Linda Replied To Me!!!

I mentioned before that I had asked Linda Parelli on her ParelliConnect walll about Buster's cantering issues. Well, Ms. Parelli herself replied to me! Yeah, that makes Me feel special, in a way. :) But anyway, here's my question again, and then her answer:

Hello Linda!

I've been working with Buster, my LBI, Quarter Horse gelding for a year. When we got him, he had little to no real training at all. I was just starting out with the Parelli program at the time, so we've kind of been learning together... moreHello Linda!

I've been working with Buster, my LBI, Quarter Horse gelding for a year. When we got him, he had little to no real training at all. I was just starting out with the Parelli program at the time, so we've kind of been learning together- as we go. We've both made a lot of progress since then, and we've both overcome a lot, confidence-wise. I know we're ready to pass levels 1/2 online, and level 2 Freestyle, with flying colors!- if we could just get over one more bump: circles.

Buster was perfectly fine with the circle game until we asked him to canter. He was on a 22' line, and had been doing nice, relaxed trotting circles for a few months before I asked him too, but when I did, he blew up (meaning, he started bucking and jerking the rope out of my hands). I went back to walking and trotting relaxed circles for a while, but the next time I asked him to canter, he did the same thing. He's gotten worse about it since- now, he won't even trot a circle, and he's not even completely relaxed at the walk. It doesn't help that I'm constantly worrying about what he'll do next. Our trust is completely shattered. My guess is that he's gone back into 'longeing mode', and I don't know how to bring him back out. I really don't think that what he's doing is play- it might have started out that way, but now it's progressed to something else, and I don't know how to handle it. There are no Parelli instructors in my area, and I'm getting to the end of my rope. I can tell that I'm getting frustrated with him, and I know that I can't do that. What should I do? Should I reprimand him? Mirror him? Change the subject? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated! :)


Linda's answer:

Have you done a Horsenality report Maggie? It sounds like when your horse got going and hit the end of the rope that he lost confidence and then either started avoiding it or fighting it. Using retreat and reapproach will help (trot faster, slow... moreHave you done a Horsenality report Maggie? It sounds like when your horse got going and hit the end of the rope that he lost confidence and then either started avoiding it or fighting it. Using retreat and reapproach will help (trot faster, slower, then finally canter), as will being inside a round corral at least 50' diameter or bigger will help too - stop him pulling as he gets wider.
Try to see it from his point of view and that will help you do the right thing. Remember, he needs your help. Think about it and get more calm and focused... and get more knowledge as per my suggestion above. :)


I'm so happy that she replied to me- even though her answer isn't what I wanted to hear. A round pen is the one thing we don't have. And there's no way any of us could possibly afford one. I'm going to search for ideas on cheap round pens....maybe I can fish something up.

However, her words: " It sounds like when your horse got going and hit the end of the rope that he lost confidence and then either started avoiding it or fighting it."; really hit home with me. That makes total sense! That's why I didn't think it was play! He's avoiding and/or fighting the rope! I wish I could start him cantering at Liberty....another reason why we need a round pen or a fenced in arena. Gah! I'm having trouble staying motivated here!

Mrs. Miller is coming with Kat and Casey on Thursday to help me with him. Maybe we can make a breakthrough.

I finally got up the gumption to ask Linda Parelli herself about Buster's problem with circles. I went to her Parelli Connect wall, and this is what I wrote:

Hello Linda!

I've been working with Buster, my LBI, Quarter Horse gelding for a year. When we got him, he had little to no real training at all. I was just starting out with the Parelli program at the time, so we've kind of been learning together- as we go. We've both made a lot of progress since then, and we've both overcome a lot, confidence-wise. I know we're ready to pass levels 1/2 online, and level 2 Freestyle, with flying colors!- if we could just get over one more bump: circles.

Buster was perfectly fine with the circle game until we asked him to canter. He was on a 22' line, and had been doing nice, relaxed trotting circles for a few months before I asked him too, but when I did, he blew up (meaning, he started bucking and jerking the rope out of my hands). I went back to walking and trotting relaxed circles for a while, but the next time I asked him to canter, he did the same thing. He's gotten worse about it since- now, he won't even trot a circle, and he's not even completely relaxed at the walk. It doesn't help that I'm constantly worrying about what he'll do next. Our trust is completely shattered. My guess is that he's gone back into 'longeing mode', and I don't know how to bring him back out. I really don't think that what he's doing is play- it might have started out that way, but now it's progressed to something else, and I don't know how to handle it. There are no Parelli instructors in my area, and I'm getting to the end of my rope. I can tell that I'm getting frustrated with him, and I know that I can't do that. What should I do? Should I reprimand him? Mirror him? Change the subject? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated! :)


Hopefully she writes back!

My Photo Won!

I'm so happy!

A few weeks ago, I entered a photo of Cooper into a nation wide pet photo contest, hosted by Tails magazine.

AND MY PHOTO WON!!

I got the email last night! It made my otherwise bad day, really good! :D

Here's the picture:

















I can't remember what category I had entered him in...I think it was 'Photogenic Pets'. Either way, he'll have his picture featured in the magazine, and we'll also get a portrait of him drawn by Rockwell Moments ( http://www.rockwellmoments.com/index.aspx )!

Mah little puppeh ish famous! :D
Anyway...I'm really happy. I just had to celebrate...scream it to the world, you know? :P

Something Cool I Found...

Yay! This is similar to what we're doing with Lady (Miller) right now, but I'm going to try this tonight.

http://www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/horse-training-tips-partial-disengagement-for-relaxation-while-riding/?utm_source=FBPNH_Wall&utm_medium=SM&utm_campaign=FBPNH

I'm teaching a horse clinic this week, and last night, I got to ride Lady for a few minutes after wards. It was the best ride I've had on her in a long time! Mrs. Graham has been playing with Lady a lot, and I think it's relaxing Lady, a little. Mrs. Graham just knows the basic seven games right now, and she still has trouble doing them sometimes, but I think going back to the bottom basics like that is good for Lady. of course, Lady can't stay there...she knows how to do much more advanced things...she just has trouble keeping her cool on- and so do I. But anyway, back to yesterday. Lady was extremely relaxed, which helped me to relax. We did lots of trot work and some fast figure eights, and neither of us got antsy! Yays! :D Hopefully, we do as good- if not better- tonight!

So Excited!!!

One hundred ninety-eight days until Horse and Soul!!!!

198!!!

http://shop.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/category.jsf?catId=177

Today's ride...

I rode Emmi today, at work. Dang it, I forgot just how much I love riding that mare!! She is so dependable and consistent. I love my Buster, but it's so nice to get on a consistent horse every once in a while!

Cyrus came with me, and I asked him if he would take some pictures of me while I rode. He was happy to oblige. I let him use Ernest, so he was stoked. And you know what? That little brother of mine took some pretty darn good cool pictures!!























Isn't she such a pretty mare? I've decided that she's a left brained extrovert.













Is this not the most amazing picture ever?? :O


















































He was just a little too far ahead for a series of pictures like this- otherwise they would've been perfect!! I think I'll let Boo take pictures more often. :P

Yay! Got to work Buster today!

Finally had a chance to get out and work Buster today! I wasn't expecting much, because it's been like, 2 months. Buster blew me away!! On the ground, he yoyo'ed over a pole at phase 1/very light phase 2!!!! I. Was. Stoked. Yoyo has really become his favorite game of all!

When I got on to ride, I had to get a little tougher with him. Two months off and he's gotten pretty darn stubborn again. I have to use a lot of direction on his head, and heavy leg aids. He's also gone stiff again. I worked on loosening him up and stretching him out, and started some easy releasing on simple things, to get him to want to play- not resist. He also was really 'lazy' today- it was about 85, so I guess part of it was the weather.

We gave both Lady and Red baths after we rode- they loved that!! They both stood really well, after they realized that they were going to cool off.

In other big news:

Katy and I are showing Buster and Lady this year!! We're working out getting a hold of tack and show clothes right now. I might possibly be able to use one of June's western saddles, if it fits Red, and Mr. Freet also has a saddle for Red, but it's a man's saddle so it might not fit me. Katy has either Mr. Wilson's English saddle or Mrs. Rosenthal's English saddle coming for her. We both want to do both styles, but this year we might be stuck with just one- which is actually okay, because I prefer western, and Katy prefers english. We're not sure yet whether or not we'll be able to use bitless bridles. As far as show apparel goes, we're going to up to Golden Horseshoe soon and check out what they have.

I am so excited for this summer!!

OH!
And we ordered our tickets for Parelli Horse and Soul!!!