2010

2009

2009 Archive

View all blog posts

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009

Dashing Through the Snow

Is there anything better than riding in the snow?

Well, yes actually. But tacking up on a crisp day and going out for a jaunt through the snow is definitely the best part of winter. Anna and I went out riding the other day on two of our young horses, Chica and Rosie. Chica, as always, marched through the snow with great enthusiasm. Rosie, an Andalusian-Arab cross who is our newest acquisition, was also eager to be out and about, despite not being in as good shape as Chica.

There was a definite chill in the air, but aboard the beautiful Rosie, I really didn’t care. We walked and trotted on the logging roads in the mountains behind the farm – and with that dusting of snow, the scenery was truly breathtaking and made all the better by being on horseback. We stopped and looked at animal tracks in the snow – Anna and I agreed that we need to get better at identifying tracks – and picked out a Christmas tree to chop down later.

Then we got to the meadow where we often canter the horses. Anna and I looked at each other and grinned, each knowing the other was up for a canter. Rosie is green and we hadn’t cantered her yet, but she was feeling fantastic – her gaits were smooth and easy, and her attitude was willing. I was sure she was ready for it, and I was eager to feel the canter that I had seen her do from the ground.

It was amazing. She stepped right up into the canter and followed Chica, winding through the meadow on the snow-covered logging road. She didn’t try to pass or lag behind – she maintained the exact same distance behind Chica the whole time. And she didn’t disappoint me – her canter was wonderfully balanced and rocking. It was, without a doubt, the best first canter I’ve ridden.

No matter how many horses I start, seeing them progress never ceases to amaze me. Riding out in the snow, having such a wonderfully positive ride and first canter, really made my day.

POSTED BY CELENA AT 9:27 AM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: ANNA, CHICA, LAYING THE FOUNDATION, ROSIE, WINTER RIDING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2009

The Power of Soaking

One of the best things that I have learned through natural horsemanship is the concept of ‘soaking’ – that is, giving the horse time absorb the information or lesson. My background is in hunter/jumpers, and we just rode. If our horses did something wrong, we did it again. If our horses did something slightly better, we did it again. If our horses did something well, we still did it again!

My horses have come so far just because I give them a chance to soak up the lesson. You can see them start to think about things and understand more and more. As a goal-oriented predator, it can be hard to stop for a few minutes instead of ‘working towards the goal’. But one of the things that I have come to understand and witness time and time again, is that just stopping and soaking at the right moment can get you way further towards the goal than endless repetition.

Don’t get me wrong – repetition is not a bad thing. Horses learn best by repetition. With experience, you start to be able to feel when repetition is needed and similarly, when soaking is needed.

The day (or a few days) after having had a great session with a horse, I love to feel the changes in them. A lot of the time, you don’t just start where you left off. Sometimes you get on that horse and you can’t even believe the change. Sometimes, I swear, my horses spent the whole time out in the pasture thinking about what we had worked on and decide to come out and blow my socks off.

POSTED BY CELENA AT 9:34 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: APPLYING NH, EMOTIONAL FITNESS, INNER PREDATOR, SOAKING

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009

Ben Meets Owl

I was out at the barn with my fifteen-month-old son, Ben, a few days ago on a day off. We were going around, playing in the dirt and with the animals. Luckily for me, Ben absolutely loves animals and the outdoors. On my days off, when I still want to go up and visit the ponies, he is always happy to accompany me and get just as dirty as he possibly can. I don’t mind – I’m just happy that he’s happy out there!

My business partner, Anna, was riding one of our horses in for training while Ben and I tottered around. We would go over and watch the horse’s progress for a little while, then go find some animals to play with. I was trying to encourage Ben to play close to the arena so I could see how the horse was going, so I pointed out a plastic owl that lives on a post beside the arena. He seemed interested, so I picked him up to have a better look at it.

Well, I’m not sure if it was the staring yellow eyes or the black beak, but my animal-loving little boy started shaking and crying, scared half to death of this fake bird. I had never seen him have that kind of reaction to anything, and I quickly moved away from the owl and reassured my son.

Once Ben had calmed down, we went back over, this time to the back of the bird where there was no scary face. I scratched the owl’s plastic body, and Ben was intrigued by the noise. I would scratch it, then suggest he scratch it.

Using this technique, we slowly moved around to the front of the owl, making the funny sound on its plastic feathers. If Ben got worried, we’d move away from the face; a few minutes later we would once again make our way towards the fierce face. Within a few minutes, Ben realized that the big staring owl wasn’t a bogeyman.

In the meantime, Anna had ridden over to the fence and was letting the horse ‘soak’ while she watched me and Ben with the owl. She started laughing, and said, “Celena, do you realized that you just desensitized Ben to that owl the way you would desensitize a horse?”

As soon as I became immersed in natural horsemanship, like many others, I recognized that the philosophy was applicable in many areas of my life. But I can’t say that I ever expected to use advance and retreat with my child!

POSTED BY CELENA AT 6:52 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: ANNA, APPLYING NH, HORSEPEOPLE - A BREED OF OUR OWN, MY FAMILY

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

The Pursuit of Unconscious Competence

I didn’t come up with the idea of the pursuit of unconscious competence and the steps involved in getting there on my own. One of my mentors passed on this pearl of wisdom, and I think of it often. Like everyone who’s passionate about what they do, we horsepeople want to attain a level of ‘unconscious competence’ in all areas of our horsemanship.

Think about something that you know how to do so well, you don’t have to think about it – like typing or driving. In fact, if someone asked you where the ‘a’ key on the keyboard or the brake in your car is, you’d probably have to think about it. You have developed muscle memory and habit; your body knows what to do, and it requires very little thought to complete the task. This is unconscious competence.

Unfortunately, the road to unconscious competence in horsemanship is often a bumpy one, involving many mistakes and many, many hours. Most people who get into horses start at unconscious incompetence, for a little while, at least – and many people never leave. They have no idea just how incompetent they are with horses. And if you’re not aware that you are incompetent at something, it’s hard to improve. There is no progress, no forward momentum. After all, you can do everything already! (Or so you think.)

Getting to the next stage of conscious incompetence is a great achievement. Even though it’s an uncomfortable, awkward and often frustrating place, being there is great! You know that you’re doing something – some days it may feel like everything! – wrong, which generally makes you want to improve. Moving on to this second stage is vital if you are serious about horsemanship – or anything else. It motivates you to seek answers – read, watch DVDs, attend clinics, talk to people. By being aware of your own shortcomings, you are inspired to improve.

Conscious competence comes next – you are competent at the task, but you haven’t formed the habits yet. At this point, your body still needs your mind to reason things out, to walk it through the steps. But you’re getting it. Things are making sense, things are working. You are having more and more fun every day.

And then comes the sought-after state of unconscious competence. You know where any one of your gelding’s feet are at any given time. You know just what your mare needs to work through her anxiety. Your timing is exact. You don’t have to think about it; you just know. Unconscious competence is what the horsemasters have achieved.

Once you break free of unconscious incompetence, you will quickly find that you are consciously competent at many things, but may also be consciously incompetent in many areas. It’s okay – everyone who ever got anywhere in their horsemanship had to go through the conscious incompetence stage. Persevere, play around with things and ask for support when you need it.

I have a lot of conscious incompetencies – and one of my greatest fears (right up there with bees and small children) is that I’m still unconsciously incompetent in some areas. It can be hard to break free of your own assumptions, and I find that having people to talk to about ideas and problems is invaluable. I also have many conscious competences and a few good basic skills that I don’t have to think about anymore.

What about you?

POSTED BY CELENA AT 7:50 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: ASPIRING HORSEMAN, HORSEPEOPLE - A BREED OF OUR OWN, UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENCE

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

More Than Balls & Pedestals

When I started out doing natural horsemanship, I thought that ‘natural horsemanship’ was a discipline – like jumping or reining. I devoted myself completely to it, thinking that if I was doing natural horsemanship, I was limited to playing with balls, pedestals and the like.

Hey, I’m not knocking balls and pedestals – they’re lots of fun to play with and help to increase horses’ confidence. I love doing that kind of thing! But I was missing the point.

What I failed to understand was that a philosophy can be applied to any situation – and that natural horsemanship can be used to train high-level dressage horses and cutting horses alike. Natural horsemanship isn’t the end – it’s the beginning. It’s where you and your horse are going together.

Getting into natural horsemanship doesn’t mean that you can’t ride or compete in a discipline that you love. It gives you a challenge – learn, experiment, and put a purpose to what you were already doing. You’ll be amazed at how those natural horsemanship concepts suddenly make a lot more sense to both of you.

What discipline are you riding or competing in using natural horsemanship techniques?

POSTED BY CELENA AT 9:16 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: APPLYING NH, DISCIPLINES, NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PHILOSOPHIES

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 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      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: JACK BRAINARD, LIBERTY ON PAROLE

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2009

Learning About Natural Horsemanship

A lot of us natural horsepeople, we are just obsessed with finding out more. So we turn to clinics, lessons, books and DVDs, and some of us even haul out the old VCR and play some NH videos. There are so many incredible ways to learn out there – so many knowledgeable people who have so much to share.

Personally, I love Dr. Robert M. Miller’s books (check out his website). He is so insightful – well-spoken, with interesting ideas and a obvious love of horses. His writing leaves me feeling so inspired, ready to play with my horses in a whole new way. I’m part-way through his newest book, Natural Horsemanship Explained, but, being the mother of a one-year-old and running a business, reading is a luxury that I seldom have these days. Someone really needs to start making audio books for those of us who aren’t able to sit down too often except en route to the feed mill or tack store!

This week, I have the honor of participating in a clinic with legendary horseman, Jack Brainard. Reading and watching DVDs is great, but working hands-on with the masters is invaluable. I am so excited about meeting this amazing horseman and about the numerous epiphanies that he will no doubt provoke. The only problem – after a summer that has been heavy in office work (business set-up, you know the drill!) and much lighter in riding, my body is terrified of the four consecutive full days of riding!

What is your favorite way to learn about NH? Who do you find especially helpful?

POSTED BY CELENA AT 10:16 AM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: DR. ROBERT M. MILLER, JACK BRAINARD, NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PROFESSIONALS, NH BOOKS, NH CLINICS

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

We Support the Natural Horsemanship Movement!

Natural horsemanship, in all its forms, has been sweeping the world for several decades. Although not a new philosophy, it has recently become well-known in all areas of the horse community. More and more people are embracing this philosophy as the answer to their horse dreams.

There are many in the horse world who are critical of natural horsemanship and its spokespeople for various reasons. Lately, I have witnessed many people complaining about NH. “Too many gimmicks,” they say. “Everything those clinicians say is about marketing, so that people will go out and pay high prices for their tools, clinics and courses.”

To my line of thinking, those people are missing the point. And the point is that these clinicians and trainers, vets and farriers, are helping to spread the word about natural horsemanship. Their clinics, lessons and home study courses are making it available to anyone who wants to learn. They sell the tools that they use themselves, tools that will help students succeed in their study of natural horsemanship.

Some have sayings and plays on words that makes those things stick in people’s minds. Is that marketing? Absolutely. But what’s wrong with that? Those sayings help us remember things, which in turn helps us with our horsemanship.

It’s pretty hard to argue with NH professionals’ results – happy, eager, confident horses with owners who reflect these traits, too. With their ‘gimmicks’ and marketing, tools and DVDs, these NH pros are making the world a better place for horses by showing us how to make the world better for our horses.

So really, what’s not to love?

POSTED BY CELENA AT 10:47 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP MOVEMENT, NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PROFESSIONALS

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009

My Inner Predator

Are you ever out with your horse, having so much fun, enjoying a bit of success playing around with something new and – BAM! (as Emril would say) – all of a sudden you flip back to your old pre-NH ways. Your horse was understanding what you were asking and so suddenly you want more. You expect more. Your predatory nature comes out – you become task-focused instead of principle-focused.

And everything falls apart.

It happened to me the other day. I was out playing with our big warmblood, Lex, and I was starting to ask him to lie down for the first time. He was incredible, bowing way down right away. Within minutes, he lay down voluntarily.

Success really can be far more destructive than failure. Instead of rewarding him by leaving it at that, I decided to try again to prove to myself that it hadn't just been a fluke. Instead of taking it slow like I had the first time, my expectations for him rose; I wasn't accepting each little try. By the time I realized that I had switched into predator mode, poor Lex was confused and becoming anxious.

I'm glad that I was able to recognize what was going on and slow it all down again so that I could help Lex feel successful. Again, I was grateful that horses are so forgiving - and big, beautiful Lex takes that equine trait to the extreme. Although I would have preferred that it didn’t happen, it was a good reminder to be constantly aware of what’s going on inside myself - to notice and rein myself in when I start to feel that my Inner Predator is on the loose, even if that means walking away from my horse for a bit.

I've shared my Inner Predator story - and I'd love to hear yours!

POSTED BY CELENA AT 1:03 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: EMOTIONAL FITNESS, INNER PREDATOR

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2009

Learning Horse

I love playing around with new horses and watching their expression when they realize that I understand at least some of what they are 'saying'. I can never get tired of that surprised expression of shock that a human is not acting how humans normally act. "You look like a person," they say to me. "Why don’t you act like one? Are you part horse? Why do you look so funny?"

Okay, maybe I am anthropomorphizing the horses a bit! But I'm sure that any of you who have learned to read and respond to horses' body language in a non-predatory way know what I mean. Their attitudes change. They are suddenly more interested; they pay closer attention to you. They respond as though intrigued by this human who doesn’t seem as human as the people who handled them before.

I love that look, that interest. It makes me forget about the time and just play, experimenting with things, figuring out what works for that individual horse and establishing a relationship based on mutual understanding. It often makes me late getting home to relieve the babysitter!

Sometimes I wonder how I was so blind to horses' body language, back before I really got involved with natural horsemanship. Oh sure, I knew to watch out when their ears were laid back and could tell when they were tense, but I have since learned that is only the tip of the iceberg. Besides, it isn’t just the ability to read horses that is important – it’s also the ability to respond appropriately.

I'm not a horseman yet – sometimes my timing is all wrong and I know that I don't always respond the right way. It makes me feel bad that my horses have to put up with my clumsiness and lack of wisdom. But it also makes me appreciate how lucky we are that horses are so forgiving, that they allow us the time to learn and make mistakes even though they don't know how hard we are trying to be better partners.

I love horses. And because of that, I love natural horsemanship.

POSTED BY CELENA AT 7:22 PM      0 COMMENTS     POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: ASPIRING HORSEMAN, BODY LANGUAGE

Older Posts