Learning the ins and outs

Like anything we tackle for the first time there are learnings - I thought the Mac was equipped with the do it yourself function of publishing video. You know input output sort of thing - well oddly enough, like working with a horse there are a few things that are handy to know before you start. So yes there has been a learning curve.

and just when I thought all was well and good - YouTube has a 10 min limit.

You show me an activity with a horse that takes ten minutes! So beyond the taping there was the editing. However all but done for the Saddling Sydney segment. I'll update you on the next session as I've saddled her once since the taping and it took a few minutes - though not near the production of past sessions.

I mentioned three key things:

Body Language
Repetition
Energy

all elements that are key to being successful in managing a change with a horse.

Once when I complained that no matter what I did to the fencing at our place, our one dog managed to get out and do walk-abouts of the neighbouring farms. My neighbours response "well she has nothing but time"

That single observation changed my whole perspective on working with animals. We are the only animal that times things and sets expectations around that time frame.

If you treat an activity like you have nothing but time - it won't take long at all. Monty Roberts said "act like you have 15 minutes, it will take all day. Act like you have all day, it will take 15 minutes."

This week I will be working with a friends horse - he's suggested the horse moves when he dismounts. It will be interesting to see what shows up before that.

Ray Hunt is a guy I greatly admire - He likely repeated this a few times in his life - "What happened before what happened, happened."

Saddling a Horse that doesn't like to Stand Still

This post reflects the fact that sometimes where a horse starts isn't necessarily where they stay.

What I mean is a horse may well have been started the right way but time, lack of repetition and of course beginning to accept less than the best means little things can slide.

The goal is to have your horse stand quietly while you groom, saddle and accept the bridle.

What is always interesting to me is the reasons people come up with as to WHY their horse isn't standing right now
- the weather
- he can't see his buddies
- it's darker in here than outside
- he's not used to being tied up
- he's not used to being tied up inside
- this is a new area and he doesn't like change

are a few I've heard.

I can use all those same reasons but it all comes down to how I handle what shows up. I'll be posting a video of me working with Sydney. Sydney is both my baby girl and my devil horse. I don't ride her as much as I should, she is a very dominant and confident horse and as you will see is pretty good at throwing her weight around.

I admit I let this get pretty bad - but then I wouldn't have anything to show you if it wasn't. I've seen lots of videos of someone introducing a blanket and saddle to a horse for the first time - the difference is you are working with something that is new to the horse. So you are working through an introduction & possible fear of a new item. Completely different issues than what Sydney demonstrates and what I have seen show up with other probably well started horses that have learned they can push their human around.

Ok I will be filming this on the second day as we spent a while the other day when I realised things were worse than I'd like. But it took a while to get bad so I want to make sure this time it sticks.

There are three key things I want you to watch out for;

My body language
The energy I put into my actions
Repetition until you see a change

I'm fairly confident we won't be perfect after this session and I will have to repeat - Sydney has nothing but time and I know she won't have a problem repeating her actions.

So now on to the filming.

Nancy

Online horsemanship tips to help you in your journey. If your desire is to develop a solid relationship with your horse and experience lightness and willingness in your horse, then I hope this blog will help you.

Whether you have recently started your journey or are well along and looking for support. I will be posting tips, videos and links to other resources you might find helpful.

I've been riding horses as long as I can remember and blogging for a couple of years. So it has taken me a while to tie what I know about horses to a useful source for others. This site will be about things I've learned and if I'm lucky how that can help you. I recognise it's great to have people to follow in your horsemanship journey I've found it can be also challenging when you only cross paths with them once or twice a year.

So this online source is for anyone local, regional or international who might be interested. It will be a combination of written and video additions so what you read might be complemented by what I can show you. If you are local - I'd love to meet you. Looking forward to this.

Nancy - Blogging from Balzac, Alberta Canada