Hurrying to slow down

[glenatron]

We're back from a long trek across the country to ride in a clinic with legendary horseman Joe Wolter and it was about as good as one could possibly hope for.

I'm not going to go into a lot of detail on it right now, I'm sure Sari will have more to say later and these days a full write-up is more likely to go into the magazine ( we actually have

Comments

[re_vised]

That makes a lot of sense, as horses need to feel comfortable in their space/are not robots. Good insight!

[glenatron]

Absolutely. I found it depressing to realise how much resistance I had put into her, though, by not taking her feelings into account. At least we can start fixing it up now.

[re_vised]

You aren't perfect! This is exactly why we attend clinics, so we can gain more information, experience, and do better by our mounts. Now is better than never! Horses are quick learners and I'm sure she'll catch on and put the other stuff behind her. Luckily, horses are also fairly forgiving. :)

[puddleshark]

It sounds like a wonderful clinic. I wish there were more trainers around with that level of understanding.

I'm glad you and Iris got so much out of it!

[glenatron]

Oh, hey, we were in Devon too. It's probably close enough that if he's back next year you might enjoy spectating!

[spirithorse21]

You know, I was just reading a similar idea in a different blog the other day, and I thought, "Well that's a really good way to put it!"

But wow, that's a really cool moment with Iris to actually cement that idea for you. Thanks for sharing it!

[glenatron]

Definitely. It felt like something she really needed me to know as well.

[siberian_angel]

I'm happy to hear you got to go to the clinic with Iris after all - looks like it's a great improvement. What I like about it is the fact that the rider learns with his steed instead of just from it. Going through the process together creates a bond so much deeper and I'm glad you got to experience this.

[glenatron]

Joe does a lot of work around making everything into puzzles as well, giving the horse the opportunity to figure it out rather than stepping in to help them. It's so interesting.

[lantairvlea]

I've enjoyed watching Joe Wolter work through the Horseman's Gazette videos. He must be great to work under.

Working with horses is so much about give and take. Giving direction, taking feedback, giving the horse a chance to respond, and taking what they offer.

They tend to believe us more that we have good ideas when we take their thoughts about it into consideration.

Congratulations on another breakthrough with your mare

[glenatron]

I find it interesting how cyclic my development is, I get something good and it leads me to take the things I had before for-granted and then they tend to slip- I think this has been better than it is now in the past. I noticed something about how quiet I was riding too - way more so in the snaffle than I have been in the hackamore. I found that interesting because it's something Jeff has picked up on ("Ben, you've got what I call 'hand tourettes' with your reins there") but I didn't feel it even though I knew it. Riding in the snaffle I suddenly felt how I should be riding the whole time and knew it for what it was.

I've watched those videos too- Joe always has useful stuff to offer, but they don't make it clear how personable he is. Just one of the most likeable people I have met.