What is a ‘principle’ and how does it affect our outcome and ultimate success?

Principle:

1-A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system or belief or behavior or a chain of reasoning used as a rule to govern one’s behavior.



Many like to think that a technique is what guides us on this journey, or makes what we do ‘natural’ but it is not. Techniques are just a facilitator of our principles to help us achieve our goals. In the parelli system, those techniques and principles were chosen for us, but they are not unique to parelli. Having principles, adhered to and revered as absolute truths, is what lets us know if you are on the right track. Too often, students (of any method) get far to hung up on ‘perfection’ of a task or technique and the principles get lost in the fog. And I often wonder why. This is as common place at the highest of levels as it is at the lowest of levels. The FEI is one of the most notable to let the mebers of their group completely ignore the ‘principles’ and now Dressage is so far away from where it started…yet their own rules never changed……and to make up for it, our perception and definition of the ‘principles’ has become so distorted, we cannot even recognize them when we see them….Such as the principle of having ‘the poll as the highest point’…..it is a rare few individuals who can even recognize what it looks like. Most people ‘think’ they have it, and they could not be farther than the truth.

I have been studying French Classical Dressage lately, and the more I get into it, the clearer the connection between Dressage and NH becomes, most specifically Baucherism….though one does NOT automatically equal the other. (Baucherism is a method discovered and developed by Francois Baucher in the mid 1800’s after he studied François Robichon de La Guérinière’s work from the early 1700’s) In all systems, we usually have a relatively lengthy list of ‘principles’….but when you get to the heart of the matter there are usually only a select few that are highly regarded…and usually only one, maybe two, that are thought of as the “holy grail”…..that usually, if adhered to at all times, it will keep you out of trouble and make your road to success a short one. And usually you can say this about them,

“It matters not what technique you use, what style you ride, so long as you do nothing to lose (principle) and do everything to gain (principle)….you will always be on the road to success”

So I thought I would make a list of principles for myself, since I have been reminded by a book I am reading, just what MY holy grail is, and my lack of adherence has caused me great struggles in my pursuit of my own perfection. Obviously the ‘goal’ is improvement in tangible skills, but really those skills are a facilitator to a higher level of conceptuality and philosophical understanding of the principles….which then garner even greater skills…and so on and so on, repeating the cycle in a never ending circle of self improvement. There is a rule that states, if something applies in every situation than it is a RULE, if it does not, then it is a TOOL.

So here is my list of principles that state I can do anything I want so long as I have, create or do not destroy the following….

1. Relaxation (both physical AND mental/emotional) Front to Back

2. The relationship comes first

3. Never use force, be it physical or mental~ includes: Don’t act like a predator, don’t be direct line, Patience BEFORE justice(long phase one)

4. Lightness and Feel~ includes: Release of the aids, no micro management, Timing the aids at the moment when the horse can optimally comply

5. Hands w/out legs, Legs w/out hands

6. Poll the highest point (except when stretching down) & Nose in-front of the vertical, Back not Hollow

7. Keep the rhythm pure

8. Straightness

Principles I used to use that I no longer use, use sparingly, or only use in a safety situation, and why.

1. “The attitude of justice is effective.” It may be effective but it can be harmful physically if misunderstood and also because it can destroy relaxation, relationship, and rhythm and often eventually involves force.

2. “Immobile Neutral on a circle.” Too much mayhem goes on that is not seen by way of not watching the horse, and it pulls me away from many of the above principles that are FAR more important to me.

For now I think that is about it. Should I come across any more I will update this.

I think if more people put relaxation at the top of their list, they would avert many problems. It needs to be the first thing you get, such as when you first approach your horse, do not do things in that approach that cause him to become tense, as you begin your session, again, do not CAUSE tension…..then your first goal is to reduce and remove what ever tension he had there to begin with. Then you can move on to the days lesson, again not CAUSING tension with any of your requests. Should your request be met with tension….stop…find out what caused it and fix it before moving on. Was he not prepared for your request, was it too demanding due to his level of skill and understanding, did you ask too abruptly or strongly, did you ask at a moment he could not possibly respond correctly, was he distracted….etc….

Relaxation does not mean dead btw. It doesn’t mean create a mindless plug. He should still be alert, sensitive and responsive…..but FREE from tension, both physical and mental.

So these are my thoughts on this rainy day

Savvy On

Michelle

Tried endo tapping w cha'cote

Well, that was an interesting experiment.  I thought I would try out endo tapping w cha'cote to see if I can get a 'calm down' cue for him for trailering.  After watching the dvd I was intrigued and I found a small tennis ball that I was able to jam onto the end of a broken lunge whip.  Even though he did it on the dvd with a lead rope and was using it to encourage the head to come down and also to keep the horse from walking off, and he also did it next to a wall so the horse could not escape sideways.....I decided to try it at liberty, just to see his reaction to the tapping.  Cha'cote is a highly sceptical horse when it comes to objects, and also is high headed even when he is relaxed.  He did show some skepticism when i approached him with it, but he didn't move, so I started tapping just behind his withers. He was curious as to what i was doing, but again didn't move.  I used impeccable timing and released if his head even moved a millimeter.  I tapped for a good 20 min or so, and while his poll never dropped quite to the level of his withers....he did fall asleep.  Goofy boy.  My arm got tired of tapping, so I showed him the ball and his eyes bugged out of his head.  I did the usual retreat as he went to sniff it, and i had his head on the ground in about a minute.....i also was just tickling his whiskers for a cue and he would follow the ball down to the ground......i found that really interesting.  I tried tapping him on his legs to see if i could get a response leaning toward picking them up at all.....nothing.  Then i tried tapping on his croup, and he instantly started stepping back n forth with the hind legs....so i started to alternate the tapping on top of the hips with the leg i figured would likely be picked up next and within a few minutes i had him kinda baby piaffe-ing on the hind end.  i stopped there because i don't want to mess him up for further lessons and i was basically just goofing around to see what his reaction would be.  i finished the session having him follow the ball and play stick to me and i just love how he is so bonded to me.  we sat for a while w him nuzzling my hair and neck and rubbing his chin on me.  he is such a good boy.  so that was my first endo-tap session, and now i will just ponder the results.

savvy on
michelle

Wild Thang! video of chacote's freedoms

This is why I do what I do.....rescue those that no one can or will. To be able to set a horse free....free from hunger, free from physical pain, mental suffering, emotional anguish, and downright imprisonment. Freedom from those that neglect their needs, and then freedom from the past. Freedom from themselves. Cha'cote was a long time coming to be confident to do this.....I love the way he is walking in this video...with purpose and self confidence....WANTing to be a part of the fun, and confident enough to make his own fun. It has been 1 year and 10 mos since I rescued him, wild and terrified....begging to be set free.....and we are finally there. Enjoy with me the beauty of freedom.

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Chacote makes a big move

Well he did it! He made the 75foot trek right after I fed this morning, leaving the comfort and safety of his sacred corner to eat with the girls! I guess the ant CAN move the rubber tree plant!

Cha'cote update....tears of joy

History again, he was in a 12x24 stall for 6ys before I got him.  He sat here for a year and a half, in his 30x30 corral alone.  I tried for about 6mos, every weekend, putting him in with the herd during the day, to aclimate and re-naturalize him to herd life, as he was terrified of other horses and too fearful to make the journey to the water trough on his own.  About 6mos after I got him, I would catch him every once in a while in the cool crisp early morning hours playing in his corral.  He had just enough room to just barely get up a slow canter circle, a few bucks and kick out at his water bucket as I was filling it. 

He has now been in the pasture with the herd for about 3 mos.  Most of his time is spent standing in one corner of the pasture.  It breaks my heart to see him like that, but I knew he would eventually come around, even if it took forever.  He has only explored the upper half of the small pasture on his own, and only a handful of times been chased thru the unknown parts of down below, much to his horror.

Well this morning, around 6:30, as I laid in bed dreading getting up for work, the dogs were barking un-relentlessly.  I finally got up and looked out the window to holler at them to shut it....when I saw them all facing the pasture.....hmmmm.....I looked over toward the pasture to see a most glorious sight.  Cha'cote PLAYING!  He was galloping the length of the upper part of the pasture, with everyone else staring at him like he was a fool.  He was bucking and snaking his head and kicking up quite a bit of dust.  I stood and enjoyed the sight before me for a few minutes, and then thought about catching it on camera.  By the time I got dressed and to the kitchen window, he had slowed down a bit and Rose had joined in the fun.  Sorry no video this time, the crummy view thru my window and screen caused poor quality after uploaded, but I knew if I went outside they would see me and stop, so I guess just I gets to relive it again and again.    I am just thrilled that he finally has the room to truley enjoy his morning play urges and can BE a HORSE.  Makes me wish I had a hidden camera out there for these early morning treats that obviously go on while I am still in bed!

Savvy On
Michelle

Protecting your herd of 2...a lesson in leadership.

I set out to give ONE horse a bath, and thru a series of events, moved up a to a whole new level leadership....of course, not before screwing it up royally first.

So we got a new horse 3days ago, and Snooke passed away 2weeks ago, she was the leader of the herd.  Rose has done a good job being the leader since snookie has passed, but this new horse, Syrah (my latest rescue) has caused quite a ruckus!  72hrs of an all out battle for world domination.  Rose has been HIGHLY protective of Cha'cote. And at times tries to protect spirit, but has yet to master, protecting two horses at once.  and spirit being the 11hh Casanova, little will stop him from wooing syrah. At this point, neither Rose nor Syrah are 'leader' of the whole herd, but Syrah (a 15.2 american cream draft horse) is alpha, but Rose is still leader of Cha'cote and Spirit.  Spirit is trying to be leader of Syrah and have his own herd, and sometimes tries to keep Rose away from her.  I am learning a ton about the water hole rituals and herd culture, now that there is a whole new dynamic to the herd.

there has been much discussion round the world about the difference between an alpha and a passive leader.  that the dominant horse is not always the leader.  that got me thinking about what IS a leader.  by it's very definition, it is someone who has commanding authority or influence, therefore, you cannot 'lead' if no one follows.  So being a leader is about more than domination.  BUT....the definition of alpha is simply....something that is first.  So I guess you CAN have an alpha who is not the leader, and you can have a leader who is also alpha.  Snookie was both.  Rose is not.  So far, and this could change in the future.  Syrah has asserted her self as someone who gets food first, and does not move when rose asks, but everyone follows Rose.  No one follows Syrah

So I wanted give Cha'cote a bath.  Since his reintroduction into a herd, 2 months ago, after 7ys of isolation, he gives the other horses no reason to challenge him, and runs at the very sight of them.  He has not given me any trouble catching him, until last night.  I walked in, and Rose was desperate for my attention.  Following me around, gently asking for some love, and probably protection, as she has taken quite a beating. Ordinarily this is not an issue, but since she has been chasing Cha'cote around for 3dys, keeping him away from Syrah.....If she was part of a package deal with me.....he wanted no part of ME.  I couldn't get within 20ft of him.  When I finally did, before I got the halter tied, rose and syrah trapped us in the corner, he bolted away from me, and with all the feet flying around lately, my life was more important that trying to stop him from leaving.  that was mistake #1 as far as cha'cote was concerned....something I would come to realize about an hour later.  in the moment....i was OBLIVIOUS to domino effect this was about to create.

since i coudn't catch cha'cote, and couldn't get rid of Rose, I decided to halter rose and bathe her first.  spirit left the pasture with us, and when I was done, i turned her loose with him in the yard.  During the bath, syrah was noticeably upset that they left her.  So after i turned rose loose, I got cha'cote, and left the gate open for syrah to come out too so she wouldn't be alone in there.  Mistake #2.  coming out the pasture is a 15x15ft corridor between the above ground pool and my hay shed.  rounding the pool is a corridor between the pool and the back patio.  between that is a tarp on the ground to walk on.  the bath area is on the other side of it, and cha'cote was unsure of crossing it.  we were making progress, albeit slow, when syrah comes up behind him, scaring him.  I was unable to prevent this.  Mistake #3.  still oblivious to chain of events that were now quickly adding up.  she left to find the other horses, and we continued working on the tarp.  next thing I know, a thundering herd comes up behind him, again, me unable to stop it, he finally had enough of me and this crap, bolted, and I had to let him go.  rose and syrah fought over him for the next 5 min, chasing him around the house, down into a ditch, cornered him in a small space(4 horses in a 10x20 dead end), and as he tried to get out, they were stepping on the lead rope, feet started flying, and alot of squeeling.  he was terrified, and there was nothing i could do to help him. finally he made it out of there, and they chased him back into the pasture, i closed the gate, and then they chased him around for another 5 min before i could get them off of him AND get him to trust me enough to get close enough to grab the rope.

Now for mistke #4...my husband walks out with the carrotstick/string and proceeds to "help me" by keeping the path clear for me to get him out the gate.  I go thru first, and my husband was unable to keep them away, and he bolted AGAIN.  now I spend another 5 min trying to catch him....trying to also keep my husband in line, the herd in line, and somehow convince cha'cote, that he could trust me, AGAIN, to let me catch him.  now the issue was soley his.  not the other horses chasing him away from me.  sighs....i finally got him caught, barked something at my husband, retrieved the carrot stick......had to 'handle' my husband softly because i didn't want to squash his new found horse whisperer ego, not get a rope burn or my skull crushed in.  it took ALL of this for me to realize.....hello you friggin moron.....PROTECT YOUR HERD OF TWO!..........screw everyone and everything else and PROTECT YOUR HERD OF TWO!

YOURSELF!

I was so worried about everything else, I was not IN the moment or the vicinity of decent frame of mind, and missed a vital cardinal rule. they will not let you trap them (halter and rope) if you then do not respect your new responsibility of protecting them.  you take away their ability to leave, so you dang well better never let them down when they need you.  there is no way around the fact that he needed me, and I let him down.  it wouldn't have been such a big deal with many other horses.  but this one...I blew it...and I blew it big time.

I had my husband man the gate, as it is a tight mental 'squeeze' as it is for cha'cote, and with the current situation, i may as well be asking him to jump into the grand canyon.  i led him around the pasture, tagging anything in my way...mainly rose and syrah.  I needed to prove to cha'cote that I and I alone, am going to protect him.  That he not only can trust me to protect him, but that I have good ideas too.  because he was pretty convinced at this point that I had the skills for neither.  I was successful, to my surprise, in keeping the herd more than 30ft away while we approached and exited the gate.....whew!  it was not easy, and we had to make several attempts, with me spinning and chasing them away, but it did alot for our relationship.

never before did he really NEED me to be a leader and 'protect' him.  when snookie was around, she never attacked him, nor would she let anyone else.  i can't even remember the last time i had to walk into a pasture with a carrot stick, for either my protection or a horses.  it just never occurred to me that I would need it.  so for now, I will have to always walk in with one when i need to do something with cha'cote, even if it is to just pet him.  i need to prove to him that I am a LEADER, and everyone else needs to learn that we are OFF LIMITS when i am with him. period.  no if's, and's or butt's about it.

I am the leader.  ME....not Rose...Not Syrah.....ME.  And I think after the justice I delivered yesterday......they know it.  I just need to prove it day in and day out, never letting a moment sneak up on me when I am not prepared....basically....always be prepared.

to balance it out, i will spend undemanding time, sharing territory with them, just hanging out....like a leader does when they don't have to LEAD.

Snookie never would have let this happen. So i guess I will forever be asking my self in situations....what would snookie do?



Totally forgot to mention the fairy tale ending!


When I was all done with his bath.  I took him to the pasture, and took the halter off, and we walked around at liberty together, moving all the other horses in the pasture!  finally he was done and left me quietly....


Rose was staring at me, begging to see me.  I waved her over and she came straight away to me, and we did the same thing.  except we did  not push chacote around.


it meant alot to me to have this special time with each of them, and i think it meant alot to them too.


Savvy On
Michelle

Big news on the Mustang Rescue!

Cha'cote is finally in a herd again. It has been a long 7.5ys of solitude for him. Even though he passed OLL3 in 6mos, it has taken me nearly a year and half after I got him, to rehab him back into a herd (weather played a big part) He finally gave me the green light 2 wks ago, and Sunday was sink or swim day. He dog paddled! The mares are not interested in him, but he steers clear of them anyways, and Spirit got a buddy to swish flies off his face. He has been imprisoned, having never committed any crime and Savvy gave him a pardon. While he will never run free in the wild again, at least he can begin being a horse again. Three cheers for Cha'cote!!! Hip, Hip, Horray!....

While this video is not the most ‘exciting’ thing on the planet….just think of it as the happy ending to an Animal planet Sunday Special……Local woman does good! There is some good horse/herd behavior in there to watch, and also you get to see RBI’s in action. You can also see some WHR's leading from behind! It is a good day for my new Friend…..rejoice and enjoy on his behalf…..he IS happy…..exhausted…..but happy!
Savvy On My Friends……..Savvy On!
Michelle

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Well in case anyone is wondering where I disapeared to....

I found this great rock to crawl under and got stuck there.  My life fell apart and some things needed tending to.  The good news is that Cha'cote is making great progress despite my doing nothing with him.  He is coming from a whistle, sometimes even runs to me.  He also has found his playful side.  He has finally decided that the herd has something to offer him.....FUN.  He has even had a fun loving bucking sessions with them.  Of course he scared the crap out of himself while doing it, but I think he is ready to be turned out with the herd.  The weather has been miserable for california.  It is JUNE and it is still raining and SNOWing!  So I think, come hell or high waters....literally....he is going out with the herd this weekend or next...for good. I just didn't want to throw him out with out shelter, when shelter is all he has known for 7 years.  I am thinking of splitting the pasture into two sections, half for Snookie and Rose and half for Cha'cote and Spirit.  That will give him a chance to learn how to play, without the threat of the girls attacking him.

I am going to the horse expo this weekend despite the virus outbreak.  My friend and I are going to bleach up before we come home and of course will not be touching ANY horses or shaking ANY hands while we are there.  I can't believe they are going thru with this thing, given the nature of how many horses are coming from all over the united states.  But they are, so I will be taking advantage of seeing my long lost horse buddy who moved away 8ys ago.  I miss her desperately and hope she moves back some day.
Savvy On
Michelle

How I built a cheap and portable Round Pen.

The Picadero.....is DONE!!!! Check it out!

Total Cost: $118
Total time to Build: 5 Hours
Ease of use and relocation: EASY
Enjoyment level of use: Unconditionally, exponentially, limitless!

Now of course this is as 'low tech' and 'cheap' as I could get it done.....but it is functional and should provide me many hours of enjoyment as I explore the..... Waterhole Rituals / Hempfling / PNH L4 Liberty / Clicker training .... further this summer, and I am dying to get started.  Compared to the cost of a pipe panel round pen which can run from $600-$1200 this is a cost effective alternative.  I also considered 8x 20ft cattle panels at $25ea plus the cost of clips to connect them $20 would be cost effective, but not as easily moved from one location to another, BUT easier than a pipe panel pen to move for sure.  This is also a great way to NOT have to try to pound or beat a post into rock hard ground filled with rock hard ROCKS.

So here I am, with my limited but growing knowledge of cement, and may even have become the "expert" on cheap round pen construction....ROFLMAO!!!! HA HA HA

So Here are the two first buckets, that were suppose to be, mix in one, pour into/set-up/pop-out in the other....but I messed up by using too much water and created two $10 posts.  As each of 'these' buckets were $5 ea plus $3 ea for the posts plus $4 for a bag of cement.  The rest of the posts are much cheaper as I found cheaper buckets.  Gotta LOVE Wal-mart.

These buckets are found in the paint department.  The larger handle buckets were $1.83 each and the smaller ones were $.89 each.  I bought 12 for a total of  $14.65 + tax.  This makes my bucket purchase total = $25.  The step in poly posts were $3 x 14 = $42 and the electric tape was $30 for a 656ft roll and I bought 7 bags of 2/3 cubic foot size, cement at $4 bag = $28....However, with finding smaller buckets, I only used a total of 3 bags  = $12 for cement. That brings my total investment to $109 + $9 tax = $118 for a portable round pen/picadero.  Not bad huh?

Now as for ease of construction and time spent, it only took me 3 hours total to mix the cement and fill 14 buckets.  Time spent making my 10 foot strands of tape, that took me 2  hours, but that included time spent screwing up and starting over, but I think we can count it accurate. And after 24hrs set time, I am good to go set it up in it's designated area.  As for my mom's parking spot.....too bad ~ so sad ~ mama!
Don't forget to read the end for my corrections to my mistakes.

Now there is assuredly an even cheaper way to do this.  I was thinking supplement buckets, while coveted as feeding buckets, I am sure one could beg all your friends for their used buckets when they are done with them, plus your own, would take no time at all to collect 14 of them.  If one used poly hay bailing twine, you could round that up all over the place for free as well.  I have over a years worth bagged up in my back yard, and you are welcome to come by and take all you want....;). Cement is pretty cheap with small buckets, but sand or dirt could possibly do in a pinch, just would not survive the winter rains.  One could even get fancy and use potting soil and add flowers I guess.  That just leaves the matter of the posts.  I am sure there are alternatives to $3 fencing stakes, and I am sure one could be creative in this department as well.  Just don't ask me, if I could have thought of a cheaper way, I would have done it.  All in all, I would have to say that if you were creative and resourceful, I bet you could do this for free! 12 posts set 10ft apart makes a 30ft  square picadero or a 40 foot pen.
Don't forget to read the end for my corrections to my mistakes. It's pretty funny.

This type of construction allows for all types of terrain and shapes, and one does not need worry about the condition of the ground (for construction sake not horse soundness sake) or having a friend nearby every time it needs to be moved. Also, by having short 10ft strings looped to each post, you forgoe the headache of sagging lines, and a night mare of night mare when taking apart or changing shape or just moving part of it to use the space as a parking lot!  Using one long line can be a pain in the rear, and if a horse goe thru it, there is a better chance of it just popping apart, rather than stringing along behind them.  On THAT note, one does need a horse to respect fences for this to be advantageous and safe.  I would not recommend putting a flighty frightened horse in a pen like this, nor would I leave a horse unsupervised in it.  As always, use your head, and put both you and your horses safety first....and fun should follow.....not vet or hospital bills.  If desired, you could hook this up to a fence charger and actually use the electric tape as designed, but now you have to consider the cost of that, and the fact that in a small space, a horse being jolted with electicity is not a great idea with you inside.  Also, since you SHOULD be using this pen to create harmony and confidence in your horse, I do not know how 'comfortable' a horse might feel if he is worried about getting electrocuted.  Use your brain and choose wisely when it comes to electricity.  Ok now that the public safety announcement is over.....here are some links to where you can purchase similar items on-line:
step in poly posts
highly visible electric tape 656ft roll

What you need: Obviously, buckets, cement, posts, water and string....but other than that:
Scissors, a wheel barrel or sturdy man to carry said cement bags.  Weak men crumble like paper, so if that is all you got, you may as well do it yourself.  Your mothers sturdiest cooking spoon. I own mine, but since I stole it from my mom 15ys ago, I thought i would share the resource.  Plastic butter tub for scooping dry cement. Bout 1 cup size, anything bigger is too big and too hard to handle, anything smaller just makes more work.  Something for your posts to lean against while drying if you made your cement too soupy.  I cannot stress this enough.  Think ahead, because when you have wet cement that you percieve to be drying at lighting speed, panic tends to set in quicker that cement sets up.  Which by the way is 12hours.  Chill, you got time....once your done mixing.  Just don't touch the posts once you have placed them in the cement.  Unless they fall, jiggling them will just make them jiggly after it is set....literally in stone.

How to tie so it makes a loop at the end of string, but won't come undone.

Tips of things to keep in mind:

The cat will not get out of your way, as if they just know that you will go around.

Do Not Park your work station or tools near the cactus.

The cactus will not get out of your way, as if it just knows that you will go around.

Do not let the cat lay near the cactus.

Wear a painters mask.  If you do not, then make sure to keep tissue near by to blow your nose often.

Wear gloves as the lye in the cement will dry your hands quickly and instantly.

Watch out for the cat.

Do not put lotion on, and immediatly work with dry cement.

Leather birkenstocks and cement do not mix.  Wear rubber flip flops so you can rinse your legs often.

Watch out for the cactus.

Cement dust gets everywhere. Do not just dump one bucket of dry cement into another.  Pour it slowly.  Don't worry if you forget this one, the cement will remind you quickly and you will only make that mistake once.  you will then be reminded of the need for tissue!

Rinse your tools and work station in between the making of each bucket, while it may take 24hrs to set up in the bucket, it will quickly harden in small quantites on/in other things.

Do not assume your post will be 'stuck' in the cement and carry it over your foot.  Don't worry, you will only have to do that once to remember it.  Luckily I have not had to deal with that, mine are in, but you never know, so i thought i would mention it.

Always know where the cactus is!

Damn Cat!

You may find it benificial to not put your work station directly underneath a hornets nest.  The theme here is to be aware of your surroundings....and who is occupying it.  As you will want to do this in a well ventilated area.  PS....well ventilated = wind, and it will always be blowing directly towards your face when ever there is a cement dust cloud in front of it!

Beware where you grab things, as dogs think these are great for peeing on!

Don't use too much water, you can always ADD more water, but you cannot ever take it OUT!

Stir quickly!

Do not let your horses investigate during the first 12hs.....cement is permenant and if they knock the post over inside the cement.....It will be stuck that way by morning.

Make sure to bring drinking water with you.  You will likely get very thirsty.

Have a couple extra buckets, and start by filling small buckets first.

When making strings.....measure twice, cut once, measure again!

There is a limit to the number of things you can hold in your hands all at the same time.  You would hate to drop something, reach for it, and instead get a handful of cactus.  Especially when tripping over the cat!

Frozen yogurt does NOT taste as good after a weekend in the freezer.  It has nothing to do with round pen construction.  I just thought it was worth mentioning.

I found it helpful to put a 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the small buckets, 1 inch of water in the big buckets, then cement, then water as needed while stirring.  As for how much water.....well....that is a learn as you go kinda thing.  i just had a bucket of water to pour from....a hose is not reliable AND the pressure blows dry cement in your face.  By the By.....lots of things will blow dry cement in your face....including a nosey horse snorting in the bucket. Cha'Cote was quite side kick as I worked.

Mistakes and Corrections;

Last but not least.....plan on paper first and double check your math.  I don't know how I did this, but even though I planned this out in detail, many times prior to commencement of supply purchase and construction, somehow I managed to screw up my math.  Originally I planned on 2 buckets and to pop the cement out when set, yet, as described above they didn't pop out.  So when I went to purchase more, I bought 12...thus making 14 posts in all.  Where I can't figure out how I made my other mistake though, is how I just so happened to have 14 stakes.  Hmmmm.  THEN.....Oh yes, there is more.....trust me when I say, when done and set up, I stood there bewildered at my blunder.  So I already told you about my 9ft length of string mishap....this is incredibly stupid......10 feet was wrong too.  Aparently, I had planned to make them 13ft, ie, 3 sections, yes 4 posts only make 3 sections......OR.....I failed to notice that 4 posts only make 3 sections.

THUS......4 posts per side with 10 foot sections will only yield a 30x30 square or 40ft round pen.  DUH....I just couldn't fathom making such a mistake on such simple SIMPLE math.  SO.......The correction to the plan is this.  IF you want a 40x40ft square or 50ft round, you will need 12 post with 13.3 sections.......OR.....you will need 16 posts with 10ft sections.  And what's more, since I had already typed this thing up, and have absolutely NO intention to go back and make THAT many corrections.....YOU.....can change the math on the money for the total cost.  So far, my correction for now, is to use my house as one side of the pen, until I can get to the store to buy 2 more buckets and stakes.  The good news is that I have plenty of cement and string left to correct the mistake.  All in all, it should only cost me another 9 bucks, and another trip to the store to fix it.

PS....yes....the cat and the cactus are conspiring against you.  They even recruited the dog!

PPS.........Ignore the dog in the pic....he is in trouble in the moment for hiking his leg on the couch.....damn dog

Savvy On
Michelle
the math challenged moron.

Putting my nose back to the grindstone.......

Well, I haven't posted about my journey for a while.  Things have been crazy here as usual.  Just a short while after my mom got home from the hospital, on the way to the doctors for a follow up, she flipped her car a few times off the highway, landing on the roof of the car.  Amazingly she is ok.  I am beginning to know the hospital staff by name now, and have all dr's listed on speed dial.  Next weekend I will be taking her car shopping....fun.....NOT!  Don't you just love car salesman?

I audited a Mark Rashid clinic and will be writing about that soon.  Just need to make sense of my notes.  I made some new friends there and had a good time. I learned for what ever reason, I am intimidated by men.  Not that I didn't know that already, but it kinda sealed the deal.  I get all tongue tied and stupid, and walk away feeling like a foolish idiot.  C'est la vie!

I also have a few dvd review's to get caught up on.  I kinda got burnt out.  A bit too much stimulation, information, revelations, and little motivation.  I am almost done with Dorrance "greetings" and need to get started on Alexandra Kurlands clicker training and Zettle's 'east meets west' with pat and linda. I am going to be getting the clicker training ones till I have seen all 17 of them, and also Linda Tellington Jones TTeam and TTouch.

I have been dabbling in the clicker training with Cha'cote and the trailer at liberty.  And also with Rose and Spirit using a target. That has been fun.....Interestingly Rose is the slowest to 'get' the target and the clicker.  Spirit was lightning fast, and Cha'cote not far behind him.  Rose was just too busy trying to get her nose in the treat bucket to even notice that any action or sound had any say in the 'when' she got a treat.  Spirit figured it out after about 5 clicks.  Cha'cote about 10 clicks.  I have done clicker in the past with Snookie, so she got it real quick too.

I am also working on a two blog 'pages'.  One is about 'Masters' and the other will ALL about the age old dressage quandary and controversy of....CONTACT.....will be discussing and diagramming the definition, differences and implications of:
"Forward Down and Out"
"Low Deep and Round"
"Poll as the highest Point"
"Behind the vertical"
"On the Bit"

But those are big projects so god only knows how long it will take me.  The contact page is first on my hit list.

I also decided on a picadero as my choice of liberty pen for water hole rituals and liberty play.  A picadero is basically a square 'round' pen. about 35-40' x 35-40.  I got my ideas on how I wanted to 'build' it.  Bought all the 'stuff' and then proceeded to execute my 'plan'.  Let's just say.....I know nothing about cement!  My plan was to use buckets, fill with cement, stick the post in it, let it set, pop it out.....lather rinse repeat 13 more times.  What I learned......don't use so much water.....cement takes about 24hs to set......cement doesn't 'pop' out of buckets.  So now I have two buckets with permanent cement in them, luckily I did put the post in it before it set.  Now I just need 12 more buckets or to line them with plastic bags....but stir the cement in a different bucket first.  That was my intention from the beginning but I used too much water and had to pour half into the other bucket, but already figured out I would not be able to stir it with a bag.....thus, two perm cement buckets.  Ah well, off to the store to more buckets.  And at one or two a day due to set up time, this is going to take me more than a week to have enough of them to make my pen.

Enough for now......
Savvy On
Michelle

Cha'cote loves BGB ~ video

WOW, I can't believe how far he has come with that ball in jut a few days. LIBERTY with the ball, can you believe it?! Me either. He spent well over a year convinced that anything would kill him, most especially that ball. So this is just our third time playing with it and I am stunned at how much he likes it. I think he likes feeling like he can dominate something. Today he even tried to bite it. I am just tickled pink!

Savvy On
Michelle

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cha'cote's first REAL saddle ~ video

Well, I let the Road to the Horse competition today inspire me to put that saddle on Cha'cote. Pat was amazing today. If had to chose to one of the three colts today, it would undoubtedly be Pats colt. Pat offered him a gread deal. I hope I offered Cha'cote a great deal too. He was fine puting it on. I discovered letting him smell things first only scares the bajeezers out of him. I just went straigt to it and he was fine. He walked off fine with it. But when I asked him to trot, and the flaps made sound, he showed his true introverted inner self, and froze like a statue. He would only take 2-4 trot steps and freeze. He never bucked and it took a good 20min before he could trot one whole circle on the 12ft line. But like everything else he does, I let him work it out his way, held his hand, and he figured it out. next time i will go all the way and put the saddle pad on too. unfortunatey my saddle doesn't fit him, too big. so i will not be able to ride him in it. ugh. but it is sufficient and pain free for just wearing. He looks handsome as a dressage horse and picture him all done up fancy and braided. he will make an ellegant horse some day. worthy of his wild breeding. what a good looking horse.

Savvy On
Michelle

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cha'cote meets BGB...video

OMG......Friendly game with objects breakthrough.......Cha'cote conquers the Big Green Ball. At first he was right where we left off last year, which is.......'what ball, I don't see any ball?" He ended today making the biggest break through ever.....he engaged the ball and rolled it around the yard. I am still getting the hang of the video option on my phone and apperntly turned it OFF rather than ON.....during the whole roll the ball around the yard part. But I got a little bit on video where he solved the puzzle of.....move the ball out of pedestal alley and get on pedestal......Wooo Hooo for Chacote. i am one step closer to being able to start him under saddle. Once he is totally OK with the ball bouncing on his back from BOTH sides WITH a saddle on.....then I will contact one of 3 trainers i have chosen, and have them give him his first 7 rides. I will take it from there. Just can't risk making my body hurt any more than it already does.

Savvy On
Michelle

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cha'cote's first trail Walk

Today my friends came over and we went on a LONG trail....ride for them, companion walk for me and Cha'cote. I know I wont be able to walk tommorow, but I had a blast and more importantly, so did he. The hills were managable for my fat rear, thank god. it was B..E..A..utiful! I know our bond got alot stronger today and can't wait to do it again. He even found himself a mustang day spa, and nearly knocked over a dead bush gettign a good scratch in.....well you'll see it in the video. I love him so much and know that he came to me right when we could help each other the most. I thought I was saving him, but really he is saving me.
Hope you enjoy.

Savvy On
Michelle

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

gonna be a long day tommorow

Well, my mom is having her second surgery in 2 weeks tomorrow, and I will be there with one of my mark rashid books.  thanks to my moms accident and illness i have gotten alot of reading done!  I have spent way too much time in dr's offices and emergency rooms and waiting rooms and patient rooms and hospital rooms.......I forgot my book last visit and I was a little miffed as the chairs SUCK, and I had no cel phone service and was in a strange town.  Not tomorrow though.  All told I should be able to log myself about 4-5 hours of reading before the day is over.  Prayers for my mom that all goes well and her 'symptom' goes away.  Don't want to share the details as it is just too gross for words.  I feel bad for her, and really hope this surgery does the trick....I sure wouldn't want to be her right now.

On a lighter note, today was Cha'cote's 3rd time with the bareback pad and he did not shy away from it. He was concerned by it, but only for a second.  4 more times and I will switch to the saddle.  yee haw!

Savvy On
Michelle

Cha'cote's first saddle...

Pad!...well bareback pad. We did it! this is his first time having the pad or anything on him. I played with a towel months ago.....a little rope around the belly....but just the one time. He was terrified if it approached him from the front with it. Better on the side, but it still took alot of approach and retreat before I could touch him with it. But once on him, he was fine. I was soooo scared to tighten the girth. On a scale of 1-10 my adrenaline level was about 1000. Afraid he would buck ontop of me, get loose then go thru the barb wire fence. Same fear the first time i led him out of his paddock....and just like that time.....nothing. NOTHING!!! he didn't care one iota. Like he was born with the dang thing on. he was more irritated he couldn't eat grass. I used my new phone to video this, and if I would have known I could get them OFF of there, i would have filmed more.

We also did some more zone 5 touch it, and he also didn't hesitate with that either. what a good boy.

I took those words of Rays to heart yesterday. No more handicapping, no more holding back. The past is the past....I am going to let go of it so i can grab onto the future!

Savvy On
Michelle

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

More Zone 5

Well things were even more confident today...I noticed I need to give a bigger break and release the try for longer, but all in all he did really good. Today was the first time I was ever able to reach his tail with the hose....no more squirting between the hind legs. he got got his legs and tail washed, mane trimmed, tail banged....hims purdy now! He also even got on the pedestal all by himself when we had the tractor going....so cute!

This video shows me too, and shows me expiramenting with different techniques and strategies. he didn't want to put his left hind on there today, so we finally got it in the end. he did not get both on together...but thats OK!

Savvy On

Michelle

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Beginning zone 5 touch it

So my last two sessions with Cha'cote have been starting touch it with zone 5. Got a really rocky start....which is what told me how badly I needed to do alot of it. At first the closest zone5 could confidently stand facing the trailer was about 25-30 feet and a couple of feet from the pedestal. Last time we ended with one foot at a time backing onto the pedestal. This time we easily got 2' from the trailer and inched our way to about a foot from the trailer. we started out pretty easily getting one hind foot on the pedestal, and also backing over a log. He backed the front feet over the small jump and of course when the camera wasn't on, he backed both feet onto the pedestal.....wooo hooo. He is getting WAY more confident already with his feet, and thinking while purposefully and slowly moving his feet, rather than reacting and quickly taking them off of something.....yeah! Will try to get more video tomorrow

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It’s not about THE…….Trailer!

It’s about the ……RELATIONSHIP!

How could I be so direct line? AGAIN!!! What the heck is wrong with me? Ya know that little predator just sneaks right in, without warning, and without notice. It takes hold of our thoughts and actions, and before we know it, we abandon all that we know, to get something done. Usually during a difficult task, that may take more than a few sessions to accomplish. So what I think is happening, is that it is soooo gradual, in minute increments during each session, that you don’t see how it is accumulating, until it manifests itself into a full blown predator palouza, that is ALL about the trailer….the relationship flies out the window….with us completely oblivious to what just happened. ARGH!

Cha’cote was getting in the trailer GREAT, once he figured it out. He was confident, calm and trusting while thinking his way into the trailer and he had no problems staying in the trailer as long as I didn’t close the door. Back in august is when it all started, and it was a 1~2 whammy to his confidence. First was the day I taped my OLL3 with him. My husband had removed the wheel chocks to use to protect his precious MG Midget, from what I have no idea. During the filming, Cha'cote got in, felt the trailer really rock, then decided since it hadn’t done that before….he now had good reason to question going in again. Then a couple days later is when he went on his very first outing, and that is what sealed the deal to our trailering doom and gloom.


The next time I went to trailer load him, he said “NO WAY….I know what happens when I get in there!” I had plans that day with a friend, and I got REALLY predator on him, and in the end we did not make it to our destination. It was one of those days that you wish you could erase from your life forever. So then I tried to kiss and make up with him, and you know the saying about RBI’s…..all he can think is…..’I knew I couldn’t trust you not to push me’. And he was right.

So I left it alone for a few weeks, then made my move. I did a lot of undemanding time/sharing territory with the trailer, and that helped a lot. We picked at it here and there, until he was good about going in again….but he still didn’t want to BE in there, unless I was in there too. Nor did he want the door shut. So here I am at a loss for how to really help him. I haven’t had an issue with trailering horses since my HUGE monumental BFO with Ann Kiser 7ys ago. In fact the opposite, I have helped a lot of horses overcome thier trailering issues, so now I am feeling like a failure and knowing I am letting him down, and my ego is a little bruised too.

Talking it over with my friend and student, I had some mini moments of mediocre intelligence, but it is genius I am seeking here. In the end, I reluctantly agreed to try the only solution that came to mind. It seemed reasonable, however, I know that technique will get you so far, it is the principles that get all the way home.

So how do you diagnose a problem? First you figure out the game or games that are broken. This is mostly comprised of the main three games…..friendly, porcupine and driving, and/or the principles and concepts that may be forgotten about, and then think of solutions, experiment with them, and compare results. What's so hard about that....right?

I think it is safe to say that it is obvious that the friendly game needs some help, not surprising since that is his hardest game. And the conccept that my friend and I kept hovering over is ‘making the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy’. But I have been doing that, and the usual technique of ‘a lot of work outside the trailer, rest in the trailer’ really makes him more right brain explosive. I told her the only thing that makes him uncomfortable and start to think about going in, is backing up. He doesn’t like any tugs on the halter, and usually a finger wiggle to back up, is enough to make him start going forward. So the plan we came up with is WAY more backing up than I had been doing. Maybe a few laps of yo-yo around the trailer would be in order? It’s settled, yo-yo is the technique, and discomfort/rest the concept. Not exactly genius.....but it was the best I had to go on at this point.

Now I hadn’t had a chance to work the theory out in practice yet, when I come across a thread on the forum that seemingly has nothing to do with my problem, and only read it by chance anyways. I had skipped most of the responses, but something made me read one of them….and low and behold the lights started blinking and fireworks bursting in the sky. Hmmm….it’s not about the…..trailer! How on earth that one left my brain is beyond me.....but at least someone jogged my memory! Someone mentioned playing the touch it game with zones 3-4-5. He touches the trailer really well with zones 1-2-3. Why on earth it never occurred to me to do it WITH the other zones I will never know…..but…..does a predator really ever think more laterally anyway? I also learned something about myself. I am REALLY good with new horses or difficult horses….it is the ones that I KNOW can do something but won’t, that I have trouble with. And that is when I go all ninja predator. When I can’t understand why they won’t/can’t do something that they have already done to great success. Hmmm, now what is up with that?

Good news is….I have a plan, and just need the weather to help me out a bit, to see if I can put the principles before the goal. Plan: Lots of touch it with zones 3-4-5 on all sorts of things via yo-yo and sideways, and lots of friendly putting all zones near the trailer via yo-yo and sideways….ALL the parts of the trailer…..and lots of yo-yo around the trailer with rest in the trailer. And above all else remember….it’s NOT about the trailer…..it IS about our relationship and his confidence. I also promise NOT to push my RBI, and remember I have brought him a long way in a short time since I rescued him, neither of us are failures….we have all the time in the world to get in the trailer.


So there is my plan, fingers crossed….wish us lots of savvy.

Savvy On
Michelle

Not letting failure, make you feel like a failure.....

Pity Party alert....oh lord...what a day....good and bad.  Big achievements that no one would notice, small failures that stick out like a mutt in a poodle parlor, and of course EVERYONE sees.  So, I decided to take cha'cote to the lesson and playday, figure I could just hang out with him while I am giving a lesson.  Some undemanding time.  Oh boy....the success was that he ripped around, running like a fool.  It was so nice to see this quiet introvert cut loose with the boys.  Sure he was terrified to his very core at first....but they quickly learned they would never be able to sniff him, if he keeps running away from them. So they started mosying up nice and slow.  In the end, Cha'cote was the one instigating PLAY with them.  He even stopped off to see me everynow and then and hang out with me of his own accord.  Can everyone see my heart melting??  We played a little on line.  He got in the trailer OK to get there, not bad...not even 5 min.....My student made HUGE progress in the posting dept today....I was so proud of her

Jaws music inserted here.....

Time to get back in the trailer.  Now since we are having problems, this was not much of a failure....but with all eyes on me....I got nervous, and so did he.....I should have asked them to take thier chatter far, far away.  But....my puny ego thought that would look bad or mean, or that in and of itself would make me some kind of failure.....so.....half hour or so of sheer tortuous patience....he got in.  For the first time I enlisted help from my student, for more than just closing the door.  I have to say, she knows me well enough, that we were almost working as one mind.  She did a great job, of watching when I release, so she could release too.  So that was a cool partnership and a success as well.  But I drove off with my heart sunk low, feeling like the worst of all failures.....Pity Party.......everybody dance now!

Do you know that lil shit, got in the trailer 20+ when we got home!  I think I am gonna have to find some help with this.....I am tired of banging my head on a wall with this and I just don't know how to help him.  I have some ideas for this week......or next weekend.  but the moral of the story.....who am i kidding, I don't know the moral of the story.....My student and I talked for about an hour, while I cried......she is such a good ass kisser!  But really, she reminded me of all my success this year with Cha'cote, the success' I have helped her with, and that feeling good about your self when you are successful is not egotistical, and feeling sad when you fail miserably is not self loathing......I guess there is a moral here.....it is ok to go there....just not ok to live there!

Savvy On
Michelle