Last week I was reminded of several things that I had temporarily forgotten:
1. I hate winter - specifically January. It is the month after Christmas and appears exceptionally dark and dreary without the glitter and sparkle of the holiday season. It is smack in the middle of winter - too close to the beginning to say that spring is coming. It is cold - very cold. Yesterday's low of -28 degrees Celsius is cold no matter how hard you imagine yourself on a tropical beach somewhere. Even more than I hate winter - I hate looking at photos of people playing with their horses at the Parelli campus in Florida. Or worse, looking at photos of people playing with their horses at the Parelli campus in Florida and then going to play with your horse in the cold arctic -28 wind and snow of Canada. Darn. I hate winter.
2. I am the first one to tell you that my horse is brilliant. Tido's super ultra high play drive and LBE horsenality makes me proudly boast how brilliant he is. But he can't read. Nor can he watch DVD's. And he doesn't have a wireless connection between his brain and mine. So, when the weather outside is frightful, and I curl up to watch, read and generally absorb my vast supply of Parelli materials from a nice warm spot in the house - get this - HE ISN'T LEARNING ANYTHING!!!! Darn. I hate winter.
3. No matter how creative and progressive I am - 5 minutes isn't enough playtime for 21 month old girls with - get this - super ultra high play drives and LBE horsenality (see a trend here?). Heading to the house with frozen fingers, toes and snow frosted eye lashes, so proud of playing with Jess for a full 5 minutes - I hear .. "thunk". That, my friends, is the sound of the heated float hitting the barn wall as it is removed from the outside water trough. Yep, she can't talk but that sound very clearly says, "how dare you tease me with five minutes of playtime!! What am I supposed to do for the other 23 hours and 55 minutes left in this day??" Darn. I hate winter.
I can't change winter. Positives? Let's see, there must be some:
1. My Parelli saddle arrives in less than 28 days!! Now that might inspire some winter riding!!
2. Laughing keeps you warm. Simulations with the Parelli playgroup are best done in the winter - the moving around and inevitable laughter (and of course the fresh baked cookies that find their way to the gathering) make you temporarily forget how cold it is. For a few minutes anyhow ...
3. Time - to watch, listen and read all those materials that you don't have time for during the "good" weather. And while I try to figure out how to hook up the wireless brain connection between Tido and I, he does benefit, eventually, from my learning. I have a better plan which makes me more positive and progressive.
4. If I stand by the kitchen window - there is enough room to "throw" my 45' line down between the fridge and the island, and coil it up again ... over and over ... and over. Ron said to get good with it before I use it on my horse. I don't recall a requirement that I had to get good with it OUTSIDE!
5. Marked on the calendar is "May 11 - 15 - Parelli Experience with Don Halladay & John Barr". Only a mere 105 days (or 15 weeks) away. Before I know it - it will be here! While it may not be Florida in January - I can settle for London in May.
So I finish this with the resignation, I may not like it, but January doesn't last forever. And before we know it, the horses will be shedding and the mosquitoes will be biting and the humidity will make us cranky and we'll be thinking of January ... fondly.
Showing posts with label Ron Pyne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ron Pyne. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Seeing Perfection Years Later
Last week I had a light bulb moment when reading Linda Parelli's blog post entitled Things Change written November 11, 2010. Linda's writings, "I believe that life is perfect, and is unfolding exactly as it should. I have learned through experience that you don't see the perfection of what occurs until many years later..." gave me the opportunity to see something I have instinctively always known, put into words. I have always believed that things happen for a reason - good, bad or otherwise. But sometimes reflecting on the path that leads us to today, makes the journey more clear!
Way, way back in 1992, at the tender age of 20, I was horseless. Being horseless for an obsessed horse-lover-since-birth is a very difficult situation to find oneself in. But University education left little time, or money, for my passion and I had to make do without. Arriving home during my second year for Christmas break, Dec 23rd found me hearing about a horse that I must "go see" from a neighbouring horseman. Giving this suggestion no thought at all - I carried on with my day. That night - I found myself bolt upright in bed awoken from a deep sleep with one thought - I had to go see this horse!! I anxiously waited 4 days for my appointment to see a horse I knew very little about; a 4 year old bay thoroughbred gelding off the track, abandoned by his owners at a holding facility, for sale for the price of his outstanding board. With a whole lot of luck and fate intervening - I brought Charlie home Dec 27th. From our very first ride - he taught me about trust and together we looked after each other. He was my perfect partner in every sense and we had a wonderful 11 years together.
On March 5th, 2004, my horse world blew apart. At that time, Charlie was stabled at my parent's barn as I had three very small children and precious little time for daily horse care. After having a horribly, restless sleep that Saturday night, I found myself the next morning watching the clock until it was an appropriate hour to call my parents house (completely out of character for me I can assure you). I knew instantly upon hearing my Mom's wavering voice say "Hello?" that tragedy had struck. We had had a quick thaw that week and Charlie had been running around the paddock with typical spring sillies. That fateful day, his hind leg had sunk deep in the mud and as he spun to gallop back up the field, he broke his leg above the hock. Thankfully, my dad discovered him soon after and quickly made the decision to put him out of his pain. At just 16 years of age, my best friend was gone. For the next 365 days, I didn't have horses in my life - at all. I couldn't continue without my partner and couldn't bring myself to consider the possibility that I would ever find another perfect partner for me.
But my old friend the "horse bug", bit again about a year after Charlie's death and after much research, I purchased the appaloosa gelding who became the stepping stone for me discovering Parelli. One of my goals when shopping for another horse - was to purchase one that was not a bay thoroughbred gelding. My tender heart couldn't handle the reminder of what I had lost. The next four years were very difficult and subconsciously, I expected this young appy to fill some pretty big shoes. In hindsight, an unfair expectation for him. For the first time in my horsey life, I learned some harsh lessons about fear and for the second time in my life, my lifelong passion for horses was almost lost to me. But Parelli came along at exactly the right moment! Parelli (and watching Linda's lesson with Walter Zettle in Harristburg, PA in 2009) helped me decide that without trust - we weren't ever going to be perfect partners. I took a risk, found a wonderful new home for my appy and began the search for my perfect partner. Could I find two perfect partners in the same lifetime?
This is where my story becomes a happily-ever-after. Tido's beautiful bald white face appeared on my computer screen one day just hours after selling my appy, in a Horse For Sale ad resulting from me accidently striking an incorrect key on my keyboard. Deja vu kicked in and I found myself on a familiar path - I had to see this horse!! I waited 4 anxious days for my appointment time to arrive - praying that he wouldn't be sold in the meantime (hhmm sounding familiar?). May 27, 2009 I sat on a strange horse, in a strange saddle, in a strange barn, with his owner watching, and instantly felt an old friend surface - trust. Mutual trust. I was home. My broken heart began to heal that day as Tido travelled home with me. He has been my perfect partner since that day forward. And the irony of it all - Tido's birthday is ... March 2004.
So I, too, believe that life is perfect, unfolding exactly as it should. And I didn't, or couldn't see it, until many years later. It takes a lot of confidence to get you through those tragic times, but they are as much a part of the journey as the good times. Without the heartbreak and pain, I wouldn't be where I am today - finding true joy in my horse obsession, having more fun than I ever thought possible and achieving things I never dared to even dream about. Looking back, it is now easy to see how perfect the path was that led me to today.
Way, way back in 1992, at the tender age of 20, I was horseless. Being horseless for an obsessed horse-lover-since-birth is a very difficult situation to find oneself in. But University education left little time, or money, for my passion and I had to make do without. Arriving home during my second year for Christmas break, Dec 23rd found me hearing about a horse that I must "go see" from a neighbouring horseman. Giving this suggestion no thought at all - I carried on with my day. That night - I found myself bolt upright in bed awoken from a deep sleep with one thought - I had to go see this horse!! I anxiously waited 4 days for my appointment to see a horse I knew very little about; a 4 year old bay thoroughbred gelding off the track, abandoned by his owners at a holding facility, for sale for the price of his outstanding board. With a whole lot of luck and fate intervening - I brought Charlie home Dec 27th. From our very first ride - he taught me about trust and together we looked after each other. He was my perfect partner in every sense and we had a wonderful 11 years together.
Charlie 1989-2004
But my old friend the "horse bug", bit again about a year after Charlie's death and after much research, I purchased the appaloosa gelding who became the stepping stone for me discovering Parelli. One of my goals when shopping for another horse - was to purchase one that was not a bay thoroughbred gelding. My tender heart couldn't handle the reminder of what I had lost. The next four years were very difficult and subconsciously, I expected this young appy to fill some pretty big shoes. In hindsight, an unfair expectation for him. For the first time in my horsey life, I learned some harsh lessons about fear and for the second time in my life, my lifelong passion for horses was almost lost to me. But Parelli came along at exactly the right moment! Parelli (and watching Linda's lesson with Walter Zettle in Harristburg, PA in 2009) helped me decide that without trust - we weren't ever going to be perfect partners. I took a risk, found a wonderful new home for my appy and began the search for my perfect partner. Could I find two perfect partners in the same lifetime?
The picture that brought Tido into my life! May 2009
So I, too, believe that life is perfect, unfolding exactly as it should. And I didn't, or couldn't see it, until many years later. It takes a lot of confidence to get you through those tragic times, but they are as much a part of the journey as the good times. Without the heartbreak and pain, I wouldn't be where I am today - finding true joy in my horse obsession, having more fun than I ever thought possible and achieving things I never dared to even dream about. Looking back, it is now easy to see how perfect the path was that led me to today.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
What is the Point of Doing This?
Having just read the blog entry of Marta Sobczak on Parelli Central entitled, "When you Think of Parelli, What Do you Think of?", I thought I would take a few moments to answer this question for myself.
I could say all the usual words that pop to mind when I think of Parelli: partnership, freedom, fun, friends, learning ..... but really, its way more than that. Its climbing on my horse bareback and feeling that sense of WOW that this gorgeous animal lets me go along with him. Its being kid-on-christmas-excited to go to the barn instead of nausea-inducing-dread going to the barn. Its about the simplicity of popping a in a DVD to learn more instead of waiting for a weekly "riding lesson". It is the re-found joy of doing nothing more than breathing in their horsey smell and being destressed by their steady munching sounds as they eat their evening feed. It is the freedom to hug him when I want to and know he will never be ruined by too much love. It is laughing and chatting with my Parelli friends on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon as we try to remember something Ron taught in a clinic back in the spring of '09. Its having a better relationship with your husband, your kids and your dogs ... and yourself ....because of what you learned from Parelli.
When I think of Parelli, I think of an open door. It is a rebirth back to where I started with horses as a kid. Back when your first question was "what is he thinking?" and your second was, "how can I tell him what I want so he'll understand?"
So that's it - a little sappy but out there for the world to see. I have to say that I love the question, "what is the point of doing this?" The answer is so very, very simple it took me 20 years to figure it out. Simply ... because I can!
Coming soon: my comments from our Level 3 clinic with Ron Pyne on Oct 16 & 17. I'll leave you with a picture of my cute little chihuahua hating his pumpkin costume .... sometimes it is necessary to seek revenge on little dogs who shred toilet paper rolls all over the house!
I could say all the usual words that pop to mind when I think of Parelli: partnership, freedom, fun, friends, learning ..... but really, its way more than that. Its climbing on my horse bareback and feeling that sense of WOW that this gorgeous animal lets me go along with him. Its being kid-on-christmas-excited to go to the barn instead of nausea-inducing-dread going to the barn. Its about the simplicity of popping a in a DVD to learn more instead of waiting for a weekly "riding lesson". It is the re-found joy of doing nothing more than breathing in their horsey smell and being destressed by their steady munching sounds as they eat their evening feed. It is the freedom to hug him when I want to and know he will never be ruined by too much love. It is laughing and chatting with my Parelli friends on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon as we try to remember something Ron taught in a clinic back in the spring of '09. Its having a better relationship with your husband, your kids and your dogs ... and yourself ....because of what you learned from Parelli.
When I think of Parelli, I think of an open door. It is a rebirth back to where I started with horses as a kid. Back when your first question was "what is he thinking?" and your second was, "how can I tell him what I want so he'll understand?"
So that's it - a little sappy but out there for the world to see. I have to say that I love the question, "what is the point of doing this?" The answer is so very, very simple it took me 20 years to figure it out. Simply ... because I can!
Coming soon: my comments from our Level 3 clinic with Ron Pyne on Oct 16 & 17. I'll leave you with a picture of my cute little chihuahua hating his pumpkin costume .... sometimes it is necessary to seek revenge on little dogs who shred toilet paper rolls all over the house!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
How to Train Your Dragon ...er .. Horse!
So yes, Ron Pyne has been and gone. We went in, survived, and came out the other side - more knowledgeable and certainly more exhausted than we began!! Success all around but, as my brain is still overwelmed with the sheer volume of "stuff" learned, I will wait to blog about our adventures in Ronland when my cranium is quieter and I catch up on the many nights of lost sleep (due to anxiety - not because we were partying in the barn!)!
This week brought the release of one of my favourite kid movies to video. Generally, I find movies geared for the younger set mildly entertaining and occasionally hit on one that is downright amazing. How to Train Your Dragon was one such movie for me. Of course the animation was great, well written, great characters .... but the concept of the movie is what entriges me. The story of a young, geekish, viking boy who just doesn't have the heart to fight the local dragons, as his classmates do, goes against his father's and his communities wishes and ... wait for it .... trains one to be his friend (in secret of course!). Using love, language and leadership (and a whole lot of friendly game) the young boy flies off into the sunset on his new friend! But the real story unfolds as the boy needs to demonstrate to his fellow vikings that changing behaviour practiced by hundred of generations and befriending the dragons has far more benefits than battling against them. Hmmm - sound familiar?? Eerily so.
I am struck how often I discover (and use!) Parelli in the non-horsey parts of my life. 4 Phases work amazingly when raising kids for instance! And my 10 year struggle to lose my baby weight suddenly became clear with the statement: "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." Hmm - after 10 years its safe to say that what I am currently doing isn't working - time to try something different!! And yes - good, bad or otherwise - you can turn a RBI chihuahua into a LBE and the best little guard dog on the block!!
This week brought the release of one of my favourite kid movies to video. Generally, I find movies geared for the younger set mildly entertaining and occasionally hit on one that is downright amazing. How to Train Your Dragon was one such movie for me. Of course the animation was great, well written, great characters .... but the concept of the movie is what entriges me. The story of a young, geekish, viking boy who just doesn't have the heart to fight the local dragons, as his classmates do, goes against his father's and his communities wishes and ... wait for it .... trains one to be his friend (in secret of course!). Using love, language and leadership (and a whole lot of friendly game) the young boy flies off into the sunset on his new friend! But the real story unfolds as the boy needs to demonstrate to his fellow vikings that changing behaviour practiced by hundred of generations and befriending the dragons has far more benefits than battling against them. Hmmm - sound familiar?? Eerily so.
I am struck how often I discover (and use!) Parelli in the non-horsey parts of my life. 4 Phases work amazingly when raising kids for instance! And my 10 year struggle to lose my baby weight suddenly became clear with the statement: "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." Hmm - after 10 years its safe to say that what I am currently doing isn't working - time to try something different!! And yes - good, bad or otherwise - you can turn a RBI chihuahua into a LBE and the best little guard dog on the block!!
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Important Role of the Playgroup
Tuesday was one of our bi-weekly Parelli Playgroup sessions. Time to get together, play with horses (or without), visit, chat and eat. Time to catch up on horsey (or non-horsey) news and to applaud the little victories. But most important, time to support each other through the challenges of our individual learning pathways and help each other to stay progressive. I am constantly amazed at the vast differences between the ages and stages of each member of our group but how close and supportive our little Parelli "family" has become. The accomplishments from this group are too many to mention - but we are amazing!! Thank you group - it wouldn't be nearly as much fun without you!!
Tido had a great play on Tuesday. Ever so slowly he is gaining confidence playing with me on his right side and I can see and feel a much more balanced horse! It is such a joy to watch him concentrating on something new and not trying to "hide" by putting his left eye on me. Such a subtle habit on his part and took over a year to identify it as a "problem" (thank's Ron for helping figure out the puzzle!). In hindsight the signs were clear but .... what can I say, Tido's mischevious nature also lends to a great ability to cover up his weak areas!! The sweet finale to the day was Tido hanging his head over the gate of the pasture and watching me leave. I am deeply honored when he would rather spend time with me than grazing or being in the herd. It is indeed a privlege to be his partner and moments like that just confirm that we are on the right path!
So my nerves are starting to tingle a bit as I look at the calendar and realize that we are just 14 days until the continuing Level 3 clinic with Ron (Pyne). Always a pleasure to spend two days with Ron but stressful just the same. Have I spent enough time practicing perfectly what was covered in the spring clinic?? What challenges will he give us this round?? And all while learning in front of a small audience - yeesh - I still maintain that all Ron's clinics should come with a sedative for the night before!! Ron - we are ready for the big green ball soccer challenge - you won't beat us this time!! 14 days to go ....
Tido had a great play on Tuesday. Ever so slowly he is gaining confidence playing with me on his right side and I can see and feel a much more balanced horse! It is such a joy to watch him concentrating on something new and not trying to "hide" by putting his left eye on me. Such a subtle habit on his part and took over a year to identify it as a "problem" (thank's Ron for helping figure out the puzzle!). In hindsight the signs were clear but .... what can I say, Tido's mischevious nature also lends to a great ability to cover up his weak areas!! The sweet finale to the day was Tido hanging his head over the gate of the pasture and watching me leave. I am deeply honored when he would rather spend time with me than grazing or being in the herd. It is indeed a privlege to be his partner and moments like that just confirm that we are on the right path!
So my nerves are starting to tingle a bit as I look at the calendar and realize that we are just 14 days until the continuing Level 3 clinic with Ron (Pyne). Always a pleasure to spend two days with Ron but stressful just the same. Have I spent enough time practicing perfectly what was covered in the spring clinic?? What challenges will he give us this round?? And all while learning in front of a small audience - yeesh - I still maintain that all Ron's clinics should come with a sedative for the night before!! Ron - we are ready for the big green ball soccer challenge - you won't beat us this time!! 14 days to go ....
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Back to Blogging ...
I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted on my blog!! I have truly missed being able to journal my experiences and am happy to be back to the keyboard! So much has happened in the last year, I don't even know where to begin. I think I will need to blog several posts to catch up!
This first post is about a trip Tido and I made, in June, to the outdoor playground of one of our Parelli Playgroup members. It was our first trip out together, in the 13 months we've been together, and it was so refreshing to get "off the farm" - so to speak. We had a great time, challenging ourselves with all the obstacles at Teresa's playground and Tido having his very first swim! The best way to show you is in pictures! We can't wait to visit again and, if the weather cooperates, both of us can swim together!
This first post is about a trip Tido and I made, in June, to the outdoor playground of one of our Parelli Playgroup members. It was our first trip out together, in the 13 months we've been together, and it was so refreshing to get "off the farm" - so to speak. We had a great time, challenging ourselves with all the obstacles at Teresa's playground and Tido having his very first swim! The best way to show you is in pictures! We can't wait to visit again and, if the weather cooperates, both of us can swim together!
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Our first look into the deep, scary ditch! Tido is very uncertain ... |
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Taking the time it takes - one tiny step at a time. "It's okay buddy - take your time."  SUCCESS!!! 60 minutes from start to finish! He went right through every time after!  Following the leader.  Picture entitled "The Medal Winners!"  Tido's first pond play - having fun with his feet.  "Oooh this water tastes good!"  "Look mom - I am a fish!!" |
Monday, October 26, 2009
WOW - What a Weekend!! Clinic Day 1
The morning after my fourth clinic with 3-star Parelli professional Ron Pyne and, as always, he did not disappoint! My mind is full to the bursting point with new information and I am exhausted mentally and physically. Where to begin, where to begin? Because we covered so much in two days, I am going to journal it in two pieces and try to recall and capture the key topics ....
Level 2 - Refinement Clinic - Day 1
One of Ron's main keys throughout the weekend was one of "expecting more". As advanced level 2 students he stressed how important it is to strive for the best responses from our horses and to be very particular when playing - something that is necessary to become a successful Level 3 student. We began the two day clinic with snuggling our 7 horses together and "protecting our herds of two"! Difficult when you have 7 horses who don't know each other and would love a chance to visit with each other! Throw a mini in the middle and things really get interesting! All the horses soon settled and we had a chance to chat with each other and discuss what we hoped to take away from the clinic.
The Saturday morning online session began with some porcupine game - moving the hindquarters and the forequarters in a figure of 8 pattern - all while striving to be as light as possible. "Addicted to Lightness" is my favourite part of all the 7 games and, as I soon realized, has some room for improvment!! Lucky for me Tido is quite responsive but this segment of the clinic served as a reminder that I need to keep playing with it. We also played with turning our horses loose (removing the halter), disengaging the hindquarters and having them turn and look at us before they moved off into a pasture (or stall). Important for safety and building the relationship. While this is something I try and do regularily, this session made me realize how important it is to do EVERY time!
Next we began to play with the driving game from zone 3/4 to prepare for the afternoon's adventure of riding with the carrot sticks. For me, remembering to bring my life up and let Tido make the first step forward was key.
The afternoon's riding was truly an adventure!! All 6 riding partipants looked like fish out of water
Level 2 - Refinement Clinic - Day 1
One of Ron's main keys throughout the weekend was one of "expecting more". As advanced level 2 students he stressed how important it is to strive for the best responses from our horses and to be very particular when playing - something that is necessary to become a successful Level 3 student. We began the two day clinic with snuggling our 7 horses together and "protecting our herds of two"! Difficult when you have 7 horses who don't know each other and would love a chance to visit with each other! Throw a mini in the middle and things really get interesting! All the horses soon settled and we had a chance to chat with each other and discuss what we hoped to take away from the clinic.
The Saturday morning online session began with some porcupine game - moving the hindquarters and the forequarters in a figure of 8 pattern - all while striving to be as light as possible. "Addicted to Lightness" is my favourite part of all the 7 games and, as I soon realized, has some room for improvment!! Lucky for me Tido is quite responsive but this segment of the clinic served as a reminder that I need to keep playing with it. We also played with turning our horses loose (removing the halter), disengaging the hindquarters and having them turn and look at us before they moved off into a pasture (or stall). Important for safety and building the relationship. While this is something I try and do regularily, this session made me realize how important it is to do EVERY time!
Next we began to play with the driving game from zone 3/4 to prepare for the afternoon's adventure of riding with the carrot sticks. For me, remembering to bring my life up and let Tido make the first step forward was key.
The afternoon's riding was truly an adventure!! All 6 riding partipants looked like fish out of water
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