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Post by Calaminty Jane on Apr 16, 2007 12:13:50 GMT -5
Well I just spent the weekend watching Pat and Linda Parelli demonstrate the 7 games with problem horses, their own horses and the teams horses. I can't say enough about how inspired I am now. My horses have changed as a result of working them with the 7 games. I wish I had found this system when I was young. I know that I would have been a much better horse person as a result. Did anyone else go to the tour? What is your opinion on it?........Jane
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 28, 2007 18:13:00 GMT -5
That's the clinic I went to over the weekend in Utah. I found it to be fantastic. My horse, Windy, NEEDS it!! So, ok.... I joined the SAVVY club and bought some equipment and all excited to start. Today was the second day on the games. I got up to the circling game and disaster happened! She bucked and kicked and tried kicking my head off. I think I know what is happening tho. It's my fault - of course. I've been spoiling her. I've been treating her like a dog and I have been doing whatever she wants to do. I've just wanted to bond with her so bad - I've been going all about it all wrong. BAD thing -- spoiling a horse. So, now my confidence is even lower I have a Parelli instructor in my area. Well, an hour away but that's close enough. I called her and have an appointment for a private lesson this Friday. I told her how far I've gotten and what Windy did and now I am afraid of her. She said, "no problem... come on up and we'll see what we can do." I so hoping she can help. I think Windy is losing respect for me when I do something that she has other ideas about. When I take her out for a ride, it's in a very easy area where she feels comfortable. One of the times when I tried the circling, she bucked so hard she pulled the rope out of my hands. She took off kicking and bucking. the rope was dragging and she thought it was going to kill her. I sat down and just waited it out. She had to figure it out for herself that she wasn't dead yet. As I was sitting there, I thought to myself, do I want to ride that horse and what if something scares her and that can happen??? NO WAY do I want to be riding her right now. She needs those games so she doesn't have all that fear. But I can't do it by myself - I need help from someone like this parelli instructor. Hopefully it goes well.
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Post by Calaminty Jane on Aug 28, 2007 20:05:10 GMT -5
Go on yahoo groups and sign on New England Parelli. There are loads of people who can help you. For one thing you are moving too fast. You need to get the disengage pretty good before you do the circling game. There is a mini circling game in level 1 that is a necessity before you go to the circling game. I have been working with my QH and he was very pushy and domineering but he has become quite the gentleman. Between the games, spend some time throwing the rope over her back and between her legs. Who is the parelli instructor? There have been a lot of them doing clinics out here. You won't believe the difference in Windy after a very short time. Good luck!
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 28, 2007 21:49:57 GMT -5
The instructor's name is Margaret something....She's listed on the parelli website. She lives in Heber, Utah. There is a mini circling game?? How did I miss that? It wasn't on the 7 games DVD Before I did any of the other stuff, she was doing great with the friendly game. I could throw the rope all over her and do everything. Now she freaks out I'm going to try again tomorrow with the friendly game and hopefully she forgot about today! BAD human. I don't know how to get her to yield on her neck either. She does fair with the carrot stick. I did as Parelli did. I put the carrot stick on her neck groove and just hold it there. She is at the stage that she will move her head and neck and give me two steps away. I tried to move her faster but it was a no go on the forehand. Her butt engage is pretty good. I hope she doesn't kick me tomorrow - LOL. I feel bad for Windy now tho because she's probably wondering why I did what i did - there I go.... thinking like a human and not a horse! I guess she doesn't think like that How long have you been working yours in Parelli? Have you been riding him at all? I will go to the yahoo site and check it out. I joined the Savvy club and as soon as they get me in the computer, I'll have a chat board to go to there also. I feel so incompetent right now with it all tho and I'm afraid I'm not doing some of the things right. So, I'll keep my appointment with Margaret on Friday and see how it goes. Maybe I just need an hour with a Parelli instructor to see how I'm doing and give me some confidence.
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Post by Calaminty Jane on Aug 29, 2007 10:38:31 GMT -5
I had the same reaction with a QH mare that I had. She was my daughter's show horse but I took her over and started trail riding her. She had been professionally Trained. Saddled and ridden in a ring at the walk, trot and canter. She was very gentle, but had poor ground manners and bucked on occasion. As long as you didn't ask her to do anything, she was great. I started the games and when we got to the circling game, she tried to kick my head off. This is one of the things that Parelli points out during his program. As long as you don't ask anything different, you and the horse plod along fairly well. When you start the games, because they are dominance games, the horse is unwilling to give up the leadership role to you and you find out how much they have been leading you. My friend Carol has been to and hosted hundreds of natural horse clinics. She helps people starting out and always starts with the yo-yo game to get the horse away from you. Back her up and have her stand out of your bubble. Then she goes back and has the person work through the games in order. I watched Clinton Anderson working with an imported TB last night and he uses the same technique. Once you have the back up, then you back the horse up and move the shoulders over and then send her on the circle. You need to get them away from you as they tend to crowd you. You will learn so much working with an instructor. Do you have dish of direct tv? There is a horse program on just about every day at 4pm and 8am and then at 1pm on Sat and Sun. Parelli on Wed. and Sat. They all do pretty much the same program with lots of ground work, but sometimes one explains the moves better.
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 29, 2007 22:32:25 GMT -5
Yes we have direct TV and I watched the Parelli one tonight. I worked with Windy a little bit this evening. She is now afraid of the carrot stick! I really stressed her out yesterday. UGH. So all I did was rub her with the stick and NOT do anything with the rope on the end of the stick. That's all she could handle now. I'm a bit concerned about using the stick right now. She had to have had something done to her in her past and it brought back memories. She likes hands on her. I did some porcupine with my hands and she moved away wonderfully. So now what?? LOL. I had to cancel my instructor appointment I have to work on Friday. And I want to wait a bit because I'm afraid she's going to insist on using the carrot stick. Since she's Parelli only. I'm just a bit more confused now.
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Post by tuffysmom on Aug 30, 2007 6:54:39 GMT -5
Hello Moondogie1, welcome to the board. I have just been catching up with the board and I see you are starting the Parelli program, good for you. I use natural methods of training as well. When you start something that is new to you it can be difficult to feel comfortable and confident with the methods. I can personally assure you that everyone has felt this way. I think it is great that you have instuctors that are so close by. They can make a world of difference in your confidence. Out here in CT we have to wait for clinics to come to our area. There are quite a few peple that love the Parellis and others like Clinton Anderson and Chris Cox out this way, but personal instruction is not nearly as available as it is in your area. I hope you don't get too frustrated . Here are a couple of things that may help you. Take the string off of the stick and just use the stick. (sometimes at first it just gets all tangled up and messy until you are used to using it) It is important that Windy is not afraid of any of the tools you use. So if you can't touch her with the stick try to desensitize the air next to her. Put the stick up next to her and keep it there until she relaxes, when she relaxes take it away. make sure she starts to relax before you take it away. Try to find a starting point where she will accept the stick and go from there. An instructor will help you work through all these things things and help you build your confidence. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 30, 2007 8:57:41 GMT -5
Oh see.... that's what I did wrong even last night! I took it away when she wasn't relaxed. UGH! Am I going to ruin this horse because I keep messing up!? LOL... I had to cancel my lesson because I have to work that day and thru the weekend That is a good idea to take the string off. The first day I tried all this stuff - she was fine with the string being swung every where. I was able to swing it over her head, draping it over her back and neck, her legs etc.... Then I tried doing the circling and had to tap her neck with the rope and that ended it all Now she thinks I'm going to make her lunge and she's terrified of it. I won't give up but I think I need to go real slooooow with her. How often do you work with yours? I feel like she doesn't like it every day. My friend Karen, does it twice a week with hers and they seem to look forward to it now. She still rides hers also. I wasn't going to ride Windy but I think I will do easy ones. She's good on the trail and I really want to work on swinging my hips IE: riding with her and not against her. My friend wants me to go riding with her on Monday but I'm going to ride one of her horses because Windy and ME are not ready to add another horse or person to our program of riding. I need to concentrate on what I'm doing on her right now. Last night she was comfortable with the stick on her neck and on her sides IF the string was not hanging at all. So off comes the string! Thanks for the help guys!! I hope I don't become a pest I hope to be able to get on the SAVVY message board soon. The Parelli's haven't gotten back to Colo. yet to get me on the computer. I joined the SAVVY club at the seminar and not on line. I wished I had done it on line then I'd have access to it - Oh well....
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Post by tuffysmom on Aug 30, 2007 9:36:59 GMT -5
Since I am just getting back to working with my horses, I just sat down and wrote out a plan for their training last week. I was working on it while I waited for the stitches to come out. I plan on working him 5 days a week with one off. I will work on ground stuff for one month until I am cleared to ride and then I will do half ground work and half riding each day. Just keep working on it an you will do fine. If you can, do try to schedule time with an instructor. Also when you get on the Parelli website they have a lot of good articles you can read on there. Try to keep positive people around you that are willing to help you. And watch your SAVVY club DVD's.
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 30, 2007 14:17:04 GMT -5
Can't wait for my first DVD! Funny you should meantion "keep positive people around me." Did you catch my first story about riding with a "friend" of mine who kept putting my horse down all day long? It was awful. Needless to say, I won't be riding with her ever again. But I was so irritated with her (and I'm not the type of person who will really fight back to get into an arguement) I couldn't even breathe. Windy picked up on that real fast and did all sorts of "bad" stuff. She didn't want to be there one bit! Her previous owner (a friend of mine) told me that Windy is very sensitive and she WILL pick up on what her person is feeling and she WILL show it. Well, she did. I thought I had a real problem on my hands so I waited a couple of days and then took her out by myself and she was perfect. She was so happy and animated.
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Post by moondogie1 on Aug 31, 2007 15:47:13 GMT -5
okay.... this is just my intake from my horse and what I see from her. And maybe none of this will make any sense but here goes... After doing a few days of a couple of the games - she wanted nothing to do with me. Catching her was becoming worse. I didn't do a thing with her for two days. Basically ignored her. I did go out with the halter and lead rope and rub her with it and then I just left. Left her standing there thinking - hey what just happened??? This morning she seems more like her old self and is comfortable with me. I took her out for a ride. I wanted to try some of the stuff they suggested at the seminar. How to sit in the saddle by sitting back but not too far back. Linda looked so elegant riding her big warmblood! Arabs have a shorter back - something to keep in consideration. She HATED me riding further back in the saddle. I trotted her and sat as Linda suggested and Windy bucked. I walked her for a bit and then asked her to trot but I rode like I usually do - a bit forward and using my knees as my balancing point and she was fine. And I felt comfortable when riding. So I don't know..... She's still new to me. I've only had her for a couple of months and we are still getting used to each other. I know she's trusting me more and more. I treat her like a partner. When we are riding in the mountains she is unsure of herself because she's never been in the trees before and she's 10 years old! So, it's scary for her. She'll hear something in the trees and she'll stop to listen and I allow her to and it's usually a deer and I'll speak to her and then say, it's ok, lets go and she goes. I might be totally wrong but it was working before. Her previous owner (lady who raised her from a foal) told me that she is the type of horse that will bond with her person once she has a person and will work well as a team. I see that in her. And I don't think I'm doing what she wants to do all the time. All I want to do is go out and trail ride her and get me out.
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Post by Calaminty Jane on Sept 3, 2007 12:39:20 GMT -5
If you are having problems, wait until you get with the parelli person and then once you have learned the technique, it will be easier to practice at home. I am slowly learning but I don't have the experience to diagnose problems and help. Tuffysmom has been doing this longer and is working with some difficult horses so I know she can be more helpful. I do know that once you figure it all out Windy will be so much better on the trails. Don't give up.
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Post by tuffysmom on Sept 4, 2007 7:48:53 GMT -5
moondogie1, Jane is absolutely right!!! The best way to keep your frustration down is to get a professional to help you get going in the program. Also, keep in mind sometimes horses get a lot uglier before they get prettier. This is because they do not want to give up being in charge or sometimes they just get a little resentful until they start to enjoy it. Windy will come around. Keep with it and don't give up the results are definitely worth the struggle.
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Post by moondogie1 on Sept 6, 2007 9:24:27 GMT -5
Hi all: Well.... I hope I can still get suggestions on issues (if I have anymore -- giggle) without Parelli's stuff. I like alot of his stuff - don't get me wrong. And I'm using quite a bit of it but not exactly like it. I sold my carrot stick and lead rope. I didn't like the stick and the rope was just too long and heavy for me. But I love the halter. When Linda did the teaching piece on how to ride and how to sit... that really helped me! I finally found that spot yesterday. It was amazing. I felt centered and my horse just kept on going. She usually stops and looks around. I kept my hips moving even when I could feel her wanting to stop and she kept going. She also relaxed way more! And she didn't trip over the rocks. So that in itself was great for us. I play with her in the paddock. And I feel like we have a good relationship as is right now. I also learned to not move my feet first. That also will help in our relationship. I got onto the savvy club message board and was very disappointed. There is no training discussion allowed. Which I just couldn't understand. That's what message boards are for! BUt they said they didn't want bad or wrong advice going out. But I think bouncing ideas off each other is a wonderful thing. But they didn't see it that way. There are people (old posts) that have asked certain HELP questions and they were told, "we can't discuss that." So, that made no sense to me. That's sort of the main reason for me joining the savvy club. So, I left the club. People were told to go to a Parelli professional in your area. It just seems it's such a "buy our DVD's and pay our instructors to get help". 60.00 an hour -- just too much for me right now. If Parelli comes to my area again, I'll go again. He's a great motivator and he's entertaining. But I won't get all caught up in it again.
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Post by Calaminty Jane on Sept 6, 2007 15:41:10 GMT -5
I know where you are coming from. Do sign onto NE Parelli on yahoo groups and you will get answers. There are some long time parelli people and some just natural people there. Look for Carol. I have learned so much from her and she has studied with Dennis Reis and Larry Whitesell and Stacy Westfall who rides reining patterns bareback and bridle less. She has to have plenty to teach and she does. We just recently had her and her husband Jessee here for a clinic and were they spectacular. I didn't ride, only audited, but learned so much. Watch as much rfd/tv as possible. There is a lot of information available especially if you can tape it and watch it over again. Clinton Anderson is working with an imported TB and doing all the exercises on the ground and explaining them. He will be on again Sat or Sun. around 1pm Can't remember which day. The best way to learn is to watch what the experts do. We have a natural horsemanship group that gets together once a week and we share all kinds of videos. Check in your area for some kind of study group that will help. As far as sitting in your saddle, you don't move back. You just sit on your balance point by putting your hand flat on Windy's rump and then bring your arm back to the reins. At first it feels like you are leaning back but you're not. I have to keep checking myself because I keep leaning forward. You should also be able to move your knees up and down easily when you are balanced. My horse likes me there better. Don't give up on the natural way. It gives you so many ways to deal with problems and makes you safer.
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