Pele's Groundwork Principles

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Park City, UT
Pele's Groundwork Principles

Hi! I'm Michelle… I am here to provide you and your horse with quality horsemanship training on the ground.

My groundwork training will directly translate to your time spent in the saddle.

08/31/2022

It’s toasty here in Utah today, so the Fjords got some light activity, instead of our scheduled trail ride. They were lovely. Rjuka changed directions perfectly, while Yo-yo has something to work on next time.

08/23/2022

It’s truly a gift when someone’s consistent work, outside of the box thinking, and patience shines. Patricia & Apache have been a team for almost 15 years, and today they were a new duo. Patricia communicates with him calmly, and consistently while they groom and tack. She asks with firmness but not a heavy hand. (Something we can all strive for.)
Then once they were mounted, it was brilliant. Watching them ride was a true testament to their long journey of partnership. Patricia had the mot beautiful lower leg position. From her knee to the stirrup was a consistent pillar of support for Apache as they navigated around the arena.

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08/14/2022

Sometimes rainy days are for free lunging and playing around. It’s nice to make time for the silly.

08/10/2022

When you finally get around to the mini … & he is better than expected. Roanie needs to work on listening to the leader, and halting when asked. His daily life involves a fiery 3 year old, but I want his halts to be crisp and reliable. New goals for this mini.

08/01/2022

Appreciate the ease of a well mannered horses # for tacking. Zip out into the sunshine as quickly as possible, and bring your doggo. Appreciate their manners, as a whole, as your pack moves down the trail.

07/11/2022

The clouds were unbeatable today. Turner was easy to catch, sluggish in the heat, but responsive. In these high temps, all I am asking for is grace towards my “ask” & he excelled at that.

07/07/2022

Sometimes it’s so hot, all I can ask for is a nice jog around the round pen. Rjuka and I focused on timely soft halts, & are still working on crisp departures.

06/20/2022

Stopped by the Hunter Homestead today. After a storm filled morning, and sun was there to greet me. I was pleasantly greeted by ’s stead’s where everyone was easily caught today! Turner was a dream, A+ student for his groundwork. Tank the draft was sluggish, still learning, but hopeful. Izzie was a spit fire. Hot headed, struggled with her downward transitions, and was itching to canter. She found her brain, while I kept being patient and consistent.

06/08/2022

For Rjuka, taking the time to lunge before a trail ride is about weight loss and body conditioning. She has great a liberty manners, and is polite for grooming and tacking. It’s only 15 minutes, but it will go a long way to finding her healthy weight. Next: long lining to assist in finding her top line, engaging her core, and making her transitions more crisp.

05/18/2022

Nothing beats a lucky lady bug sighting, to start out your day with !

04/28/2022

Threw a “can I catch you” pop quiz at Turner today. He failed. He cantered & galloped away for about 20 minutes. He’s proof, that even with a stellar foundation in 2020 & 2021… SPRINGTIME IS ALWAYS SPRINGTIME. I took my time catching him, was patient, but consistent. Once he was caught he needed some reminders about downward transitions, and reminders that rearing is unacceptable when confused. He excelled at upward transitions on the circle with a soft lead line. We finished up by practicing at the mounting block. He needs to work on waiting for the riders que before walking off. Looking forward to adding on flexion at the mounting block process next time.

04/24/2022

Having phenomenal groundwork manners means … that we can feel “safer” trusting our gentle giants with toddlers. What a gift it truly is.

04/04/2022

Sundays with my favorite Fjords.

It was warm here in Park City… so they enjoyed some round pen work, and a walk around round valley.

03/20/2022

Yo-Yo was a star today! Our last session we worked on standing still for his bi-weekly hair cuts… and today he did great! There’s always room for improvement, but today was much approved for this furry fjord.

03/19/2022

It’s spring tuneup time!! All tuneups should start on the ground with groundwork that will set up a proper foundation for your upcoming season.
Say Hello to Tank the new kid on the barn! He’s a sweet 5 year old with a heart of gold but much to learn. Our previous groundwork gold star earner Turner was also a champion today. We found a small ten meter circle, to move & practice the basics.

02/26/2022

Always… groundwork first.

📸:
🐴:

12/30/2021

Every little try is meant to be celebrated. It can be celebrated in something as simple as releasing pressure… or is can earn a pet, or an exuberant “good boy!” — You get to pick, but remember it’s a gift that warms your heart also.
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🐴:

12/14/2021

Show up for your horse today.
Get dirt on your boots.
Have intention.
Make plans.
Celebrate the attempts.
Give extra treats.

11/29/2021

“Being both soft & strong is a combination very few have mastered.” - Ray Hunt.

The above combination is something I struggle with. I tent to fall heavy on the strong & then I compensate with consistency. Trying to learn how to meditate is teaching myself how to give a second of soft … before going strong. Always on this learning curve.

What are your tricks for being soft & strong??
📷:
🐴Ziggy -

10/24/2021

Have intent with everything you do. Your horse is a direct reflection of who you are + your actions. Your habits will be shown in everything your horse does. Change your habits + change your relationship for the better.

10/24/2021

Have intent with everything you do. Your horse is a direct reflection of your actions. Your habits will be shown in everything your horse does. Change your habits + change your relationship for the better.

10/22/2021

“Riders sometimes need to realize that horses need soothing, cuddling, and comforting. Sometimes that isn’t too bad for people either. They can use that a little bit too.” - Tom Dorrance
📷:
🐴: Ziggy —

10/09/2021

I spent the morning with the & … Woodrow and I spent an hour doing groundwork first. We worked on stopping straight & staying on the rail. We also pushed for nice lope transitions, which still need a lot of work. After groundwork Tessa got on, and we got into the arena. I was able to watch them, make some suggestions, & then get on and show her. We laid down new expectations, and made steps towards them. Today was a good day.

10/05/2021

Today is a good day to learn new things. Woodrow did great today, for his second official day on a lunge line. We focused on stopping straight & respecting an upward transition request.

10/03/2021

Today is a new day… make it what you want it to be. Move your body, feed your soul, & ask your horse to do something new.

10/03/2021

Peek a Boo - from Woodrow the ! I got to spend the afternoon with and her sweet boy Woodrow. This boy has the kindest soul. He progressed in the round pen by leaps and bounds today! I can’t wait to spend the next few weeks training, teaching Tessa, & watching them grow.

09/23/2021

I am overjoyed to have been a witness to this pair bonding again. Many changes took place in the last three weeks which helped get Andy & Stella back on the right path. Now, they are set up for a fitness program which will help their bond grow with time. It’s heart warming to see Stella walking up to her owners, and getting back to the kind natured horse she is.

09/22/2021

Stella girl had perfect ground manners today for the vet & farrier. Andy was able to easily catch her before her appointment. The vet took x-rays to get a better view of this Stella’s sweet foot & track it’s recovery. Hopefully this is the path to less pain, and more rides for Andy. Stella was patient for the farrier, which is an excellent bonus when shoeing a big draft with corrective shoes.

09/20/2021

Stella has officially been relocated from the grassy pasture to the barn!! I’m so happy that she’s up here. This is going to be a game changer: having convenient access to the facilities and Stella starting her diet. Today we worked on free lunging, as she settles into her new living situation. It took her a bit to get used to all the new sounds but she did great. I got her to link up and follow me around the round pen, which is always a special treat. She did try to change direction on me two times at the trot, but other than that she was fantastic.

Address

Park City, UT

Telephone

+17072277388

Website

http://www.pelesgroundworkprinciples.com/

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