Serene Sundays in Parelli-ville

Good Sabbath morning to all of my friends! Woke up at 6:30 am on a gorgeous cold Florida morning and fed the lovestruck ponies, they were happy to see us and we shared mutual feelings. Sarah's mother was nice enough to fix us a scrumptuous pancake and egg breakfast... our tummies are full, Sarah is painting her nails as we watch the local weather. Looks like the weather will be decent, hottest day should be Tuesday at 86 degrees which we definitley can tolerate, from then on it should be in the 70's which will be heavenly. Today we will be playing with our horses, giving then baths and preparing for the next day which is orientation and day one of our course. We will be meeting our fellow fast trackers tonight at a reserved table at Horse and Hound around 6:00 pm, which will be a very nice treat! Today is much more relaxed, we are enjoying it because we know these days will be rare.

Continued Pictures of the Facility - Out Back in the Royalty

Jim Crew, Jim Crew's Farrier Shack and Pat Parelli's Performance Barn... so nice to be back! Weather is quite warm, but not humid so it is bearable. Heading home now to feed horses and relax our poor tired feet. Jim will be working on Fabio Monday after our course orientation. Remmer will be fine, severed his ligaments on one leg from a shoe by being his clumsy self. Should take a minimum of 6 months for recovery, he's gonna be one spoiled little pony... I am sure he will enjoy the pampering after the pain passes. The Open House was perfect, couldn't have gone any better. I am very excited to be here, this is where I belong. :-) Keep checking on here for frequent updates!

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Spanish Moss at Parelli University

Open House at Parelli Florida

At Parelli Open House... so nice to see all my old friends! This is amazing, I cannot wait to start doing more and more.

On the New Homestead

Drove in around 3:30 pm. Horses are settled and will be unpacking our clothes soon! Feels good to have our feet on the ground... will be looking for some good organic groceries and getting ready for the open house at Parelli tomorrow. Jim Crew will be visiting here at our home to do Sundance's feet tomorrow after the open house, which I am very much looking forward to! Savvy out! XO

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YAWN! Sigh! Stretch... YIPEE!

It's 3:00 am in a chilly little town of North Carolina... 3 women and 2 horses are preparing to lift off for a 10+ hour drive to a warmer climate. OCALA, FLORIDA!!!

Lift off in 3... 2... 1...

Leaving this Friday, early early morning! Let's count down...

Just met the sweetest woman, Mrs. Margie Hodges. Married to a master farrier lodging in Ocala, met us along with family here in North Carolina. Thankfully they offered their friendship as a safe haven while I am away from home. I cannot wait to spend more time with them and get to learn from such wonderful people. Thank you!

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ON THE GROUND : Knowledge

What do you need to know about your horse while you're on the ground? What does ground mean? It means everything you do when you're not in the saddle. Your relationship with your horse is going on constantly whether you're riding him or not. Most people think they affect horses only when they are on their backs. Realistically, it's every moment of time you're with your horse, whether you have a halter and lead rope on him, or he's free and you're going to catch him or groom him, etc. Your horse is thinking of you whenever you're near him. He's probably trying to figure you out, trying to see where you're at, what kind of look you have on your face, what kind of mood you're in and so on. Even when you don't think you're affecting the horse, you probably are in some way or another. - Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli

AN OVERVIEW - Attiude (from Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli)

There tend to be two distinct ends to the spectrum when it come's to attitudes in getting a horse to do something.

There's the stick attitude, a person who bashes a horse with a stick to get the outcome, unresourcefully using intimidation and force to produce performance.

Then there is the carrot attitude, sweet talking ineffectively by begging the horse instead of asking for and getting respect from the horse.

In between the two extremes is the person who is assertive. Such a person is neither aggressive or wimpy, but balanced somewhere in between the two. With horses, the natural attitude is to be as gentle as you can, but as firm as necessary. When you're gentle, be gentle without being a sissy. When you're firm, be firm without getting mean or mad.

The natural attitude is to do things for the horse and with the horse rather than to the horse.

7 Keys to Success - 6) Imagination

"6) Imagination - You have to exercise your imagination. Imagination is something children have that adults do not, or at least they lost the ability to use their imaginations effectively. Einstein said that imagination is even more valuable than knowledge." quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli

I figure people don't use their imagination because they don't want to look silly. "Oh, I won't do that... that is silly!". They might embarass themselves because they just might make a mistake or not get something right, or they won't be doing what everyone else around them is doing. I have found that acting different from everyone else and laughing AT YOURSELF is an art, it takes guts and self-confidence. But once you catch onto it, you find life so much more fun and an opprotunity in every situation and around every corner. It's like you see the world from a childs eyes, their is nothing you can't do. But as they say, savvy lives over the silly bridge!

7 Keys to Success - 5) Time

"5) Time - If you take the time it takes, it takes less time. Most people don't have the time to do it right, but they always have time to do it over and over. With respect to time, we have to understand the relevancy of time, the meaning of short-term time and the long-term time, and the word "timing"." quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli

I often have to remind myself that horses have no conception of time, they could care less what time it is. They take life as it comes! Unlike us, we live by the clock. No wonder it is so hard for humans to think like horses, we live totally different then they do. We have opposite mindsets, but once you start to think like a horse... it all starts to make sense. Slip on one of their horseshoes, look through their eyes... imagine yourself a horse. How would your timing be different?

The vet visits us to write Sundance's certificate and work with some other horses, which will be fun! We'll see how it goes!

7 Keys to Success - 4) Techniques

"4) Techniques - You have to understand natural techniques. For example, most people saddle a horse and get on, kick to go, and pull to stop. Instead of these normal ways to make horses go and stop, use natural techniques that produce snappy departures and graceful transitions." quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli

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7 Keys to Success - 3) Tools

"3) Tools - You have to have tools that work naturally. You should be able to tell a natural horseman by the tools he uses, and also by the tools he doesn't use or those he wouldn't use" quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli.

"Natural tools? rope halter or hackamore, 4 different lengths and types of ropes: 6 ft, 12 ft, 22 ft, and 45 ft. Stick or carrot stick, savvy string or bag.

Normal tools? Nylon web halter, 25 ft nylon web longe line, longe whip, longeing cavesson, stud chain, side reins, surcingle, twitches, breeding hobbles, regular hobbles and hot walkers." quote Natual Horsemanship by Pat Parelli

Why are these tools considered natural or un-natural? Pat explains the why and how in his book, "Natural Horsemanship".

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Enjoying the serenity of a cool fall morning, last couple days at home. Sundance is in the barn, a few feet away getting used to the life of living in a stall. He'll live in a pen at Parelli-ville, he seems to be adapting well here at home to being cooped up. His diet has changed too, what a trooper! Pushing through like he is. I am hoping that I am preparing him the best I can for the obstacles coming ahead! I am very excited for the trip in front of us. Thirteen days left! The vet is coming out Sunday to write his health certificate, make sure he has the correct shots and the current and new diet will fare him well. A Healthy Stride farrier, Brandon Crew, should be coming Monday if time allows to make sure he is balanced. Looks like I'll be making some runs for myself, I've got to be ready too! Ha ha! Can't forget about me! Oops!

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7 Keys to Success - 2) Knowledge

"2) Knowledge - You have to have the knowledge of HOW horses think. Most people think like people, and that's a whole different type of knowledge." quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli.

Do you have the knowledge? Let's think, did you know there are 103 Ingredients? 45 P's? 10 Qualities of a Horseman? 10 Levels? 6 and 1/2 Qualities for the human? 8 Principles of Natural Horsemanship? 7 games? 7 Keys to Success? 6 zones of the horse? 6 yeilds of the horse? 6 horse talents? 4 Responibilities for the horse and human each? 4 Savvies of Study? 4 Phases? 3 and 1/2 Qualities for the horse? 3 Systems in a horse? 2 ways a horse can play?...

Well, there is only ONE way you can find out! KNOWLEDGE... Go get it! It's out there calling for you, ready to play!

6 Keys to Success: 1) Attitude

"1) Attitude - You have to have a natural attitude. An attitude is a mulititude of actions and interactions at any given time; therefore, every action and/or interaction represents an attitude. Natural horsemanship is an attitude for people who are positive and progressive, and who believe in the natural point of view of the horse." quote Natural Horsemanship by Pat Parelli. Derived from the "6 Keys to Success". Key #1 is Attitude, what is key #2?

*Be looking for more to come from my nightly studies, racking my brain to make sure I have everything memorized correctly! Would love to see you memorize them too, especially the 4 Responsibilities of the Horse and of the Human. Do you know your responsibilities?* Goodnight friends, rest beckons me to prepare for another new day. XO Mariah

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Good morning, or good afternoon... whichever part of the world you are in today! Looks like there are 15 days until I leave for Parelli University, I am busily getting the farm here prepared for my departure and the lack of a mother to be there watching everyones move, making sure they are taken care of with the best of efforts. Clothes are being accounted for, my horses and mine! Lists are made, vet appointments scheduled and making sure every miniscule detail is taken care of. Prior and proper preparation! I've been working up to this point for 5 years now, my dream is coming to life even moreso. I only pray that I will be good enough, I love what I do very much. I love how it changed my life, my families life, and have witnessed it changing so many others. I plan on giving all I have and all the Lord can give me! In giving my all, I plan on posting frequently so you all can join the
journey with me! I will be updating frequently via phone starting today. Join me & please buckle in!

Digging up some interesting pictures...

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Change of Seasons, Acceptance, Circumstances and Lives

Hello Friends,

The weather has blessed us with a cool breeze to temper down our stress and the heat that the wretched summer brought us these months past. I am watching the trees being caressed by the wind, as the water of our beautiful lake dances with the reflection of the equestrian partners above, grazing peacefully on the green foliage below. How wonderful the change of seasons are to the inhabitants of earth, the outsiders of the business world, the horse lovers... those who would rather endure the natural elements, instead of the comforts of artificial temperatures of the home. Change brings so many things to our life, such as joy, happiness, sadness, confusion, adaptability, learning, flexibility, chances, new beginnings or drawn-out ends. But change, is inevitable... "Change is the only constant factor in life." Thank goodness for it, it keeps life exciting, worth living. It grows us in character and makes us who we are, hopefully for the better.

Christian Helms and Doc, playing at Dan Thompson Clinic

Photographs courtesy of Aaron Tomblin

I love change because it causes me to become a stronger and better person. Through change I have grown, especially through these past few months. Having been teaching more, focusing on equine care and barn management, stuffing my brain with as much Parelli materials and basic to advanced horse knowledge, learning to manage and take care of a home, fulfilling responsibilities I don't want to fulfill... becoming a busier and more responsible person with these horses, is one of the most joyful responsibilities I have ever fulfilled. Mucking stalls, feeding, grooming, cleaning, sweeping, pulling weeds, coordinating clinics, doing paperwork, managing 10 horses hooves as a farrier, teaching lessons, teaching horses, watching miracles happen every day... what a WONDERFUL job.

At the moment I am doing this and much more as I prepare for my expedition to the Parelli Florida campus, my mind is doing flips! But the journey is the most fulfilling part, I am enjoying this time of preparation... it is causing me to grow. Sundance seems to be the healthiest and most beautiful he has been in years, his attitude towards me has been totally different since I have been working with Dan Thompson the past few months. I have been introduced to a different Sundance than I knew before, I do not have a punk at the end of my rope but instead I have another "Mariah" at the end of my rope. He seems confident, but if you push him around instead of asking he will get upset because he does not want to be "wrong". I do the same thing, I get angry or upset when I am wrong, because my intentions are nothing but for the best and I always strive for perfection. When I get something wrong, I get angry at myself. Sundance somewhat is coming from that same position too, he offers so much to me, I just need to learn to ask and pick up on what he is offering me.

Mariah Helms and Aamira listening to overview of the day at Dan Thompson Clinic.

The clinic was very exciting, amazing changes were made in horses and even MORE SO with people! The experience was one I will never forget, and changed MANY peoples lives for the better. Lives will not be the same, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor in the future! I also look forward to seeing how the relationships with my horses change, I am starting to see a dramatic difference!

Photographs courtesy of Aaron Tomblin

Hopefully I will be able to enjoy one more lesson with Dan before I leave for Florida. Here is my current plan and schedule for my departure to Florida, this list includes my friend and traveling partner, Sarah, who is coming down from WAY up north in Massachusetts. She will be taking classes with me in Florida, which I am very excited about.

Oct. 28th - Sarah pulls in with horse and trailer to our home to rest.

Oct. 29th - Sarah and I leave early AM to head to house in Reddick, FL, 10. Will arrive later afternoon.

Oct. 30th - Open house at Parelli Campus, going to see the sights.

Oct. 31st - Settle more into house, get needed items, prepare horses and let them settle in.

Nov. 1st - Check in time between 9:00 am - 12:00 PM... Settle horses in on campus, unload tack and park trailers. Class starts at 1:00 PM.

Nov.1st - 26th - Fast Track class! Got to get my big girl pants on and get ready for some whip cracking!

Nov. 27 (28)th - Parents, Ed and Tonya, should be heading down to pick me up and break at Disney World for Thanksgiving.

Will be home and resting until take-off in January of 13 or 14, 2011. Externship should start on January 15 of 2011.

Without a doubt, I am very busy and excited about this upcoming trip and look forward to seeing how I will mature and the person I will become because of this rare opportunity. I am very much looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces at Pat's ranch and catching up with some of the people I love so dearly! I will feel right at home, as I did last February and cannot wait to show my appreciation by giving them all that I have. I am ecstatic to see where this takes me, and how many people and horses will be changed through it. I only pray I will get everything right!