Next Level Groundwork
Designing groundwork in a relationship based modality engages both horse and human in movement, problem solving, and self/other awareness. There is so much potential for growth, development and refinement of horsemanship in these practices.
Koi is available.
Koi is 3/4 Saint Bernard 1/4 G Shepherd. He has some very good training and would enjoy a home that likes to engage in fun and play. Anybody interested can pm me for details.
The Eye Level Mindset
Even after they know how to ride, eye level engagement should never end.
R+ Line Skills
When the line work starts getting fun. 5 yr. Zara has learned every part of double line work via a positive reinforcement model. No bit nor whip needed. I was tickled to get her first trot over the pole and then a really nice solid stop on video.
It feels really good to shape behavior in a positive way. When you figure out ways to get something accomplished in a cooperative way, it strengthens the relationship.
Forming Beliefs
Behaviors are Connected to Beliefs.
Synchronicity takes a certain level of focus. Initially, at liberty with this 2yr. old, I could see she held lack luster beliefs about tuning in with my movement. She came with a behavior of continuing to move and cross in front of me after I had stopped. She is intelligent enough that I can work on multiple click points: landing with me, not crossing in front, and keeping her head out of my way. I love this part where we see her thinking and trying to figure out the positive outcome. Using this approach instead of pressure or punishment keeps her in a problem solving mindset rather than a worry mindset.
Are they really testing 'Us' or testing beliefs?
It's common question and/or conclusion that undesirable behavior is about testing for control or dominance. Horses are sentient beings with their own intrinsic goals and motivations. These goals and motivations are genuine and relatable. Just like us, they test hypotheses of beliefs to figure out what will consistently meet their goals. In this vid, you can see this yearling has motivation to find her way to the bowl of food. We see her 'test' some of her beliefs on how she can get to the bowl. Because of the restraint I have imposed, I have set her up for a challenge to figure out an alternate belief that will reliably get her to her goal. Shaping this belief starts with one small gesture she offers that I will build on over time. Look if you can see the one small gesture.
Natural Obstacles
There are so many benefits for both the horse and human to learn to navigate obstacle challenges. Before I start riding, I provide the horse hours and hours of in hand work in a variety of contexts. I want to see body awareness, thoughtfulness and control. This kind of learning develops a healthy mind and self confidence. This is an authentic practice where the kind of respect we want is achieved.
Valentino’s Sheik
Mutualistic Groundwork where we both enjoy and benefit from the experience. I hope to take Sheik to the next level soon where he can self regulate and focus with double line driving.
Honoring Readiness Over Economy - The Rush to Trot
I want the green horse to feel relaxed and trusting that the teacher will provide appropriate experiences that build understanding and motivation to 'figure it out'. I labor over and design learning sessions that address all aspects of both self and other discovery. So many rush to get the newly backed horse to trot and canter, overriding the cognitive, emotional and physical readiness for that milestone. Brain functions change when you pick up the trot, requiring multi-tasking at a faster pace. From my perspective, there needs to be a lot of work at the walk in a variety of contexts that give time to command coordination, balance, and light response to the aids.
Owning the Experience
Milestone Moments
The points of this milestone are: leading in unfamiliar territory, new type of footing, self control and balance over complex obstacle with a live load. A dialogue of pressure and release delivered with a mindset of 'obedience' will not lead this mare to 'owning' and embracing this learning moment. Her forwardness and willingness came from an understood practice that we will honor her feedback of understanding and readiness. If you have to micro-manage behavior through a new experience, it is most likely that the horse was not ready for the learning moment.
Milestone Moment
This 5 yr. mare is experiencing carrying live weight for the 4th time. We seek to offer new experiences for our learners through environments of equanimity rather than pressure and control. Cortisol levels must be low for learning and memory to solidify without knitting in a layer of trauma. Every session prior to this moment was thoughtfully designed to keep her present in mind and emotions. This is how relationship based training works.
Grounding for Learned Readiness
Engaged Contentment.....
will come when we slow down, quiet ourselves, and allow our friend the space and time to do what they need to be grounded, present, and have learning readiness. I share some thoughts in this video.
Backing at Liberty
With 7 foals to train this year, have been immersed in lots of groundwork. This filly is so smart, she picked up backing in sync with me in one session.
This filly by nature tends to focus on movement more than most. This exercise was designed to help her access her cognition and override her reactivity. There is a lot of thinking and processing going on here and I am thrilled with her choices. Golden moment was when the line got caught under a ground pole and she stopped and waited to see I remedied it.
Backing at Liberty
One of our Fell Pony fillies is learning obstacle navigation at liberty via a R+ modality. We use precise ‘click points’ to signal to Rhodes that her response to our body signals were correct.
Method of Presentation
An obstacle, puzzle, or novel object is best when used to engage the parts of the brain that can reason and solve problems…..that draw curiosity intrinsically. Using a novel object in a way that accesses reactivity, yet has a restraining component leads to a path of ‘sacking out’ which refers to mental check-out (disconnect).
Learning Positional Relationships
First session with this filly and she is already picking up the concept of spatial self awareness as it relates to the space of another. Foals actually learn to get a nursing with mom by getting into their space, running in front to stop them. I'm using a positive reinforcement method to teach this filly to keep her head to stay out of my space. She picked up paying attention to the precise gesture of turning her head away so quickly because I was consistent and reliable to 'mark' any attempt in that direction. Next step will be moving the shoulder and backing out of my space. This approach is a great way to teach ground manners without the horse worrying if they are going to get in trouble.
‘Leave It’ : Teaching Focus.
This Karakachan pup is showing promise towards being a reliable guardian. Bred to be independent and take care of his herd, he still needs to learn and understand certain attention required from his humans like being asked to leave something alone. Here is the starting point for learning that concept.
