Spring Semester

Sunshine, blue sky, and pleasantly warm temperatures greeted us last Saturday for the start of Spring Semester training.
Judy and I quickly got the routine chores finished in time for the arrival of Paula and Petra, two equestrians who brought their horses out for a semi-private clinic with Feather.

Both horses unloaded quietly and didn’t seem at all concerned when led into an individual round pens. The horses had some time for a good, long roll and to explore their respective round pens before being asked to work at liberty by their human partners.
Observing them working “at will” it soon became apparent that it was time to dress them with surcingle, bridle and side reins.
It’s always enlightening to hear the Tall One discuss the reasons behind the Method – why we request moves in a certain manner, be it a voice command or our body language, even placement of our lunge whip and the timing of a “cluck”. It’s like taking a refresher course and this was the perfect time to review so many of the intricacies that are often taken for granted.

Judy, Cherie and I got to sit on the sidelines and take it all in, watching as Feather spent time working with each horse in the round pen, and as usual she made it look so easy.
I’m always reminded that it doesn’t matter what we intend to do with our horses: trail riding, showing, etc, the aim is to have a quiet, willing, obedient and athletic partner. Good communication skills creates positive energy for both horse and rider.
Paula and Petra spent the second half of the session in the saddle and the three of us retired to the shade to watch them as they worked on the fundamentals of walk, halt, straightness, trot. A short trail ride was taken, a well deserved break for both horses and riders, but soon they were back to work in the ring.

While the ladies continued their lesson we three saddled up Flicka, Relentless and Tea so we could join in on a trail ride after their class was completed. And in spite of having had only light work at liberty over the past 3 or 4 months, our kids were pretty well behaved, which says a lot about the time we have taken to learn how to be effective teacher/trainers. Sure, Flicka pranced and flirted, Relentless got a little worried (Tea was very well behaved!) but each of them took their turn at leading the line or bringing up the rear, and so very happy to be out on a wonderful Spring day. And so were their humans.

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.