Establishing Contact

This weekend ranks as one of the most exciting for me in my advancement toward better communication, listening and riding skills. I got a glimpse of the concept called “contact”. For two years I have wondered about this elusive concept and hoped someday it would be revealed. This was my weekend to enjoy that epiphany. “Contact”, I wondered when would it happen and would I know I had it? I could just pull harder on the reins but I was smart enough to know that wasn’t contact. It, like other riding skills is a feeling, I was told. Just be patient and you will know.

I was a bit skeptical, believing possibly I would be the only one who never recognizes it, if it even happened at all. What if it passed me by and I never knew it? I am happy to say you do recognize it when it happens correctly, you can feel it, just like they told me again and again. It is like the switchboard operator years ago who plugs in the telephone line and all of a sudden there it is “communication”. You can feel it, you can hear it, you can see it, and it is all around you. Being an analytical type of person, “what did you see that I had mastered that I was finally ready to attempt to master this new tool?” I asked.
“The driving leg”, came my answer.
For you see without the “consistent driving leg” creating impulsion, contact only retards the forward. But with impulsion the energy recycles over the top line into beautiful, athletic movement. This process is what gives you that wonderful “feeling” of communication with your partner. Your Partner’s energy floats through the reins to your fingers and through your body and then is transmitted through your aides back to your partner, in one flowing circle. So now you can see why I am so excited about my experience this weekend and remain hungry for more.

The Summit

About 5 years ago I purchased my first “equine love” and began a journey of learning that has had many twists and turns. Cori was an elegant mare with a noble carriage and a huge heart, she taught me many things and instilled a passion for the correct and kind treatment of equines that continues to build to this day. In order to gain more knowledge I began taking riding lessons in hopes of learning that elusive style of riding called “classical riding and training”. It looked so easy and elegant when I watched the masters’ ride, so much so that I wanted to be a part of it. Some lessons, I reasoned, would point me in the right direction and I could take over from there. Just show me the correct leg placement, correct rein contact and the correct seat pressure and I will have that “push button” horse that complies with every request I make. Eventually after much expense and effort I came to the conclusion that I was not making the kind of progress I had hoped for.

So next I went searching for the perfect trainer, surely a more qualified trainer could simplify the mystery for me and make this an easy process where everything falls in place. Again I reasoned as soon as I learned the correct aids I would be on my way to success. Well, it happened that I did find the perfect trainer and my second “equine love”, Cinnamon Tea, but as they say “be careful what you hope for”. Instead of making this an easy “push button” process, my new trainer opened my eyes and showed me that I have chosen a most difficult journey indeed. I have come to realize there are no easy shortcuts, and now more than anything I want a willing equine partner, not a “push button” robot, an equine that listens to my whispers and agrees out of respect and love to comply with my requests. And yes, I am willing to take the time and patience to get there. I have chosen the more difficult path. but when we reach the summit my equine partner and I will be looking down enjoying the view.

Tea discusses her Liberty Work

This last weekend was rainy and gloomy but there was still work to be done by all. Mom dressed me first at the Tall One’s direction, and we were practicing our “at liberty” work. Mom tries hard but she doesn’t get it all the time. Where is that consistency I need to make my job clear? She confuses me some of the time by not having clear, concise, consistent communication. That is when I begin to lose my focus and look for loopholes to get out of doing my job; it is much more fun to make my own decisions. Maybe I’m not trying so hard to get out of the work as I am just not sure what is expected of me. I have to give her credit however; she is committed to improving the communication between the two of us because she really cares. Sometimes she struggles under the direction of the Tall One, but she keeps coming back. She is improving ever so slowly, and it is a pleasure for me to see her joy when we “click”.

After some practice with Mom, the Tall One stepped in and let me show everyone (Mom included) a small sample of what I can really do with clear communication and a whisper. The Tall One is able to communicate through body position, hand and whip position, and voice commands exactly what my job is for the moment. Most of the time I am learning to listen and comply with her requests. I choose to do this because her requests are clear and not forced or shouted, they are whispered. Once in awhile I must confess that I decide to just test her to see if I can create any loopholes with her. Well the answer always ends up “no”, she just continues to ask me with no anger or force and lots of patience and praise when I do comply. I’ll tell you a secret that you must never share because I will deny it; I enjoy having a clear direction and doing my job well for one who is so kind and full of praise. Actually the cookies don’t hurt either.

We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.

Communication

Cherie working with Tea “at liberty”

I think we can all remember playing a game called “pass it on”. You sit in a circle and begin by the 1st person whispering a phase in the next person’s ear. Then the game continues by each person whispering what they thought they heard whispered in their ear to the person next to them. The fun part comes at the end of the game when the last person reveals what they believe the original phrase was. Usually when it is compared to the actual original phrase it is so convoluted that the final phrase is not at all close. The point of the game is to show us that we “hear” what we believe people are saying not what they are actually saying.

Now imagine playing the game and the communication is so clear that the final phrase comes out exactly the same at the end as the original phrase. Wouldn’t that make the game even more fun? When communicating with our equine partners this is our goal, communicating so precisely and clearly that there is no opportunity for them “hear” what they believe we are saying as opposed to what we are really are trying to say, eliminating all chance for interpretation on their part.. Clear, concise aides and body language, this is what the “tall one” refers to as doing less. Correct, consistent, precise, and quiet aides equal good communication. Just a whisper.

Thought of the Day — to Apply Every Day

“Every time you practice or attempt something, you are succeeding at getting better—-not failing at being perfect”

A New World

It has been said when learning and changing that these are the two hardest aspects to promote this change. 1) Letting go of the old world (set of behaviors) that is no longer working , and 2) Receiving a new world (set of behaviors) as a gift. This is so true in our communication with our equine partners. To change our patterns of communication is so difficult and can at times be very frustrating .

I am coming to the juncture in my training where I am ready to accept the gift, and I hope many of the rest of you are there also. “Stop your negative thinking”, I am told. “You are missing the point and concentrating on what you believe is not going correctly, horses don’t like negative thinking”. “Instead accept every session as something learned and view it as another positive step in improving the lines of communication”.

It is truly a “gift” to have special moments with our equine partners, and I am coming to the conclusion that all our moments with them should be viewed as “special”. Even when we don’t get the desired results in our training sessions we had hoped for, we are still learning and receiving that new world of behaviors for all partners involved. What joy that should bring and it should truly be viewed as a gift.

Attaining A New Perspective

above: Cherie and Tea = January 9, 2010

How do you sum up an entire year of learning and growth? For me it is difficult to remember where I was and compare that to where I am now, however I do know that I have changed from a frustrated rider to a confident individual who can now see a glimpse of where she hopes to be in the future.

In an April 2009 class

At the beginning of 2009, I still believed my horse and the others I rode could be compared to a computer program. Put in the correct programming language (aides) and get the correct result. With that approach I was definitely not getting the results I wanted. Horses and other animals are living breathing creatures with and incredible sense of loyalty and love, in return they ask for a caring partner who gives them fair and just treatment. They talk to us all the time, in so many ways, and my assignment in 2009 (unbeknownst to me) was to begin to listen and communicate effectively. WOW what a bond it creates when you just “know” what your horse is telling you. Feather has showed us in so many ways how to observe, and also how to communicate, we just need to slow down and listen.

Cherie and Tea during a June ’09 class
Communication begins with observation and then moves to 2-way communication. Along with learning better observation and communication skills, this year has been a year of confidence building. I have moved from being a frustrated and confused rider to a more confident rider and trainer. Having better observation and communication skills has made this confidence building possible. Along with my confidence boost comes a confidence boost in the horses. They are truly looking for a leader whom they can trust and follow, but this is a gift that is earned with hard work.

Pretty Tea during January 2010 Groundwork class
Added to the improvement in my communication skills and confidence is the improvement of my athletic skills in the saddle and on the ground. I have learned to “simplify” as Feather reminds us so often. “Don’t fuss, simplify, slow down, listen”; these are all lessons that improve my riding and training skills as well as my own personal life. “Prioritize, be patient, and work on changing what you can”, again are lessons learned from Feather that enhance the quality of my training skills and my personal life skills. I guess I could sum up this last year as a year of introspection and growth, which would also be my goal for 2010; increased communication, increased confidence, and increased athletic ability in the saddle and on the ground, for both me and the horses. Thank you Feather for all the lessons I have learned this last year and I am truly excited to begin another year of challenge and growth.

California Dressage Show in Rancho Murieta

Last month a few of the “Featherettes” attended the California Dressage Show in Rancho Murieta, California.  Since I have never seen a high level dressage show I was curious about what I would observe.  I expected to be wowed out of my seat at watching my first Gran Prix tests, but instead what I observed was a little disappointing.  All the moves were there, the horses were obedient and obviously well cared for, but where were the smiles on the horses faces as well as the riders?  Where was the elegance of movement and the joy in and athletic performance?  Even with my barely trained eye I could see the flaws and the lack luster performances.

What I do know is there is a better way, and I am learning the details of this approach to riding and training every time I ride for “the tall one”, as the horses call her.  Our horses are challenged but happy, not being pushed beyond their mental and athletic ability at the moment.  The movements are already there, we as the rider and trainer just have to bring them out with patient asking and encouragement, no force.  These beautiful creatures will give you everything they are capable of giving when you use the proper approach.  Now that’s something to smile about.

Time in the Saddle

We finally we got lucky with a wonderful weekend, warm weather and no wind. The ranch was blessed with a new baby horse and also a new puppy “Merlot”.  Spring is the time for new beginnings and reflection about the past year so here are my thoughts.                                                                                                                                                                                           I have been riding about a year now with the “Featherettes”, and what a year it has been. When looking back I now can see some wonderful progress, and not just in my riding skills. I think my greatest joy is my continuing progress in my listening skills. As I become more and more skilled as a rider I can forget about MY riding and pay more attention to the feedback I am getting from my equine partner. They tell us everything and it is my continuing job to learn the language. The “Dance” is not about instant compliance to our aids but about working together athletically to make the dance beautiful, athletic and joyous for both partners involved.

The Dance

When I became a teenager my Dad assigned himself to teach me how to dance. My parents had met in one of those great dance halls in Milwaukee that were so prevalent throughout the country before WW II. They fell in love dancing to the Big Band’s music of Bennie Goodman and many others. My Dad was a good dancer and taught me the love of the Waltz and Fox Trot. What made dancing with my Dad so special was his strong communication that could lead me in any direction across the dance floor. My Dad used a firm arm around my waist to direct me, a strong shoulder for me to rest my arm on, and a firm but gentle grip on my other hand to direct my feet. It was a pure joy moving around the dance floor with his gentle but firm leading, changing the direction and the steps as we moved. Boy was I disappointed when I started to go to school dances and I began dancing with partners that had no joy for what they were doing. 1, 2, 3, 4, went my feet in a pre-described square. Rote movements with no connection to the music, and no joy in the movement.

I imagine our equine partners feel much the same way. Horsemanship is a partnership with one strong but gentle leader (hopefully this is the human). The dance begins with proper riding technique, a firm but breathing leg, a seat that moves with and encourages the horse’s movements, and gentle but elastic contact with horses mouth through the reins. Imagine their disappointment when they get a partner who has no leadership and worse yet has no joy in the movement. Everything becomes rote. With proper horsemanship skills, movement with your equine partner becomes elegant, athletic, explosive but subtle, supple and full of joy. This is the dance of Dressage.