tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54749761347857097872024-02-20T11:46:33.065+11:00Chris' Thoughts on HorsesMy occasional random thoughts on horses, horsemanship (or the lack thereof) and horse breeding. Observations on and remarks about everything and anything I consider remarkable, including the good, the bad and the ugly. Feel free to comment.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04642471724267548532noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-87965518147005707282014-10-19T09:04:00.000+11:002014-10-19T09:04:00.155+11:00How feeding can affect breeding Must read for breeders:<br />
<br />
<a href="mareshttp://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0073858" target="_blank">Temporal Feeding Pattern May Influence Reproduction Efficiency, the Example of Breeding</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-17379668536063812672014-10-18T09:14:00.000+11:002014-10-18T09:14:35.740+11:00Head position - a scientific studyIt is great to see that there are proper studies conducted in the area of horse welfare in equestrian sports. It is high time to see dressage and head position on the agenda.<br />
<br />
I get fed up to see the atrocious pictures of dressage horses in LDR/Rollkuer position (oh, and the showjump riders use is, too...), and many a respectable person has spoken out against it. I don't like the emotional outpourings of the dressage community, either for or against. The folks against (bless them), are particularly emotional, thereby actually hurting their own cause on occasion.<br />
<br />
So it is with great interest and happiness that I see scientific studies that seek to find answers on these subjects. Only through meticulous data gathering and rigorous application of scientific method can we gain a measure of certainty about the things which are good and bad for our horses' mental and physical well-being.<br />
<br />
For your reading pleasure, here is one such article:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103140" target="_blank">Prevalence of Different Head-Neck Positions in Horses Shown at Dressage Competitions and Their Relation to Conflict Behaviour and Performance Marks</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-60402149039474565982014-10-16T20:30:00.000+11:002014-10-18T09:19:16.194+11:00Climate change - some proactive measuresOn the subject of climate change, it's good to see some folks get their act together.<br />
<br />
Horses SA has published some great info over the years, and it's good to see that they continue their good work, as is documented in <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/horses-tackle-climate-change/5811838" target="_blank">this Radio National (ABC) broadcast</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-19905815643938418082014-05-04T16:29:00.001+10:002014-05-04T16:29:14.568+10:00I don't get it....I know someone who sold horse a while ago. This horse went to a good show home, was brought on slowly and carefully, was campaigned and did well. Belonging to a minor breed, he did exceedingly well in open show classes and people took notice.<br />
<br />
He is a great example of a well bred horse who went on to do great things with the right preparation and a lot of effort and dedication from his new owner. He is a source of pride to his owner and breeder, and rightly so.<br />
<br />
The horse's sire is no longer around, and he didn't sire very many horses due to what I'll briefly summarise as a combination of peoples' personalities, politics and physical location. Late in that stallions life, he was made available freely to other breeders, and at a very low stud fee. Still, there were almost no takers.Those who believed in that stallion and saw his quality are probably not surprised that his son has turned into such a magnificent horse.<br />
<br />
What I don't get is the behaviour of people. Everyone is congratulating the owner, and rightfully so. In comparison, the congratulations to the breeder are still rather thin on the ground. On the other hand, the owner of the dam wasn't shy in coming forward and using the opportunity to promote her other offspring. So good to see that the art of riding on other peoples' success isn't dead.<br />
<br />
The other thing I don't get is unrelated, but at least as irksome. The horse in question is currently in "professional training" and a series of photos and a video clip were posted, as the horse is now for sale.<br />
<br />
First, the positive things: he is beautifully turned out and the photos and video set a very high standard of production and presentation of the horse. He looks great.<br />
<br />
Now the bits I'm not so keen on: The rider has very low hands with bracing elbows. Looks sort of ok-ish at the stop and walk, but the trot pictures and especially the trot and canter video show exactly how braced those hands are, and as a result, the horses isn't moving all that well. It's that modern dressage way of riding I so detest. The horses is ridden forward with a strong driving seat into tight reins. The rider actually leans way back to achieve this. The horse is overbent a lot of the time and the trot picture shows the highest point of the neck being clearly behind the poll. The neck muscle development speaks volumes. I thought that the undesirability of that "frame" was proven some considerable time ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
But what would be comments be? Of course Oh and Ah! How pretty, what a great rider etc. <br />
<br />
Sorry.. No. Just no.<br />
<br />
That horse would look 100% more magnificent and happy if he was ridden with diplomatic hands, and no bracing of the seat and arms. He probably wouldn't need a flash noseband, either.<br />
<br />
The problem I see is that folks are so indoctrinated by what they see in the dressage and show arena, that they admire and copy this riduculous way of riding. <br />
<br />
Sorry, but I just don't get it. <br />
<br />
Anyway, it can be expected that the work and time the owner has put into the horse will assure him a great home with his next owner. Further, one hopes that his future training and compeing will go along paths which will preserve his health and enhance his beauty.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-48024641220144195862014-02-09T08:39:00.000+11:002014-02-09T08:39:44.657+11:00Icelandics, gaited riding and LosgelassenheitI saw an interesting article in German about a gaited dressage kuer in Iceland:<br />
<a href="http://icelandreview.com/node/73543" target="_blank">Vorhand frisst Losgelassenheit</a> (published in the Iceland Review On Line Magazine)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>There are several interesting points:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>The title of the article "Vorhand frisst Losgelassenheit" implies that the high forehand action so prized in Icelandic horses works against, indeed kills, a horse's ability to be light and responsive. </li>
<li>The fact that many competition horses are ridden with high head and tight reins is mentioned. A competition rider is quoted as saying that any training that does NOT ask for action and speed will be counterproductive to competition, implying that any other form of riding will ruin a horse as a sports prospect. This view appears not uncommon. Dressage training is often referred to as "Kringelreiten", which is a slightly negative way of saying riding in circles.</li>
<li>Despite this, the dressage competition is gaining in popularity, though it is considered by many to be a "women's event".</li>
<li>The author expresses the view that the riding and horses on display have improved since the competition began some years ago, now focussing on better riding rather than just speed. </li>
<li>The article mentions an Icelanding trainer whose DVDs I have seen myself, and who struck me as being very classical in his approach. He also had the nicest seat and most diplomatic hands of all the riders in that video.</li>
<li>The author suggests that a horse made supple through correct exercises and ridden in Losgelassenheit (light in the bridle, responsive, calm), better Toelt can be achieved. The common way of asking for speed and action by way of restricting the horse and using strong seat, leg and rein aids is much less suited for producing good toelters who are also responsive and useful for other disciplines.</li>
</ul>
Coincidentally, we watched an Icelandic video yesterday, and many of the points mentioned about competition horses and the type of riding used were clear to see. But we also saw a more enlightened trainer at work, who used dressage to make his gaited horses more beautiful and happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-10976806405879830822014-02-09T08:14:00.001+11:002014-02-09T08:14:26.981+11:00a crocodile reformedThe crocodile horse from the last post has come a long way. Not only is the mare going under saddle now, but there is no further danger to life and limbs when in her vicinity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3FQLDyc-BOUEQ-RZKAv8UnCW5G3ntUmGsQ-751XqWMFW1hY5lm8PsFAJJmo78C9l55a-RK5rNLSvogbYL8kq_DI-3Z3f7kLQKI7shJeZ7g1-Y0F6x1aIVknu6CDZTCZcijL-87RlXqOI/s1600/Brana-quiet-lips.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3FQLDyc-BOUEQ-RZKAv8UnCW5G3ntUmGsQ-751XqWMFW1hY5lm8PsFAJJmo78C9l55a-RK5rNLSvogbYL8kq_DI-3Z3f7kLQKI7shJeZ7g1-Y0F6x1aIVknu6CDZTCZcijL-87RlXqOI/s1600/Brana-quiet-lips.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polite lips!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, it is safe to touch her mouth, even tickle her lips, or just hold the fingers there. She sometimes carefully feels for the tips of the fingers, but no teeth, and very, very polite.<br />
<br />
She has graduated successfully from crocodile-training :-)<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-38430808404188383882014-01-05T19:24:00.003+11:002014-01-05T19:27:16.611+11:00clicks and crocodilesAfter another training session, and observing the antics of one of the horses we have in work, I suggested that Yvonne write an article about using food rewards in training, specifically clicker training. She obligingly put the following article together. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
When Chris and I (Yvonne) start horses together, there is always
Clicker Training involved, as this method (positive reinforcement,
using a marker signal, i.e. a click, followed by a small treat) allows
the human trainer to tell the horse what he wants in a very clear
language: as soon as the horse does something the human was looking
for, this precise moment gets highlighted by a click, followed by a
small food treat. The horse immediately processes the information and
is very likely to eagerly and happily repeat the reinforced behaviour
in the following.<br />
<br />
Most horses catch on very quickly, and often need just one or two
repetitions to understand what is asked from them. It is also a very
stress-free method, especially when the tasks are broken down into
small steps, thus giving the equine student lots and lots of little
successes.<br />
<br />
But I was not going into depth with the clicker philosophy, there are
other people who have done this very well before...<br />
<br />
As there is food involved, I can hear an almost unisono cry from horse
owners and trainers: you will create a monster, a pushy, rough, rude,
impolite horse that walks all over his human.<br />
<br />
<iframe src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31626174@N08/4873153412/in/photolist-8qCbJq-2NZCr4-dk3C3-bsjZgH-8XLXvn-dk3Gz-7TanHv-7Td82h-7Td9bq-7TdjdG-7TaedD-7Tat5i-7Td4oS-7TdxTf-7TdGNd-7Tahz2-7TaqEa-7Tdh8q-7T9TKn-7TavN6-7TdLGb-7TapMB-7Td1mm-7TdoSW-7TdPC3-7TatwT-7TdsRC-7T9NY2-7TcZFQ-7Td7E5-7TdtZE-7T9UZX-7Ta1mz-7TcZn3-7TdkTy-7TdMDG-7TdgBE-7Td2d9-7Td3AQ-7Td8qd-7TameV-7Td11b-7Ta3Qx-7TaaZB-7Ta5Tv-7Tde2m-7Ta81P-7Tan6H-7TdCu7-7Tdo3A-7TdrKo/player/" width="500" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Well, not at all,
indeed! When done correctly, i.e. when the trainer sets clear
criteria, the horse, on the contrary, learns very quickly to respect
the human space, and you will be able to stand with your open treat
pouch inches from his nose and he won't even try to help himself!
Usually the introductory process takes only one short session: with a
few repetitions, the horse is introduced to the click, followed by the
treat, then very quickly learns to keep his head away from the
trainer.<br />
<br />
How do we do this? Easy: when the horse starts to mug you
(and every horse will do this in the beginning), immediately close
your fist over the treat, fold your hands in neutral position over
your belly button and wait. If the horse is very persistent, slightly
turn away your upper body, with your hands still in neutral
position. Now watch your horse closely: as soon as you see him make
the tiniest attempt to turn his head away, immediately say "good boy"
(if you had already clicked, you don't want to do it again) and hand
him his treat. For feeding technique, extend your arm (away from your
body, to the exact spot your want his head), rotate it, so the palm
faces upwards, open your hand and let him take the treat.
Bingo! The horse has understood the rules and will in general follow
them from now on. He might need a little reminder here and there, but
as long as you stay consistent, you will have a polite horse.<br />
<br />
But... from time to time there is one who isn't so easy-going. We call
this type of horse "crocodile", because he grabs at your hand very
vigourously, so you have the impression that he will swallow your
whole hand, including your arm up to the elbow! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsuWHBZwU8E_enlc8q6ZN6kKIaMnFP38riGw1QOgdNmIfPzQrebpLwsDYtGP9ernH_j0XARtnxda3Isy3OyhtkDqOZWXNakgarnUdHKcAm-5NHmbstLprShW-nJO8QAfSTjFTu38mtFhI/s1600/Crocodile-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsuWHBZwU8E_enlc8q6ZN6kKIaMnFP38riGw1QOgdNmIfPzQrebpLwsDYtGP9ernH_j0XARtnxda3Isy3OyhtkDqOZWXNakgarnUdHKcAm-5NHmbstLprShW-nJO8QAfSTjFTu38mtFhI/s1600/Crocodile-3.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With these horses, you have to be extra-precise and persistent. You
might only make relatively small progress during the first session,
like it is the case here for this young Icelandic mare who came to us
for training.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nSbYjto9rkg" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
In such a case, don't force it, just wait for a slightly positive
moment, then end the session on it. There is always another day. In
the case of this little mare, she had indeed processed the information
overnight and was worlds better the next day. Much more softness in
taking the treat and lots of turning her head away or lowering her
head or backing a step (all behaviours we want to encourage).<br />
<br />
But, really, the crocodiles are the exception. Normally it works this
way, and very quickly:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDeNqQdD4cKufCm8ZSjfHs60-TgRk6DBDncib6Cc8lMkYf82dCPlaYTEvIZqNiKKMH5iCZfaMJaknrX0xy1de1y44SA2UqHmuvdZJsvEaL13C3MRJlY-QXaFPRwxFKcRU_vospHSyRgGa/s1600/Al-table-manners-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDeNqQdD4cKufCm8ZSjfHs60-TgRk6DBDncib6Cc8lMkYf82dCPlaYTEvIZqNiKKMH5iCZfaMJaknrX0xy1de1y44SA2UqHmuvdZJsvEaL13C3MRJlY-QXaFPRwxFKcRU_vospHSyRgGa/s1600/Al-table-manners-2.jpeg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Al - Paso Creole gelding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once you have introduced your horse to clicker training, you can use
it for any part of your training, be it fun stuff, like trick
training, be it groundwork, or riding. And for riding, all parts and
variations of it. But that's another story...<br />
<br />
Chris and I use clicker training to highlight each desired moment
during the starting under saddle process, which makes things very fast
and easy. In the beginning, I do the clicking and treating from the
ground, while Chris sits on the young horse for the first time, then
she takes over and clicks the moments she likes, and the horse gets
his treat from me.
All this is a lot of fun for all involved, including the horse!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-67853070838455652162013-12-26T14:16:00.000+11:002013-12-26T15:57:35.715+11:00handling foalsIt has been a couple of years since we had any foals at Narrawin. But this year, we do :-)<br />
<br />
So I've been working with young Gracie (Graciela NS) since yesterday. Keeping it all nice and slow and friendly and doing my best to spare her too much stress. It is nice to see her progress and after wearing a halter for only the second time today, she was just starting to turn her head and make a few steps in response to my request.<br />
<br />
As with all my horse training, I'm seeking to find ways to make it easier for the horses and keep it relaxed and as playful as possible. Of course, especially with a foal, there are moments of fright, unless it is one of those naturally boisterous and outgoing foals we occasionally see. The more timid ones simply need to be given more time and reassurance. In the very early stages it is often necessary to restrain them a bit and let them get used to the touch, sound and smell of a person.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbwl_2J2i1DAfnIL7tYLpLTBXxG08mEFIdLXGxbKx5hzHfGQnrxmNrVs5M1Mi34Y4ohD4UoCBur1Od3lOY5j6ZTfwDZ95FvJM-TF0lcp8rtBj8nYtRDAH8rMQGHh9v6A-zJ5UJcbBP3q-/s1600/Chris-Gitana-Graciela-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbwl_2J2i1DAfnIL7tYLpLTBXxG08mEFIdLXGxbKx5hzHfGQnrxmNrVs5M1Mi34Y4ohD4UoCBur1Od3lOY5j6ZTfwDZ95FvJM-TF0lcp8rtBj8nYtRDAH8rMQGHh9v6A-zJ5UJcbBP3q-/s400/Chris-Gitana-Graciela-2.jpeg" width="343" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graciela's second experience with people - photo by Yvonne Lehey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I've found that the best way is to maneuver the mare such that the foal is between her and the wall. That way the mare is close but I can get my arms around the foal. The most tricky bit are the little hard hooves :-)<br />
<br />
A few very brief sessions of that, including rubbing the head to desensitise the foal in preparation for the halter, and then haltering isn't much of a problem. If they are ok with being touched on the back, neck and bum, they can be guided and helped once the lead is attached. It's generally better to attach the lead to the side rather than the bottom ring, but it still requires a lot of diplomacy and experience to avoid and manage mini panic attacks. It is surprising though how quickly a foal learns to cope with all these totally alien concepts.<br />
<br />
The idea of yielding to pressure does not appear to be built into foals, which is why they tend to panic when they bump into something that won't yield. A good example: when I moved the mares a few days ago, the filly bounced into the electric braid. Instead of backing out, she tried to escape by running at it harder, until it broke. The same can be felt when handling foals for the first few times. They just don't know how to deal with it. So it is really important to introduce the handling and leading carefully and thoroughly, as it provides the basis of vital understanding of the world the little horse has to live in. It also lays the foundations for all later education.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-42258125393954583412013-12-26T13:54:00.002+11:002013-12-26T13:54:22.029+11:00Trisha Wren Connected Riding clinic at DereelWe were lucky to have <a href="http://www.trishawren.com/" target="_blank">Trisha</a> over for another <a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/photos/Photos.php?size=2&dirdate=20131121" target="_blank">clinic in November</a>, this time at Yvonne's place. While the weather was somewhat unkind, being unseasonally cold and wet, we managed ok and all had a great time.<br />
<br />
Unlike last time, we mainly had local participants this time. But same as for the last clinic, we loaned some of our horses out, and Samba and Carlotta were on duty. I took Flamenca this time, while Yvonne worked with her new mare Bjoska NS. <br />
<br />
Following the clinic, I had the opportunity to have a private session with Trisha. I asked her for some help in how to adjust some of my seat and balance aids, so that the cues I use to ask for gait can be more subtle and more in line with the Connected Riding posture. Yvonne took some <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ZHpy8FbqI" target="_blank">video clips</a>.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9sedy_ooxSpRc_EYZO_EKMx6e4bY8MpkY5phyphenhyphenij020JUQANmXJ5MwAyphmuPTU4Qbhyphenhyphen-OXckCI8fvbHGfNh6rVpGsMAuYweIQTggxsiYsH_MHiAA1V62W81YPmj8ozp26O5QVrgKVUiG/s1600/TrishaWrenNov13_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9sedy_ooxSpRc_EYZO_EKMx6e4bY8MpkY5phyphenhyphenij020JUQANmXJ5MwAyphmuPTU4Qbhyphenhyphen-OXckCI8fvbHGfNh6rVpGsMAuYweIQTggxsiYsH_MHiAA1V62W81YPmj8ozp26O5QVrgKVUiG/s1600/TrishaWrenNov13_1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trisha making postural adjustments - Yvonne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-59532365575825967942013-08-30T17:56:00.002+10:002013-08-30T17:56:44.024+10:00CamarguesaI love baroque style saddles. Here is another recent acquisition, a Camarguesa (by Zaldi). I've always fancied one of these, and recently the opportunity came up. So I grabbed it.<br />
<br />
Doesn't it look nice on a Paso Fino ???<br />
<br />
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<br />
This is Rev (Reverende de United (Imp.USA), Paso Fino stallion standing at Narrawin Stud), modelling the saddle, just before we went out on a jolly jaunt. He reminds me of a knight's charger in this picture :-)<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-89272440910495349862013-08-30T16:54:00.001+10:002013-08-30T16:54:59.062+10:00RollkurA brilliant <a href="http://www.writingofriding.com/in-the-media/3-reasons-im-jealous-of-riders-like-anky-van-grunsven/" target="_blank">blog post about Anky</a> by Erica Franz.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-83660210704195295992013-08-23T12:05:00.002+10:002013-08-23T12:05:55.676+10:00Horse ColoursIf you are interested in horse colours, be sure to check out Lesli Kathman's blog <a href="http://equinetapestry.com/" target="_blank">The Equine Tapestry</a>.<br />
<br />
It is full of information on horse colours and breeds with comparisons to dogs and cats, has tons of photos and is very well written. She has also published a book, which is available via her blog page.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-64370369025614570272013-08-11T15:48:00.000+10:002013-08-11T15:48:35.423+10:00Housing stallions togetherWe used to run our young colts and gelding together in a large pasture. The younger stallions generally stayed in the group until they had their first season at stud. So they all grew up in a herd situation. Currently, we don't have many, and my gut feeling is that not all the older (breeding) stallions would be ok with it.<br />
<br />
But we do have one established and working mini-bachelor herd. Max (American Saddlebred, 16 years old) shares his paddock happily with Serrano (Paso Creole, 3 years old). I think it's great for both of them and I'm hoping it will still work after Serrano is introduced to the ladies, maybe in the season after this one (aged 4+). But we'll see.<br />
<br />
I have often been tempted to try out some of the other ones together. We've had the odd whoopsie with the electric fences and they ended up together anyway. Yes, there is a lot of noise, but aside from a few minor scrapes, it never led to anything. They are all housed in small paddocks separated by 6 meter laneways, so they well know each other.<br />
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It is interesting to read that someone has done some research into the behaviour of grouped stallions in domestic breeds. A Swiss study titled "Pattern of Social Interactions after Group Integration: A Possibility to Keep Stallions in Group" makes for interesting reading. The <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0054688" target="_blank">complete journal article</a> can be read on PLOS|One.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-80780488716485438752013-07-15T21:01:00.000+10:002013-07-15T21:01:30.599+10:00stud promotion!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lEzA9Ng9Wuc6-APkTPd9cdEE_-ubiqKvQDv6aUMzt8t3d2YxrZynJ0vBNQi1DEUKhwFIMNa4DiHYwVc01huyzA1f9_LoTFy3_YFKaz5lfXCubbHABaFh5hnyqUDHEKyzjaeGMSNWBEq-/s1600/Narrawin_Advert_2013_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lEzA9Ng9Wuc6-APkTPd9cdEE_-ubiqKvQDv6aUMzt8t3d2YxrZynJ0vBNQi1DEUKhwFIMNa4DiHYwVc01huyzA1f9_LoTFy3_YFKaz5lfXCubbHABaFh5hnyqUDHEKyzjaeGMSNWBEq-/s640/Narrawin_Advert_2013_web.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-5135684059466094642013-02-15T21:12:00.000+11:002013-02-18T09:30:53.256+11:00extremes - what's the deal?<br />
Is it just my imagination, or is there really a tendency for attitudes to swing from one extreme to another? It just seems that all too often, people seek out and zero in on something specific, which is part of some riding style or purpose. This then becomes some kind of mantra, a goal in itsself, which then starts to overtake in importance the original purpose. In their zeal to become better than each other (to win money, ribbons, admiration etc), riders, trainers, breeders and all kinds of enthusiasts will go to unbelievable lengths. I wouldn't care if they just wear bigger and bigger hats or brighter and brighter clothings (and some do!). But unfortunately, some of these obsessions are quite damaging come at the expense of our equine friends.<br />
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Go and watch Western Pleasure. I'll be damned if what goes for a lope there in the show-ring isn't downright abominable. I see a caricature of a horse doing some horrid four beat "thing" which ought to be a canter. It's so far on the forehand it's damaging the horse. It's so slow it's almost backwards. I can't begin to describe how appalling I find this. What goes for trot is no better. Slow-motion zombie-like horses ridden by grim and deathly determined looking folks. Oh yeah, and must have BLING. I mean, the judges have to look at somthing.... But Western PLEASURE? Really??<br />
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Ok, now go to Saddleseat shows. It's the total opposite. We've gone from noses scraping in the dirt and deadened tails (sheesh, can't have that tail move!) to exaggerated movement and tails that have been manipulated to stick up. Evidently, tails carried naturally high, showing a happy horse showing off is no longer good enough. Jerky, exaggerated movement is encouraged by the use of over long hooves with gadgetry which has to be seen to be believed. Horses are stirred up so they look wide-eyed and crazy and barely within control. Oh, and for total BS, have a look at the Big Lick shows for Tennessee Walking Horses. Whatever possesses people to call that riding, to do THAT to their horses in the name of a few measly dollars and trophies, is totally beyond my understanding. These horses look like robotic zombies, like caricatures out of a horror movie. They move like a real horse would never, ever voluntarily move. Sure they have shiny coats, but what do they have to go through to be so brainwashed that they can move like that. Bear in mind, I do understand and love gaited horses. But this has nothing to do with gaits. Even without soring and all the other crappy "training" methods used to make their horse do THAT, it would have to be a sad existence for a horse.<br />
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Next extreme: let's look at modern dressage horses. They must have snappy movement also, and EXTENSIONS!, but for some reason it seems necessary (especially of late, and especially in certain parts of Europe) that their nose is cranked back to their chest. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUUeRFZt8ec" target="_blank">Rollkur</a> is fashionable. Deep and round is the motto. Never mind the fact that you never see horses move like that in real life, just as you don't see real horses move like show-ring TWHs or QHs... And never mind that these horses can't see where they go and and end up in a state of learned helplessness. Oh, and it seems to be ok to ruin their backs and necks also. Again, some of the big names start that BS, and every little wannabe copies it, in the hope of being "in the ribbons". <br />
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There are other examples, but these are probably the most obvious and widespread ones. Thankfully, in all those areas, there are voices of reason, peopl e who care and people willing to educate and change to bring about a better life for those horses.<br />
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Going away from specific riding methods, we see excesses elsewhere, too. I'm thinking of excesses in attitude toward horses. On the one hand we have people who treat horses like bikes and don't give a damn about the creature. To them, a horse is just a method to get from A to B, to impress the friends, to have some mindless fun or as a sporting tool to win ribbons. Use and abuse and throw away as they see fit... Then there are folks who are just plain cruel. In the olden days, a lot of that cruelty wasn't directly pointed at horses or other animals. It was a cruel, harsh world, and people did terrible things to each other, animals probably just got in the way or were tools to be cruel to other people. But there are nasty folks out there who don't abuse animals out of ignorance or need, but who take a certain kind of perverse pleasure in doing so. Those people are sick and need help. I won't elaborate on what kind of help I'd love to give them.<br />
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The opposite extreme to that mindset are the folks who treat their animals like children. Those who are unwilling (incapable??) of being a leader to their horse, to give guidance and encourage the horse to do things which will help him to fit into a human world. Just as I'm sick of hearing of uncaring, ignorant or nasty people doing crappy things to horses, I'm exasperated about the attitude of those who seem to think they must impose no boundaries on their precious and beloved equine children.<br />
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The idea that a horse grows up in a vaccum, that no social rules exist and are enforced within a natural herd and that therefore, the human "herd mates" also have to just let it do it's own things always is, quite frankly, a lot of crap. Horses are gregarious, they love company. Most horses love to fit in and to have their place in a herd. Very few have the mental make-up to be leaders, and even those are usually happy to concede leadership to another individual, so long as that individual has leadership qualities, including calmness, consistency, charisma, boldness etc.<br />
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In a horse-human "mini-herd", the human ought to be the leader. If for no other reason than that he's qualified by way of a bigger brain and better understanding of what is required for survival in a world full of humans. However, if the human is ineffectual as leader or willingly relinquishes his role in the name of "kindness" our out of some other misunderstood notion about what makes horses happy, then the horse will fill that leadership vacuum. In some ways this may work ok for some time. Horse gets his way, horse learns that he can do what he likes and therefore does as he pleases. Human is happy to watch horse do as he pleases and is happy to make no demands whatsoever, only hoping that the love for the horse will be returned by the horse.<br />
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The fly in the ointment comes when there is an unavoidable task. Maybe the horse needs drenching, or his feet trimming. Being vaguely unpleasant, horse might decide to walk away instead of returning the human's love. Now the human has a dilemma. Be consistent and let the horse decide but ultimately see it come to harm as a result. Or... be insistent on the procedure and risk upsetting the poor darling horse. Sometimes, they try the latter only to find that the horse has well untruly learned that the human has no say in matters, and the horse actually reacts hostile to attempts to make him do something. Now there is a real problem. This usually escalates and then something happens that endangers the human and/or the horse, and then an "expert" will be called in to help and fix the problem. In the end, the artificial "freedom" we gave that horse is getting the same horse into potentially life-threatening situations.<br />
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Another scenario: the overly kind person won't insist on their horse to follow and pay attention. The day comes when a flood threatens the area and the person would like to rescue the horse from it's paddock. The horse does not know or understand the flood, therefore he does not see the danger. The kind person cannot get the baulky horse on the float and as a result, the horse has to be abandoned and downs. Dead horse and unhappy human. <br />
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I've heard of people who wait for their horse to "tell them" they wish to be ridden. Really? Same as I don't see any issue in people working for money, I can't see a problem in a horse being ridden sometimes in exchange for a good life with plenty of food, health care, shelter from the elements and a social life. This is the real world.<br />
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I've seen bolshie fillies run over their owners because they had learned they can get away with it. I've seen horses with abysmal feet because they kicked their owners to smithereens once they learned that nobody insisted on cooperation. In the end, those horses end up being put out to pasture until they get sick and/or injured and/or hurt someone. And then they get fixed by an export or put on the truck to the knackery. Does that still look so kind??<br />
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Sadly, many people who have good intentions, but lack the experience and the opportunity to learn are attracted to gurus or to ideals which lack any common sense or connection to reality. The Internet is full of self help groups and advice from experts. There are self proclaimed gurus, like Nevzorov, who are taking the esoteric approach to horsemanship to such extreme lengths that people are brainwashed into thinking his way is the only way. The preachings of some of those gurus very nearly resemble religious rantings and condemn all but what the guru himself approves (=sells). All I can say is that behind every successful guru there is a successful marketing person who knows exactly how to appeal to the emotional needs of the average well-meaning but ignorant horse lover.<br />
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What to do??<br />
<br />
I'd like to call for rational action. For attempts to understand the horse as a living, feeling creature with it's own free will and certain desires. I call for kindness and for thoughtful leadership which benefits the horse and guides him in an environment far removed from natural herd life and undoubtedly stressful to a born prey animal. I encourage people to follow a path that treats a horse like a real horse: a valuable individual which enriches our lives and deserves our devotion. But also requires our kind leadership and guidance. This path is best followed if we avoid extremes in everyday interaction, in training, husbandry, socialisation and all other aspects of life.<br />
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If, on top of that, we can do away with manipulating hooves and leg action, fixing tails in the up or down position and let horses move naturally as opposed to against their nature, we should be a long way towards having an ongoing good relationship with our horses. Happy, contented and healthy horses are more delightful to watch, to ride and interact with than any currently fashionable, man-made, artificially "enhanced" robots which are on the scrapheap before the age of ten..<br />
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I, too, am on a search of bettering myself. I would like to be a better leader and friend to my horses, and I will continue to strive to achieve that. But I am prepared to use common sense, and fairly rigorously apply logic, which filters out a lot of BS. I'm in the lucky position of having a decent amount of experience, and therefore, I can usually interpret the response of my horses to my requests. Is it working? Are we progressing? Is the horse relaxed, keen, attentive, happy to do more?<br />
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I am wary of extremes of any sort. I try to be open minded, but I question everything. I am careful of people who promise ALL the wisdom and ALL the answers. The good horse people out there are the ones who are on a lifelong quest to learn, and admit there is always more to discover and understand. They make no false promises. In my observation, it doesn't matter which background they come from or which equestrian discipline is their passion. Good horsemen and women share the very similar basic set of of skills and ideas and philosophies, none of which are characterised by extremes.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-61019557727914099402013-02-03T15:47:00.001+11:002013-02-03T18:18:40.345+11:00the darkest hour is just before dawn<br />
Over the years, when working with young horses I've seen a lot of
interesting things. Horses never cease to amaze me. They never cease to
teach me new things. And they keep reminding me how little I know and
how much more I need to work on my own self control. But that's a topic
for another post :-)<br />
<br />
There is one observation I've made quite often during the progression of
turning a green (unridden) horse into a happy mount. Progress isn't
linear. Some days I make a little headway, some days I can do three
steps in one session and the horse is happy and relaxed. Other days,
there is no progress and we both do well just to go over yesterday's
lesson. Oh, and then there are those days when there is an obvious
regression. That is when stuff I have gone over already, which the horse
seemed OK with, suddenly isn't "there" any more. I have to be content
with finding something from a much earlier lesson which I can reward the
horse for doing well, so that we can finish on a good note.<br />
<br />
Those days are frustrating. Most likely not totally pleasant for the
horse, as he is evidently worried about every little thing and can't
relax. But most definitely, they are frustrating for me as the horse's
trainer and mentor. Firstly, there is the job of having to think of ways
to not escalate any issues that emerge. Secondly, it's about looking
for alternative ways to make the horse comfortable in what he is asked
to do, and that calls for a fair bit of creativity on those days.
Sometimes the regression isn't from the horse being spooked or upset.
I've seen it happen in headstrong horses, who decided that today isn't
the day to cooperate. I've also seen it as something that arises from
outside circumstances, which meant that no matter how much I try, I
can't get the horse's attention from the other exciting stuff out there.
<br />
<br />
Just as there can be no meaningful progress if the horse is scared,
there can also be none if the horse has a different agenda or can't
focus due to distractions. To get somewhere, the horse has to be OK in
mind and body, with a willing attitude and me in the centre of his attention.<br />
<br />
Well, some days it doesn't matter how good my intentions are. I just
can't create that mindset. That being so, I really just like to do some
basics and find a thing or two which I know the horse can do ok. Then I
give praise and put them away. I will admit that I bitch and grizzle
about it, because my inner perfectionist would like to see at least some
progress EVERY training session. And so it was yesterday when we
brought in the two geldings we currently have in work. It was (in my
eyes) an abysmal session. They were flighty, scatterbrained, seemed to
have forgotten most things and on top of it, seemed grumpy. I was
grossly disappointed in what we achieved. <br />
<br />
We all went and slept on it. <br />
<br />
As so often in the past, today was a totally different matter. Both
horses had a totally different attitude. Their facial expression, their
posture indicated they were good to go. It was as though they had had a
discussion about it overnight. Or rather, as though there were different
horses in their skin. They looked keen, they were relaxed, they
responded to tiny cues. The one time one of them was spooked
(justified), he jumped and then stopped and settled immediately. We made
huge progress. Both ended up going off the lunge, one of them for the
first time. And did it well. <br />
<br />
I could feel the different attitude and preparedness to work through the reins, and through the saddle.<br />
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Let me explain that.... Reins are sort of obvious, as one can feel if
there is a give to a half halt or any other cue straight away. The
quality of that little give is also important. There is just a different
feel. I jokingly talk of butter sometimes. When things are perfect,
it's like soft butter. (Accordingly, resistance feels like hard butter,
or even frozen butter ;-) .) There is also a different feel through the
saddle. That includes whether the horse is relaxing the topline and
seeking a bit of stretch. But it's more than that. When tense, it's not
just the top neck and back muscles that are tense, but it also seems to
be the whole skin. The saddle feels to be strapped to the back and it
feels firm and unyielding and stuck. When relaxed in the right way,
muscles and skin tone are different, allowing the saddle to feel a bit
more loose. Not loose as in: loose girth, but loose as in: more movable,
an organic part of the back and therefore a connection between me and
the horse. <br />
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Honestly, it's a bit of a difficult thing to describe, and it took me
some years to develop the sensitivity to feel it, and then some more
time to come to realise just how important all this is. The next step is
to try to create it in all my horses, all the time. That is not
possible of course, but that's the goal.<br />
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Picture (by Yvonne Lehey): Castellano during one of last week's sessions. I asked for a stop. It's not too square, but his topline is soft, he's let out a big sigh and is lowering his head. That's the moment we reward, although of course, he is rewarding himself already.<br />
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The lesson learned for me here is that I should not be too harsh, but to
accept that we all (horses included!) have 'off' days. This is no
blemish on my record as a trainer nor on the horse's training diary.
Rather, it is part of the overall progression, and it makes me
appreciate the big progress days even more. Sometimes, the biggest
problems occur just before the biggest steps forward. Sometimes, we just
have to believe in ourselves, and keep working towards a goal. If the
underlying principles are correct, then the goal will be reached, and
often sooner than expected.<br />
<br />
Out of the three horses we worked this morning, every one of them made
me proud. To celebrate, I'm going to reward myself with going horse
riding this afternoon :-)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-3748290365606571052012-12-30T16:21:00.002+11:002012-12-30T16:24:30.292+11:00Champagne Watchout - gaited dressage etcHere is a video clip of the adorable TWH stallion Champagne Watchout showing dressage with a gaited flavour:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/npJRFu7M1Ks?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
The other interesting thing about this horse is that he was shown flat shod at the 1999 TWH National Celebration. This caused a lot of controversy and made Champagne Watchout quite (in-)famous.<br />
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This video clip shows him next to the big lick horses during the competition. What a striking comparison between what a TWH should be and what excesses the show scene has produced:<br />
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<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E29Pk1yavGs?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-7154110878631875632012-12-02T15:59:00.000+11:002012-12-05T08:58:30.083+11:00classical gaited ridingI've been meaning for some time to write something about training and riding gaited horses, and whether it is possible to reconcile that with classical riding.<br />
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I've been too busy with university and work to give it too much thought until recently. I've started to gather some thoughts on the subject now and have a lot of related, but unordered thoughts on the matter which I want to include in the post. But when I started writing down some of these, I came to the conclusion that I will need to do a little bit more research first. I hate to "shoot from the hip" and then find out that I expressed myself badly, quoted wrongly or made any other errors.<br />
<br />
I've had a fair bit of time off from reading horse books. I went through a stage of disillusionment and general discontent with my own riding on the one hand, and with what I see out there, being peddled as "all the answers" , "the quick fix" and "the latest & greatest". Although I didn't manage to spend much time working with horses or riding for fun for the last year, I have someone regained the fire in my belly to learn, to do, to teach, to write...<br />
<br />
Consequently, I have horses in work again, with more planned for the coming months. I have new personal goals in terms of learning, riding and writing. Riding is fun. It's a good feeling. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flamenca (photo by Yvonne Lehey)</span> </div>
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So please bear with me, the gaited horses and classical riding piece is in the pipeline!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-32499055018011681292012-11-27T13:15:00.000+11:002012-11-27T13:15:01.777+11:00transitions: the bitIn Australia, most horses are started in a snaffle bit and continue to be ridden in a snaffle. Some dressage horses are eventually ridden in a double bridle (curb bit and thin snaffle), some are put into a Western style curb. Over the last few decades, people have started looking at bitless bridles as another alternative, but it is relatively rare to see horse ridden this way. Indeed, many club and competition rules expressly forbid horses to be presented without a bit.<br />
<br />
In other horse cultures, this is totally different. Many horses are started in a noseband of sorts, be it a jaquima (hackamore), bozal, cavecon or sidepull. They are educated in the noseband, and when they are ready, they are introduced to a bit. A curb bit. This often involves a period of time when they are ridden in four reins. This allows the trainer to slowly change the signal over from the reins attached to the noseband to the reins attached to the bit, to give the horse ample time to get used to the new "language".<br />
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The young horse must first learn to carry himself properly with the new weight on his back. He must learn to step under to engage his hindquarters. He must lean to relax in the poll, to yield to left and right cues by turning the jaw. He must also learn to lift the base of his neck and increase hindquarter engagement when asked for collection and be light in the bridle in all gaits and through transitions. That's a lot of stuff to learn for a green horse.<br />
<br />
The idea of using the noseband is that it keeps all the early training stages away from his sensitive mouth. In the early stages, it is necessary that the horse makes mistakes as he learns to do what is asked of him, and by using no bit, none of these mistakes will take their toll on the bars of the mouth. Aside from that, a well fitting noseband gives very clear instructions to the horse and is an excellent tool in teaching lateral bends and lightness.<br />
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Nosebands come in two basic types: those with rein attachments on the side and those with attachments under the chin. The former is the best for teaching horses to turn and yield the jaw, the latter is great for teaching good posture and making horses light by helping them lift the base of their neck. Some nosebands are designed for both, such as the Paso Fino noseband which has rings on the sides, but can be complemented with a chin-piece with low rings. I have even seen horses ridden in four reins on the noseband.<br />
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Once the horse has finished his basic education, he is considered ready to transition into a bit. A bit is simply much more precise, and allows for very clearer communication. It is refinement that is sought, not bigger brakes. Much in the same way that a good horseman sees spurs as a more accurate method of communication than heels.<br />
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The goal is that we end up with a horse that can be directed with minimal aids. A horse, where a minute lift of the hand or a squeeze of the fingers on the rein will be enough to ask for more collection, and a little lowering of the hand will be enough for a downward transition. That's my goal, anyway.<br />
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I'm currently going through this transition to the bit with one of my mares, Zara. To show some of the equipment I'm using, here are some pictures (all taken by Yvonne Lehey):<br />
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From the bottom up:<br />
<ol>
<li>Thin rope headstall for tying the horse up.</li>
<li>Simple neckstrap and noseband attached to a Maestro curb bit. In the picture, the curb rein (grey/black) is attached to one of the top rings to minimise the curb action at this early stage in training.</li>
<li>Headpiece clipped onto a wide noseband with side rings. Reins (black) clipped into rings on the bottom of the chin strap in this picture.</li>
</ol>
Other comments: the picture was just before I mounted up. I think this was the first time she wore the bit. We are practicing flexing, and you can see that I'm using the noseband to do this. She has already put the slack back into the rein by yielding. I'm more concerned with the quality of the response than with perfect form. I'm watching the inside of her near jaw. Sometimes I put a finger of my free hand on it to help her.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/Chris-on-board-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/Chris-on-board-2.jpeg" width="296" /></a></div>
Mounted up, having sorted the reins. How I hold four reins depends on the situation. In this case, I have the noseband rein on top, and the curb rein relatively loose on the bottom, because it is her first time with the bit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/flexing-from-saddle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/flexing-from-saddle.jpeg" width="333" /></a></div>
Here I'm just double checking for flexion from the saddle just before we set off. She has volunteered to turn her head all the way around, although I did no ask for it, all I was after was a yielding of the jaw. As a result, the inside reins are completely slack, a slack SHE put in there. You also can see clearly how I have used a lifting hand for the purpose, as opposed to a hand that pulls back or sidewise.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/walk-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/walk-1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
Walking off, on a very light contact, but clearly on a right hand circle. As a result of my lifted inner hand, focus to the left (could by more forward..) and turn of the shoulders, she is stepping her right hind under well and is following my lead. I'm very happy with the outline, which is relaxed and forward.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/sandpit-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/sandpit-7.jpeg" width="337" /></a></div>
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Another picture showing the same principle, but with more "action". Here we are out in the bush, in an area full of sandpits. The footing is "interesting" in places. We have already had a good ride, and I'm basically taking her up and down the little hills, giving her challenges. She is a smart, active horse and thrives when given things to do. You can see how she is following my focus. I'm being very clear in my directions, giving "big" cues as this is quite new to her. But as before, it is the hand lift and my posture which asks for the bend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/in-and-out-the-bush-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/in-and-out-the-bush-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the way home, she is a bit uncertain about something along the edge of the road. Here you can see that I have taken up more contact so that I can guide her, but on the noseband reins only. I am not slowing her forward movement. I am encouraging her to keep moving, but the slightly raised hands signal her to relax and soften again. This can, depending on the need, be a slight hold or half halts. I find this aid crucial. If I were to move my hands low and pull downwards, she would respond with tensing her top line and I would merely create resistance and kill her impulsion.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/past-stallions-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121111/small/past-stallions-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nearly back home, coming along the driveway with stallions on both sides. Still bright eyed and bushy-tailed, and none the worse for all the new experiences.<br />
<br />
After this ride, we had several more in four reins. Now I am changing to the curb bridle with a noseband over the top without reins, until eventually, we will progress to just the bridle and bit.<br />
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For comparison, more pictures to show the various bits and nosebands:<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20120708/small/Chris-and-Samba-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20120708/small/Chris-and-Samba-2.jpeg" width="363" /></a></div>
<br />
Winter picture of Samba in a sidepull. Sidepulls can now be bought in most Western saddleries. The one in the photo has been modified from the shop bought one by: removing browband and throatlatch and by changing the chin strap from a leather strap to a curb chain. I think the browband and throatlatch are unnecessary. The curb chain is more precise than the leather strap. Also, if I take out a green horse, and we have "one of those moments", the noseband slips up on the nose and the curb chain has a little bit more "speak" than the leather strap. On the other hand, if all is going normal, the chin piece merely holds the bridle in place. This is the bridle I start most of the young horses in. It is simple, light and effective as a means of communication.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20120215/small/trot-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20120215/small/trot-2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Same bridle, different horse. This shows Wotan during one of his first few times under saddle. He looks a little bit more upheaded and strung out than I like, but he was very green and still finding his balance at that time. <br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20100829/small/bridle-on.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20100829/small/bridle-on.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here
I'm adjusting Chewie's bridle. It is the same bridle used on Zara, but
here without the bozal over the top. The noseband is simply a light
leather strap which is attaches to the bridle headband above the bit. It
is snug, but never tight.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20111217/small/levade-fun.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20111217/small/levade-fun.jpeg" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
Flamenca, burning off excess energy by showing off. Perfect collection to levade with "minimal" contact.<br />
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All these horses have brio. They enjoy moving, they are opinionated and love to be challenged. Their progression from noseband to bit is a transition that aims to conserve those qualities. My goal is to have finer communication, where less is more and riding is enjoyable for all parties. We are not perfect, and never will be, but the journey has a clear goal.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-85846747132668780102012-11-26T22:10:00.000+11:002012-11-26T22:10:07.354+11:00responsibilityI had to think fairly hard to come up with a title for this post. I'm still not sure if it's the right one. Thinking about it gave me a chance to reflect on what I want to say though.<br />
<br />
We were working Castellano and Bailador again this morning. They have now both had about half a dozen sessions of groundwork. They have both been introduced to a pad and roller, then the saddle and a little bit of work on the lunge. We don't lunge much, but I find it is a really important part of preparing the young ones mentally. It also gives them loads of opportunity to become familiar with gear. They can show us their personality and how they react to various situations and give us opportunity to help them through stressful moments. For no matter how slow we progress, how much care we take, there is some stress involved. New things always cause stress, but if presented well, they also lead to learning. For the horse and for us.<br />
<br />
The way I see it is that as a trainer, I'm acting also as sort of a
mentor for the horse. I'm not just teaching him stuff. I am also responsible
for his well-being and his progress. Therefore, I never say: we take 6
weeks to start, and in week 1 we do X, in week 2 Y and so on.... Sure, I
have a set of exercises I favor, to achieve certain goals, the
main one being that the horse is OK with me riding him and accepting my
guidance at the end of it all. How I arrive there, which specific path I
take, and how long it takes, that depends entirely on the horse.<br />
<br />
My
responsibility as a trainer/teacher/mentor is to find the right balance
between two extremes: applying a healthy amount of stress to promote
learning on the one hand, and giving enough peace and quiet time to let
it sink in and give the horse the chance to relax on the other hand. My
other responsibility is to present the right exercise at the right time
to set the horse up to succeed. That isn't always easy. Something as
simple as asking a horse to stand still at the wrong time can mean to
set him up for stress and a failure, and other times it can be perfect
to make him feel OK.<br />
<br />
As so often when we work horses, we talk about new things we learn, what we observe in the horses we are working with and weird things we hear about from other people ;-) We are constantly bouncing ideas off each other and critically look at our own and each others work. Sometimes by observing, sometimes by looking at photos we take of each other. I have grown as a trainer since I've had the opportunity to work closely with Yvonne. In some ways we are very similar, in other ways very different. We help each other out, and while we both have some stronger areas, our goal is to become better in all aspects.<br />
<br />
Anyway, coming back to the horses we were working this morning, and I have a perfect example to illustrate my point about setting up for success....<br />
<br />
We were lunging Castellano. He only wore the saddle for about the third time. He was last worked briefly two days prior. He has not had much human contact in his early life, so he is still finding his feet mentally. He was a bit unsteady this morning, possibly not in the mood to work. He was fully focused on his handler, but he needed to move his feet because he was unsure of the situation. Yvonne recognised that he wasn't settled and allowed him to move on a little. Often enough, a couple of rounds of trot or gait are enough and the settle themselves. But he started to get into a stop/start pattern and was beginning to pop his head up every time she asked him to move forward into a trot. As a result, he was neither settling nor moving smoothly and he lost his bend while trying to evade to the outside with his nose. In addition, the stop/start was beginning to stress him and looked like it was becoming a pattern.<br />
<br />
I suggested to take a whip to be more accurate with the forward cue. To walk him only and firstly look for the soft feel on the rope, the stepping under and bend of the neck. To be a little bit more pro-active when he wanted to stop, and to try and keep him in at an even speed. After only two rounds of walking, he looked a lot better. Started to relax, step under and bend. Then I suggested to look for a particularly soft moment (both relaxed topline AND release towards the inside with the nose), and then ask for the trot at that point in time. As always, she asked for the upward transition with only posture and a slight hand signal, and it was nice to see him do the transition smoothly and keeping his outline. A few steps, then she allowed him to stop and gave him a reward. She then walked him on again and looked for that same point to ask a couple more little trots, until shortly after, he did two perfect rounds on each side in lovely self-carriage while following the feel of the bend in the rope.<br />
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What a huge effect. Following such a small adjustment. It wasn't anything we don't normally do, but it still was a bit of an AHA! event, as it allowed me to realise the importance of it and to put the whole matter into words.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Castellano-longed-6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Castellano-longed-6.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Castellano during a previous session. Nice bend and stepping under </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">well. But not the ideal time to ask for an upward transition. Here I'm just asking </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">him to keep walking and to relax. P<span style="font-size: x-small;">hoto by Yvonne Lehey.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Castellano-longed-with-whip-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Castellano-longed-with-whip-1.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This looks better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">After today's session, he was able to maintain this throughout his walk trot </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">transitions and while trotting. We should have a picture next time :-) . Photo </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">by Yvonne Lehey.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Bailador-longed-with-whip-7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/Bailador-longed-with-whip-7.jpeg" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bailador is showing what I'm looking for. Moving nicely in gait, he has put a</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">bend in the rope. His inside hindleg is stepping under. He is in nice relaxed</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> self carriage and focussed on me. I need to do next to nothing to maintain </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">his outline, bend and speed.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Photo by Yvonne Lehey.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/bend.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.lemis.com/yvonne/Photos/20121123/small/bend.jpeg" width="332" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Same feel again other side, and<span style="font-size: x-small;"> at the </span>walk<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span> Photo by Yvonne Lehey.</span></div>
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<br />
As trainers, we are responsible for the learning progress of our horses. Finding ways to help him learn by setting him up for success is one of the fun and challenging things we need to think about and become good at. Teaching horses is part science and part art, and it is the little challenges which make us grow as trainers and human beings. The learning therefore is a two-way street, one that never ends.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-11830026659303859892012-11-15T23:59:00.001+11:002012-11-15T23:59:49.138+11:00ego kills learningI had a scary experience. I met a closed mind.<br />
<br />
"Leave your ego at the door" - motto of many BJJ schools.<br />
<br />
"Leave your ego at home" should apply to horse people. Too much ego is involved when we work with our horses, when we go to clinics, when we go to competitions and when we go out riding with our mates.<br />
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According to the <a href="http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ego" target="_blank">Oxford Dictionaries</a>, ego is: "<span class="definition">a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance</span>". We all have it. Some people claim to have none, but I believe it's part of how we define ourselves, and that in itself is a necessary part of us being who we are. I know this is getting into pretty deep philosophical waters (where clearly, I'm out of my depth..). But I posit there is a "healthy" level of ego which everyone should have. Too little is bad and has it's own problems. Too much ego, on the other hand, can lead to conditions such as "egotistical" (a.h.), an inflated sense of self-importance, self-delusion, arrogance, disrespect for other human beings and that most horrible of all problems called a closed mind.<br />
<br />
The strange thing is that an oversized ego and inflated sense of self-importance is often associated with a certain fears. Most often, the fear of losing face. Often, this seems underpinned by a lack of expertise or understanding. So on the one hand, there is the need to look good, while on the other hand, there is feel of uncertainty. So what does the big ego demand? A cover-up. No way is it possible to admit that there may be something missing. In fact, the really deluded ego doesn't see the gaping hole in knowledge. How is the cover up achieved? By BS mostly. The ego-driven person lies to self first and foremost, and everyone else also. They will divert attention away, point the accusing finger at their horse, their teacher, the circumstances, their friends or any bystanders, anything. The ego driven person thinks and proclaims they never err, never make a wrong decision. Therefore, they cannot accept responsibility for anything they say or do and choose to play the blame game.<br />
<br />
As they already know everything and make no mistakes, there is then no need to attempt to learn anything new. In fact, this reinforces the whole closed mind scenario, because no new facts need to be absorbed, critically evaluated and there is no need to change as a result. A closed mind sometimes reacts with hostility to new ideas. It's like a clam that snaps shut. The only reason I can figure for that hostility is that niggledy uncertainly in the back of the mind about things not being quite perfect. After all, if all was truly as magnificent as the big ego tells itself, then there would be no need for hostility. Magnanimous indifference yes, but not hostility.<br />
<br />
All things are not black and white, and on the ego scale, most of us fall part way between too little and too much. Sometimes, we just have a little too much, and we may be able to tune it down when we realise its an issue.<br />
<br />
But let's look at learning.<br />
<br />
What is a prerequisite to learning? Surely an open mind: a willingness to listen to new ideas and concepts. A willingness to immerse ourselves in the material presented, to critically evaluate what is offered, to try out, test and make mistakes with the new stuff until we find those parts that work for us. Then we integrate that new knowledge and the associated skills with our current way of doing things. And as a final step, we give credit to our teachers, mentors, colleagues, training partners and whoever else helped us to grow.<br />
<br />
To begin with, we need to realise that we don't know everything, and that we need to fill a void. Not with hollow fluff about our own self importance, but with real knowledge from people who have gone down that road before and who have things to teach.<br />
<br />
The typical learning journey has several important stages. Psychologist have come up with four distinct steps <a href="http://Unconscious incompetence The individual does not understand or know how to do something and does not necessarily recognize the deficit. They may deny the usefulness of the skill. The individual must recognise their own incompetence, and the value of the new skill, before moving on to the next stage.[2] The length of time an individual spends in this stage depends on the strength of the stimulus to learn.[3] Conscious incompetence Though the individual does not understand or know how to do something, he or she does recognize the deficit, as well as the value of a new skill in addressing the deficit. The making of mistakes can be integral to the learning process at this stage.[4] Conscious competence The individual understands or knows how to do something. However, demonstrating the skill or knowledge requires concentration. It may be broken down into steps, and there is heavy conscious involvement in executing the new skill.[3] Unconscious competence The individual has had so much practice with a skill that it has become "second nature" and can be performed easily. As a result, the skill can be performed while executing another task. The individual may be able to teach it to others, depending upon how and when it was learnt." target="_blank">(from Wikipedia)</a>:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Unconscious incompetence</b>
<dl><dd>The individual does not understand or know how to do something and
does not necessarily recognize the deficit. They may deny the usefulness
of the skill. The individual must recognise their own incompetence, and
the value of the new skill, before moving on to the next stage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Conscious_competence_learning_model_matrix_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence#cite_note-Conscious_competence_learning_model_matrix-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a></sup> The length of time an individual spends in this stage depends on the strength of the stimulus to learn.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-In_the_Mush_3-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence#cite_note-In_the_Mush-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a></sup></dd></dl>
</li>
<li><b>Conscious incompetence</b>
<dl><dd>Though the individual does not understand or know how to do
something, he or she does recognize the deficit, as well as the value of
a new skill in addressing the deficit. The making of mistakes can be
integral to the learning process at this stage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-The_Four_Stages_of_Learning_4-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence#cite_note-The_Four_Stages_of_Learning-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a></sup></dd></dl>
</li>
<li><b>Conscious competence</b>
<dl><dd>The individual understands or knows how to do something. However,
demonstrating the skill or knowledge requires concentration. It may be
broken down into steps, and there is heavy conscious involvement in
executing the new skill.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-In_the_Mush_3-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence#cite_note-In_the_Mush-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a></sup></dd></dl>
</li>
<li><b>Unconscious competence</b>
<dl><dd>The individual has had so much practice with a skill that it has
become "second nature" and can be performed easily. As a result, the
skill can be performed while executing another task. The individual may
be able to teach it to others, depending upon how and when it was
learnt.</dd></dl>
</li>
</ol>
The way I interpret this progression is that the closed mind is stuck in stage one. They don't recognise their own incompetence. This precludes them from moving on to the stages where learning really takes place and where they would have the opportunity to develop basic skills and eventually, mastery.<br />
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So the next time you hear someone tell you "I understand", "I know", "I see" when clearly, they do not, then be aware that you may not be able to help that person. At least not immediately. Most people are able to change though. I've certainly seen some pretty amazing transformations, and I'm an optimist. Sometimes, just by quietly continuing to do what I do, and offering knowledge in a non-confrontational manner, ego barriers drop. At other times, I just walk away, because I'm not prepared to waste my time. Or suffer the thrashing around of a closed mind which acts like a cornered wild beast when confronted with hard to deny truths.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-38143073363860343652012-11-14T10:50:00.004+11:002012-11-14T10:50:54.324+11:00transitionsGood transitions are essential in riding horses. What we are looking for (yes, the order is deliberate):<br />
<ul>
<li>smoothness </li>
<li>maintain or enhance our horse's balance</li>
<li>maintain or enhance our hore's lightness </li>
<li>maintain or enhance our horse's attention</li>
<li>maintain or enhance our horse's "forwardness"</li>
<li>maintain or enhance our horse's collection</li>
</ul>
Picture a horse in self carriage, under a light, guiding hand, with the rider asking for an upward transition. The casual onlooker notices only that the horse now travels faster. The fellow horseman has seen the small shifts in posture and balance by the rider and horse which lead to the upward transition.<br />
<br />
Transitions, both upward and downward are usually a result we want. The goal is to change speed and/or gait. However, the experienced rider knows that transitions can also be a tool. Revisit the list at the top. I said there "maintain or <b>enhance</b>". Yes, transitions are a great way to improve balance, lightness, attention, forwardness and collection, provided that the rider has balance, feel and timing. Oh, and lightness!<br />
<br />
In a way, transitions also keep things fresh, they provide change and keep the ride interesting and give horse and rider things to do. They can be like a little game: Hey, let's see low few steps we can use before the downward transition is complete. Hey, let's see if half the amount of hand lifting suffices. Hey, let's see if breathing out from the middle will make a difference in the downward transition.<br />
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The same applies to work in hand, when the horse is on the circle. I always try to see how "little" a signal will suffice to get the transition. And I find that the more I ask with lesser cues, the more the horse tunes in. Sure, at all times I have to be prepared to ask again, with a more obvious cue. But I always ask with the lesser cue(s) first, as my goal, be it on the ground or in the saddle, is aways to achieve the points in the list at the top. <br />
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The transitions I'm really looking for are the ones where I have to do so little and the horse responds so smoothly and looks so beautiful, that most onlookers will think the horse did it by himself. They don't always happen, but they do happen. I do however, constantly aspire to get them.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-32509077493791224942012-10-07T13:43:00.000+11:002012-10-07T13:43:54.450+11:00A small projectI'm working on a small project. More details later.... :-)<br />
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The efforts of today's labour:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOaa1UkZ_ABcqlxjBWCTB4A11GaDN9Kh7Fu1ApcG6TOeaI25BQTranw4_-B7b80N_Jv4x-mNvGI9qQEU981cUWfT48TCrOl3LUmFTnz-xgYxo-xfcKQyrc77sm4xesorC5p3S1lSzV_0z/s1600/dna_samples_first10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOaa1UkZ_ABcqlxjBWCTB4A11GaDN9Kh7Fu1ApcG6TOeaI25BQTranw4_-B7b80N_Jv4x-mNvGI9qQEU981cUWfT48TCrOl3LUmFTnz-xgYxo-xfcKQyrc77sm4xesorC5p3S1lSzV_0z/s400/dna_samples_first10.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-80013204631420015292012-09-23T21:54:00.000+10:002012-09-23T21:55:06.833+10:00saddle review: Hidalgo Valencia IIWe were sent a Hidalgo Valencia II by Natalie from Horse Connections. We used it for several weeks on a variety of horses which included Part Andalusians, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos and American Saddlebred horses.<br />
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Overall, we were very impressed with the saddle. Here is why....<br />
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The saddle came well wrapped and with all the attachments separately. Aside from the saddle, there were: the panels, a gullet cover and some knee blocks. All attach via velcro to the saddle. The picture below shows the saddle straight out of the box, with only the main panels attached (not visible). The leather piece o the right is the lining for the gullet, which was attached underneath the saddled and between the panels just after this picture was taken. The things on the back of the saddle are straps with clips and dees which hold up the stirrups when not in use.<br />
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The stirrup leathers re attached under the flaps. I much prefer this to leathers above the flaps, like with most conventional saddles, as there is much less likelihood of pinched legs, and it looks very neat. Unlike most saddles with flexible trees, the Hidalgo VII has safety bars.<br />
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The picture shows the long straps, which are made from decent, doubled up leather. The seat and the front and back of pommel and cantle are suede, but the knee pads are plain leather. The optional kneed blocks can be attached under the knee pads in a variety of positions. We didn't end up using them very much, but had a play around with them and found them to be very functional and easy to adjust.<br />
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The picture also shows the dees at the front for attachment of a breastplate.<br />
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Not visible are the U-shaped panels, which are attached by velcro to the bottom side of the saddle. They can be adjusted to suit different back shapes. They are well padded, soft, but firm enough. When fitting them to the saddle, it is of course necessary to first look at the width of channel which is desirable, and then ensure that the panels are placed parallel. Uneven panel placement could mean that the saddle and rider end up sitting crooked, and ultimately lead to back issues. However, it is very easy to line the panels up, and if need be, check with a ruler.<br />
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The seat is very comfortable. I understand it has latex under the cover. What I also liked about the seat is that it has a relatively narrow twist. Unlike some other flexible tree designs, I found that it allowed me to hang my legs straight down, which I find so important for a correct seat. The stirrup bar placement is also such that it encourages a good, balanced seat. The suede seat, combined with the deep seat encouraged by the shape gave a feeling of security. This was even greater when adding the knee blocks. We tried the saddle out on some fairly fast rides over uneven terrain, and on some very green horses, who put in the odd spook. We always felt quite secure in the Hidalgo.<br />
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On a horse, it looks like this:<br />
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The horse is a mare I bred, called Narrawin Morena. She is by a Peruvian Paso stallion and out of an American Saddlebred mare. She has a fairly normal (if a slightly long) back with a good wither. This picture illustrates well how, without any effort or tensions, I can sit in the saddle with a nice deep seat and long legs.<br />
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... to be continued....<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474976134785709787.post-12159185782413236762012-09-23T21:01:00.000+10:002012-09-23T21:01:06.994+10:00gaited geneThere has been much speculation about a gene or genes which cause lateral and ambling gaits in horses. Recently, a study was done in Sweden and a <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v488/n7413/full/nature11399.html" target="_blank">paper published</a>. The interesting thing is that their research, based on horses and mice, showed that a single gene is responsible.<br />
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If find that amazing. Certainly, there was never a doubt in my mind that "gaitedness" is genetic, but I always expected it to be a complex matter, with several genes involved, and maybe enhanced by certain types of conformation.<br />
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Anyway, I'm sure that this is just the beginning of more of such interesting discoveries.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0