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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009
Riding With A Legend
Amazing: that is the best word I can think of to describe the experience of riding with Jack Brainard at a clinic in the Rockies last week. The eighty-eight-year-old master horseman was inspirational on so many levels. Every person left feeling a sense of accomplishment and at least a little awe; every horse went away improved in mind and body.
“I know what your horse needs,” he told us on the first day. And he proved it to us (not that we doubted him!). Jack talked a lot about repetition and what he does with his ![[Celena on Zephyr with Jack Brainard]](http://www.supernaturalhorses.com/Images/wildhearts/withjack.jpg)
youngsters. “I’ll do this twenty times,” he told us as he demonstrated turns on the backhand.
By the end of our first day, I had already had several breakthroughs, and my horse, Zephyr, was also clearly happier with the changes in my riding and with the repetition and consistency.
With Jack’s concept of “liberty on parole,” we learned that having fixed hands gives our horses a frame within to work and search for the release. For me, this concept was definitely a “Eureka!” moment. When I used to ask my horses to come into the bridle, I would reward them when they gave to my feel by releasing it. This created horses that nod – give to the bridle, release and head up; repeat. With “liberty on parole,” the horses create their own release by giving to the feel; if they put their heads up, they create tension in the reins.
It seems like common sense – but clearly common sense isn’t so common!
The other concept that changed my world was about knowing where your horse’s feet are at all times. “The secret to great horsemanship,” Jack said, “is showing the horse how and when and where to place his feet.” Many of the great horsemen – perhaps all – talk about this concept; that if you can cause horses’ feet to move however you want them to, you can get the horses to do anything. Getting in time with their feet to ask them for maneuvers makes it easier for horses to perform those maneuvers. Although we practiced a lot at the clinic, like everything worthwhile, it will take some dedication and time to become unconsciously competent at this – but I’m determined!
My experience with Jack in the Rockies truly was amazing. I can only hope that, when I am his age, I am as positive, passionate and considerate of people and horses as this incredible horseman.
POSTED BY CELENA AT 9:08 PM POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: JACK BRAINARD, LIBERTY ON PAROLE
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2 COMMENTS:
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010 AT 5:56 PM
Bonnie says...
I just finished reading two of Jack Brainard's books and really enjoyed them. Quite an interesting gentleman. How wonderful that you got a chance to ride with him! Knowing where the feet are is a challenging concept. No one tried to teach it to me until just a few years ago. No wonder so many horses don't seem to "get it" when we don't ask at the right time when they can move like we are requesting. I'm still working to get my timing better. It's a whole lot easier at slower gaits!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2010 AT 5:09 PM
Celena says...
Bonnie, it was amazing. He rode a young horse through most of the clinic, demonstrating things and such as he taught, and watching him on a horse was just magical. His hands - his whole body! - had so much knowledge, and knew just what the horse needed. It was incredible.
Footfalls are a hard one to master, but Jack proves that it's well worth pursuing. I am eagerly awaiting the day when I am "unconsciously competent" with my timing!