tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63395858904268754082024-03-19T02:40:52.036-07:00Raising The Baar Horsemanship CenterA collection of news, horse updates and profiles as well as education related to the horses and training at Raising The Baar Horsemanship Center.Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-71829548161219795612018-11-11T10:35:00.003-07:002018-11-18T19:25:37.467-07:00The Compass - A Versatile Obstacle<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: Times New Roman; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">At Raising The Baar Farm, we are dedicated to approaching the horse's training in ways that help the horses to become Smarter, Calmer, Braver and More Athletic. The vision is to help the horses advance in the most natural way possible by making the most of each session, environment and through daily stimulation. This often means setting up a natural environment where the horses learn to physically balance while traveling on hills, interacting with and without other horses, traveling on differing terrain and through altering schedules. With this as a daily part of the routine the horses grow not only physically but mentally and emotionally as well. They become more balanced individuals, better able to cope and learn in the environments they are put into. Part of the development of each horse includes learning obstacles to advance their mental, emotional and physical being. An obstacle that has been getting a lot of attention recently is our "Compass". It was designed to help horses and riders at multiple levels with varying degrees of challenges available to the leader. It has since become a staple in the training program with most horses and students playing 1-3x/week at The Compass.</span></span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhwEslIVXv5Ico1cWxbqNLjhpbx-HhAGdj_Jb7sUv6a1pFnwnJKpftuBOS8dxg5gjWsIqfDsxCO1-7el7Y9qU_i5pOgzQXHtxu3fBxyRExMKzXSIbhLhNWKLU1VVUv8hQjml0iJJihfF3/s1600/The+Compass+JPeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhwEslIVXv5Ico1cWxbqNLjhpbx-HhAGdj_Jb7sUv6a1pFnwnJKpftuBOS8dxg5gjWsIqfDsxCO1-7el7Y9qU_i5pOgzQXHtxu3fBxyRExMKzXSIbhLhNWKLU1VVUv8hQjml0iJJihfF3/s400/The+Compass+JPeg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are some but not all of the ways to use The Compass:<br />
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<u><span style="color: black;">Circling On Line:</span></u></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"> The human stands in the middle (on or in a tire), this helps the human keep their feet still while the horse figures out the puzzle being asked. The human then picks the puzzle to be solved:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Walking logs</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Trotting poles</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Canter Cavaletti</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">10 meter circle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">15 meter circle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">20 meter circle<br />Sideways away or towards, over or on front of<br />Yo-yo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"> And then the gait:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Walk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Trot</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Canter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Next the human adjusts the length of rope accordingly and carries on with the session, rewarding when the horse makes an improvement towards the goal. The goal can be whatever you choose that is applicable for your horse and their stage of development, examples of goals I usually pick:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: sans-serif,Arial,Verdana,"Trebuchet MS"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline; float: none; font-family: trebuchet ms,trebuchet,sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.2px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">Horse new to The Compass - Rhythm at walk, then trot</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">After 2-5x at the Compass - Seeking the walk poles</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">After 2-5x at the Compass - Seeking the 10 meter circle at walk</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">After 2-5x at The Compass - Seeking 15 meter circle as walk and trot</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">5-7x - Rhythm at canter at 20 meter circle</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Advanced Horses - Seeking the trot poles, seeking the canter bounce</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">- Canter on 15 meter circle</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">- Canter on 10 meter circle</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<u><span style="color: black;">Circling while riding:</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black;">The Compass is also a great obstacle for riding advancement. Again, the rider has the choice of riding a 10 meter, a 15 meter or a 20 meter circle. With any of these options the visual line of the circle is clearly defined by the spaces between the poles, which helps ad clarity to horse and rider. It is an excellent way to get horses and riders accustomed to riding in larger spaces with a clear and specific focus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">An advanced rider can take advantage of the walk, trot and canter poles to test their steering while negotiating obstacles. This is also an opportunity to help your horse physically become stronger and more balanced. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black;">For variety the poles can also be ridden in a reverse turning cloverleaf, offering straight lines and turning in addition to precision.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In addition to circles, squeeze, and friendly games, the Compass can also be used for yo-yo and sideways.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black;">Yo-Yo On Line:</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Use the 'pie slice" (the space between two sets of close poles) as a guide for the straightness and ending point of your yo-yo game. It also works as a great confidence building squeeze game. If the logs you have arranged are not too large you can change your angle and ask your horse backwards over the logs.</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: black;">Sideways On Line:</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Use the front of the logs as a guide while sending your horse sideways, this is ideally achieved with you staying in the center so that you can work on your distance from your horse. For the advanced horse you can also add sideways towards.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In addition you can ask your horse sideways over the logs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<u><span style="color: black;">Riding Yo-yo and Sideways:</span></u></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Of course these above exercises can also be completed while riding.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">In short those are just a few of the things that you can do with a horse and The Compass, it is proving to be one of the most versatile obstacles for horses and humans, of all levels, on the farm. If you decide to add one to your facility, I hope you enjoy the endless possibilities, as we have!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;">-Kathy Baar</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #cccccc;"></span><br /></div>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-6349974161663208702015-03-10T08:28:00.000-07:002015-03-10T08:28:04.050-07:00Preparing Boundless for the Blanket (Originally printed in the Feb 2015 Savvy Times)
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Occasionally in our journey with horses it may be
appropriate to put a blanket, sheet, cooler or fly sheet on our horses. In this
moments it is almost always better to be prepared<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>than to wish you were. As Pat says at nearly
every event where he speaks (taken from the 45+ ‘P’s”) “Prior and Proper
Preparation Prevents ‘P’ Poor Performance.” Another great thing about preparing
horses for the blanket is that it can help prepare them for their first saddle
and/or help you see how the horse’s confidence is with “things” that wrap
around the whole horse. To set horses up for success we can take our time with
the blanket preparation and help the horse become a more willing and confident
partner. The following steps are some ways that I think of preparing a horse
for a blanket and the photos are of my new weanling filly who needed this
lesson in preparation for winter (just in case).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first thing and most important for this exercise is to
help our horses understand <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friendly game</b>.
As Pat has so often reminded us: “A horse doesn’t care how much you know until
he knows how much you care.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we are going to play friendly game in two forms;
accepting us the human and accepting our tools (carrot stick, string, blanket,
etc.).For safety reasons it is often best to start <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friendly with the stick</b>, this way if the horse is feeling defensive
and we misread the situation they will hit the stick not us. Begin by checking
that the horse is confident with the stick being rubbed in all zones (neck,
legs, belly, tail, etc) and that they don’t have any “yeah but” spots (these
are areas where your horse says “You can touch me anywhere but there”). Using
approach and retreat build the horses confidence until they are calm with the
stick and might even enjoy it, like another horse grooming them.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A great thing to check out next is the horse’s acceptance to
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friendly game with the stick and string</b>
in all zones. This will help prepare them for the motion of the blanket when we
toss it over their back and the motion they will feel when trotting or
cantering with the blanket on. While playing with this more active friendly
game we need to be sure our energy stays friendly, this is how the horse will
tell the difference between friendly and driving games as you advance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that the horse is prepared and we feel as safe as
possible with the friendly game it is important we can play <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friendly with our hands.</b> After all it
will be our hands reaching between the hind legs for the straps and positioning
and adjusting the belly straps! With this in mind it is a great time to over
prepare our horses for this reach. Play a little exaggerated friendly game with
your hands, rub with some energy and be sure your horse is accepting
particularly in zones 3-4.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another great preparation for the “just in case” situation
is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">porcupine game</b> specifically with
the legs. This is great for preparing horses for a malfunctioning blanket that
falls partially off, or drops a leg strap. By preparing horses for the possible
and probable we can often avoid injuries or emotional trauma in our horses.
Using phases for porcupine and a 12’ or 22’ line we can ask our horses to
follow a feel/<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">porcupine on legs</b> off
of steady pressure from the rope. By using the rope again we get a little more
space in case we need to allow our horses to drift or they get a little
concerned. Keep in mind even with your hands on the rope it is important to use
phases; 1. Hair 2. Skin 3. Muscle 4. Bone and to release for the slightest try.
The goal in this exercise is to help our horses understand how to follow a feel
rather than do what is natural and push into it. There is some great
information on the Savvy Club Website about
leading by the leg.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next preparation or “test” before blanketing can come
from using <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friendly game with a towel</b>
or saddle blanket to toss over your horses back. This tests out the horses
acceptance of friendly game with our tools (things that are an extension of us,
like our carrot stick and string). Applying the same approach and retreat
method used for friendly with the stick and string or saddling we can now
prepare our horses a step further for the blanket with a towel that falls off
much easier (just in case they take a fright). Using a towel also allows us
something small enough that we aren’t getting tired “heaving” it over the
horses back. Also, sometimes in the winter static can build up between the
horses and blankets/towels, if this happens a quick spray of water or water
with a hair moisturizer in it will help tame the static so that the horse is
not getting shocked!</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our goal is that by the time we get to blanketing it is easy
and that we have over prepared our horses for the situation. After all, the
quote “Take the time it takes so it takes less time.” Is nearly a Parelli
anthem. This way horse and human can relax when it comes to blanket time and
trust that the preparation has laid the foundation for success.</span></div>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-40077285781271018262013-07-18T16:54:00.001-07:002019-12-14T15:26:21.975-07:00Happy Moment of the DayKathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-29801707215776233222013-07-15T11:29:00.001-07:002013-07-15T11:29:57.614-07:00Happy Moment of the Day<p>Laying in the shade beside a hot mineral springs tub in Pagosa Springs, CO with my arm floating in the water and Luke snoozing on my tummy:-)</p>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-69547091300574556712013-06-01T06:40:00.001-07:002013-06-01T12:22:07.801-07:00Traveling with an OTTB!<p>We spend much of the summer on the road traveling from state to state teaching clinics and camps. It is a great oppertunity for our horses to get exposure and become confident in many different environments. Occasionally however the miles of travel take a toll on the horses particularly our more sensative Thoroughbred. So, last month we experimented with a slightly different approach on feed and had success maintaining his condition plus the feed took up less room in the trailer AND it helped keep the horses hydrated!<br>
We chose to feed a combination of our usual alfalfa hay with some <a href="http://www.standleehay.com/featured/alfalfa-pellets">Standley alfalfa</a> pellets and Standley <a href="http://www.standleehay.com/featured/alfalfa-pellets">alfalfa cubes</a>, we also added a bit of beet pulp.<br>
The great thing with traveling with the compressed hay cubes is that it is easier to manuever in the trailer and we had less waste from dropped bits of hay. Also, because we soaked the cubes/pellets VERY thoroughly the horses almost had a mash to eat and therefore were taking in more water to help them hydrate, a definate plus when traveling.<br>
The other thing that worked out well was the addition on water, beet pulp and a second type of forage really seemed to help keep condition on the OTTB (Off The Track Thoroughbred). Overall it was a successful experiment and we are continueing to carry cubes/pellets with us as we travel.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-w2nuDwbnYJAHCV6-WgZ9_cw8dSOMeJCYNs3EGPhal9Gst_sja-4_yTK1J23kCd9aSlFXSkjQ3No3GhgNVJ5Uo6oAO7qgxl8AMOJ79OC0VcevSkwWeA9ZpRbnKNxMb4KUULVrvbHMPPi/s1600/2013-05-17%25252015.51.15.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-w2nuDwbnYJAHCV6-WgZ9_cw8dSOMeJCYNs3EGPhal9Gst_sja-4_yTK1J23kCd9aSlFXSkjQ3No3GhgNVJ5Uo6oAO7qgxl8AMOJ79OC0VcevSkwWeA9ZpRbnKNxMb4KUULVrvbHMPPi/s640/2013-05-17%25252015.51.15.jpg' /> </a> </div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-60434415876484673622013-04-23T19:06:00.001-07:002019-12-14T15:26:22.640-07:00What horse advice and baby advice have in common<p>Have you ever had someone "offer" advice on how to handle a "problem" you are having with YOUR horse? Or more specifically different solutions from different people? This happens a lot with things like trailer loading, for instance to improve your trailer loading you may have heard "heat up his heels", "just offer him a carrot or give him some grain inside", "he's a mans horse, you'll never get him in with treats!", or "you'll have to tranqualize him if you ever want to get him in the trailer". How interesting that most of these "words of advice" are not only conflicting but also at the extreme ends of ways to approach the situation. <br>
Recently I have discovered this phenomenon of seemingly conflicting advice isn't just isolated to the horse world! This realization began to take shape last August with the birth of our wonderful, bright, enquizative, very extroverted son Luke. It seems that the world of youbg children is an area filled with "experts" willing to share their opinion about how things "should" be done. They are so willing that often the meer mention of a young human opens their vault of "useful musts"!</p>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-32591305343531769332013-04-11T12:29:00.001-07:002013-04-11T12:32:59.575-07:00Joy Blog!<p>I just stubbled across this great website and this was the most recent blog posted - I really enjoyed it and though it was worth sharing! Hopefully you enjoy it too and you can check out the website for yourself here: <br>
<a href="http://www.greatday.com/">http://www.greatday.com/</a> </p>
<p>THE POWER OF JOY!<br>
See the things you do not as work, but as opportunities for joy. Put the power of joy into the entirety of your day, into the whole of your life.<br>
You can always choose your perspective, no matter what may be going on around you. Living from a perspective of joy and positive presence gives you great power to manifest that joy in the world at large.<br>
Don’t limit the joy in your life by thinking of it only as something you must find or acquire. See joy as one of the greatest gifts you have to give, to yourself and to all of life.<br>
You don’t have to live in a fantasy world or deny reality in order to be joyful. Simply release joy from the limitations and conditions you have placed on it, and it can always be a very real, and realistic, part of your experience.<br>
The place to always find joy is in your miraculous existence. Allow that joy to flavor each moment, each situation, every effort and every choice.<br>
Live your life with the power of real, true, uninhibited joy. And live the great treasure that is always yours.<br>
— Ralph Marston</p>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-51093803878945375582012-12-16T19:41:00.004-07:002012-12-16T19:41:36.510-07:00The Attitude of Justice - Parelli Principle # 5
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It sounds simple and we know our attitude is vitally
important on our horsemanship journey! Then, why, does it sometimes feel so
hard to carry out the attitude of justice? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my path of helping humans learn about natural
horsemanship I am often repeating the need for the ‘attitude of justice’ while
demonstrating a technique or concept with a horse. In answer to this statement
about ‘justice’ I am greated by blank stares or nodding heads with little to no
change to how the student is handling their own horse. What I have discovered
is that this response comes from a core difference in belief on what “justice”
and “natural” actually mean. So, I’ve looked up a simple and concise definition
from Wikipedia to help us get on the same page:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Natural – “existing in or caused by nature, not made or
caused by humankind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How interesting! . . . What does it mean to be natural?
Often when people hear the words natural horsemanship they think, “oh good, I
can think great thoughts about my horse and they will do what I want just
because I am thinking it” or<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will
never have to become effective to be understood and my horse will become a
willing and safe partner”! Somehow when people first hear of ‘natural’ their
minds travel down a thought pattern of believing that actions no longer have
consequences. However, if you take the quote above and think about things in
nature – things “not made or caused by humankind”. How many actions in nature
do not have consequences? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If, for example, an ant colony gets lazy and decides not to
go out to gather food, what happens to the colony? If a horse herd leader can’t
outthink a predator, what happens to the survival of the herd? If the herd
picks a leader that isn’t aware, effective, and smart, what happens to the
herd? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Just for the sake of argument let’s say that same herd
chooses to have no leader, in fact every horse is equal and has a chance to
“voice their opinion”. Now imagine, this herd full of mares, foals, yearlings,
and a stallion ranging all the horsenalities LBI, LBE, RBE and RBI. They are
all eating grass happily enjoying their equal opinions and contributions. They
hear a rustle in the trees. The LBI’s say, “oh it’s probably nothing, let’s
wait and see what happens”. The RBI’s say “ “ (nothing – they have frozen for
the moment). The LBE’s want to go check out what made the noise, maybe they can
play with it and the RBE’s are running circles around the herd, they want to leave
but don’t want to leave the herd. At this stage they agree to have a meeting to
discuss what should be done about the rustle in the bushes and who’s opinion
they should follow. After several minutes of deliberation they have come to the
conclusion that they can not act on any ONE opinion and are better off not
reacting at all so as not to offend the horses feelings that were voted down.
So, at the end of a lengthy discussion they have chosen to do nothing. This
time the rustle turns out to be a squirrel and everything is fine, but what
about next time when it is an approaching group of wolves/lions? Will the herd
loose a few members? Does this system really work in nature? Of course not! The
herd needs a leader, right or wrong the herd can follow the leadership and have
a better chance of survival. It makes sense if you think of nature. Nature has
laid out a perfect system, one where without humankind intervening their
feelings and opinions the species survives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now here’s the
interesting part, somehow humans have decided that our way is better and that
everything should adapt to suit what we ‘think’ is best. Some examples of this
specifically in the horse world range from not allowing horses to interact with
each other; so they won’t get hurt. To never allowing horses to experience
consequences for acting inappropriately in the human environment, until they
are so uncontrollable we have no choice but to put them down because they
endangered themselves and others. Perhaps we should put children in a bubble
wrap suit with an air purifier mask and have them walk around in a little
bubble. This way they can’t get hurt, they won’t get any germs and the bubble
will protect them from getting to close to other humans, just in case the other
humans say something ‘mean’. Also, the bubble will protect the other children
in case the perfect little angel is mad and feels like hitting or slapping
someone. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? The funny thing is that to some humans this
does sound perfect, this way we can control everything that happens to the
individual and be sure no one is ever hurt, but is it natural? Is it natural to
keep horses separate from their own species? Is it natural that their actions
have no consequences in our human world, until it is too late (doing more later
instead of less sooner)? Is it natural for humans to think we know more about
what horses need then horses do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To me the attitude of justice isn’t about punishment it’s
about cause and effect. If you touch a hot stove - you get burnt. If you stick
your hand in a fan blade - you get whacked. If you don’t look and pay attention
to where you are going on uneven ground - you fall. Plain and simple – no
emotion involved, it is just natural. It is the most natural part of learning.
Cause and effect is how we learn. If you text while driving in traffic you
could crash – simple, no emotion, if you choose one path/action there are
reactions put into motion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I talk about being effective with horses and using the
attitude of justice all I am saying is to be natural. Sounds simple, however,
this doesn’t mean that it will be easy. Many humans get into habits of living
and ways of acting that are supremely unnatural, this can cause the shift to
becoming natural again challenging. To be successful this new and natural
journey must be filled with thought, decision and purpose. One doesn’t just
wake up and say “I’m natural” and then go about their day as usual. Becoming
natural requires a conscious choice and many choices along the path until
natural becomes our new way of being, of living, until it makes more sense than
all the other ‘stuff’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the end studying natural horsemanship may be a different
picture then some had originally envisioned but if you are dedicated to
becoming truly natural, it is a never-ending journey worth taking! One filled
with discovery, awareness and a feeling of peace to experience “existing in
nature”. The horses give us a window with which to peer in to the world of
natural. The love for the horse gives us the motivation to go against the flow
and learn how to become natural. The attitude of justice is intrinsically
natural horsemanship. If you can remember and internalize what natural truly
is, your horsemanship journey will proceed with more smoothness and fewer
stumbling blocks. So, if you endeavor to take the journey, keep ‘natural’ in
mind and see what unfolds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-28026253778093288422012-08-04T07:31:00.002-07:002012-08-04T07:31:15.767-07:00<strong><u></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Performance and the 7
games<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I had the opportunity to
attend the Rolex 3-day Event in Kentucky, a test of the top competitors in the
3-day eventing field including many past and future Olympians. Among some of
this years riders were Karen O’Conner (from “The Future of Training” with Linda
& Pat Parelli and Karen & David O’Conner), William Fox-Pitt (this years
Rolex winner), and Marlynn Little-Meredith (finishing a close second).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> In Eventing, the horse and rider
are put through 3 days of challenges. The first day is Dressage, the second day
consists of a Cross-Country jumping course – over 30 obstacles (including 3’ 6”
tall jumps with a base of over 8 feet and jumps into water and at a gallop)
while on course the riders and horses often exceed 20 miles per hour, and the
course is 4 miles long. The final day (for those competitors able to continue)
is stadium jumping (a course of jumps set up in an arena), meant to test the
horses stamina and athletic ability. Eventing was originally designed to test
horses aptitude to be mounts for the military. These horses needed to have
great athleticism, maneuverability, courage and stamina to be good mounts for
military men, hence the intense nature of the sport!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have attended the Rolex event at
least a dozen times in the past, it is where I found a passion for event horses
and the challenge of the sport! After all those times watching the horses and
riders this year something struck me with a new clarity. It’s one of those
things that I’ve heard, talked about, practiced and even taught but “all of the
sudden, out of nowhere” a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) comes and smacks
you right between the eyes! This BFO was: the 7 games, and how they were a part
of everything happening over the 4 days of competition. Most of the riders have
never wiggled a rope at a horse to back them up, but their success depended, in
large part, to the quality of their 7 games while riding! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the long weekend I was able to
watch the horses progress through the disciplines and I started to see a
pattern. On the first day of competition I watched the riders go through the
dressage test (to test these supreme athletes ability to exhibit precise movements).
Keep in mind these are horses that are fit enough to jump and gallop over 4
miles (the following day) and we are asking them to come out and show their
rhythm, relaxation and obedience the first day! As the horses were flexed
around circles, asked for precise transitions (between gaits as well as within
gaits) and demonstrated their lateral maneuvers. All I could think was Circling
Game for every arc and bend that they did. Yo-Yo Game during the transitions,
and Sideways Game during the lateral maneuvers and lead changes! Not to mention
the obvious friendly game with 1,000’s of spectators and international waving
flags from various countries!! And here’s the best part: Pat says “Observe,
Remember, and Compare” – what a great opportunity to do just that! I had the
whole day to observe these horses and see if right circles or left circles were
easier, to see if upward or downward transitions were harder and if the energy
of the crowd bothered the horses. “Well, how will this affect the cross country
day?” you might ask, after all the horses will no longer be in an arena, they
will be galloping not walking and trotting a predictable pattern and it will be
over uneven ground vs. a groomed arena?? Here is what I observed: the horses
who had more trouble on their left circle, for example they might leak out
through their right shoulder just a little – making a slightly bigger circle
than the rider wanted or doing it with a funny angle in their body. These same
horses on the cross country course, when unsure about an obstacle/jump, would
duck out to the right and refuse the fence instead of going straight as an
arrow over the jump. The horses that had more trouble with a downward
transition in the dressage ring were the horses that had trouble coming back
from a gallop to a canter when approaching a jump and as a result may jump ‘flat’,
meaning without balance causing them to have a hard landing or need more space
after the jump to recover their balance. This meant that they were not <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>going to be ready for the next obstacle and may
fall down or refuse to jump! Also, those horses that had beautiful half passes
right but lacked the same ease left might miss a sharp turn, push through/ignore
the riders leg and end up taking the long way around the course costing them
valuable time (the riders often get options when coming up to several jumps, a
difficult but fast way or a easier but slower way – the course is judges on
time, so a rider needs to go as quickly as possible while making sure their
horse jumps all the obstacles)!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I watched these simple (simple
not always easy) things happen and build as the days of competition went along
it reinforced in me the passion Pat has about playing the 7 games with
excellence. After all he has often said that Level 4 is just Level 1 with
excellence, and after seeing (with new eyes) the Rolex, all 4* Eventing is; is
7 games with excellence! As I watched the riders and horses struggle with the
balance of the 7 games I knew ways to solve those problems on the ground
without having to struggle through while riding. Thanks to Pat and Linda I have
tools that will help me even at the most advanced Level of competition. I have
a foundation that brings those pieces of the puzzle into focus and helps me
know how to solve the problems that show up. The simple brilliance of the 7
games has given me the horse-mans tool kit to puzzle solve the most complicated
problems, and Level 1-4 has given me the emotion fitness to look at those
problems as puzzles and something to learn from vs. something to dread and
avoid!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, with a renewed passion for
excellence in the simple things I am on the road again teaching and seeing just
how good I can get those simple things with my horse. Even though we may not be
riding every day I can be practicing what it takes to be excellent at my riding
goal every moment I am with my horse. There doesn’t need to be a day where “we
just played on the ground, and didn’t have time for riding - so I didn’t
progress towards my goals”, every day even if we just halter and go out for a
bite of grass I can ask myself how am I preparing positive patterns today that
will serve me when I’m riding on a cross country course? How was his flexion
when I put the halter on? Did he pull on my lead rope while he was eating grass?
If yes, then we’ll take an extra moment to fix the flexion or to be sure I am
not practicing heaviness by my horse pulling me around to the grass. One day
that lead rope will be my rein and I need lightness so that there is no
question about my horse sitting his weight back after a long gallop and getting
balanced and ready for the next set of jumps/challenges! No matter what our
goals or dreams are as horse-man no moment with our horses needs to be
practicing the wrong thing, we can get excellence in the littlest things, after
all our big goals are just made up of lots of little pieces.</span></div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-28879455283145398442012-07-27T15:21:00.002-07:002012-07-27T16:04:38.370-07:00Kathy & Taurus "Getting to Know Each Other"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssaYXH2oqYh7p5hfHuCFQc_f_875eUFcONY1YUe3TXNskOAHfULdis5kkiFsrI7I7bbsarezfV9WzhGBXwdYkZedkpGFlnZ6a6-0tJSIKfc2Jfp9_VFLXDu1G9NkS1ag1LiPwIlb1irvs/s1600/Taurus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssaYXH2oqYh7p5hfHuCFQc_f_875eUFcONY1YUe3TXNskOAHfULdis5kkiFsrI7I7bbsarezfV9WzhGBXwdYkZedkpGFlnZ6a6-0tJSIKfc2Jfp9_VFLXDu1G9NkS1ag1LiPwIlb1irvs/s320/Taurus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My newest partner, Taurus!!</div>
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I am excited to get to know my new horse partner Taurus! He is a 6 year old Fresian from Florida and found his way to me due to his size and a less then ideal first 60 days under saddle. I am really looking forward to developing a relationship with him and he may become my new demo horse that travels on the road to clinics, etc. </div>
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He is extremely people friendly, and curious about people and their 'toys'! He is eager to learn and loves it when I pick him to play with! </div>
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At the moment I am getting to know him on the ground only :-), and John has agreed to put the first 30 or so hours on him while I focus on keeping myself and our new (not yet arrived) baby cool and healthy during this very warm summer!! Here is a picture of Taurus with his first session under saddle on our farm. . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_S_EOTOuU8YjNGGIS5uX9IxisOHgIMMWctNTAAJsHx5fPqmF6Q7WrilnwKgh9ObObSPFrKHd9OLLWL5N6dDrxBLYhQZhUNE1QgquI7LW4tMSsC11dAxNuDm0hMwVuLgBKF8qDDYUJ-gq/s1600/Taurus+first+saddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_S_EOTOuU8YjNGGIS5uX9IxisOHgIMMWctNTAAJsHx5fPqmF6Q7WrilnwKgh9ObObSPFrKHd9OLLWL5N6dDrxBLYhQZhUNE1QgquI7LW4tMSsC11dAxNuDm0hMwVuLgBKF8qDDYUJ-gq/s320/Taurus+first+saddle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To begin with he was a little concerned with the motion behind his drive line, but by the end of the ground and riding session, he was looking lovely and relaxed . . .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCy1L4ew9caEHr7HAVFYl4cuNgyvmVnpqjwEJmD8ASwLhWgYoCeHBkvylbqgf9cLM_4rrFGOxC0UWyH86oMrF3jSQWebj7kSDu0U31awNIKHZVH08jWk_j0AWC9ahlG3mUXj-YmAhT_I/s1600/Taurus+first+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGCy1L4ew9caEHr7HAVFYl4cuNgyvmVnpqjwEJmD8ASwLhWgYoCeHBkvylbqgf9cLM_4rrFGOxC0UWyH86oMrF3jSQWebj7kSDu0U31awNIKHZVH08jWk_j0AWC9ahlG3mUXj-YmAhT_I/s320/Taurus+first+ride.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thank you John for your help, and I can't wait to watch as he continues to progress!!</div>
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What I have been focusing on after our first sessions together:</div>
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*Improving Taurus' confidence with things 'switching eyes', particularly in zone 5</div>
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*Higher energy friendly games</div>
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*Approach and retreat with canter</div>
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So far Taurus has made great improvements and is now able to accept the stick and string over his back with relaxation (nice low head, and soft eyes). He has also started to learn to pick up the right lead in front and behind (to start with the right lead was often a counter canter), and he is starting to read my body language and energy so that he knows if we are playing friendly game or driving game.</div>
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I'll keep you updated with his progress and look forward to learning more about him!</div>
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-Kathy Baar</div>
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</div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-57956410907527648982012-07-02T17:45:00.002-07:002012-07-02T17:46:26.126-07:00A really useful article that I copied from <a href="http://www.stewartclinics.com/about-coach-stewart/">Daniel Stewart's</a> Newsletter! If you don't already get it you can sign up <u><a href="http://www.stewartclinics.com/contact/">here!</a></u><br />
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<b><span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Donna asks "My instructor is encouraging me to set
goals. I think it's a good idea but I just can't seem to get into the habit.
I've spoken with a few other riding friends and they can't seem to get into
it either. Is this normal"? </span></b><span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I commend you on
your desire to include goal setting in your training program and <i>encourage</i>
you to not get <i>discouraged, </i>it's actually quite common for many riders
to struggle with it. Having said that, goal setting is one of the most
beneficial tools any of us can develop, it helps us learn to use our training
time more efficiently, stay focused on what's important, identify strategies
that lead to success, provide us with feedback on our progress, gives us reasons
to keep going and provides us with a clear vision of what we want to
accomplish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are many
reasons why riders might struggle with goal setting, knowing what they are
may help you understand what's holding you back: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: steelblue; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fear of Failure</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - We might avoid setting goals so that we can avoid
the possible disappointment of not being able to achieve them.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: steelblue; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l14 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fear of Success </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- We might worry that if we achieve a goal today
we'll have to keep achieving them in the future or be labeled a slacker.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: steelblue; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Impressions</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - We might believe that others will think badly
about our <i>weird</i> way for training or of trying to exceed being
average.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: steelblue; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wrong Tool For The Right Job</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - We may have been discouraged in the past because
we set outcome goals (only focused on winning) instead of the long and
short-term goals that create success. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A lack of
willpower can also lead to goal setting difficulties. Willpower is defined as
having the self-control to resist instant gratification so that we can
achieve long-term success. Many riders believe that goals require too much
time and doubt that the efforts they put in today will benefit them tomorrow.
When done correctly however goal setting can actually be a time saver because
it gives our training sessions greater structure and purpose and makes them
more efficient by focusing more of our time on the skills that will benefit
us the most.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Understanding why
we don't set goals is only 1/2 the battle... the other 1/2 is learning how to
set them. For more information on how to do this I suggest you read the
following Tip of The Month and to remember that: </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Any goal worth setting is a goal worth working for.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks for the great question Donna! If you have a question
you'd like me to answer in a future newsletter feel free to email it to me at:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001q0gXBI1L2EDHKVq9T2Z2zIOhAuCn8aK95mRKOOBkAL4a-kxTlasV_3I76qJSEIaMCKv3VZ3C11TpS8sPhh1by2yjnVIiw7SQgFXKsDf_QTHvM40_5rYZkA==" target="_blank"><span style="color: steelblue;">www.stewartclinics.com</span></a></span></b><span style="color: steelblue; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tip of the Month</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Setting Goals For Success </span></b><span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Riding is a very
goal-oriented sport, whether we're training a young horse, moving up through
the levels, learning to jump or developing a conditioning program, goal
setting is an integral part of what we do. Learning to set goals is important
but it's just as important that we learn how to achieve them. Below are a few
tips that can help you do this: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Correct tool for the correct
job</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Set short and long-term
goals that focus on your skills and behaviors instead of those of
others.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Worthwhile</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Goal setting requires hard work and dedication so
your goals should make the effort worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Realistic</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Set goals that are challenging but achievable, too
easy and you'll loss motivation, too hard and you risk feeling
disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schooling and Showing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Since the vast majority of learning occurs in
training you should set goals for your lessons as well as your shows.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo9; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Self-Determined</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Goals should be all about you, meaningful to you
and not someone else (avoid setting goals to make others happy). <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo10; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One at a time</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Goals work best when you set 1 long-term goal at a
time and set no more than 3 per season - quality is better than
quantity.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Measurable</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - The best goals let you know if you've achieved
them or not. Non-measurable goals like "trying my best' are too ambiguous.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Time Bound</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Create a target date for your goals, it makes them
measurable and helps you avoid procrastination or complacency.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo13; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Believable</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - If the gap between your ability and your goal is
too big your mind won't be able to accept the discrepancy.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo14; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perpetual</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - A goal that requires a lifetime commitment is fine
but goals tend to be more achievable when you work on them one day at a
time.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo15; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ethical</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> - Setting goals that go against your morals (i.e.
sacrificing your horse's safety for a ribbon) will leave you wondering
if it was all worth it.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are many other ways that goal-setting can set you up for
success... watch for more goal setting tips in future newsletters!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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</tbody></table>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-39639724605203573362012-07-02T17:41:00.001-07:002012-07-02T17:41:26.960-07:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A week with Kathy
& Quick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Teaching flying lead
changes from zone 5”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can guess by the title this week I decided to try and
teach Quick flying lead changes with long lines from zone 5! I chose to use the
figure 8 pattern – something that he already knows, to help support the flying
lead change pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some things I found useful to already have in place before
starting this week’s project: In a nutshell, at least Level 3 ground skills
with Quick. Plus, confidence in zone 5 with two rein driving at walk, trot and
canter. Also, a positive pattern on my 45’ line doing the figure 8 with just
one line. In addition, I have been practicing Walter Zettl type 2 rein sessions
with Quick, getting him highly in tune with my energy up and energy down so
that we can make precise transitions without heavy use of the line. Lastly, we
have been playing more and more with zone 5 driving while I keep my feet still
= lots of circles, figure 8’s, and weave (with very long lines and lots of
‘drift’).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 1: With all the preparation we have done I felt Quick
and I were ready to dive right into the Figure 8 pattern. We started at walk
then trot and built to canter with simple changes by the end of the session.
Once we got to canter I focused on seeing if I could keep my feet as still as
possible and would allow Quick to do several circles around me while I prepared
to be in the right position and when we were both ready I asked Quick for the
transition and new lead when he was in between the cones. Once on the new lead
I allowed him to circle several times until we were both ready and then asked
for the transition through the center and into the new lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quick caught on quickly (no pun intended </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">), and we finished on a
relaxed canter around a cone, a nice downward transition to walk and then back
out around the other cone in the new lead about 3 times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 2: We prepared with a VERY short session on the 45’ line
to get his energy up (it was very HOT, so a short session was key!). Once he
was connected we played with 2 22’ lines in zone 5 warming up with the same
pattern as Day 1, all was coming smoothly. So, I chose to ask for the change.
On the first attempt Quick did a slip change (not quite enough ‘Shwung’ for a
flying change), but after a few repetitions and some “go button” practice he
offered a flying change!! We stopped, rubbed, scratched and gave him a cookie.
Then to the other side, and he immediately offered a flying change the other
direction </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Stop: Rub: Cookie and we cooled out for the day! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 3: Well, after ‘Day 2’ you may be thinking goal already
accomplished, but . . . Today I warmed up, reviewed the pattern from Day 1 and
decided to try 2 45’lines for the changes, my thought was that with the longer
ropes I would able to be very savvy and keep my feet completely still while offering
him drift. However, we only got slip changes. Still we finished on a relaxed,
obedient figure 8 pattern with slip changes and off to eat grass and cool off.
After dinner while reflecting on what happened I believe I was allowing so much
drift that Quick was getting ‘flat’ and loosing elevation in his canter
therefore making it harder for him to change (the same thing that happens to
most students when they try to get ridden flying changes – that’s why they need
a ground pole – to increase the moment of elevation). So, tomorrow back to the
22’ line!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 4: Back to the 22’ lines and a much better result! What
I learned was that the shorter lines caused me to keep him more elevated
because if I allowed enough drift for him to become ‘flat’ I was out of rope!
So tomorrow I’ll be back to the 45’ lines to see if I can allow drift at the
right time and ‘bring him back’/more collected when he needs to get ready for
the change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 5: We started with low energy today, perhaps due to the
heat (only 90 at 9:00am!). So, I realized I needed to make a quick session of
high energy and we spent time warming up Quick’s brain with some slow but
particular tasks, like places one hind foot on the pedestal and playing ‘touch
it’ with his tail! After he was in the mood, we moved onto the 45’ line. After
2 slip changes we added some energy and ‘Shazam’ we got 3 changes in a row! The
45’ lines worked great, I was able to allow drift to get the forwards then
shorten about ½ circle before the change to help him set up for the change –
and it was a success! <o:p></o:p></span></div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-73613499478746384172012-05-01T19:38:00.002-07:002012-08-04T07:29:36.246-07:00A week With Kathy & Quick "Bridling While Mounted"<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bridling While
Mounted</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkuq3_o1pVdbUD7VsbBcJNhP-fbqBNY3lk54lm3CcL329o9HVhcMqZHKDTCFd2lPipSbhelETlHtehcy8fEIGMu8zg-mAFBFSv5CSlWTWrwKEHPGd-HQnGwmmyRmFXD0mE8u4ag_rUk4C/s1600/Colt+Start+and+Show+jump+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkuq3_o1pVdbUD7VsbBcJNhP-fbqBNY3lk54lm3CcL329o9HVhcMqZHKDTCFd2lPipSbhelETlHtehcy8fEIGMu8zg-mAFBFSv5CSlWTWrwKEHPGd-HQnGwmmyRmFXD0mE8u4ag_rUk4C/s320/Colt+Start+and+Show+jump+147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Week With Kathy
& Quick<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week I decided to see if I could get Quick to act like
a partner while I was in the saddle and bridling him. My goal was to get Quick
to have a positive response to the point that I could hold out the bridle and
Quick would offer to take it without me having to bend over and ‘chase’ his
mouth around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following link is to a
video of our progress at the end of the 5 days:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D02B3oNJ8oE">VIDEO</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the things that I needed to have in place to make
this 5 day goal a reality was a positive response to bridling while on the
ground (video link of Quick Bridling on the ground): </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yyYh3XFFwM&feature=relmfu">VIDEO</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To build this positive response to the bit I have been
playing with Quick getting something ‘tasty’ each time after accepting the bit.
It is the same idea that Linda Parelli shows in the ground simulations on the
Game Of Contact DVD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 1: I checked our bridling from the ground and rewarding
with a treat to make sure we were set to go for this week’s goal -all was good.
Now I needed Quick to solve a more complicated puzzle, I just held the bit out
and asked him to ‘take’ it (up until this point I have been setting up the
situation as perfectly as possible). When he did he got a little cookie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 2: I started where we ended on Day 1, asking Quick to
take the bit in an awkward position, ex. Up higher and down lower than normal.
Also, at this point I started simply holding the bit out and waiting for him to
come around and choose to stick his head in the bridle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 3: We started on the ground and then I moved to sitting
on the fence and asking Quick to take the bit. This was a little bit of a
challenge for him to make this leap, but I stuck with him and rewarded the
slightest try (ie. Sniffing the snaffle) with a cookie. After about 2 cookies
he figured out the game was the same from the fence and was able to take the
bit while I sat above him on the fence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 4: After warming Quick up online with a saddle I started
our bridling session on the fence, all went well. So, after mounting I rode
over and picked up my bridle. He had a similar reaction to the first time I was
on the fence – a little unsure about the game. I went back to rewarding him
with a little cookie for just touching the bridle with his nose. After about
3-4 repetitions he figured out the puzzle and put effort into putting his nose
and mouth through the bridle and onto the bit. We repeated the bridling while
mounted 3 times rewarding him with a cookie and scratch after each success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day 5: Today we warmed up On Line and then videoed out
progress (see video link above). After figuring out it was the same game he is
used to just in a different zone it took no time at all to get bridling like a
partner while I was mounted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-6375563156921263782012-04-21T12:27:00.000-07:002012-04-21T12:27:41.000-07:00A great video of catching game!!Click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2VhN0k3eBQ">here</a> to watch!Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-46369983123729005512012-04-21T12:25:00.000-07:002012-04-21T12:25:47.631-07:00The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man . . . or is it?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve spent the weekend at the Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio and had the privilege of watching Linda Parelli, Jesse Peters, Mollie Robbins, and Christine Madoni demonstrate horsenalities, personalities, and Game of Contact! Plus, watch many other presenters throughout the weekend covering topics such as natural horsemanship, breed specific demonstrations, dressage, jumping, western performance, massage, etc. During all these amazing demonstrations I couldn’t help but think how amazing, versatile, and athletic the horse is! Not to mention how lucky we as humans are to be involved in their world! </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"> <o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"> </o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was watching one of the less exuberant presenters my mind began to wonder . . . thinking of all the variety horse’s offer us as well as the room to grow and improve ourselves through the study of the horse. One quote stuck out in my mind as particularly interesting:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“There is something about the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” –Winston Chirchill<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, normally I really like this quote, but for some reason (perhaps the dominate LBI in myself </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, thanks Linda for the humorous reminders this weekend!) I dared to confront this quote with a challenge: The INSIDE of a horse is by far the most valuable for the inside of a man.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After all it is the inside of the horse where the true ‘being’ exists, they are of course beautiful to watch, stunning to observe and fascinating to study. But the true value is Under the sleek, powerful exterior, you have to dig a little deeper find to what makes a horse a horse.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They are amazing partners for us humans, different in so many ways but complimentary in even more. Man is the ultimate predator designed to out strategize its prey. Built to learn, grow and build. Able to remember past experiences learn from them and plan for a different future. Able to build means of communication, science and records that will outlive our short lives. Continually thinking of what has been, what will be, and what could be. Able to overcome incredible odds through faith in something greater then oneself. Nurturing and motivated to maintain strong, and long family ties.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the flip side, the equine created as the ultimate prey animal. Living in the moment alert to changes in the environment (with foals being able to run in just 2 hours of birth). Able to easily cover 20+ miles a day with rhythm, speed and grace. With the capacity to attack a challenging stallion, fight to the death then within a moment begin grazing calmly with the herd. Built with such a shape that they can accept a human for a comfortable ride on their back and with such a character that they allow it! They are creatures with the dignity of a noble being and yet are unreasonably forgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What an amazing partnership not because of the similarities but because of the differences. What humans lack horses can provide and often do so willingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And for all that they offer and give perhaps the most valuable is the opportunity for us to grow, to discover how to see the world from a different point of view and then how to use our incredibly equipped brains to solve the puzzle of bringing our world views together. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Often at the end of a ‘Horse Behavior & You’ Course we would take the time to say thank you to everyone who had been part of and helped us on our journeys. The last “Thank you” was dedicated to the biggest teacher we could ever have: “Our Horses”, I’d like to second that and say THANK YOU to all the Equines that have helped make us better human beings!</span></div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-60205552920359509122012-03-23T10:53:00.004-07:002012-03-23T11:01:10.479-07:00Laying down on the tarp!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Week with Kathy and Quick<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EN7dv1JZvgPk-xA3xdiu6TjxnCI9KnU3j9B4cvdHR7TgGlH7tRgr00V3Ahxco8Ild0-5kWilJAGPd4zVJcgIiQsOWEgxJiB63EQ2DkB42KdX_KMZE91HF0nj-D2MjDmkuur10gukOaMA/s1600/2012-02-03+16.51.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EN7dv1JZvgPk-xA3xdiu6TjxnCI9KnU3j9B4cvdHR7TgGlH7tRgr00V3Ahxco8Ild0-5kWilJAGPd4zVJcgIiQsOWEgxJiB63EQ2DkB42KdX_KMZE91HF0nj-D2MjDmkuur10gukOaMA/s400/2012-02-03+16.51.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our challenge to this week was to get Quick confident enough to lay down on the tarp when I asked him. My goal was to build his confidence and see if we had the preparation to get this done in 5 days! Following is a brief recap of what the next our 5 days of progress looked like. (First, before we started our new project I made sure to have lying down off the tarp going smoothly ). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 1: Today I focused on testing out Quick’s confidence with the tarp in normal horse ‘upright’ positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him to play “Touch It”, then walk over the tarp and stand on it for a lick and chew. I then played yo-yo and finished with walk, trot, canter on the circle over the tarp to be sure he wasn’t concerned about it. To finish this session I played with having Quick ‘wear’ the tarp, first at a standstill and then in motion. Once he had confidence I finished our session with a lay down next to the tarp and made sure I could play friendly game all over him while he was down. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 2: We quickly reviewed day 1’s session to be sure Quick “woke up” on the confident side of the corral, and then moved on to our normal play/ride session. At the end of our ride I brought the tarp over and asked Quick to lay down with it near him and finished with me moving the tarp around him while he was down and then placing the tarp over him. Once he had a lick and chew we finished our session.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 3: After having a play at liberty I played friendly with the tarp all over Quick and asked him to wear it again in motion; he seemed full of confidence and ready for something new! I asked Quick to lay down while he was standing on the tarp. He was very willing to lie down but needed to stand after a few moments. We played approach and retreat this way, allowing him to stand as soon and as often as he needed until he could stay down with confidence, and finished our session there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 4: We had a ride through the woods and wrapped up with our tarp project. I started with some brief review while standing and finished by asking Quick to lay on the tarp. He was much more confident today and was able to stay down for a few minutes (this means we stopped at the right point yesterday). I checked out my friendly game, rubbing and climbing all over him while he was down on the tarp, and had all “green lights”!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">DAY 5: To finish our week’s goal after playing on-line we headed straight towards the tarp. Quick had that “I think it’s about lying down on the tarp” look on his face and after asking he went down smoothly and was able to stay! (Although we need to work on our ‘aim’ a little, sometimes he ends up with just half up his body on the tarp).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEs9H6yUSYZz1ZKDJg2KyH8z9J3PFI6BBMqBU-jMV8Wl5acsKVPdo9kWzqI89xf2otDkGkpwkxWikRZPUyfrauYqIhy-DDlF_xZR56QUq10cGof71SGBHDOCSUqxc5WZ1jvtyL5cAUBv1/s1600/2012-02-03+16.51.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEs9H6yUSYZz1ZKDJg2KyH8z9J3PFI6BBMqBU-jMV8Wl5acsKVPdo9kWzqI89xf2otDkGkpwkxWikRZPUyfrauYqIhy-DDlF_xZR56QUq10cGof71SGBHDOCSUqxc5WZ1jvtyL5cAUBv1/s200/2012-02-03+16.51.33.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 221.25pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 294.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"> </v:imagedata></span></v:shape></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Quick enjoying a little grain, as incentive, to finish the week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Kathy Baar and Quick Car<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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</div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-128919985688868692012-02-01T10:28:00.001-07:002012-02-01T10:29:19.693-07:0080% of Success is Just Showing Up!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH7eErhoMVTAfBdfHp7JYSxUEktuF6pS3W-YG0UhNC39pSTT2DV3if9ljZbQvkAVMLkJM4Z-E2AkXVz9ZtAWUU3WwqGZqwRDBrzGL67GlFzJYtHLmC0G4n-NoOa3llISmZwJvEvPkVtmO/s1600/Australia+128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH7eErhoMVTAfBdfHp7JYSxUEktuF6pS3W-YG0UhNC39pSTT2DV3if9ljZbQvkAVMLkJM4Z-E2AkXVz9ZtAWUU3WwqGZqwRDBrzGL67GlFzJYtHLmC0G4n-NoOa3llISmZwJvEvPkVtmO/s320/Australia+128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While teaching this month a topic that continues to come up is finding motivation for ourselves. In fact the topic of how to be motivated and how to make progress has been the most dominate after-clinic/lesson discussion between myself and students. Which caused me to lick and chew on the drive home and thinking about the overlay on the horsenality/personality chart. So, here is what I have been thinking about when it comes to motivation/getting started/making progress.<br />
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Extroverts have the jump on us introverts when it comes to getting started! The chances of an action-motivated extrovert just doing ‘something’ is greater than an introverts who may feel like they have to have all the information first, then have a plan, and KNOW what’s going to happen before they even start. Well let’s face it, the chances of all of these things lining up, and an introvert feeling motivated, and in the right mood every day from the start of a project to the end is pretty slim! Particularly when we’re talking about a horsemanship journey and did I mention “the journey is lifelong”. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you find yourself on the introverted side of the Personality model more times than not, I can relate! I relate to the feelings of not having enough information to start, or “well, I really don’t have enough time today”, or “I’ll just wait until tomorrow (and then tomorrow turns into the next day and then next week)” and pretty soon we haven’t started and it’s 2 months later. Now, for some extroverts looking in it may appear as if us introverts are procrastinating, but more than just putting something off, it is uncomfortable for us to start a ‘something’ without having ALL the information. We may be the ones who buy a new camera and before ever pushing a button we have read the entire manual, so that we can find out how everything works before we start snapping shots. On the flip side: some extroverts are likely to take the camera out of the box, push every button on it to see what it does and take at least 100 pictures before the day is over. When asked about what they learned from the manual they are liable to say “What manual, it came with directions?” </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Both have their benefits and I can appreciate the advantages of both approaches. The point I am getting at is that the horse’s manual is not nearly as black and white as the camera’s manual. In fact, by comparison (particularly for adults who per Pat Parelli’s definition: Practice making simple things difficult), the horse manual becomes incomplete, unclear, ever changing and never-ending! At closer look the horse manual can seem so overwhelming that often Introverts struggle getting started or making it back to the barn after encountering a problem they haven’t read a solution for. It is such an uncomfortable feeling not knowing what to do and/or not knowing the ‘what if’s?” This uncomfortable feeling can be enough to stop some people in their tracks and hold them back from progress. </div><br />
The good news is: there can be a light at the end of the tunnel, if we are willing to feel a little more uncomfortable for a little or a lot longer. As introverts we need to embrace the uncomfortable feelings of doing things without knowing all the details, if we hope to progress. The uncomfortable feeling is our brains way of trying to keep us safe (Stephanie Burns has some excellent information, to learn more on this), our brain is doing its job. Just like your horse’s prey animal instincts are doing their job when he spooks at the rustle in the bushes. Sure in principle and while sitting comfortably reading, ‘Embrace the uncomfortable’ sounds like a great idea, but in practice it may not ‘feel good’ and often looks odd as we’re trying to figure things out. However, if we are EVER going to make progress we have to just get out there and do it. Now, let me be clear, I’m not suggesting that you go out to the barn and pull off your bridle, hop on without a saddle and see how things go, what I AM suggesting is that you actually GO to the barn. To get started, a strategy that can be successful is to schedule time to be with your horse and GO. Even if you’re not ‘in the mood’ to play, go anyway. Sit with your horse or groom them or sit on the other side of the fence and watch your horse. After all you are more likely to eventually play with your horse if he is at fingers distance than if he’s 10 miles down the road or even ‘all the way’ out in the backyard. In order to make progress you must make the time with your horse a priority. It is your time to do what YOU need with your horse, even if that means sitting next to him and talking about your challenging day at work/school or standing next to him and smelling the one and only smell that is YOUR horse (it’s the same smell that our non-horsey friends think is ‘stinky’, but those of us who have a love for horses - we know it is the BEST smell in the world :-). In fact by just showing up, you are already 80% down the road of success! So, when life starts to get in the way of your horsemanship and threatens to stop your progress in its tracks, remember 80% of success is just showing up, so GO!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72OD5-uth5WYcAqtHnJcl5rEsgFTMpIdtKeXk-sE_ZI58AJ_QYvlU8NGS0hSrDPwW05Ks0luz1Ap78lIwxFP2tBm_gCAuDYwHl_gL8yL1StFVbFBOOjNX3GKkEnyI_LlRZLSxrFwpjJQN/s1600/thanks+John+for+the+cavaletti%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72OD5-uth5WYcAqtHnJcl5rEsgFTMpIdtKeXk-sE_ZI58AJ_QYvlU8NGS0hSrDPwW05Ks0luz1Ap78lIwxFP2tBm_gCAuDYwHl_gL8yL1StFVbFBOOjNX3GKkEnyI_LlRZLSxrFwpjJQN/s320/thanks+John+for+the+cavaletti%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-77634956334583724052012-01-17T13:54:00.000-07:002012-01-17T13:54:38.799-07:00Tips on making horsemanship progress even in the winter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cHd3iwTlFbM2c0T9Mz_XwfsW3XAyeu22OTfC0RwMjSg-_5XjgwWLvpJi-_qpXo8aRfYuodrGOTseDbQF1Cr9pb6bX2wUvKvnoL_watl1VnXgdW6ujbuCW0Wx9idPDVGwn1z4SNVO0CES/s1600/phone+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cHd3iwTlFbM2c0T9Mz_XwfsW3XAyeu22OTfC0RwMjSg-_5XjgwWLvpJi-_qpXo8aRfYuodrGOTseDbQF1Cr9pb6bX2wUvKvnoL_watl1VnXgdW6ujbuCW0Wx9idPDVGwn1z4SNVO0CES/s320/phone+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Making the best of the winter weather and getting a chance to play with your horse can seem like a challenge at times, particularly for those of us who live anywhere that gets below freezing! If you’re someone who likes to keep feeling in your toes and appreciates a normal colored nose vs. your nose’s best impression of Rudolph, it can seem hard to get motivated to keep up with your New Year goals and go out to play with your horse! Well, I feel your pain! When it takes 10 minutes to bundle up, 10 minutes to de-bundle your horse, and by the time you’ve groomed and are ready to play you’ve lost feeling in your fingers, it can seem like a far reach to practice your refinement under 6 layers.<br />
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I have to say Quick and I have experienced the same thing. So with all the extra time sitting in front of the heater to warm up I came up with a plan to stay on track even when the weather doesn’t seem like the most willing partner. I realized that during my daily horse chores I can add in a little progress. For example, I need to bring Quick from the pasture up to the barn for grain and Parelli Essentials J, well Pat says there are only 7 games in 5 zones so why not make the walk from zone 5 (after all my one rein driving could use a little more straightness) and when we come across a puddle or mud patch I can use my body language to turn him on the way to the barn, it’s working as a great point to point to help his straightness! Then I take an extra 2 minutes and just before I grain him we play with the clippers, what a great way to set up a positive pattern – put up with the vibrating clippers and then get something you love – grain! And as you can imagine we have to go back to the pasture (good draw) so I can practice two things that could always be better backwards and sideways “The better your horse goes backwards and sideways the they do everything else”, so we play a little ‘Rockslide’ on the way back to the pasture.<br />
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I vary the routine slightly but at least this way I get some progress time in with him even on the days that are below freezing and we get a chance to stay connected during the challenging winter months. I hope this helps inspire some ideas on how you could make the best of the time with your horse even if it is limited. Stay warm ad have a progressive winter!Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-40444255872141853682012-01-14T11:11:00.000-07:002012-08-04T07:28:43.752-07:00A Week With Kathy and Quick "Seek The Jump"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8nOjhgCYNcckHPgiqBD5fjm22YEjJxDYkt8uKErJG4ytS-Bep89EcNz2HbcUBJivWXhRmIEkwEOESxNSleWK-D2GfqGi6r_Ud0MgXi85vhhTuWgAjNSZ-cjLra6rl8fPNuH3YqHjODr-/s1600/Quick+Liberty+Jump.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8nOjhgCYNcckHPgiqBD5fjm22YEjJxDYkt8uKErJG4ytS-Bep89EcNz2HbcUBJivWXhRmIEkwEOESxNSleWK-D2GfqGi6r_Ud0MgXi85vhhTuWgAjNSZ-cjLra6rl8fPNuH3YqHjODr-/s320/Quick+Liberty+Jump.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As I move forward in my jumping goals with Quick it becomes increasingly important that he seek the jump and choices to go over it. I choose to use Liberty as the savvy to focus on for this week in my jumping play sessions with Quick. At the start after looking at Quick’s Self-Assessment checklist I chose to have my week goal be jumping upright barrels at liberty, away from the round pen rail. The photo above is from Day 5 at about 15’ away while keeping my carrot stick in neutral. Below is a brief outline of our progress during the week to get here:<br />
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Day 1: For a warm-up before going to liberty, I asked Quick to jump the single barrel laying down (SBLD) from a walk at 12’, then the same at 22’ feet. Both distances he was able to ‘seek the barrel and jump with just a suggestion (phase 1). I then asked for the same at the trot. Once this was going well we moved into the round pen. I asked for him to jump 3 BLD set against the fence, and progressed to one barrel laying down against the rail.<br />
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Day 2: We warmed up with a liberty review from day 1. All went well, next we moved to 3 laying down barrels off the rail, no problem So, on to 2 and then 1. We finished on 3 upright barrels against the rail via squeeze game.<br />
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Day 3: We started with 2 barrels against the rail and reviewed the day before. With everything going well we moved to 3 upright barrels about 3 feet off the rail. Once Quick was able to hunt this jump we finished our round pen session with a bucket of grain inside the round pen <br />
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Day 4: We warmed up reviewing the previous days. When I moved to 3 upright barrels a few feet off the rail I played some stick to me with the barrels ‘in the way’ to be sure I was clear in my communication that the ‘jump’ was the solution to this puzzle, success with the upright barrels and stick-to-me. We finished with some grazing inside of the round pen.<br />
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Day 5: Again, we warmed up briefly reviewing the previous days. Things were going well, so I asked for a 3 upright barrels from 12’, then 15’ using squeeze game. Quick is such a great partner and loves to figure out puzzles! So, this was a fun week for us both.Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-26545002565300815162011-06-15T09:21:00.000-07:002012-08-04T07:29:08.400-07:00A week with Kathy and Quick "Brideless, Bareback Jump"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DQepzPpDAJBZ857cKRIdZDbLWiBaYlB6Pr9dp-I1MfL-bqmQfSFshSoWVaUGsQmcdOmwv9J49KU_KkWaM0yQtS9OvjUSdWen9_ewTv53KkWcLUvicL-CpKBvqB7RknFx14MULEItESRV/s1600/Horse+First+Quick+bridless+jump.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DQepzPpDAJBZ857cKRIdZDbLWiBaYlB6Pr9dp-I1MfL-bqmQfSFshSoWVaUGsQmcdOmwv9J49KU_KkWaM0yQtS9OvjUSdWen9_ewTv53KkWcLUvicL-CpKBvqB7RknFx14MULEItESRV/s320/Horse+First+Quick+bridless+jump.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>
Often people see me doing something like the picture above and think it just happens, out of thin air I could do anything I wanted. In reality even after you have a black string you still need to practice proper preparation. So, I wanted to tell you the preparation that went into this picture:<br />
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We had the opportunity to teach at The Horse First Farm a few weeks ago, on our way in to the farm I saw the honeycomb jumps (3+') and thought "wouldn't it be nice to have a picture jumping that bareback and bridless". I knew I had a week to prepare Quick (we would be heading out by the end of the week), and I set myself the goal of building Quick's confidence towards jumping the fence bareback and bridless, not on actually doing it (this way I could be sure to put my principle before my purpose). Quick is already solid Level 3 in his skills and knowledge so I knew the important thing was to have his confidence in the environment and be sure he was tuned into me as a leader. Here is an overview of how the days of prior preparation looked.<br />
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Day 1: We went to the playground on line and explored all the obstacles playing traveling circling game on a 45' line. By the end of the session he was confident being away from his herd and confident with the playground obstacles.<br />
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Day 2: Review day 1, make sure he still had confidence today - check! On to our next step: After playing some follow the rail to warm up I rode around the playground freestyle and over a few of the lower jumps, we finished on a nice relaxed 'blow out' and I allowed Quick to eat some grass in the playground.<br />
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Day 3: Started On line with a few pre ride checks. Reviewed Day 2 for confidence and relaxation - check! On to our next step: I rode over the honeycomb jumps with a saddle and snaffle until Quick was relaxed, confident and 'seeking the jump'.<br />
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Day 4: We started at Liberty to get some connection. Then reviewed Day 3 to make sure Quick was thinking over the jump - check! On to our next step: I rode over the honeycomb jumps with a bareback pad and snaffle. This step was more to make sure I found my balance bareback and that I was able to stay out of his way while jumping :-) <br />
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Day 5: Again, we started at liberty, allowed him to get some pent up energy out and finished with some great stick-to-me! Next, you guessed it we started by reviewing what we had done the day before: I rode over the honeycomb jumps with a bareback pad and snaffle freestyle (casual rein) until Quick found relaxation. Then we slipped the snaffle off, made sure we still communication (turn right, left, upward and downward transitions, and of course STOP :-), and then we jumped the honeycomb jumps bridless with just the bareback pad!<br />
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I hope this sheds some light on the fact that even after you have a black string prior and proper preparation is still necessary. Even though it may seem like Instructors just magically can do 'stuff' often it is only after many hours, days, or months of preparation. As Walter says: Do the most difficult maneuvers with your horse so that he never knows they are difficult. That is what I keep in the back of my mind as I prepare Quick for my goals.Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-29953713708209942822011-06-15T09:17:00.002-07:002011-06-15T09:17:40.543-07:00“Be The Change That You Want To See In The World”The above quote from Gandhi has been floating around in my head over the last few weeks. Maybe it’s because it is a GREAT quote. Maybe it’s because it puts the responsibility back on us, rather than allowing the blame to fall elsewhere. Maybe it’s because since John and I moved from Faclty at the Parelli Center to field instructors, one of the things that seems to be at the top of our students question list is “How are you finding life in the REAL world?”. It is an interesting question and one that I haven’t answered the same, yet. <br />
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If you haven’t been to the Parelli Center you may wonder about the comment “living in the REAL world”. Well, some say that while at the center it is like you are in a positive Natural HorseManShip bubble, surrounded by positive energy, happy horses and people who truly LOVE what they are doing! Some of this ‘bubble’ may be due to VERY minimal make that non-existent cell phone reception, no TV, no radio and no newspapers laying around, but I believe the biggest difference is due to the people! What is so amazing about the people at the Parelli Center? Those who are drawn to the center believe in devoting their lives to something bigger then themselves, to Never Ending Self Improvement. To making the WORLD a better place for horses and humans. These are the people who create the ‘magic Parelli bubble’. The energy that they bring to their day, the energy that they leave behind, and the fact that the center is led by the most naturally positive and progressive people I know: Pat & Linda Parelli. The combination makes for a magic energy bubble.<br />
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After spending the last 10 years at the Parelli Center is was easy to get used to the feeling of being surrounded by positive energy, being in a safe learning environment and through experience we have found that as students make the transition back to the “real world” the journey can be challenging and uncomfortable. So much so that Linda Parelli even put together a letter for students going home to help give advice on making the transition a little smoother. After all it is true that not every person you meet is going to think it’s ‘normal’ to play with a ‘conga horse’ or bounce around on an exercise ball to the rhythm of your horses canter! So at the end of every course we would talk about this transition and were available to support students after they went home. So, did John and I read the letter before leaving? We did, but more than that, more than just reading what Linda says, more than just allowing the positive energy to seep into us while at the Parelli Center. I have found that you have to live it, not just read about it and talk about it, you have to feel it, think it, be it, and act it.<br />
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If it is people who create the “magic bubble” then it is people who will carry it home with them, who will share it with other people. After all, most of us can think of a time when we didn’t know about natural HorseManShip. When our sessions with our horses were just about having a good time, and “oh by the way, why can’t my silly horse see that the puddle is only an inch deep and just walk through it!” We haven’t always been thinking positive, progressive and natural (or maybe you have, in that case - well done ), so what made the difference for you? I know for a lot of us it was putting our focus and energy towards something bigger than going out and having a good time with our horses (although that’s still fun too). It was when Pat said his mission was and still is to “Change the WORLD for horses and humans”. That is one of those sayings that sinks it at a different level every day. It is also what helps me carry my ‘magic bubble’ wherever I go. Because if I am working(playing ) towards something bigger then myself, something more important than the next door neighbor laughing at me twirling my carrot stick around in the air. Something more life changing than the show jumper thinking I’m wasting my time by sending my horse over the jump on line before I ride him over the jump. What really matters is that I know why I am doing these tasks: To make the World a better place for me, for my horse, and for you. What makes me feel good at the end of the day or end of the week is not my neighbor thinking I look ‘cool’ or the show jumper approving of me doing things the traditional way. It is looking back and knowing that I stuck to MY principles, that I lived what I believe every moment. That I woke up and walked the talk. That I was the change that I want to see in the world TODAY.<br />
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So, if you ask “How are you finding life in the ‘real world’?” my answer is “GREAT!”. There are people wherever you go and they all have something beautiful even if I can’t find it. The horsemanship journey has taught me more about myself and the people around me than I ever imagined. For that I will be eternally grateful for the system Pat and Linda have built. One of the lessons I have learned, among many is: I am in control of me and I WILL be the change that I want to see in the world. My personal challenge to all Parelli students is: Will you?Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-25193243121210185902010-09-17T08:13:00.000-07:002010-09-17T08:13:48.783-07:00The close of a decade!It is the end of the CO Parelli season for 2011 and as I help close the campus one last time I can't help but think each time I do something "well, that's my last campfire" or "this is the last time I'll ride down 'Sneaky Snake Trail'". (Can you believe I've had the fortune of taking part in over 150 campfires with Tim Sullivan!!) It's hard to believe but I've been spending summers here at Parelli for a decade!! How time flies (at least when we look back on it :-)<br />
As we close down this summer I can't help but feel a finality to this chapter of my journey. In a way it seems sad but in another way I am excited by the preparation Pat and Linda have helped me develop for the next leg of my journey, teaching out in the field! If Principles, Purpose and Time are the tools of teaching, "Watch out!!" because here I come!! :-)<br />
Among the hustle and bustle that the end of the season brings, we also had our <a href="http://www.jkbaar.com/">website</a> debue this week, have been answering a stack of e-mails to arrange events for next year, and Chloe's baby is continuing to grow (her blanket hardly fits anymore)!! All exciting new adventures for 2011, and still my sense of holding on to every moment I have here is strong. Over the past 10 years I've done my share of losing track of the gorgeous scenery and stunning night stars, but recently I can't help but take a few extra minutes and soak up the fresh air, the never ending beauty that makes Pagosa Springs such a destination!<br />
I feel blessed, overjoyed, sad, nostalgic, content and impulsive all at the same time (good luck to my horses trying to figure out my intention :-)! What a wonderful journey it has been, I can't wait to step into the next adventure!!Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-14415699377088583502010-08-29T18:12:00.000-07:002010-08-29T18:12:40.102-07:00Thank you Things are picking up speed here at the Parelli Center CO. We have finished the Confidence Transformation Course, are moving on into Savvy Finesse and have just finished a 1* and 2* Instructor Course. WOW time flies!<br />
I just read a blog entry from a students <a href="http://horseshelpinghumans.blogspot.com/">recent post</a> As I was reading, it made me think (no surprise!). I was thinking of how very personal each one of our journeys can be. How each of us can have a completely different experience the the person sitting right next to us, and then the wheels started rolling :-)<br />
Occasionally a student will come to the Parelli Center and be wishing they had 'found' Parelli sooner or that they were able to get into horses sooner. They will ask me if there is anything I would change about my journey and are surprised when I say "No". At this point they usually respond with something along the lines of "seriously? Nothing bad has ever happened to you?" with a slightly sarcastic tone in their voice. <br />
Well, I'm human, live in todays world and spend most of my time and money with horses, of course bad stuff happens, and maybe you could call me superstitous or maybe I watched "Back To The Future" one too many times, but the way I see it if all that 'stuff' good and bad hadn't happened I woudn't be who or where I am today. Please note - I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, but it seems that the more stuff we experience, the more stuff we live through (depending on our attitude, of course) the more balanced and strong we can become. The more experiences we have the more knowledge we can draw on in any given situation. <br />
Someone who comes to mind is Pat Parelli. When I listen to the stories he tells about what his mentors put him through or about him having to learn lessons the hard way I can't help but think "thank goodness I didn't have to go through that!" but on the other hand those experiences good and bad are what makes him who his is. It's what makes his "quiver of arrows" seemingly endless!! (Still I'm pleased he is willing to share his lessons with us: "Second hand gold is as good as new.")<br />
If I were to try and collect my thoughts into one sentence it would be: Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey! Even if you didn't know it, you have helped me in some way and whether we laughed, cried or gave each other the 'stink eye' :-) thank you for helping me get to this stage of my journey. I couldn't have done it with out!Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-82526608438512956142010-08-16T07:53:00.000-07:002010-08-16T07:53:21.713-07:00Macchi gets a visit from the Tooth Fairy As you may know Macchi and I have had an interesting journey (to say the least) with our Finesse riding, due to some displaced behaviors with his tongue. I think that the psychology piece is finally coming together (took me a while to 'get it'!, you can read more about that here: <a href="http://central.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/2010/08/kathy-baar-on-lessons-with-linda/">Lessons with Linda</a> ) We have also spent time being sure his bio-mechanics from his feet upwards were lined up, his energy was "in line" via photonic therapy and now (I'm hoping) that we've added the last piece of the puzzle to get him as comfortable as possible: The tooth fairy came to visit!<br />
If you haven't heard of Spencer LaFlure aka <a href="http://www.advancedwholehorsedentistry.com/">The Tooth Fairy</a> , he has been an ongoing part of my horse care and I can't wait to see if Macchi is now more comfortable with contact!! Apparently he was fairly locked due to the angle of wear on his teeth and therefore it was physically difficult for him to offer softness, and even more challenging to be comfortable while offering softness! On one hand "YAHOO!!", I feel I've helped him be more comfortable. On the other, I wish I could have done it sooner. However everything comes in it's own time, at least he is on the right track now!<br />
It will take a few days for him to get used to the new feel and some gentle coaxing from me to get him to bend and flex in ways that were previously uncomfortable, but I am excited to see how he feels by the end of the week!! Onwards and upwards!!<br />
-KathyKathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339585890426875408.post-90198448446713357452010-08-11T15:30:00.000-07:002010-08-11T15:30:25.586-07:00What Iceberg's have in common with HorsemanI've been thinking (not surprising for a Left Brain Introvert :-), and then I saw a photo of an iceberg: <br />
<a href="http://www.didierbeck.com/pics/200601/iceberg.jpg">Iceberg photo</a><br />
and had a realization: Horsemanship is like an iceberg!<br />
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Weird you may say, but hang in here with me for a minute. What's the first thing someone asks you when you get back from a clinic, course, event or lesson? "What did you learn?" often followed by "Show me what you learned." If you've ever been in this situation it can be hard at times to put your finger on what you have learned, it can be even harder to pull your horse out of the pasture and show them what you've learned!<br />
After 10 years at the Parelli Center I know that feeling!! "Show me what you learned." "Umm, well, I, uh . . . ." Here's where the realization comes in, they are asking to see something on the surface. Something skin deep so to speak, or like the iceberg photo the LITTLE piece that sticks out above the water. However given the opportunity to see both sides of the picture (underwater and above), the biggest change, the biggest 'growth' is below the surface. The part no one can see. They might feel it after a while, if they are close enough but it can not yet be seen.<br />
So much of our Horsemanship journey happens below the surface, whether it is dealing with fear, overcoming internal dialogue, or making a shift in our reality, none of this is skin deep. None can be seen by the average observer, the observer only interested in looking at the surface! But this doesn't mean it isn't real, it is there, it's important and without that HUGE internal growth there would be nothing to support the "visible stuff". The internal 'stuff' has be happen first. It's the hardest and most uncomfortable but also the strongest once built. It is only thing that makes a lasting change in who we are, who we are for our horses and how we relate to life!<br />
I was so impacted by the photo of the iceberg (in this case a picture truly is worth a thousand words), that I printed it off and whenever I feel pressure from my 'friends or support' I have a look at that photo and remind myself of the great big chunk of stuff, on the inside :-) If I think of it as a "great big chunk of stuff" I can't help but have a giggle at the same time I start to feel reassured that all the time and effort does make a change, and that the visible part of that change is not in direct relation to what's actually occurred!Kathy Baarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729778905331773989noreply@blogger.com1