April 7th: A Review and A Dance Class

Thursday, April 7th

 

                                                  Highland and Jazz enjoying Florida living.

Predicted to be a day of thunderstorms, and the morning was a bit rumbly with a few showers, so we meet indoors to review/ask questions.

To put in perspective some of the takeaways I record for myself, here is a diagram of Linda’s Happy Horse Happy Life model.

The bottom three components (Connection, Relaxation and Responsiveness) are core behaviors upon which the other modules build.  And, Connection with your horse is the foundation for all the behaviors. Every time I am with Toby I want to ensure that we have a solid connection, and if not, do some exercises to secure it, before I move on to any other behaviors.  Toby and I usually  have good connection, but if I am distracted (i.e. on the phone or my mind somewhere else), I can lose the connection. To retain a connection, one always need to be present with their horse(s).  Not to say horses won't behave when not connected, but when you have your horse looking at you and asking questions, you sense the spirit of the horse’s heart and communicating with this noble animal becomes possible.

Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, the behaviors on the third line (Confidence, Impulsion and Bending) are quality behaviors. The top of the heart model shows the next level up, aiming towards your goals, whether performance, competition or just the accomplishment of more finesse and higher level movements. Toby and I (well, me anyway), want to achieve movements at this level with a both of us feeling good physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Now, back to where I really was … Linda, Cheryl, Courtney and I spent some time debriefing our first couple of days and asking questions. I know, you probably can’t imagine me asking questions. 

 My takeaways/reminders from this morning include …

• Why parking spot (standing still) exercise? Makes the horse more present and relaxed. Okay to let them take one step, but correct and put back in parking spot after 2 steps. 
•  Connection is at the root of building a solid relationship of trust. Sometimes will need to match your horses energy in the moment to enable the connection.
• When turning, lead from my shoulder. Toby will feel this and more easily bend in that direction. Reminder to self … align my head movement with my shoulders.
• Don’t lean forward or use legs to go forward. Develop a subtle feel of pushing the saddle forward and leave upper body and legs relaxed and on vertical line (i.e., meaning if horse was pulled out from under me, I would be balanced and standing up with knees bend.) However, I'd prefer not to practice this.
• Have a plan … where are you riding to. Give your horse leadership. Also, helps to prevent my looking down … not sure why I do this, but I do have a tendency to do it.
• Idea: make tracks in the arena with the drag and follow them.
• Don’t always ride on rail, but practice going straight off the rail or across the arena … will help with straightness down center line or changing directions across diagonals.
• Be aware of not compressing upper body to push horse forward. Seating down will block the hind quarters.
• When riding lines, be particular and precise. Give your horse leadership. Need a clear plan all the time.
• When want to relax, either stop or if walking, then be purposely not giving any information.
• Redirect, not direct. That is, when correcting a behavior, think (and do) “NOT THAT, THIS.” So, release of pressure from correction teaches the behavior you want. Horses learn from this  release of pressure, and they will start to seek it.

 Recommended series … National Geographic's "One Strange Rock" which explores the fragility and wonder of planet Earth. (Not sure what this has to do with our conversation, but I wanted to remember it, so here it is.)

The afternoon was special. Linda was invited to observe Joanna Mendl Shaw (check out Blog Post about Conference on April 2-3) teaching dance students at University of Florida. Being Linda’s April students, Cheryl and I got to join her. I found it fascinating. It was a combined class … maybe 30-40 of them. Joanna is a gifted teacher. She is a master at engaging her students/audience and showing them such respect. 

This group of dancers were all skilled, and there was some exceptional talent in the room. After an introduction, Joanna began with some group movement exercises to get students warmed up and having fun, which they were. One of the exercises was students pairing up and first mirroring one another’s movements (which they improvised) and then passing leadership back and forth. 

She then gave them a handout about "horsenalities" and strategies for interacting with these different personalities. She then challenged them to become a “creature” with one of these personalities and become them through dance. Wonderful to watch. She selected two of dancers, with very different personality creatures, and had them do a solo. In one case, she then entered the dance to interact with the dancing creature and try to build a connection. In the other case, another student took on this role. I found it very emotional as the two creatures found a way to relate … and all through improv in dance.

So how does this relate to horses? Building a connection with a horse has similarities … you need to read the horse’s personality and know how to build a rapport. Might take some time and need to listening and be present to learn what motivates and soothes a particular horse.

Joanna also made an interesting point that hit home to me … Performing is not just about you, but about your partners. In the world of horses, you can observe at horse events those riders that have a mutually trusting relationship with their horses and those who just use their horses as a means to winning. 

One side note: If you are ever going to UFL in Gainesville, park at Trader Joes and take an Uber there and back. Parking was an adventure best not repeated!