30/06/2023
Horse are simple but not easy 🤓
Dave Ellis ist ein Urgestein eines Parelli Instructors. Er war mein Mentor vor 20 Jahren, als ich das erste mal 3 Monate in Colorado im International Study Center bei Linda & Pat Parelli war. Am Morgen saßen wir täglich zusammen bevor wir zu den Pferden gingen. Mich faszinierte damals schon, wie überrascht er war, wenn er von den Pferden & Pat wieder einmal an das Offensichtliche erinnert wurde. Die Neugierde und Bescheidenheit, gepaart mit der Suche nach dem perfekten Moment mit seinem Pferd sind für mich ein großes Vorbild 🤗
Viele weitere Aufenthalte in Colorado & Florida im ISC folgten, doch die Erinnerungen an die langen Tage und geteilten Weisheiten fühlen sich an als wären sie gestern gewesen ❤️
So folks, I’m pretty sure that you’re aware that every chance I can I go out and ride with people who ride much better and get more from their horse than I am capable. I just finished two weeks with Pat Parelli. Earlier this year I spent time with Martin Black, Lester Buckley, and Jake Gorrell. I rode every chance that I could with Doug Williamson & Russell Dilday when they were still in California. While soaking up all that I can from these extraordinary individuals, I began noticing a commonality in them and everyone else that was succeeding with their horsemanship.
They all use three simple moves with their horses regardless of their riding style or the jobs worked with their horses.
Step – 1 They know how to reward the horse with a release, usually by rubbing or stroking.
Step - 2 They know how to apply steady pressure with a lead line or rein.
Step - 3 They know how to apply rhythmic pressure to support the steady pressure.
There are many, many books, videos, and lessons teaching us how to learn these three moves. The problem that I’ve seen over the years is “so now that I know about it, how do I use it?” It’s actually pretty simple, it’s just not easy to do. The reason that it’s not easy can be explained by Dr. Robert Miller of “Early Learning” fame. Motions that feel right to us are usually conflicting to the horse and vice versa. Bob says that’s because of the Prey/Predator conflict within the species. Well shucks, we’ve all heard that for over 30 years. How do we overcome this difference? I like how Pat Parelli says that since we have intellect, we can observe, learn, and then emulate that which seems meaningful to our horse.
Here is a pattern that serves me well. I had to learn this. It did not come natural to me.
I first get my horse’s attention by merely moving softly. I may rub, I may lift my arm, I can do most anything that brings a little life to my body. Step (1) above
When I get an acknowledgement from my horse, ear tips toward me, head elevates a little, anything that signifies that he is aware that I wish for a transition. I then apply steady pressure with the lead line, or the rein, or maybe my leg. Whatever seems to be meaningful to my horse to suggest a transition. Step (2) above
All of us by now know to release the pressure as in step (1) above.
Here is where the intellect part comes in. If we don’t get the transition that we asked for, most of us feel like pressing the pressure firmer, and most of us have experienced the horse then pushing against us even more. What helps my horse most is to now apply rhythmic pressure. Step (3) above; then release and reward Step (1).
One of Pat Parelli’s mentors, Ronnie Willis, used to tell me over and over, “Dave, sometimes all they need is a little more information.” Every time I feel like more pressure on the rein, or squeezing harder with my leg, or leaning on the lead line, I hear his voice and I add a bit of information with some rhythmic pressure. These days things are going better and better with my horses. I credit it to the above named gentlemen and their sage advice.
See you down the road..
