Sometimes, the most profound thing you can do for a horse is acknowledge how they feel about being tacked up and ridden.
The whole process can be intrinsically rewarding and FUN for the horse, as long as we acknowledge every small try on their part and hold space for them when they experience challenging emotions, such as frustration and confusion.
For this horse in particular, he seems to be overwhelmed the minute he steps in to the arena. His owner is incredible and does all of the right things, and so now we are trying to bring joy back in to the ridden work.
To begin, she establishes connection and begins finding rhythm and relaxation in her own body and her own breathing. Once he quiets his mind and becomes more present, he tunes in to this and begins to do the same. Then we take these things in to the walk, and we observe if he can maintain calmness. If he becomes too stressed at any time *or* if he has some beautiful moments of relaxation, we come back to the halt and start the whole process over again.
If you can imagine when he first comes in to the arena, feet planted, thoracic sling dropped, head held high and mentally distracted, then you’ll appreciate the last picture… completely relaxed, without wrinkling his nose… and “dropped.”
LOVE LOVE LOVE 🫶🏼
#theidealconnection #dressage #classicaldressage #relaxation #centeredriding #paint #groundwork
Thoughts on Connection part two
Thoughts on Connection part one
Read all about the CARE system 👇🏼
Just a gentle Sunday reminder 🫶🏼
None of us are perfect - Just keep showing up.
My sweet Rue has struggled with holding a lot of tension in her body ever since I’ve known her.
I had always assumed growing up that dull and unmotivated horses were just lazy. But the more I observe and the more I experiment, I’m convinced horses placed in this category are either in pain of some sort or experiencing a lack of zest for life, which can also be labeled as a lack of motivation.
🔑 A key component of Rue and I’s warm up these days is to go along in movement, and then when I find myself having to apply more then one leg aid/cue or if she begins to feel tense or baulky, we stop, deeply relax and soften, and then engage in movement again.
✨ It has been transformative! (However, I am not naive to the fact that this will be a life long process).
🩰 Right now, she tolerates being an “arena ballerina” once a week, and then the rest of the week, we trail ride all around, and then of course, incorporate our groundwork days. She seems the happiest out in nature and so I am trying to honor that, while simultaneously deepening relaxation and building strength.
In this video, we share a glimpse in to what our warm up looks a lot like these days..
#dressage #relaxation #healthynervoussystem #horses #classicaldressage #oldenburg #thoroughbred #positivereinforcementtraining #thoracicslingrehab #arenaballerina #theidealconnection
I’ve found in my experiences with the horses that you can sculpt them often in two ways.
Some of the time, they need to move first in order to rid their body of tensions and begin to unwind.
And then other times, it is more important for them to stand quietly, feeling their own presence, and learning to relax before engaging in any movement.
Now, which is more correct?
Neither…. Because horses are dynamic and changing beings just like ourselves, and what works one day may not work the next and vice versa.
The most important thing is to meet your horse exactly where they are, and support them in feeling safe and calm and joyful whenever you are around 🫶🏼
#dressage #relaxation #chincoteaguepony #RTRT #onehorselife
Here is one of the first rides on Maestro to asses just how much he knows. Although he was very cooperative and kind, he definitely holds tension, has some resistance patterns and could use clarity of the aids.
His name, Maestro, has been decided, and it means teacher, schoolmaster or masterful in Spanish, and means a distinguished musician or figure in English. Simply perfect, I think. Names are very important to me and carry a lot of weight, so I tried to be very selective in making the right choice.
I hope you enjoy watching the start of our journey! 💫
#theidealconnection #chincoteaguepony #paintpony #maestro #teacher #schoolmaster #dressage #jumping #workinhand #groundwork #libertyhorsework #laythefoundation
Ever heard of voice buttons? 🎙️
I hadn’t either until I came across Stella the talking dog and was so inspired by her ability to clearly communicate with her owners.
I decided to try and play around with them with Rue, and hope to incorporate them more over time.
This video is condensed to three minutes, but it actually took us a couple of months with weekly practice for her to confidently push the “Hay” button. For a while, I would gently press it against her muzzle. Then I began to wait for her to approach the button and do it on her own accord.
The way she pushes the button is a little more… direct.. than I had thought it would be, but I 👏🏽 am 👏🏽 here 👏🏽 for 👏🏽 it 👏🏽😂
Here’s to a bright future full of clear communication! 🥂
#horsevoicebuttons #positivereinforcement #horsetraining #dogvoicebuttons#equinecommunication #equinebehaviortheory
Always going back to basics 🔑
Keep in mind that both bitless AND riding with a bit can be deeply beneficial and healing for your horse. It’s up to you to strategically utilize each for the best possible outcome..
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Rue’s Progress - The School Halt - August 2022
I’m just going to leave this here… 🤍
