Q&A TIME! Janine asked how to get a better draw on a very RBI, and Heather wanted to know how to encourage a very nappy/planting RBI. Great questions, lets get started! As always, its important to get to the root of the issue at hand. As humans, we all have a tendency to look at the symptoms (just look at our health care system. Ok, sorry, just couldnt help myself!) when the key to fixing an issue is finding the ORIGINAL CAUSE of it. Dont feel bad about it, we ALL DO IT! So, lets talk about whats important to the unconfident, introverted horse: Your MAIN KEY for the unconfident, introverted horse (right brain introvert, RBI) is TRUST. They need to feel safe and confident in order to come out of their shell. Starting from the very beginning (approaching the horse) assures us that we dont miss key points that are our FOUNDATION to things like impulsion (equal wow and go) and draw (the horse wanted to come to us)! Here are NINE SUCCESS POINTS to know, to do AND to consider with a by nature or due to learn behavior introverted, unconfident horse: 1. The unconfident horse CANT do what we are asking (vs. WONT do what we are asking when it comes to the confident horse). When your horse stops/freezes it is too worried to move forward and can even hide by mentally and emotionally going internal. The horse might look calm on the outside, but is very worried on the inside hence NOT trusting 2. Observe your horse in the herd. Are the things you are trying to fix also apparent when your horse is interacting with other horses? If not, evaluate what patterns you might have that might cause your horse to do the things you dont want him to do. A GREAT arrow in your quiver will be to find out what YOUR personality is and how you can use YOUR STRENGTHS to help your horse. Have a look at Dr. Patrick Handleys Insight Inventory Assessment, an inexpensive tool to learn more about yourself and how to improve your relationships with your horse and humans in your life: bit.ly/IBcXng 3. Its not about the task... What ever you ask your horse to do, put the relationship first. Your horse has to feel safe, has to trust, needs to want to be with you and do things for you while respecting you as the leader. 4. When you approach your horse, watch out for the first contact (that might be an eye or ear even before you are entering the stall or paddock). Ask yourself: Is my horse trusting me 100%, does my horse want to be with me? Does it come TO me? Is it a partner while haltering? Even a slight head move away from you, can indicate unconfidence. Wait, wait, wait... will be the key. Its easy to force an unconfident horse even with the lightest phase or a suggestion because they are generally very WILLING! 5. Tools: Is your horse 100% ok with your tools? Parelli uses the Friendly Game also called the Confidence Game to introduce rope, stick and string. Is your horse ACCEPTING your stick and string anywhere and everywhere on his body no matter where you stand? (in front, behind, to the side, either side?) Or is it only tolerating the stick in your hand? (signs could be: tension, especially in the neck/poll area, hard eyes, no blinking, tense lips and chin, tense ears and tail) A HEADS UP about a LOW HEAD SET: A low head set does NOT always mean that your horse is confident, depending on the rest of his body language he could also be hiding. If your horse is not 100% ok with your tools and rhythmic motion (which should mean nothing aka keep doing what you are doing to your horse), any task will only cause the horse to be worried. Have TRUE ACCEPTANCE first! 4. During the warm up, go slower than what your horse wants to go. Horses have no time line, no agenda. They dont have to get dinner ready or pickup the kids from school. Especially unconfident, introverted horses appreciate soft, light phases. Your horse will appreciate that you use your intention and energy prior to even thinking about picking up your stick! 5. Long, straight lines help the introverted horse to move forward. Circles will slow your horse down even further. Unless your horse is extremely unconfident (fix confidence first), treats can be used to do a point to point pattern and increase your horses desire to move forward, online, at liberty and when riding. 6. LONG rests (most likely WAY longer than you would think or want to wait) give the introverted horse time to think and process and a DESIRE to want to be with us. 7. A great pattern to increase draw is the backwards S pattern. While you are walking backwards facing your horse, you send your horse to the left and right in a soft sweeping motion. Long rests at the end, next to you, are a great incentive! 8. Another great exercise to help your horse THINK towards you is what I call Im the Center of the Universe: You are standing in front of your horse. Ask your horse to go sideways around you. You are standing in one spot, turning with your horse. Once that works well, ask your horse to go in a small circle around you while gently pushing his shoulder and belly with your stick (using rhythmic pressure) away from you (in Parelli that would be zone 2/3). You know you are doing it right when your horse keeps his nose pointed towards you. When you see a nice arc in your horses body, with a soft and relaxed expression, call your horse in and give him a long rest. (maybe even a cookie :-) Remember to reward the slightest try in the beginning and gradually expect more. 9. Take the time it takes: My unconfident, introverted mare Cash finally LOVES liberty and sticks with me like glue. II had to slow WAY down to learn and establish what she needed: to wait for her. Have a look at our Parelli Online Level 4 Audition bit.ly/IBcVf8 As always, I appreciate your comments, questions and concerns. Post away below! Yours truly, Petra Christensen Founder of Red Horse Coaching
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:35:27 +0000
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