July 8, 2008 - Being an Unpredictable Leader

Unpredictability is Key with Left Brained Introverts

Why? Because they always know WHAT HAPPENS before what happens happens. Left brained introverts are so incredibly smart, but they are introverted about it and have so many 'evil' thoughts it is hard to tell. You can ask them with a Phase 1 and they'll go "Whut?" with this dimwitted face about them, but you quickly use a higher phase and they'll go "Oh, I remember!". Yesterday I had some feed on the other side of the gate, and he found it but couldn't get it on the other side. So the little smarty got to thinking on how he could snatch a bite! Well, he couldn't stick his head through the gate, option one out. He couldn't put his head over the gate and snatch a bite, option two out. He couldn't paw the gate to get it open, option three out. So stumped he was, oh so pitiful. Guess what he tried next? He went down on one knee in the bow JUST like I taught him days ago and put his head under the gait, and nibbled at the bucket just enough to push it farther, close but no cigar. Well, I would say the trick worked pretty well to me because it caused his mommy to reach over and hand him the bucket. Option four, SUCCESS! What a clever little boy he is. All this took place during a 3 hour lesson, so I shot in afterwards just in time to beat the sprinkle of rain the clouds offered. As soon as it stopped I ran outside to play with him again before the big black clouds came, and got just enough done before all unleashed. I put the 45ft line on and got my energy UP like an electricity plant, he soon became excited too. We did some blood pumping close up tasks to get his energy up more then released it into the task I am trying to complete, cantering and trotting on the 45ft line. It went fabulously, MUCH better than on Monday, he actually got almost 5 laps at a canter without correction and did 8 laps with a mixture of trot/canter (but mostly the canter).Then we played with his favorite task, sideways and sideways towards mommy, he did so well and at liberty. By now the absolutely evil looking storm was upon us so we trotted our way back to the barn, just enough time to smooch him, give him a treat and run to the house before getting drenched. That session was awesome. Because of the rain I did not get to play with Bebe, but one of my students did during the three hour lesson, so I don't feel too bad about it. I will work with him first today to make sure we get some level three time under our belt once again!

July 7, 2008 - The New and the Naughty, Back Home.

Beautiful Breezers, poking out to say "Hay!"

Sundance, the Naughty

Sundance was actually quite a good boy today, but as always he is naughty and that will never change. It's a great attribute to his 'Fabio'ness, makes him all together a perfect creature called Sundance. I got home from 'vacation' (so called) yesterday around 9 am and went straight to the barn, to see beautiful bright faces showing their expression of happiness that mother is home. I went out and played with Sundance on the 45 ft and 22 ft line, with the plan of Free Willing. His backing was great, cantering for a while on the 45 ft wasn't his favorite task. I attached the 22 ft line and did some zone 5 driving, that was FUN and it sure got him thinking quite a bit too, I think he liked it because he was trying so hard to do what mommy asked. I had to go in and get ready for a 2 hour lesson to teach, had fun with my student, she's great, all of them are. Afterwards we played with his bowing, to my surprise when I went to go to him to ask for the bow he started to paw like a mad man and went down by himself and begged for his treat. You know me, I stashed out the loot. Now he is totally begging me to ask him to bow, now I can just cluck and stand beside him and he will bow all the way down. The coolest thing is is that he is actually 'thinking' down, because he is pawing a boat load when he wants to bow. He should be easy to teach to lay down, if we do this long enough I bet he will eventually just lay down on his own. I am just going to be patient. Sadly, I did not get to play with Bebe yesterday because by the time I got back from helping my dad it was dark. Oh poo, I will get to play with him today though. I expect to have a great lesson!

Positive expectations = positive results

Negative expectations = Negative results

NEW! CHECK IT OUT

Check out the link bar on the left hand side to see my NEW and improved Lessons Program page. Thanks for all your help F!

Parelli Natural Horse-Man-Ship Level 3 Refinement Program

Uncompleted Stage 2 Online Tasks

The Circling Game (#5) at 45 feet

Objective

• To send horse out and have trot and canter, with slack in line, without breaking gate, until you call him in (for at least 8 laps). Nothing should take more than a Phase 2.
• To make transitions between walk, trot and canter while circling.

Almost classified as complete, just need to test now that something was clarified.

The Sideways Game (#6)

Objective

• To drive your horse sideways down the fence (and ultimately without a fence) over a distance of 50 to 300 feet, with slack in the rope and the belly of the rope dragging the ground.
  

Flying Lead Changes on the 45-foot Line

One day soon (as part of Level 3) you’ll be asking your horse to execute a flying change of direction in the round corral. This lesson on the 45-foot Line is a great way to prepare for that task.

Objective

• To have your horse canter in one direction, then change directions, making a flying change onto the new direction.

NOTE TO SELF -

Week Schedule, write down when home.

• Call * for round corral use
• Lesson on Monday for 2 hours
• Lesson Wednesday
• Modeling at 3:30pm wed.
• Lesson with C Thurs. Fri. Sat.
• Lesson with L on Thurs 2 hours
• Get stuff together for July 19th play day
• Look up deworming schedule

Whoa, push the PAUSE button then REWIND, then PLAY back in slow motion please!

More pictures from the first SCSC Play Day

Wow, it is amazing. Yes, I know my horses are amazingly good looking but I was referring to how fast the days go by. (Ha ha) The last time I blogged it was JUNE 31st, now it is JULY 3rd! So that is too many days I have not kept everyone posted, my bad! Sorry about that! I will give you a briefly put update on my life.

• I have 2 new students.
• I am at the beach.
• I am getting prepared to hopefully appear in the savvy team next year at a tour stop.
• Had the cutest guy in the world watch me teach a student (I didn't just say that.)
• Sundance is learning the steps on how to lay down and do a Spanish walk.
• Going to help at a Parelli Kids camp next week.
• Getting prepared for another SCSC Play day on July 19, 2008.
• Soaking up the Parelli Liberty and Horse behaviour kit like a sponge at any chance.

Think I am busy? No not too busy, just enjoying the life of a future Parelli Instructor, that's all!

Contrary to belief (on my part!) I have been playing with the horses the past couple days and with great success! I will skin it down to the most important factors.

• I found that Sundance hates circles (again) but if I am fun, provocative and savvy enough he can enjoy them.
• It's not about the gate... trailer... task... getting water... etc.
• Humans are direct line thinkers, horses are not.
• Left brained horses are not ALL confident, some are unconfident yet still left brained. (Everyone say, "Hmmmmm!")
• Sundance is a Moderate Left Brained Introvert and will die for food.
• Nita Jo Rush is a great Parelli Instructor.
• Being savvy in every situation, no matter what is the most important thing you can do.
• I am no longer nervous when someone watches me teach.
• Be a fun, exciting, unpredictable instructor.
• Never bore your horse, use consistency.
• You can never receive too many kisses from your horse, even if he is being a suck up.
• Never give up, there is always a light at the end of a tunnel... and usually a reward.
• Do the right thing, it might not be easy now... but will make things a lot easier later.
• Compassion goes a long way.

I think that is about it, that is everything I learned the past 2/3 days. Hope you enjoyed, I know I did.