In four lessons, River and I have made huge strides in our bond and in our progress as partners. We have practiced figure 8s, weaves, circles (with obstacles to jump over!), and sideways over a pole, interspersed with rest breaks while we audit Jan and Salsa’s lessons. We start the lessons by feeling our horses. [...]
Filed under: Lessons, On-Line | Tagged: horse lessons, parelli natural horsemanship | Leave a Comment »
Yeah, that’s me, up on my Atwood Ranch filly, all casual and relaxed. Of course inside I’m going SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I did the whole progression, with direction from Erin: stand and “pet” her with my legs, jump up and down in all zones, heave myself (with a boost, LOL) over her withers, lie flat on her [...]
Filed under: Freestyle, Lessons, Love | Tagged: horseback riding, parelli natural horsemanship | 1 Comment »
Last weekend’s trail lesson was my first time being the one with the horse rather than the one walking wistfully by. We encountered several women along the way who had that smiling-with-tears-brimming look, clearly still horse crazy despite an adulthood of denial. I’ve been on that side of the mirror, where one’s heart squeezes painfully [...]
Filed under: Lessons, Trail | Tagged: horseback riding, natural horsemanship, trail ride | Leave a Comment »
Erin took five of us out on the trail for a beginners’ lesson. We encountered pedestrians, joggers, dogs, bicycles, children, and other horses; creeks, bridges, and hills; and the occasional gold rush era ruin. It was so much fun it didn’t feel like a learning experience at all, and yet I am still processing everything [...]
Filed under: Gratuitous Pictures, Gratuitous Videos, Lessons, Trail | Tagged: horseback riding, natural horsemanship, trail ride | Leave a Comment »
Here are a few photos from my phone. Excruciatingly detailed post to follow when I have time to write. Erin thinks Salsa has not had tack on before as he was pretty accepting of the whole thing, not reactive as if he had previous trauma or experience.
Filed under: Feel, Lessons | Leave a Comment »
In which I describe just the merest hint of all that happened today in riding Rocky, his first day (serviceably) sound since the abscess.
Filed under: Feel, Freestyle, Language, Leadership, Learning Experience, Lessons, Love | Leave a Comment »
In which I summarize the lessons Rocky and I learned in a session with Erin Murphy yesterday: a new response to stimuli and a new way to communicate with a rider.
Filed under: Language, Leadership, Lessons | Tagged: horseback riding lessons, natural horsemanship, parelli natural horsemanship | 3 Comments »
In which I ask the gold hotline a freestyle riding question and get confirmation that I am internalizing the principles and applying them to day-to-day horsemanship.
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In which I report on my second riding lesson with Erin, and feel encouraged.
Filed under: Freestyle, Lessons | Tagged: balance point, horseback riding, pushing passenger, riding lesson | Leave a Comment »
In which I note the highlights of today’s lesson with Erin, and my homework.
Filed under: Lessons | Tagged: pushing passenger, riding lesson | Leave a Comment »
I understand that exuberance can be a little scary at first. — Erin Murphy, Equine Partners, Inc. Rocky started out at liberty by racing around the arena, bucking and snaking his neck, totally disrespectful of anything mere humans might want. Obviously he’s no longer too footsore to play, and it was great to see him [...]
Filed under: Leadership, Lessons | Tagged: S-turns | 2 Comments »
In which I describe a horsemanship lesson unlike any I’ve ever had.
Filed under: Lessons | Tagged: dominance, opposition reflex, reactive | 2 Comments »
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Dick Francis Novels
I re-read the entire collection of Dick Francis novels at least once a year.
