Sunday, November 2, 2008

Move With Life

Nope, this picture wasn't taken from this weekend. I didn't get to see my spotted pill at all. Partially due to uncooperative weather. And partially due to the fact that I went out of town to attend a horsemanship clinic. I intended to audit (watch) one day, spend the night with my cousin and her family, then drive home the next day to see my horse. But I enjoyed Saturday's clinic so much that I returned to the clinic the next day too!

So, what horseman did I see? Here are a few of the tidbits I walked away with:

This horseman shares many stories of and gives credit to Ray Hunt, and Tom and Bill Dorrance for much of his knowledge during his clinic.

During clinic exercises, this horseman tells riders constantly to "find your soft feel."

This horseman says that many riders don't know how to properly tell a horse they mean it. Usually, they are angry and bang and kick on their horse because they are just mad and are trying to get even. A good horseman knows when to take a horse to the "dark side" and when to get out.

This horseman believes in giving a horse a chance to figure it out. And he rewards small attempts with a short break (release) and often a soft stroke on the neck.

This horseman wants riders to get the most out of their horses with less. Every time you get what you want with less, you ask with less than that, to get more. And so on. Eventually, a horse will respond with the lightest feel.

This horseman is not a fan of horses being kept in stalls. He finds it surprising that stalled show horses function as well as they do. He feels stalls are unnatural for horses.

So, any guesses as to who I saw? To my reading family members, no fair, you can't guess!

22 comments:

  1. I know who it was... But I won't give it away and spoil everyone's fun. I'd love to hear more about the clinic.

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  2. Well, Pat Parelli credits those you mentioned...

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  3. That was my first thought, Pat Parelli.

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  4. I'm thinking John Lyons...tell us more!

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  5. Well, I know how much you admire Parelli and play those games with your handsome Appy boy, so that's who I vote for :)

    ~Lisa

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  6. I was going to say John Lyons. But Pat Parelli gievs credit to Ray Hunt. So, it's a toss up between the two.

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  7. I have absolutely NO idea, and I cannot wait to hear more about it! :)

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  8. Good guesses, but nobody has guessed right yet! ;)
    I will certainly tell you all about it in my next post!

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  9. Buck Branneman - I've heard him comment about his dislike of stalled horses. Of course, all those guys give credit to Ray and the Dorrance Brothers - they pretty much started the natural horsemanship way.

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  10. Not a clue, give it up! I'm curious!

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  11. I have no idea, but like what her/his viewpoint.

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  12. Did you see any training tips that differ from Parelli or McNabb?

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  13. It's the Extreme Cowboy Race guy....his name escapes me now!

    Am I right???

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  14. I know! I thought I saw you there!!!!

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  15. boy I don't know but it sounds like you got a great deal out of it whoever it was.

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  16. Liz, can you send me an email? I wanted to email you and didn't see an email address on your blog! I want to talk to you about the clinic! :)

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  17. I guess Mark Rashid. Reading one of his books changed my relationship with my mare.

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  18. I think maybe Parelli, no probably John Lyons ... ok, I give. Who? Can't stand suspense!

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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