It's About The Horse

Blue Flame · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 3:33 am Post subject:

Clarissa, I'm unsure whether you are looking for ideas to help Sonny or wanting a discussion of equipment in this thread. I'll assume the former.

As mentioned in another thread, Miki and I audited a couple of days of a 4 day Peggy Cummings clinic.

I think it quite probable that Peggy's methods, which are a blend of Sally Swift, Linda Tellington Jones and others could be quite helpful for you and Sonny.

If you are able to walk beside your horse, you will be able to do Peggy's "Connected Groundwork".

Peggy's groundwork is all about biomechanics, teaching the horse to release braces, carry himself better, stand better - and importantly in Sonny's case - to remember to keep doing it. It will also have benefits for you since a huge part of imparting the correct feeling to the horse is teaching the human how to connect with and use their physical core. This feeling is then imparted to the horse.

I feel that any equipment that has the potential to shorten the distance between the horse's head and his chest is problematic. Rather, wouldn't it be better to show trhe horse how to release his head and neck forward (telescope), to step under (coil) and lift his barrel as three distinct items? We saw how this was done as three distinct steps, in that order - neck, loins, barrel. But it definitely is not a case of levering one end of the horse from the other end. Three distinct, though interdependent, parts to it. The barrel cannot be lifted without the HQ to do the lifting. The HQ cannot lift the barrel unless the spinal column releases them. The spinal column cannot release the HQ if the horse is holding onto his head.

Equipment requirements are basic - a snug halter with ropes or reins connected to the side rings, not under the chin, and a stick or wand long enough to touch the horse on the croup, any foot, or under the barrel.

I think Peggy's concepts have great validity due to the fact that the exercises teach how to connect your physical core to the horse's physical core, which allows you to very precisely communicate the feeling of release and posture to the horse.

Interesting question for everyone . . . how do you allow your horses to not only move and carry themselves, whenever they are with you, but also to stand? Do you remind them to stand square and under themselves?

It is interesting that LP teaches the "cock a hip" posture when standing with your horse to communicate the relaxed feeling when a horse points a hind toe. What does that really do for the biomechanics of the human and the horse if not teaching and reinforcing bad posture in both?

Clarissa, though there are many ways that one might approach Sonny's posture, I really think that what I've described above is likely the most suitable one for YOUR particular situation. It would benefit both of you physically and is most likely to be within your physical capabilities.

Her groundwork book at US$18 is not horrendously expensive either.
http://www.connectedriding.com/home/cr2/cpage_7/home.html

AlythLong · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:55 am Post subject:

Hi Sandy!! I'd like to hear more about your opinions of Peggy, Trisha and Connected Riding. I have done a few days with Trisha and am a bit disillusioned!! Sari and I don't seem to progress beyond doing a few massage movements, that she does enjoy, but I don't see the point of them!!! I can understand the rider "rotating" and I do that, its PNH eyes, belly button, leg , rein after all - but we have not gone beyond that in several hours of lessons!!

Blue Flame · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:38 am Post subject:

Alyth, - PM'd you.

Clarissa · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks BF for your input. I have previously had a good look at that website but was a bit concerned with the tension in the lead rope all the time. I have looked at many websites & it was the one Hertha posted about that attracted me the most http://academicartofriding.com/

I wish I could afford to buy her whole course but she does provide lots for free & hopefully eventually I will be able to buy her program. I am working through the free exercises right now which will take some time I think.

I’m sure the exercises are working because sometimes Sonny tries very hard to avoid or cheat & tells me it hurts or is uncomfortable. I’m just taking it slowly because I know he has sore parts from being unbalanced for so long. He can move & grip on slopes better than for a long while & puts in real effort when he does a pesade for me.

I’ve put an updated post in my thread http://itsaboutthehorse.myfastforum.org/ftopic2789-75.php
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Most of L4 PNH achieved WooHoo!! happy10

Blue Flame · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:46 pm Post subject:

Nice website - I'll definitely be having a better look at that.

cokey · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:45 pm Post subject:

It's great. I've signed up for her home study course and it's fascinating stuff!
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I survived the externship, then realised that I didn't want it anymore..

Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:54 am Post subject:

this is what I think....you are right....ANYthing you put on your horse is a mechanical device, but it is not practical to go with out. it is the principles that you follow that make it NH. i feel as long as you ALWAYS question what you are learning, you are then trying to do right by your horse.

And as long as you question your results and never assume that something will always work in every situation, then you will always be in the mode of getting better everyday.

it isn't a tool that is unnatural, it is the man.
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True Genius does not fullfill expectations, True Genius shatters them.

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a jackass from any direction.

http://www.naturalmannershorsemanship.blogspot.com/

Shelby · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: