The seven keys to success: The first one, attitude is what I will be thinking about today. And I have a great video for you to watch along with the concept of attitude as a key to success, not just with horses but with everything in your life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXy__kBVq1M
What do you think of when you think of attitude through the filter of a key to success? I think about first, positive, progressive and natural. Positive to me, means exactly what that video above was about. Looking at the positive things in life, changing our filter through which we see the world, which will change our reality. Cause your reality to be positive by the way you look at your environment. Progressive: I think about progressive in all areas of my life as well...can I eat healthier today, have a better workout, fix problems in my relationships with more understanding and empathy, do something to challenge myself mentally, emotionally and physically, ask more of my horses and dogs...the list goes on. With the concept of being progressive, sometimes it can get overwhelming. I try to get one percent better each day with these things, then it is not a ton, and it is still an improvement. Before you know it, one percent is 100 percent! (It doesn't end there though...) Lastly, what does natural mean to me? Well, it means doing things that line up closest to what the laws of nature say. For me it's treating horses as they treat each other, dogs as they treat each other, and treating other humans as I myself would want to be treated. The attitude of justice is effective...having a natural attitude makes me think about principle number 5. I take a natural attitude in to all areas of my life though, whether it's food I eat, activities I enjoy, or medicine I take.
So with this positive, progressive and natural attitude, it leads to success...every moment of life.
What are your thoughts on how attitude effects your success??
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Power of Preparation
Steve and I were able to take advantage of some warmer weather a few weeks ago and take our 2 yo filly's to Sleepy Hollow for their first trail ride. We loaded them up in the trailer, and headed out. Once we got there, we organized ourselves and unloaded Soleil and Little Ray. We were the only ones there, so we had plenty of space to play. We sent them around to check out the staging area; they were touching trees, checking out picnic tables and trash cans, and being curious about their new environment. After about 10-20 minutes, we saddled up, warmed them up a bit more, and were ready to go. We took off down the trail at a walk, and then picked it up to a trot after a few minutes. From there, we trotted out for at least 20 minutes, playing with our riding, faster trots, slower trots, weaving down the trail, and generally enjoying the communication with our horses, each other and nature. We rode through more than half of the trails, up and down hills, walk, tort, canter, stop and back up transitions, twisty turn trails, through mud, tree branches, by an extremely large culvert, people on foot, shadows and dirt bikes. After about 3 hours, we headed back to the trailer.
And the whole time our horses were calm, connected and responsive. The were blowing out, there were no spooks, we didn't hold them back, or nudge them forwards. It was an extreme pleasure.
So my point to all of that is: the foundation and preparation our horses have set all 4 of us up for a successful ride that day. All of their preschool education at Atwood in the quality hands of the Horse Developers there truly payed off. We were able to take both horses and continue their education at home, and build on what they had already learned. Through the use of the program, building a relationship and their confidence makes a world of difference. The wonderful thing is, using the seven keys to success, anyone can accomplish these goals with their horses!
Speaking of the seven keys to success....I will be blogging about them next!
And the whole time our horses were calm, connected and responsive. The were blowing out, there were no spooks, we didn't hold them back, or nudge them forwards. It was an extreme pleasure.
So my point to all of that is: the foundation and preparation our horses have set all 4 of us up for a successful ride that day. All of their preschool education at Atwood in the quality hands of the Horse Developers there truly payed off. We were able to take both horses and continue their education at home, and build on what they had already learned. Through the use of the program, building a relationship and their confidence makes a world of difference. The wonderful thing is, using the seven keys to success, anyone can accomplish these goals with their horses!
Speaking of the seven keys to success....I will be blogging about them next!
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012
Thoughts inspired by this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY_MUB8adEQ&feature=share
As I look back on 2012 I think about the events that happened that shape our future. What we do today, sets us up for tomorrow, for better or worse. It is easy to get caught up in the simple things in life, and not pay attention to what the world is doing. I need to remind myself that we all have a voice, and a choice. In the Parelli community we want to make the world a better place for horses and humans; let us use our voice and the choices we make to accomplish that goal, positively, progressively and naturally.
We are constantly searching for something special and inspiration, with our horses, in our lives, through our relationships. Let us continue that search, and find the things that inspire us, and let us share them with others. We are all searching for change in our lives and our world. Don't forget that goal of the change you dream of. Go in to 2013 remembering these things: your voice, your ability to make choices, your drive for change and the special things in your life, and in our world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY_MUB8adEQ&feature=share
As I look back on 2012 I think about the events that happened that shape our future. What we do today, sets us up for tomorrow, for better or worse. It is easy to get caught up in the simple things in life, and not pay attention to what the world is doing. I need to remind myself that we all have a voice, and a choice. In the Parelli community we want to make the world a better place for horses and humans; let us use our voice and the choices we make to accomplish that goal, positively, progressively and naturally.
We are constantly searching for something special and inspiration, with our horses, in our lives, through our relationships. Let us continue that search, and find the things that inspire us, and let us share them with others. We are all searching for change in our lives and our world. Don't forget that goal of the change you dream of. Go in to 2013 remembering these things: your voice, your ability to make choices, your drive for change and the special things in your life, and in our world.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Martina
As many of you know, I had to put down my Atwood horse, Martina, this past July. I know I didn't share too much about it at the time, and I would imagine that those of you who have lost someone close to you are understanding of why I might not have.
I believe things happen for a reason, and that we draw experiences into our lives for some reason, although most of the time we have no idea why we night be creating the experience we are having. Only later do we start to see why we might have created certain events.
In the spring of 2011 I was doing an internship down in Florida on the Parelli campus. I took my levels horse, Hank. He was 16 at the time. Hank had a hard life, being a dressage horse, living in a stall a lot of the time, which for him is very difficult. He cribs and gets emotional in small spaces. He had a very normal life for most of his life and then he found someone who does Parelli. With that being said, his body hasn't held up the way ones would if they were in a natural environment and treated in such a way that helps the horses body last rather than a lifestyle that promotes problems such as arthritis. I knew I wouldn't be able to play with Hank at the caliber of horseplay I would want over the next few years. I talked to my mentor on the ranch about it as well. He suggested having another horse to bring along and to have on the back burner is a good idea. That way you always have a back up.
So with that time in Florida began my thought process and my eventual purchase of Martina. I contacted Atwood in the fall of 2011 and Catherine was extremely helpful in sending on information, videos and pictures of horses I may be interested in. After looking at all of the information, I decided to fly out to California and meet Martina, a 2 yo filly being started by Maurice Thibault. I loved her right away. I spent a day with Maurice and Susan, getting to know Martina better. She was a lot of horse, but I could see she would teach me a lot and I would be able to accomplish a lot with her as my partner. I decided to buy her and had her shipped in January of 2012.
I spent the next 6 months playing with her and progressing. We were playing online doing very well, liberty was progressing nicely, and freestyle too. She taught me a lot, as she was a very sensitive horse. She was extremely athletic, the most athletic horse I have spent time with. She taught me a lot about fast twitch muscles....I didn't know horses could move that fast that often. My feel, timing and balance improved tremendously with her, since she was so sensitive, I had to be spot on to not cause her to react rather than respond. I owe a lot to Martina in my ability to handle horses effectively and my confidence with a horse that has a lot of power and uses it!
In July, Steve and I left for our continued education on the Parelli ranch in CO. On our way out we stopped at our good friends place to play and hang out for a couple weeks. There we played with cows, went on trail rides, it was a great learning experience. One unfortunate day though, we were out playing with cattle in the pasture and I was riding Martina. There was electric fencing out in the pasture, and while circling the cattle, Martina touched it. Martina was in no way fond of electric fence, she would bolt if she ever touched it. So when Martina touch this fence which was extremely hot for the cattle, she bolted. She could move from zero to 60 in no time at all, with her fast twitch muscles in great shape, and I came off, and was unhurt. I was hoping she would head back to the barn, but unfortunately she headed for the high tinsel fence. She ran through the fence, and turned around with some wire around her legs. She kept running for a bit, and eventually tripped and fell. She had broken her hind right leg above the hock and it was just hanging by skin. There was nothing we could do to help her, so I had to have her put down. I was in shock, as anyone would be, and in disbelief that my new, young, beautiful horse had to be put down. I am very thankful I was around such supportive people and also that I had Hank with me to help me grieve.
I learned a lot from Martina, and she taught me everything she needed to. I am so very grateful for the time she shared with me, and happy that I was able to be part of her journey as well. I still think about her daily and know she was in my life for a reason. Thanks to Atwood, Maurice and Susan, Nate and Amy, and Steve for giving me the gift of a wonderful horse and being there for me through the loss of Martina.
I believe things happen for a reason, and that we draw experiences into our lives for some reason, although most of the time we have no idea why we night be creating the experience we are having. Only later do we start to see why we might have created certain events.
In the spring of 2011 I was doing an internship down in Florida on the Parelli campus. I took my levels horse, Hank. He was 16 at the time. Hank had a hard life, being a dressage horse, living in a stall a lot of the time, which for him is very difficult. He cribs and gets emotional in small spaces. He had a very normal life for most of his life and then he found someone who does Parelli. With that being said, his body hasn't held up the way ones would if they were in a natural environment and treated in such a way that helps the horses body last rather than a lifestyle that promotes problems such as arthritis. I knew I wouldn't be able to play with Hank at the caliber of horseplay I would want over the next few years. I talked to my mentor on the ranch about it as well. He suggested having another horse to bring along and to have on the back burner is a good idea. That way you always have a back up.
So with that time in Florida began my thought process and my eventual purchase of Martina. I contacted Atwood in the fall of 2011 and Catherine was extremely helpful in sending on information, videos and pictures of horses I may be interested in. After looking at all of the information, I decided to fly out to California and meet Martina, a 2 yo filly being started by Maurice Thibault. I loved her right away. I spent a day with Maurice and Susan, getting to know Martina better. She was a lot of horse, but I could see she would teach me a lot and I would be able to accomplish a lot with her as my partner. I decided to buy her and had her shipped in January of 2012.
I spent the next 6 months playing with her and progressing. We were playing online doing very well, liberty was progressing nicely, and freestyle too. She taught me a lot, as she was a very sensitive horse. She was extremely athletic, the most athletic horse I have spent time with. She taught me a lot about fast twitch muscles....I didn't know horses could move that fast that often. My feel, timing and balance improved tremendously with her, since she was so sensitive, I had to be spot on to not cause her to react rather than respond. I owe a lot to Martina in my ability to handle horses effectively and my confidence with a horse that has a lot of power and uses it!
In July, Steve and I left for our continued education on the Parelli ranch in CO. On our way out we stopped at our good friends place to play and hang out for a couple weeks. There we played with cows, went on trail rides, it was a great learning experience. One unfortunate day though, we were out playing with cattle in the pasture and I was riding Martina. There was electric fencing out in the pasture, and while circling the cattle, Martina touched it. Martina was in no way fond of electric fence, she would bolt if she ever touched it. So when Martina touch this fence which was extremely hot for the cattle, she bolted. She could move from zero to 60 in no time at all, with her fast twitch muscles in great shape, and I came off, and was unhurt. I was hoping she would head back to the barn, but unfortunately she headed for the high tinsel fence. She ran through the fence, and turned around with some wire around her legs. She kept running for a bit, and eventually tripped and fell. She had broken her hind right leg above the hock and it was just hanging by skin. There was nothing we could do to help her, so I had to have her put down. I was in shock, as anyone would be, and in disbelief that my new, young, beautiful horse had to be put down. I am very thankful I was around such supportive people and also that I had Hank with me to help me grieve.
I learned a lot from Martina, and she taught me everything she needed to. I am so very grateful for the time she shared with me, and happy that I was able to be part of her journey as well. I still think about her daily and know she was in my life for a reason. Thanks to Atwood, Maurice and Susan, Nate and Amy, and Steve for giving me the gift of a wonderful horse and being there for me through the loss of Martina.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Frustrations
How often in your life do you find yourself frustrated? What do you do when you get frustrated? What causes you to get frustrated?
Frustration is one of the main reasons people end up getting out of horses. It is part of many fights in relationships. It is emotion that is no fun and well...frustrating!
Linda Parelli has said that she doesn't get frustrated anymore. I admire that quality greatly. How can I become someone who doesn't get frustrated? Well, what is frustration? In Parelli we define it as a lack of knowledge. We get frustrated when we run out of knowledge, and we don't have any more arrows in our quiver. I can see how, for each person, this could effect them differently. Some shut down, some get mad, some yell, some blame. All normal reactions. How do we change our reaction to a response? Just like we want with horses, we want a response, not a reaction.
Get more information. If we can have the ability to be humble, and ask for help, reach out, seek answers, we are responding and not reacting, we are not allowing frustration to control us, but we are gaining control of ourselves. Who do you see that reaches out and seeks information from others more than we do? Linda Parelli. She is constantly studying self development techniques, she is seeking out information from people like Colleen Kelly, Walter Zettl. She is confident in herself and has the ability to feel comfortable asking questions without the fear of people judging her for not knowing the answer. What a wonderful support system we have within Parelli full of people we can turn to for help, for more information.
When do you get frustrated? What do you do when it happens? What can you do differently next time? I know I have a lot of room to grow in this area. And I am looking forward to it. And I may even ask you for help one day! Thanks in advance...
Frustration is one of the main reasons people end up getting out of horses. It is part of many fights in relationships. It is emotion that is no fun and well...frustrating!
Linda Parelli has said that she doesn't get frustrated anymore. I admire that quality greatly. How can I become someone who doesn't get frustrated? Well, what is frustration? In Parelli we define it as a lack of knowledge. We get frustrated when we run out of knowledge, and we don't have any more arrows in our quiver. I can see how, for each person, this could effect them differently. Some shut down, some get mad, some yell, some blame. All normal reactions. How do we change our reaction to a response? Just like we want with horses, we want a response, not a reaction.
Get more information. If we can have the ability to be humble, and ask for help, reach out, seek answers, we are responding and not reacting, we are not allowing frustration to control us, but we are gaining control of ourselves. Who do you see that reaches out and seeks information from others more than we do? Linda Parelli. She is constantly studying self development techniques, she is seeking out information from people like Colleen Kelly, Walter Zettl. She is confident in herself and has the ability to feel comfortable asking questions without the fear of people judging her for not knowing the answer. What a wonderful support system we have within Parelli full of people we can turn to for help, for more information.
When do you get frustrated? What do you do when it happens? What can you do differently next time? I know I have a lot of room to grow in this area. And I am looking forward to it. And I may even ask you for help one day! Thanks in advance...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Internship: the end
Hello all, it's a rainy afternoon here in Pagosa and I finally have a spare moment with an internet connection to update you all on what I have been doing here!!!
Well, to update you first on my internship: I had a wonderful time with the 8 other interns and many externs, getting to know each person and their horses. Kristi was fantastic as our leader. I completed my level 4, and was grateful for Steve and Kristi and their support in helping me finish it up! I am so excited to get another horse asap and get that horse through level 4 so Hank can be retired! It will be fantastic to use all my knowledge and learn more from my next partner. More about another partner later though.... Our last weekend as interns was the weekend of Summit, and it was a great weekend full of education and fun! There were lots of great presenters, and great friends and fellow instructors here. If you ever get the chance to come to a summit in Pagosa on the ranch, do so, it is a once in a life time experience. From there, I started assisting Kristi with the rest of the externship. There were four weeks left at that time and so for the past two weeks I have been helping Kristi with whatever she needs. I haven't been riding much as Hank has been lame most of the time. I don't know what is causing him to be lame, and it's not terrible. I will have it checked out when I get home and have more money! Many of the externs have been passing parts of their level 4 which is super cool to watch. They are a great group, and are going to do a good job as instructors in the field. Yesterday, a few of us got the opportunity to spend the day at Linda's barn, which was fantastic. Linda had Walter Zettl here to teach lessons and we got to watch them all day. It was great now that I have a better understanding of finesse and the level 4 maneuvers, so I learned a lot and was able to get a lot out of watching him teach.
I am now continuing to help with the externs and looking for a new partner. My ideal two partners are a 3-5 yo cowy qh mare, and a 3-6 yo warmblood. I want a horse to do english on and a horse for western. I am not particular with which one comes first. I have a few prospects on the line, but I am not sure yet, and need to go visit a few when I get home.
Steve and I will be home October 18, and we will both be ready to teach, so I hope to see you all. We both have a lot of new knowledge to share, and we can wait to share it with you!!
Well, to update you first on my internship: I had a wonderful time with the 8 other interns and many externs, getting to know each person and their horses. Kristi was fantastic as our leader. I completed my level 4, and was grateful for Steve and Kristi and their support in helping me finish it up! I am so excited to get another horse asap and get that horse through level 4 so Hank can be retired! It will be fantastic to use all my knowledge and learn more from my next partner. More about another partner later though.... Our last weekend as interns was the weekend of Summit, and it was a great weekend full of education and fun! There were lots of great presenters, and great friends and fellow instructors here. If you ever get the chance to come to a summit in Pagosa on the ranch, do so, it is a once in a life time experience. From there, I started assisting Kristi with the rest of the externship. There were four weeks left at that time and so for the past two weeks I have been helping Kristi with whatever she needs. I haven't been riding much as Hank has been lame most of the time. I don't know what is causing him to be lame, and it's not terrible. I will have it checked out when I get home and have more money! Many of the externs have been passing parts of their level 4 which is super cool to watch. They are a great group, and are going to do a good job as instructors in the field. Yesterday, a few of us got the opportunity to spend the day at Linda's barn, which was fantastic. Linda had Walter Zettl here to teach lessons and we got to watch them all day. It was great now that I have a better understanding of finesse and the level 4 maneuvers, so I learned a lot and was able to get a lot out of watching him teach.
I am now continuing to help with the externs and looking for a new partner. My ideal two partners are a 3-5 yo cowy qh mare, and a 3-6 yo warmblood. I want a horse to do english on and a horse for western. I am not particular with which one comes first. I have a few prospects on the line, but I am not sure yet, and need to go visit a few when I get home.
Steve and I will be home October 18, and we will both be ready to teach, so I hope to see you all. We both have a lot of new knowledge to share, and we can wait to share it with you!!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Update!
I haven't updated in quite a while, sorry everyone about that!
Steve and I arrived in Pagosa Springs about 4 weeks ago (wow we've been here a long time now!!), and Steve checked in to his externship. I helped out with the 1* course for a few days and really enjoyed that, learned a lot of behind the scenes of how the courses go from a teaching prospective. I took of the middle of that week and flew to Minnesota to work on road staff at the tour stop. It was really nice to catch up with the team and friends there. I really enjoy working the tours, it's a great team and such a wonderful energy! After I got home from MN, I helped with the end of the 2* course, enjoyed getting to know all of those students. That weekend was my birthday and Steve took me on a walking tour of Pagosa. The river is beautiful and there were people tubing and swimming. We went on to a lake just outside of town, and went for a hike, and did some fishing. We caught quite a few bluegill type fish. That evening we had a wonderful yummy dinner with friends and I had cake and gifts to open. Steve got me a nice scarf and a bosal, it is beautiful!! The following week, I began the internship. There are 17 externs and 9 interns all together. Kristi Smith is our instructor and is doing a fantastic job leading us. We started the first week with testing in all four savvies, and Hank and I did as well as I could have asked. He was a bit unconfident in the new environment, and has relaxed quickly since then. That week we began doing some learning, watching demos from Kristi, and I began a regiment of doing a trail ride each day to help Hank's physical fitness. There was also a county fair in town last week and Parelli went and did a demo, we went to watch, support and help out. The demo team did a great job, and Kristi did an inspiring demo with both of her horses. That weekend, the interns helped run the Parelli games, and then I had the opportunity to give a lesson and have Kristi watch and give feedback on my teaching. Sunday was a day off, much needed! Steve and I took a drive out to Williams Reservoir, and stopped a ton on the way out to take a look at cliffs and rivers and such. The scenery here is just breath taking. We made it to the lake, and it was beautiful, mountains surrounding and big lake. Abbey had a great time playing fetch and running around.
This last week started with more horsemanship lessons from Kristi and lots of horsemanship time. Hank and I are focusing on our freestyle flying changes, getting more forward and finesse. We have been trail riding everyday, and his body is changing and developing more muscle. :) Thursday Jim Patterson came in and did a Play to Win session with us and it was the third time I've done it, still lots of new awareness and really good reminders. Friday we had some more play time and then the interns got to do one audition each with Kristi to see where we need to go with the rest of our time here. Kristi said all of my freestyle was level 4, I just need to get my flying changes, so I was really happy about that!!
Today I got to go on a trail ride with Lillan, Hillary and Jackie Chant and it was a fantastic ride! We had great time, and it was so good to be out with Hank! They are al such talented ladies, I felt very privileged riding with them. :)
Will try to update again sooner!!
Steve and I arrived in Pagosa Springs about 4 weeks ago (wow we've been here a long time now!!), and Steve checked in to his externship. I helped out with the 1* course for a few days and really enjoyed that, learned a lot of behind the scenes of how the courses go from a teaching prospective. I took of the middle of that week and flew to Minnesota to work on road staff at the tour stop. It was really nice to catch up with the team and friends there. I really enjoy working the tours, it's a great team and such a wonderful energy! After I got home from MN, I helped with the end of the 2* course, enjoyed getting to know all of those students. That weekend was my birthday and Steve took me on a walking tour of Pagosa. The river is beautiful and there were people tubing and swimming. We went on to a lake just outside of town, and went for a hike, and did some fishing. We caught quite a few bluegill type fish. That evening we had a wonderful yummy dinner with friends and I had cake and gifts to open. Steve got me a nice scarf and a bosal, it is beautiful!! The following week, I began the internship. There are 17 externs and 9 interns all together. Kristi Smith is our instructor and is doing a fantastic job leading us. We started the first week with testing in all four savvies, and Hank and I did as well as I could have asked. He was a bit unconfident in the new environment, and has relaxed quickly since then. That week we began doing some learning, watching demos from Kristi, and I began a regiment of doing a trail ride each day to help Hank's physical fitness. There was also a county fair in town last week and Parelli went and did a demo, we went to watch, support and help out. The demo team did a great job, and Kristi did an inspiring demo with both of her horses. That weekend, the interns helped run the Parelli games, and then I had the opportunity to give a lesson and have Kristi watch and give feedback on my teaching. Sunday was a day off, much needed! Steve and I took a drive out to Williams Reservoir, and stopped a ton on the way out to take a look at cliffs and rivers and such. The scenery here is just breath taking. We made it to the lake, and it was beautiful, mountains surrounding and big lake. Abbey had a great time playing fetch and running around.
This last week started with more horsemanship lessons from Kristi and lots of horsemanship time. Hank and I are focusing on our freestyle flying changes, getting more forward and finesse. We have been trail riding everyday, and his body is changing and developing more muscle. :) Thursday Jim Patterson came in and did a Play to Win session with us and it was the third time I've done it, still lots of new awareness and really good reminders. Friday we had some more play time and then the interns got to do one audition each with Kristi to see where we need to go with the rest of our time here. Kristi said all of my freestyle was level 4, I just need to get my flying changes, so I was really happy about that!!
Today I got to go on a trail ride with Lillan, Hillary and Jackie Chant and it was a fantastic ride! We had great time, and it was so good to be out with Hank! They are al such talented ladies, I felt very privileged riding with them. :)
Will try to update again sooner!!
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