Pat Parelli
26mins
If you can tear yourself away from the cuteness of this video for a few moments, I thought this would be a cool one to discuss ;)
I think one of the first things Pat says is actually really crucial, even though he said it as a joke! 'her registered quarter horse' suggests she's bringing out a 'normal' sized horse, when she actually has a shettie. But why not treat him like a normal size horse? He's just the same, just shrunken, right? I've heard a lot of friends who own shetties talk about it, when people say to them 'how should I handle a shetland?' they say 'like you handle a horse!' maybe playing with smaller ponies we compensate for their size by maybe being more of a 'carrot' person, not so middle road. Its easy to do, they're so teeny they could break ;) But actually as we have probably found out at some point during our horsey lives, they can be strong little things and just as dangerous as a large horse if they want to be!!! Obviously taking horsenality into account, some mini's will be more sensitive, but just like some larger horses will be too.
So point number 1, treat them like a horse!
This was actually one of the first ever Pareli videos I watched, when I was first getting into it. It was shown on tv and I was fascinated by how much TRY that little pony had. and he wasnt being bossed around, he WANTED to give things a go. Or he would have ran away. Like Pat says 'when you take off the halter and lead, the only thing left is the truth. The truth that pony gave was very different to the truth my horse gave when I took her lead off and tried to copy ;) To be fair to me, I was only just starting and had no knowledge of seven games, levels or horsenality, it was a case of 'I like that so I'll do it!'. But then when you progress and you really feel connection with a horse, and you feel them try, you find that real truth. The one you WANT to hear ;) And thats amazing.
I think we can learn a lot from Carmen's body language. How soft is she? She is so relaxed, not an ounce of her is even THINKING 'please dont leave. please dont leave.' She's in the moment like the horse, she's focused, she's playing, and she's having fun! But she's ready if he does challenge her, and she's quick to respond to his actions so he knows when he's done good, and when he needs to add a little more effort. The pony doesnt get offended at all, not once. Even on the circle game when he is racing round, and he tosses his head and cuts in, I read that as playdrive! (although I'd be very interested if any of you have other ideas?) He's having fun!!! And how to read its not being offended, he asks to come in, over and over. If he was offended surely he would just leave her... She has some seriously good savvy.
When Pat comes in it really emphasises how to treat a mini like a big horse. Pat gets on that pedestal, and around 8.48mins just look at that pony's expression!! Pat isnt even giving him attention yet he is looking at him like he is a real leader, asking questions, do you need me yet? do you need me now? what we gonna do?' Imagine if your horse looked at you like that! That is what we are looking for!! No matter how much we practice the games it comes down to that, having your horse HAPPY to be with you. I LOVE that face. love it. I know when I can play with General again, thats going to the top of my list, how to get the expression better. He generally has a happy, interested look on his face, but when he gets playful sometimes he'll put his ears back a little or something, or if I give an idea he isnt too thrilled about he'll do it but the face isnt so good, so I really want to see how to put that expression at the top of the list, what will it take to have him 100% happy through my ideas? Interesting!
Pat's use of the 45ft line is great too, I love that tool, the extra distance when attached to the horse is great, but also how much 'bigger' it makes you. See how he can touch that horse, right from the pedestal in the centre of the arena. blows that pony's mind!
Trust that he'll respond, but be ready to correct. Love the game of 'dont make me get off the pedestal'. Just like a normal circling game 'dont make me pick up the stick', the pony is thinking about how he can keep Pat on the pedestal, still, quiet, and in neutral. the trick is not to stop at the sticky area, and he picks it up pretty fast. Energy is huge here, look at the difference in Pat's energy as he runs across to him, and then when he's up in neutral. really different! and even more relaxed when they then sit down, and the pony's expression changes right away. and I love the face he gives, again, when he draws into them licking his lips. So precious!
When he starts playing with the feet on the pedestal, he starts to teach him before he goes up on there. I think thats super important in anything, setting it up for success. Another idea might be to use something flat, maybe a hoola hoop, or just a hoop made with your line, a tarp, a bucket, whatever, to teach them to put one foot in, two feet, etc, then onto the pedestal. Obviously Barnum is fairly far along in the program so he has probably already practised those things :) He spoke about it being a really impprtant game for horses who have trouble shoeing. You are gaining control of what he does with his feet, which is so important in anything you do with the horse. Things like this make you realise how little online games help with the future of your horse.
Also once he's on the pedestal, Pat explains the importance of solving a puzzle online if it is broken at liberty. Its hard to solve stuff at liberty as its easy to become 'lost' and for the horse to get confused and leave. Online you can hold his hand through it.
Pat also rewards the slightest try, by retreating when he gives him just an ounce of what he wants. And look how fast he got the full monty?!
Then when he tried again with Carmen, and they didnt get it, Pat left it when they were on a high. Carmen and Barnum were trying, and being partners, so they left it there before any frustration or direct line thinking came through, and left it to continue tomorrow. 4-7 days, as Pat said, and I bet the pony was doing it really easy :)
The end quote 'Natural Horsemanship is more powerful than hormones, the idle mind is the devils workshop'. This is so true ;) speaking as a 19 year old who has spent the last few teenage years as a Parelli student, I know that learning Parelli has changed me, for the better :) I'm always thinking, always learning, and I have a craving to learn more and more, which is a lot to be said for a teenager :D
Enjoy the video and play sessions this week guys! Any ideas, comments, BFOs (had a couple of people ask what that meant, its a Blinding Flash of the Obvious!) please leave them in the comments or on the facebook page!
See you next week, altogether now...
sAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAvvy!! *clap*
No comments:
Post a Comment