Parelli Finesse - Lateral Maneuvers & Horse Training

Here is the missing piece if you're riding in Finesse!

I had been struggling with Level 4 Finesse for a while. After a Fast Track and an Externship I still didn't feel like I was really "getting it" and felt very unsuccessful in this Savvy.

I watched ALL of Parelli's Finesse material, including Colleen Kelly's rider biomechanics but still no real breakthroughs were happening for me and my RBE mare, Aspen.

When the Finesse Training Sequence came out I was fortunate enough to get some coaching from a friend and one of Linda Parelli's proteges. I finally felt small, positive changes when playing in Level 4 Finesse. The Carving Turns and Supple Rein were the big things we took away from the FTS lessons.

I continued the struggle as it were for another few months, making small improvements as time went by.

Aspen and I had a lot of things going for us but the final hurdle were lateral movements. I just couldn't figure out why they weren't working. I tried everything, I had taken advantage of a lot of campus time at the Parelli ranch, as well as educational DVDs and other material. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying that Aspen and I couldn't get our laterals to a Level 4 quality.

Then I had a magical lesson with 3-Star Parelli Professional Mattie Cowherd (Partners in Horse Play). In this lesson she said that laterals were simple, it was just Level 1 movements with a Level 4 quality.

To grossly oversimplify, it is basically this:

Shoulder-In and Half Pass are direct reins while Leg Yield and Haunches-In/Out are indirect reins. Add some focus, a little weight to the correct stirrup, and BAM! You're doing laterals with your horse.

It was literally this one, simple piece of information that made it so that in just a handful of rides I could film my Level 4 Finesse.

For anyone that is riding in any Level of the Parelli Program take note! Those simple rein positions and basic Porcupine Games with your leg that you learn in Level 2 FreeStyle - that's what's going to get you there for Level 4 Finesse.

I've likened the connection between Levels and Savvys to rungs on a ladder. In order to reach the top you need to fully explore and develop each rung along the way.

If you're struggling to develop something going forward in your Levels journey then it's time to look back. Start going backward through the 7 Games, the Levels, the Savvy - whatever it is so you can isolate, separate, and recombine. I promise you, it will pay dividends in accelerated progress!

Read Mattie's breakdown of laterals here! http://www.partnersinhorseplay.com/blog/laterals-de-mystified-taking-level-1-to-level-4

15 Things To Do With Your Horse in 15 Minutes or Less!

We all lead busy lives, sometimes we only have a few minutes to spend with our horses.  It never feels like enough time.  Many of us will just bypass our available time thinking, what's the point?

I am here to tell you that even just 15 minutes MATTER!  Here are some ideas of things you can do with your horse when you only have a short while.

The important thing to remember is that each of these things take time!  Don't rush it!  Use your 15 minutes wisely by looking for small improvements and finding a good stopping place.  Don't expect perfection or get into a battle with your horse that you can't win, especially with limited daylight to burn.  Know that each of your short sessions are investments in your horse's future as the partner you've always dreamed of!

I highly recommend reading this second post about how you should be spending your time with your horse.  It's a short and sweet post- and will help put into perspective

1. Observe your horse in his pasture or stall, see what kinds of things he does when he's with other horses or alone.  Is he busy?  Is he quiet?  Did he notice your arrival?  Did he greet you?  The power of observation should not be underestimated.  Ask any great horseman how many hours they have spent watching horses in herds, in the wild, in their own in their backyard...
2. Take some time to sit quietly in your horse's personal space, this is undemanding time.  Be there for him if he'd like to come up for scratches or pets, and if he doesn't don't worry!  He values this time with you whether it is interactive or you are simply respecting his desire to maintain a larger personal space.  Horses hang out together A LOT, if we're trying to integrate ourselves into their "inner circle" of trusted herd mates then we should take some time to hang out with them too!
3. Groom them!  Check them over for bumps, scrapes, burs, ticks, dirt - whatever!  Gently detangle manes and tails, use soft, real horse-hair brushes to stimulate circulation and bring the oils up out of the skin and into the coat for a nice shine.  
4. Halter with savvy!  Does your horse put his head in the halter or does he stand perfectly still or even look away?  This is an area you can develop your horse's confidence as well as yielding to a feel (Friendly & Porcupine Games).  Teach your horse to put his head down and toward you, to seek the noseband of the halter.  Got kids?  Teach your horse to halter at their height (from your knees).
5. Develop your horse's hoof skills.  How responsive is your horse when you ask him to pick up his feet?  Teach him to do it from the snap of your fingers, a tap to the leg, a light squeeze of the chestnut, a tug to the fetlock - however you want to do it practice refining it!  Horses that have issues with their feet usually have some trust and/or respect issues with the human.  Take this time to see how your horse feels about yielding his only system of defense to you.  Giving one of your feet, your method of fight or flight, over to a predator is a BIG DEAL!  Don't take it lightly and respect how your horse feels.  Practice getting them holding their own feet up, simulate hammering on shoes (with you hand or rubber mallet), or putting them on a hoof-stand.
6. Bridling!  Same as haltering - is your horse bridling himself or do you have to bridle him?  Use cookies in your hand beneath the bit or molasses on the bit to invite your horse to take it voluntarily into his mouth.  Cause your idea to bridle to become your horse's idea by making this a fun, rewarding experience for your horse.  Keep this progressive by giving treats not just when he takes the bit, but let him take it and then treat afterward.  Then less and less.  It's not about bribing him with cookies to bridle, it's about giving him a reason to put that piece of metal in his mouth and feel good about it.
7. Get creative with teaching your horse to yield to a feel, the Porcupine Game.  Can you lead by the ear, lip, tongue, mane, tail, nostril, leg, hoof, from a neck or flank rope, or...?  Develop this over time so your horse maintains his confidence while you teach him new and interesting things.
8. Use simulations to get your horse thinking!  How can you simulate clippers, horse trailers, saddling, mounting, birds flying out of the bushes, etc. by yourself in 15 minutes?  Get a pedestal or object (even a paper plate) for your horse to put his feet on - something he has to do to get in a trailer, get an electric toothbrush for your clippers, get a plastic bag on a stick for your bird, get creative and use approach and retreat with rhythm and relaxation to help teach your horse to be a confident puzzle solver.
9. Heard of the Parelli Patterns?  In 15 minutes you can play one or even two of the patterns with huge success!  Aim to improve it each session with SADDLE.  A little more Speed, Accuracy, Distance (from your horse), Distance (you can go), Lightness, or Expression.  Read more about Lillan Roquet's SADDLE concept in the February 2014 issue of the Savvy Times!
10. On that note heard of the Parelli 7 Games?  Same as with the Patterns - pick any Game, get creative, and improve it with one of the SADDLE choices at a time.
11. Get savvy with Saddling.  What does your horse think about the saddle, let alone what he thinks about you putting it on him?  Go on, drag it out, put it down on the ground and send your horse to it.  Does he shy from it?  Hold his breath?  Try to attack it?  Ignore it?  Read his feedback and go from there.  Get him comfortable with your saddle on the ground before you offer to put it on his back.  Practice your technique and form, can you put it on your horse without the stirrup or billets smacking him on the side as you swing it over?  Does he move his feet?  Is he relaxed?  Practice saddling with quality in mind - quality of your horse's physical, mental, and emotional responses.
12. Get your horse and mosey!  Go for a walk!  Take him somewhere to graze.  Explore his thresholds and confidence around your property.  If it's hot, take him to shade.  If it's raining, bring him in the barn and let him dry out for a bit while you feed him some treats.  Herds travel together - even if you can only travel for 15 minutes, teach your horse that just because you catch him (and maybe even saddle him if you're ambitious) it doesn't mean you're going to get on!  It may mean a grazing extravaganza.... at least for a few minutes!
13. Practice your Mounting and Dismounting.  You don't even have to saddle!  Teach your horse to pick up up from fences, stumps, mounting blocks, etc.  Once you get on have him hurry up and do nothing!  Dismount smoothly, safely.  Do you know where your reins, hands, eyes, feet, and hips should be while you get on and off?  Is there a brace in your horse anywhere when you are getting up and down?  Assess him for pain, tightness, fear, relaxation, confidence, and willingness.  Does he want you to get on?  If he doesn't, practicing your skills and reward him for his efforts to be your partner.  This will help him realize you are doing this for and with him, not to him!
14. So now you're on - saddled or not - do you know your rein positions and techniques?  You can do this in your rope halter or bridled - lateral flexion, direct rein, indirect rein, jingle bell rein, suspension rein, casual to concentrated, California roll... the list goes on!  Get handy with these with your eyes open and closed, feel for a quality and positive reflex in your horse.  Another great benefit of this is that your horse will realize just because you get on doesn't mean it's going to be work, work, work.  This can be fun and relaxing for both of you!
15. Find your horse's itchy spots - and scratch them!  If your horse doesn't have any it may be that he just hasn't revealed them to you yet.  Earn his trust and confidence and all of a sudden some itchy spots will magically appear!

All of these ideas will help you build your foundation and your relationship.  The next time you do have a full hour or two to ride and play with your horse you will reap the benefits of all the extra moments you spent with your horse.

Teaching something new with a few extra minutes!

Going for a mosey on a day I didn't have time to ride.

Hanging out builds Rapport.  Rapport, Respect, Impulsion, Flexion...

Investing my time wisely has created a relationship with Aspen where she will leave her friends and grass and meet me in a 100 acre pasture on her own!

Pat Parelli Four Savvys Student Lesson - Finesse Level 4

Check out this clip from my Finesse lesson with Pat during my Externship 2013!

Mountain Lion! & Lesson with 3* Lillan Roquet

So first, must start out with the fact that there was a MOUNTAIN LION in Aspen's pen yesterday! Thankfully my very brave, and probably half crazy friend, Kirsten scared it away and most likely saved Aspen from danger! Had a great warm up for my lesson with Lillan today. Just played with some simple things on my 12' line and then for the second time asked her to draw backward toward me from Zone 5 at Liberty - even had her following my slight changes of direction (think weaving backwards). Then I wanted to ask her to start to do a liberty spin - something we're just learning and I got a little out of position for it and instead in a sideways position of which she offered 45' feet of sideways! I realized it was my mistake for the spin and so encouraged her idea of sideways and off she went - stopping at 45' (which we've played with OL the last two sessions) and gave me a great question face, "is that what you wanted?"! Also did a brief Freestyle warm up, just basic HQ yields (steering like a boat) for circles and F8's at the walk. For my lesson with Lillan I wanted to focus on Lateral Maneuvers for my Finesse. My first exercise was to walk (and when that was good, trot) big F8's, asking her in soft touch to maintain an even bit height (level with her heart, poll slightly above the withers), and flex appropriately to be straight on the circle. I was to keep in mind that my outside leg should be creating the largest space for her ribs to flex into, I should see her nose and eyelashes, and she should be yielding away from my inside leg. We got some really nice circles, blowing out, and eventual yawning. I was surprised to learn that what I thought was a good stretch and head height was often too low! I knew nose below the knees was not ideal and could feel her reach down to peanut roll, but it was great to have Lillan there saying "too high, too low - sweet spot!". I could really see how controlling the power source and steering through HQ yields set this exercise up for success. It really allowed me to use my reins for shaping rather than micromanaging and control. So glad we had a chance to work on that before this lesson! A few things Aspen tried to do was pop her shoulder out and drift in which case I needed more outside rein, or lean on my leg and not yield (needed stronger phases with my leg/spur), or to motorcycle around the turns - which meant that she wasn't bending through her ribs but instead just diving into the turn or new bend without being upright and flexed through her whole body. This suppling exercise will be very beneficial in loosening her ribs for any other lateral maneuver and for helping politely encourage her to find the sweet spot and maintain even bit height. Next we played with Shoulder In - weighting the outside stirrup*, moving it slightly forward, and turning my shoulders off the rail as if I was on a 20m circle. To exaggerate to teach we thought of putting the tail on the rail. This exercise was surprisingly easy compared to last summer. It wasn't perfect but there was SO much LESS tension in Aspen because I had sorted out a lot of emotional issues with my legs in the HQ yields and had spent some time loosening up her ribs. After that we worked on Haunches In - weight the inside stirrup, turn my hips but keep the shoulders straight. This is harder for horses as it asks them to step in towards the bend for the first time and I could tell Aspen was struggling through her tight ribs. It wound up being a little more of a sideways for her than a Haunches In - but it was good for beginning steps. We also did these on a circle, for S-In it was to step into the outside stirrup and let her drift out, her shoulders leading in on the circle but her body going in a straight line. The next for H-In was basically a bulls eye pattern but with the idea of her tail meeting the center first. Ideally in 4 - 7 sessions I should be able to move Aspen's HQ and FQ independently of each other and be working towards consistent bit height (what L4 is looking for in Finesse). It was great to hear Lillan say how much more mentally, physically, and emotionally connected Aspen was compared to last time and that she was ready to move forward and do these things. She also commented that my leg was looking good! Finally! So nice to hear that since I've been working on my blasted legs for what seems like an eternity! :) The thing that made me the happiest today was that this is the FIRST Finesse session I've had with Aspen where we didn't have any tension, bracing, tail swishing, or icky ears! Felt so nice! We are finally where we need to be to accomplish some lateral maneuvers! Level 4 - here we come! :) *The weighted stirrup helps create the bend and direction of travel.

Aspen in Parelli News Letter & Four Savvies :)

Anyone recognize this dashing bay beauty in this month's Parelli E-News Letter? Or on the cover of the Four Savvies Finesse page? :) 

Finishing the Externship & Putting the Relationship First

Hello!  I've been posting videos to my YouTube account and trying to keep up on Parelli Connect as well but haven't had much time to sit down and properly write anything. A lot of people have been asking me about the Externship - my experience, how it turned out, and what they could expect if they were to attend one.  Definitely leave me a comment if I can answer anything for you

Let's see where to begin? I met so many amazing people and made some lasting friendships here.  Yes my horsemanship improved and yes I learned a lot about Parelli Professional conduct but when you think of putting the relationship first, you can think of being at the Parelli campus.  There is nothing competitive about people all striving for a common goal of good horsemanship and good teammanship.  I had some things crop up in my personal life about half way through the course and without the support of our instructors and the entire Extern group I couldn't have finished out the class.  For that I am so grateful - I have really come to appreciate the good hearts of nearly everyone in the Parelli community... Can you be a part of something bigger than yourself?  Sometimes that's simply being there no matter what for someone else in need.  So if anyone from my Externship experience is reading this, thank you for everything.  You'll never know how much you all have meant to me in this part of my journey.

Now, on to the course!  First exciting bit I should share is that I passed my Level 4 Liberty while there!  I decided to film a trial run for an audition just to see where we were at and it turned out to be really great.  Aspen was connected, playful, and full of try so I sent it in and passed with marks about half in L4 and half in L4+!  Totally awesome!  We also got our first Freestyle (pushing) and Finesse (light seat) flying lead changes.  I was also introduced to Finesse which we spent quite a bit of time on throughout the course.  I have a totally new respect for lateral maneuvers!!  I was lucky enough to be chosen for a Finesse lesson with Pat Parelli which was filmed for a DVD series.  I'm not sure if it will be used or not but it was a really unique experience to see all the behind the scenes filming process and naturally it was really fun to ride with Pat.  That's a whole other blog post in itself!  I can tell you that while Aspen was a total Right-Brain fruitcake up there with all the people and cameras, I learned a lot and am still processing all the information I received!  A theme for me in the course which also came up in my lesson with Pat is that the horse should take you in the direction you have requested - it shouldn't be you pushing, pulling, dragging, or begging the horse to go forward, backward, or sideways.  At one point Pat fairly chased me down on Slider and really got Aspen moving sideways to show me the feeling that I'm looking for.  At first it was chaotic and bracy but all of a sudden I felt like she weighed 10 pounds not 1000 pounds, she got light on her feet and fairly hovered sideways.  It was a really neat and eye opening experience to realize how ineffective I've been for so long and how much I have to look forward to in lightness in the Porcupine Game.  I believe I mentioned it before, either here or on my Parelli Connect, but Porcupine Game is the second game for a reason.  It's so important - you really win the horse's mind this way.  We also got the pleasure of having Linda come and ride with our class and teach a handful of times.  She's really such an amazing horsewoman and teacher - what an eye for picking out the one thing that will make the biggest difference for both the horse and the human!  She introduced us to advancing concepts in Finesse including the very beginning ideas of Game of Contact.  I will also have to write a post on our Linda visits :)  Aspen and I went on our first trail rides, open area riding, and galloping - all exhilarating experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone and really helped me grow in my horsemanship and leadership!  As a class we were invited to participate in the first few days of the Colt Start course with Rob McAuliffe - it's amazing that it's all about relationship and doing the simple things really well.  There were a couple extra colts and I had the opportunity to play with one for an afternoon with the Colt Starters - really showed me where I'm strong and where I'm weak in my horsemanship.  Rob is truly a horseman and it's always a privilege to be around people like him.... Try to soak up some talent!  The Externs also got to sit in on a few days of Pat's Western Performance class - again such a learning experience.  Simple things done well.  Own the hindquarters.  Win the Porcupine Game.  For some fun weekend activities we put on a Parelli Games weekend and an Open House in which I was asked to do a Liberty Spotlight! We did a cool 4-Savvy closing Spotlight - everyone did awesome and it was such a fun time visiting with the community and other horse lovers! Our last weekend of the course we went and did a demo at the county fair - I did On-Line and Liberty with Aspen.  She was a total rock star and everyone loved her! The Externs also raised just over $1,400 for the Parelli Education Institute!  Super awesome!

To wrap it up testing went well, I got a 100% on all written exams and was recommended for 2* instructorship pending the successful submission of my Level 4 Freestyle audition! I promise to write in more detail on some of the things I mentioned above - if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask!  Also - I have too many pictures to post on the blog but friend me on Facebook and check out all the photos from the Externship!

Lesson with Linda!

Wow - what a day!  This morning started off cool and beautiful and I got a lovely greeting from one lovely Thoroughbred mare this morning waiting for her few minutes of morning turnout.  Boy, do I love my sweet horse! :)

After our morning meeting we had a brief chat with Pat where he told us about his expectations for us as Parelli Professionals and how to be optimistic and realistic at the same time to achieve our goals.  Pat talked to us outside the lodge while astride one of his horses, even just sitting on his horse everything he did was with the utmost quality and his horse was so responsive and connected.  He makes it seem so easy and so simple to be that good, to have a horse that light and ready - and I suppose it really is simple... but not always easy.  That's where earning it comes to play - earning it from the horse and earning it from yourself. 

Pat bid us farewell and we headed back to the Extern barn for our morning with Linda!  I was surprised that I wasn't really nervous at all - I felt excited and anxious this morning but when it came time to actually ride in front of her I just found calmness.  I can only do my best and trying to mask any issues I have when riding Aspen or hide at the far corner of the arena would only be counter productive to being positive and progressive.  Who better than Linda to get help from?  She instructed us to go ride and demonstrate where we're at and to show Soft Touch in preparation for Game of Contact in her planned future sessions with us. 

She helped show us how Soft Touch should feel with a simulation holding the reins and then sent us off again with the instruction to keep our fingers closed but soft, shoulders loose, and elbows elastic.  It's surprising how much contact (for lack of a better word) that you can have with a horse's mouth during Soft Touch - it actually feels better to the horse to have a steady or firm feel in the mouth than a light, wispy, fly-like feeling that is just annoying or confusing.  She also explained that in Level 1 and 2 people tend to reduce the speed of their horses for control but in Level 3 and 4 we need that speed and momentum again for higher level maneuvers and advancing techniques.  We asked our horses to trot out a bit until they found a good rhythm and stretch while working on the Soft Touch.  Toward the end of the session as I went by Linda she called out - "Samantha!  That's looking great!"  I about rode right into the fence I was so excited and flattered.  So awesome and so inspiring and so motivating and validating and everything wonderful that happens to you when Linda Parelli pays you a compliment. 

After Linda left I got a little clarification on weighting stirrups from Susan to help in shaping my circles - push down with your toe, not out and you won't lean off the side of your horse!

We wrapped up the day with a game of catch to wake us up after lunch and half the class did their breed presentations - I closed the day out with some awesome liberty trailer loading with Aspen then cleaned up for the evening and went home.

I can't believe I am living this life right now!  So amazing!

PARELLI tack for sale:

1. Blue Horse Size Hackamore with reins & macate ($40)
2. Two 22' Feather Lines w/ Snaps ($35/both, or $20/each)
3. Black Bareback Pad ($200)
4. *NEW* Medium Cradle Bridle ($130)
5. *NEW* 5" C3 (LBI/LBE) Myler Bit, with noseband and both chin straps for
     Cradle Bridle ($190)
6. *NEW* 9' Finesse Reins, Black ($25)
7. 45' Line, right hand ($75)

All prices are OBO and include shipping!