# 5 A Million Transitions freestyle - part 1

www.parellisavvyclub.com > back issues > dvds > Dec 2011 Issue 62.

Linda Parelli. Level 2 Freestyle with Lyndsey and Jazz.

Hi everyone! So sorry theres been a delay in posting. Had a lot of busyness recently, then with Christmas etc I just didnt have the time to write up notes. I may have to do a discussion once a month for a while instead of weekly, but we'll see how we get on!

Anyway, hope you all had a great christmas.

I've picked the most recent savvy club dvd to discuss, I liked it and thought it'd be good and topical, plus it will be fresh in your minds if you've already watched it or at hand if you havent yet! If you dont have a hard copy you can find it in the back issues section of the savvy club website, or resources on parelli connect. I've decided to split the discussion into two, so we'll talk about part 1 this week and part 2 next time, as part one was fairly absorbing and took a bit of brain power to take in, I couldnt think anymore after it ;)

The last format seemed to work well, using bullet points, maybe easier to digest than whole hunks of writing. But please give me feedback on what you prefer, as this is everyones blog :)

So here's the notes I got!

- Using a string on the halter while riding instead of the 12ft line or horsemans/finnesse reins. Obviously for some activities you'll be better with a proper line or reins, but in this instance Lyndsey was preparing Jazzy for bridleless riding so a string attatched on one side worked enough to have as a safety net, but not getting in the way.
- Have the bridle 'sitting' on a horse even when not in use or attached to reins. Use it as a friendly game, especially on young horses.
- Try this technique for coming out of neutral if you need to take action and use a one rein stop. Have your stick in one hand, and string in the other, then switch your stick to the same hand as the string, push on his neck and bend to a stop. Work on this to get it flowing easier, have more control over the stick, get good in walk then work on it in trot and canter.
- Mosey around in neutral then bend to a stop as good practice.
- She says Pat has a good way of explaining moving forwards, by 'clutching a coin' between your bum cheeks.
- Use throwing the string over his head (friendly game) to change direction.
- Remember to play friendly game regularly with the stick especially if horse has right brain tendencies.
- No fear should pass through you or your horse. If you find any, address it right away, dont push through it or ignore it and 'hope' it goes away, it will only be worse next time.
- If he has trouble accepting the stick, practice first online, then sit on a fence in zone 3 and rub him from there.
- Try lateral flexion using just the stic. When he gives a slight bend, even the smallest try, release the pressure and rub. If you need to touch him to be effective dont hesitate, but remember phases.
- Practice following the rail using only the stick.
- Pulling 2 reins is claustrophobic and a lot more dangerous than 1! The horse has more to brace against and therefore can run faster and buck harder.
- If you need to use the stick, dont make a commotion with it. Just gently increase pressure and use a tapping motion, encouraging not forcing or pushing. Linda uses the word 'thunk' to describe the action it makes. Kinda thunks rather than hits him!
- Remember to match his energy, like in a passenger lesson, go slow when he does, speed up when he does, but stay safe knowing you have 1 rein stops as back up.
- Carry your stick on your inside hand to bend him toward the rail, to stop and to turn. Practice this.
- If he goes introverted, wait until he breathes, comes out of his 'spot'. Jazz goes a little RBI over the new learning experience and Lyndsey does a great job of waiting for him to come out without being pressured.
- Think about your phases. Now in level 3 they will be smaller. phase 1 is the stick coming off your shoulder, etc.
- Always take what they offer when learning, you can shape it later. Especially with youngsters as this makes the learning experience more interesting and ensures they dont feel wrong or discouraged.
- Always start in a small pen for safety and confidence reasons. It also gives a natural shape so that you can focus more on your task. Once you are both confident, move to following the outside rail of the pen, then out into larger fields.
- Keep your hand down and relaxed, only come out of neutral when you need to be effective.
- Let your stick flow down toward his head, not too slow, but dont let it leap upon him. Give him time to react in phase 1. Once effective remove the stick from his head quick as a release of pressure.
- Get very good in walk before trotting!
- If he tosses his head, paws etc, just ignore and carry on as you are. The more you react the more dominance games he'll win. Just be like 'ahh your gonna head toss, ok thats cool well we're just gonna turn here, yep definitely turning..'
- When he does good, quit! knowing when to quit is a huge part of being savvy. The next session will be better that way. Do the same for all horsenalities. Look for understanding, confidence and response. If he is hitting all 3 then leave it there.
- Have the confidence to see through the game. If you get worried, get off and play for a while then try again.
- Linda adds something at the end which is a really helpful tip for everyone, no matter what level. How to diagnose problems. Is it a confidence issue? A dominance issue? Or and understanding issue? Or could it be a mix or 2 or 3? Once you know whats causing the problem, solving it will be easier.
- As with all new patterns, do once a day for 7 days to get you both happy and confident with it. You will start seeing a change in him.


Hope you enjoyed, as always any ideas you have or BFO's please comment or message me! Also, if anyone here has a burning idea for a post and would like to write it themselves just let me know!!

Ideas for future discussions always welcomed.

Do let us know if you got to try this out with your horse how it went!

Bye for now, see you next time!

Al together now... SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVVY!!