Summer/ Autumn 2010 Newsletter

Jayne and I bringing in Aspi and Apollo to start the day.

Jayne has been an inspiration to work with because of her commitment and patience. Believing in ourselves can feel hard to do when we are learning something new. It seems to me that we have to keep a vision of what we would like to achieve, while not allowing emotions to detract from this. Even in the midst of sudden difficulty while handling or riding, if we can stay present to the moment, calmly consistent in what we are presenting, not allow fear, frustration, anger, impatience etc to take over, then we leave room for the horse to ‘find’ a change for the better.

Preparation is also very important but this too can be hard when learning because our thinking creates delays in our responses and takes us out of the moment. I feel that it’s important to consider things like ‘how can we create space to always be aware of what a horse is feeling, while always being ready to prepare ourselves and the horse in time'. For example when riding a horse to a gate to open it we could prepare the horse to get into position while we approach and all of the while be aware of how they feel about what we are asking. For instance is there a soft, heavy or light response from the horse and in that moment how can we can help them to feel better if necessary. I find that improvements come about by firstly being aware of changes in the horse and focusing on and rewarding the good that a horse does, by releasing the pressure of our legs, reins or whatever we were using to help the horse position for the gate.

On the left I'm helping Aspi to 'find' that he can stand still and wait at a distance while I take Apollo's headcollar off. The center photo shows how Aspi understands his responsibility to keep the slack in the rope and so balance himself in order to follow the feel around to the left. He's also getting exposed to seeing someone up high behind him in preparation for a rider. The picture on the right was taken the week before Aspi returned home. He'd been ridden for 5 weeks at this point but here I was preparing him in case a rider slipped or fell off. The way that we present this can make a big difference in the horse feeling better or worse about it. For the safety of the horse and handler I wouldn't recommend doing this if you haven't been shown how to.

Sharing with you some thoughts and quotes that are frequently in my mind and may be helpful to you too.
   There’s a purpose and a meaning behind each thing that we ask a horse to do, sometimes we've asked a horse to do
  something but we aren’t aware that we have. 
 The horse is always learning and depending on our presentation they learn to do things that we like or dislike them doing.   
The slower you do it the quicker you’ll find it. - Ray Hunt.   
Adjust to fit the situation. - Ray Hunt.  
You are with your horse every stride but don’t micromanage. - Harry Whitney.

Demonstration with Apollo

Saturday 30th October 2010

10am - 1pm

Reddaford Thatch
Lowerdown
Bovey Tracey
Devon
TQ13 9LF

£20 adults

£10 children under 16yrs

Free 10yrs and under

Please call or email Anna to book your place as a spectator

A few of you have asked me to give a ridden demonstration on my own horse Apollo, to demonstrate the importance of having a horse’s mind with us while developing feel and timing creating balance. Most of this demonstration will be discussing how feel between horse and rider applies to lateral work and transitions while aiming to maintain responsiveness combined with softness in our horses and within ourselves. While discussing how to keep a horse’s mind with us I will be riding Apollo without a bridle or halter and then with only a rope around his neck. By no means do I see Apollo as a finished horse, both he and I are continuously learning so I'll be talking through the things that I'm working on to help us improve. After this I will be working with a horse and rider who use to event and are currently aiming to achieve this again one day with greater softness and responsiveness.

Tea and biscuits will be provided. The event is in an outdoor arena so please bring a chair and waterproofs if rain is forecast. The facility doesn't have a toilet, Bovey Tracey is the nearest, but in emergencies the host has kindly said that people may use the facilities in her house.

Dirrections
Exit off the A38 at Drumbridges roundabout joining the A382 towards Bovey Tracey, this takes you through a set of traffic lights and in half a mile straight over a small roundabout. At the second roundabout turn left onto the B3387 signposted Haytor, Widdicombe. (If you turn right here it takes you into the center of Bovey Tracey.)
After under a quarter of a mile you will come to a fork in the road. Take the left fork again signposted the B3387 to Widdicombe, Haytor. Then after a quarter of a mile turn right at the Edgemoor Hotel signposted Lowerdown, Becky Falls, Manaton. Then after half a mile you will see Reddaford Thatch on your left which is the last driveway before the T junction. On the way look out for parking spaces on the road just before Reddaford Thatch. There is room to park a couple of cars next to the arena but parking on the road would be ideal if possible please.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Anna.