indication of his stress levels.

I was very aware it’s Bicton Regionals this weekend and it’s really tough not being there giving it our best. We’ll get back there and his confidence and happiness is key as without that he’ll never perform well and come away without getting stressed or worrying about the pressure. I want him to be happy with what I’m asking of him.

He’s certainly teaching me a whole new level of understanding these gracious animals 🩵

11/08/2024

Part 2 of the series on the flexions. I hope some of you find this useful - your horse might

09/08/2024

I don't currently have a horse to take along to ride with Sylvia, but I can help out a little by using my words.

I will be writing some posts again for Philippe Karl's School of Légèreté. Here's one.

09/08/2024

As part of an attempt to look after my horses better, I’ve been trying to look after the land better.

This means not overgrazing, and trying to ensure the grass sward (and root system) don’t keep getting damaged by being cropped too short. It’s not been easy.

This was borne out of a desperate desire to help my Lusitano’s digestion - he was very very poorly. And this was clearly being triggered by eating short, stressed grass. My youngest horse was also really footy, and my PRE had serious metabolic issues.

Over the last two years, as a result of a lot of hard work and studying what’s working and what’s not, the situation has gradually been improving. They now eat long, old, mixed species grass and I try not to let them back onto recently grazed grass. It’s not perfect, I’m still learning and making mistakes, but we’re getting there.

The land is happier, the horses are much healthier, and the place is welcoming other wildlife,

I’ve been doing this in conjunction with my vet who has helped me work things out. It’s not been easy - two years in we’re still working this out. But I love to see the swathes of long, mixed, healthy grass, buzzing with insects and alive with birds, rather than bald fields of nothing.

I also love to see Des (the Lusitano) healthy and happy. And my youngster rock crunching...

Are you finding other ways to manage the land which isn’t just eating it down to billiard tables? I’d love to know what and how you’re doing it.

05/08/2024

Thank you to everyone who has been commenting and supporting recent posts. It is clear there is a growing body of people who love to ride and be with horses but wish to do this in a way that respects the nature and body of the horse. And in order to do this we need to understand what ethical; horse friendly training looks like.

Because, if we want to ride or even lead a horse it does require technical knowledge - as well as good intentions. If we want to sit on a horse this does mean we need to understand the impact we may have on their body, and how to mitigate this. It is a balance of both feel, insight, skill and physical and emotional awareness. This is why we find it both fascinating and challenging, interesting and demanding.

It's also why I wrote a book. Having seriously studied French classical equitation, good horsemanship and body work for many years I wanted to find a way to share this succinctly with other passionate horse people. It’s called Riding in Release and it seems to have found its way all around the world.

Here are some of the things readers say about it:

‘This is written beautifully in an easy to read, down to earth and engaging fashion.
There is excellent engaging description of the many aspects of the horse and its ( and our) physical and emotional needs and how to best address achieving them whilst doing what we want to do. I would recommend this to anyone at ay stage in their horse owning life.
I have passed copies on to further explain what I too am trying to achieve with my horses.’ Amanda

‘This is a beautifully written book and so readable. Kate takes the reader through the background to the French classical tradition of equitation without jargon and this makes her explanations so understandable. And then Kate guides the reader through the practical application of these theories. Your horse will love you for reading this book’ Elisabeth

‘This book is so well written, I found it a joy to read. I love the way the author fuses classical concept with more modern day horsemanship.... showing that good horsemanship is good horsemanship whatever the century!
Through clear description, the addressing of common problems and beautiful photos from both in the school and out and about in the country where a lot of us ride, this books guides you on how to create a wonderful relationship with your horse. Highly recommended.’ Kath

If you would like a copy you can buy it from all those usual places – or from me! Link in the comments.

03/08/2024

BEHIND THE VERTICAL

What is all the fuss about? For those who don't want to ride to Grand Prix, do we need to care about it?

As you may have noticed there is currently a huge amount of discussion about riding horses BTV. Even non-horsey friends of mine have heard the expression and know that it’s BAD.

Yet, if you scroll through your feed of us everyday riders you will see many horses who look to be ridden at least a little - sometimes a lot - behind the vertical. I am sure no-one is doing this with bad intentions towards their horse. It's just become so ubiquitous, so normalised, that collectively we are a little blind to it.

We have become shut down in the face of 'behind the vertical' because almost every horse in a dressage test (at whatever level) is doing it to some extent. Most sales videos, most horses in most places are ever so slightly (or ever so a lot) having their nose pulled back towards their chest. The reason being that for whatever reason we as a society have decided we like the way it looks. It's not rollkur, so......

And it is easy. I mean, relatively easy. If you want to control a horse then pulling their nose towards their chest is one way of doing that. If you want to stop a horse chucking their head in the air, the same applies. Or from being crooked, or running away, or spooking - the list goes on. An easy fix ( which also makes your horse look a way that we like) is to pull your hands a little backwards and bring his nose in. The fact that it isn't actually a fix doesn't usually become apparent until later down the line, when your horse starts to break down mentally and physically. But that takes a while to reveal itself.

So, I am going to air my dirty laundry in order (I hope) to be useful.

In the first photo you can see Des being ridden considerably behind the vertical. By me. And this isn't a moment in time, this was part of a session in which most moments in time looked this way. He was extremely strong and running away, and I had lost my way somewhat (it was during lockdown) and things had gone south. Thankfully I watched the video this screen shot was taken from and realised I needed to sort my proverbial out and do something differently. In the moment I didn't realise what was truly happening - which is why taking videos and then, with a kind arm around our shoulders, studying them is so helpful.

If you look at the photographs hopefully you can see why riding him this way is so damaging. I am taking away his ability to use his head and neck therefore he is leaning even more on his shoulders to pull himself along. Because I have compressed his wind pipe and parotid gland, he will be resisting this pain and pulling even harder on the reins. Which then results in him tucking behind the bit even more. This is why a horse coming behind the vertical can actually feel lighter. Even though it is really a 'false' lightness. Temporarily we can think ,'Oh that feels better' but it's a mirage...

With his eyes and ears in this position Des cannot balance or see well, so goes even faster as a result. It is damaging the poll joint itself, he is dropping the base of his neck and that is having an impact on his whole spine and his ability to lift this thoracic limbs. I love my horse, I wasn't doing this to hurt him - but I was doing it. You can also see the impact it is having on my riding as I water ski along.

With a bit of help from some excellent teachers and my own 'head in my hands watching this video' tuition, we changed the situation. These are all low quality shots from videos but hopefully you can see the difference it makes to Des's entire body in allowing him to use his head and neck differently. Keeping him on, or even in front of the vertical, allows him to lift his shoulders and use the power of his hind end. He can see, so he can relax. He can breathe properly, so he can relax. And I can sit on the upwards crest of his movement rather than resist the downwards fall.

This was much harder for me to do and has taken a huge investment in understanding how to help my horse better. But, it's pretty clear - at least to Des and I - that this has worked in both our favours. And if I am going to be held accountable to him, and him alone, then that is an effort worth making.

To note - Des was diagnosed at age 6 with neurological issues, he has compression of the cervical spine at C5/6. He was completely ataxic at the point of diagnosis. He therefore has an extremely weak and wobbly base of the neck and finds over flexion very easy. That's why this work has been even more essential for him, and why at 16 he is still enjoying life.

There are captions with each photograph

02/08/2024

Would you like to try out the Soft & Sound membership for £15?

----------------------------------------------

Throughout August you can get your first months membership for only £15 (standard price £25).

The membership is place for people who care about their horses and want to do their very best by them - but without being judged or criticised.

Like most memberships you get access to hundreds of videos, members only podcasts and regular Q & A's. The information is clear and accessible and just as suitable for someone with a young or green horse , as it is to someone wondering how to develop collection or flying changes.

There are videos and webinars diving into anatomy and physiology, and what we as horse owners need to know to make best judgements on behalf of our horses. I draw on my background in body work and movement based therapy, combined with the beauty of French classical schooling.

Guest speakers share their incredible insights on a huge range of topics including bit and bridle fit, foot care, ethology, backing a young horse, and the energetic and emotional aspects of being with horses.

We look at how your horse learns, and what they need to understand to exist harmoniously in the human world. Or more importantly. how we explain those things in a logical and horse friendly way.

But the thing which is most central to the Soft and Sound membership is the community. The people who have come together to create a safe and welcoming place to ask, ponder, discuss, celebrate and share - it is people and horses who really make the Soft & Sound membership what it is.

I hope you all join us - link in comments

31/07/2024

The great thing about getting older is that you can do more s**t you really want to do. Because you care less about what other people think and have most likely had several wake up calls about the shortness of life. This combination often leaves us pretty clear that we’d better get on with it and do the things we really care about.

This includes getting to hang out with horses, or even ride them. And you don’t need to apologise! That’s the beauty of it. You can do something you love for the sheer joy of it and not be sorry.

A significant percentage of people I teach are women who have come to horses later in life. Although really they have wanted to be around horses since they were very small, for a variety of reasons they had to wait until now.

These reasons are often financial but just as often they’re emotional. They were not the ‘right’ kind of person to be in the horse gang as a girl. Maybe they didn’t grow up in an equestrian family. Possibly they managed to get their toe in at a local riding school and felt on the edge of this exclusive club. Often everyone seemed a bit shouty, and horses and people got bossed around and it was not somewhere that felt like they’d imagined...

And if you didn’t grow up in that world then you don’t know how to put a tail bandage on (I still don’t) or a double bridle back together (variable success) which means you’re even more likely to feel like an outsider.

But when you’re a little older, you can make different choices. You can find places that welcome you and make decisions about what you want to do and give far fewer f***s about what anyone else thinks of that.

You can search out horse friends who like to do happy wandering about with their horses. You can find a place to hang out with horses where Radio 1 is not on and no one is bellowing at a horse to ‘Get up with you’,

And you can enjoy all those things llke the smell of saddle soap and hay, and the pleasure of brushing out a horses mane or learning how to handle feet nicely, and even riding-a-horse and no one can take any of that away as you’re way too old to give a crap about what Lucy Thistlethwaite thinks of your cheap plastic riding boots.

It’s a huge pleasure and honour for me to teach so many people who fall into this camp - it’s an excellent and entirely unexclusive one,

Photo shows a student keen to learn groundwork skills. My young horse is helping her out.