First time team penning with Duke last night! We had a blast and Duke LOVES playing with the cows; he knows what his job is but he does try to take over. Here we are teamed up with a father/daughter team (Rudy and Rudi :D) and we penned all three cows on our second run!!! Woo hoo!!! Duke and I enter the arena behind Rudy and Rudi (Duke is the bay with his tail braided). Video captured by a friends helmet cam (I really need to get one of those!). Duke was a wee bit exuberant last night; on our last run he showed off his impression of a Lipizzan stallion performing 'airs above the ground.' That got a few whoops and hollers from the crowd. :)
Things are slow at the tree farm this year, sales down by half of what they were the last six years; as of today we've sold 38 trees, in previous years it's been 80-90 trees. But we still have our regular customers who return faithfully every year. I keep hearing people say they just aren't in the spirit. If you haven't got into the holiday spirit yet, well here's a little something that may help. :) Watch how silence fades in....
http://youtu.be/uH8FvERQHtM
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Yep, I'm still here...not often...but I'm here
My friend Debbie saw this group perform at the Weippe Rodeo this weekend and was amazed by these kids. I watched this video and was amazed too!
One quick note on the quote mentioned in the video; it was Winston Churchill who originally said, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man."
One quick note on the quote mentioned in the video; it was Winston Churchill who originally said, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man."
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Stallion and the Foal
Anyone who ever saw the documentary "Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies" knows all too well the fate of unprotected foals in the wild. But nature is not always predictable, and this video is an amazing montage.
Video by Pam Nikoles Photography. For additional information, please read the video description for the story behind the photographs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKKWF0ZUGk
Video by Pam Nikoles Photography. For additional information, please read the video description for the story behind the photographs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKKWF0ZUGk
Backwards Determination
Duke backs up into his stall from the opposite side of the arena, which is 60 feet across. This from a horse who hated to back up when I brought him home almost three years ago.
Small steps brought up to this place, we started with backing out of a round pen. It's easy to get frustrated when trying to teach a horse to do something he normally wouldn't do. I know I did. But his mama didn't teach him English, so I needed to learn his language to communicate. It took a lot of time and patience. But now Duke offers to back into his stall...I think he enjoys it. :)
Small steps brought up to this place, we started with backing out of a round pen. It's easy to get frustrated when trying to teach a horse to do something he normally wouldn't do. I know I did. But his mama didn't teach him English, so I needed to learn his language to communicate. It took a lot of time and patience. But now Duke offers to back into his stall...I think he enjoys it. :)
Monday, February 28, 2011
30 day PNH blog challenge, Days 24 through 30
Day 24-A time PNH made things harder for you and your horse.
I've thought and thought about this, but nothing comes immediately to mind.
Day 25-What is the most challenging aspect of your relationship with your horse.
Gaining Duke's trust in me. He's very skeptical and easily offended. Very sensitive and I have to really monitor my body language and energy.
Day 26-What is your favorite obstacle to play with.
Ground poles because there are so many different ways to play with them; forwards over, backwards over, sideways, between two parallel poles, dragging, make a turnaround box...mazes, many possibilities.
Day 27-A time you have impressed someone with your PNH skills “I Like your horse.”
There's a young girl at the barn, a 4-H member who recently purchased her first horse. The horse, a buckskin gelding, is not well suited for her and isn't a beginners horse. He's very high spirited and she now realizes he's too much horse for her. While playing with Duke a couple of weeks ago, the young girl made that very statement to me "I like your horse." It's a great compliment to receive when someone notices.
Day 28-Love, Language, Leadership: what is the easiest for you and what is the most challenging.
Love is the easiest...although sometimes it does get tested. Language is the most challenging; learning Duke's language and expressing it effectively requires mental fitness and focus. I tend to get easily scattered and need to overcome this.
Day 29-If you could ride one of Pat or Linda's horses which one would it be and why?
Oh boy...I'd love to ride Magic...she's such an amazing horse. I've been a fan of Magic from the first time I saw Pat and Magic together. She's such a lovely mover.
Day 30-What have you learned about yourself since you have started doing PNH.
I can be a raving perfectionist (to a fault), I take things too seriously...but, I am more comfortable going outside my comfort zone than I used to be, and I'm learning how to have fun, again.
I've thought and thought about this, but nothing comes immediately to mind.
Day 25-What is the most challenging aspect of your relationship with your horse.
Gaining Duke's trust in me. He's very skeptical and easily offended. Very sensitive and I have to really monitor my body language and energy.
Day 26-What is your favorite obstacle to play with.
Ground poles because there are so many different ways to play with them; forwards over, backwards over, sideways, between two parallel poles, dragging, make a turnaround box...mazes, many possibilities.
Day 27-A time you have impressed someone with your PNH skills “I Like your horse.”
There's a young girl at the barn, a 4-H member who recently purchased her first horse. The horse, a buckskin gelding, is not well suited for her and isn't a beginners horse. He's very high spirited and she now realizes he's too much horse for her. While playing with Duke a couple of weeks ago, the young girl made that very statement to me "I like your horse." It's a great compliment to receive when someone notices.
Day 28-Love, Language, Leadership: what is the easiest for you and what is the most challenging.
Love is the easiest...although sometimes it does get tested. Language is the most challenging; learning Duke's language and expressing it effectively requires mental fitness and focus. I tend to get easily scattered and need to overcome this.
Day 29-If you could ride one of Pat or Linda's horses which one would it be and why?
Oh boy...I'd love to ride Magic...she's such an amazing horse. I've been a fan of Magic from the first time I saw Pat and Magic together. She's such a lovely mover.
Day 30-What have you learned about yourself since you have started doing PNH.
I can be a raving perfectionist (to a fault), I take things too seriously...but, I am more comfortable going outside my comfort zone than I used to be, and I'm learning how to have fun, again.
Monday, February 21, 2011
30 day PNH blog challenge, Days 19 through 23
Before I started this 30 day challenge I knew writing one entry a day would not be possible; but that wasn't my goal. My goal was to find inspiration to write again. I've lost my interest in reading and writing. I want to get it back...to redevelop an activity I once enjoyed but quit because of burn out, depression and time contraints. So onward and upward...
Day 19-A time you were able to help a "normal" horse or horseman using PNH.
After finishing a ride a few weeks ago as I was leaving the barn another boarder riding her Arabian mare struck up a conversation with me. As our conversation began to wane, she expressed frustration with her quality of circles, in that her mare was bracey and not following her nose. Two things immediately came to my mind, the human head weighs between 10 - 14 pounds and most people (myself included) tend to look down and watch the horses head when they ride. As she rode I spoke about these two points, she stopped as if to think about and absorb the words. When she exclaimed she hadn't thought much about her head position, I smiled with the admission it's a point I have to work on every time I ride because I catch myself doing it. I explained the principle that horses can feel the riders focus and when the rider focuses on the horses head, that brings the weight of the head down and impacts the riders balance, and therefore, the horses balance as well. I suggested she keep her head up and focus her eyes on where she wanted to go. To use her eyes and swivel of her head to direct the horses direction. She tried it, immediately noticed a difference and was amazed. It's a hard thing to remember and I always find myself reverting back to looking at Dukes head when I need to focus on where I want to go. But then I remember his head is not going to fall off and I change my gaze to a point ahead of him and where I want to go, and voila! I immediately feel a diffence in my body and Duke's, especially his trot; it goes from flat and hard, to round and soft.
Day 20-A PNH clinic or lesson that was inspirational. If you have not been to a clinic or had a lesson what educational material has been particularly inspiring.
The Liberty and Horse Behavior dvd, particularly when the 'horsenality' segments where Pat and Linda demonstrate the different characteristics of four of their horses.
Day 21-Criticism you have about the PNH program.
Several times I have heard Pat advise students against following or trying other trainer or clincians methods because it will confuse the student. The problem I have with this viewpoint is that Pat himself was a student of and learned from many different teachers; he openly admits this in almost every demo or lesson I've seen. He's always talking about, and crediting Ray Hunt, Bill Dorrance, Tom Dorrance, Ronny Wills and others...as his mentors. All these men provided him with a well-rounded education and enabled him to turn his love for horses into a lifelong career. I believe him when he says he and Linda want to make the world a better place for horses and humans. But I am skeptical of anyone who discourages their students from exposure to outside influences. That is too cult-like in my opinion. PNH is not a cult, but I have read people call it a cult and refer to the students as brainwashed.
Parelli has covered a lot of educational ground during the past 25+ years, and they have given me the tools I need to develop my horsemanship skills. But as an open minded person I like to explore several options and resources, that is what I learned in high school and college. I have found the quality of PNH educational materials, content and distribution to be among the best, that is why I have stayed.
PNH needs to trust their students and realize that it's okay for us to observe what is out there and evaluate if it's right or wrong for our journey. Through observation we are able to gain a broader understanding of this discipline. We are keen enough to know the difference between quality and quick-fixes.
Day 22-How do you explain PNH when people ask what you are doing with your horse.
Hasn't really come up a lot, yet, but I just say I'm using natural horsemanship and let Duke do the rest of the talking.
Day 23-SADDLING: do you use the PNH saddle and/or theraflex pad if not what do you ride in and what does your horse think of it.
I have two Fallis Balanced Ride saddles, and I use the theraflex pad. The theraflex pad solved a problem with my 50 year old Fallis saddle which has a really wide tree that brought the gullet down on Duke's withers. The theraflex pad and two shims solved that. I recently acquired a new custom made saddle from John Fallis designed for a high withered horse and will use the theraflex pad under a wool saddle blanket.
Interestingly enough, I'm wondering if Pat is still using the theraflex pad. Recent Savvy Club dvd's with him riding show him using different saddle pads and blankets, but not the theraflex. Or maybe he's using it under neath.
Day 19-A time you were able to help a "normal" horse or horseman using PNH.
After finishing a ride a few weeks ago as I was leaving the barn another boarder riding her Arabian mare struck up a conversation with me. As our conversation began to wane, she expressed frustration with her quality of circles, in that her mare was bracey and not following her nose. Two things immediately came to my mind, the human head weighs between 10 - 14 pounds and most people (myself included) tend to look down and watch the horses head when they ride. As she rode I spoke about these two points, she stopped as if to think about and absorb the words. When she exclaimed she hadn't thought much about her head position, I smiled with the admission it's a point I have to work on every time I ride because I catch myself doing it. I explained the principle that horses can feel the riders focus and when the rider focuses on the horses head, that brings the weight of the head down and impacts the riders balance, and therefore, the horses balance as well. I suggested she keep her head up and focus her eyes on where she wanted to go. To use her eyes and swivel of her head to direct the horses direction. She tried it, immediately noticed a difference and was amazed. It's a hard thing to remember and I always find myself reverting back to looking at Dukes head when I need to focus on where I want to go. But then I remember his head is not going to fall off and I change my gaze to a point ahead of him and where I want to go, and voila! I immediately feel a diffence in my body and Duke's, especially his trot; it goes from flat and hard, to round and soft.
Day 20-A PNH clinic or lesson that was inspirational. If you have not been to a clinic or had a lesson what educational material has been particularly inspiring.
The Liberty and Horse Behavior dvd, particularly when the 'horsenality' segments where Pat and Linda demonstrate the different characteristics of four of their horses.
Day 21-Criticism you have about the PNH program.
Several times I have heard Pat advise students against following or trying other trainer or clincians methods because it will confuse the student. The problem I have with this viewpoint is that Pat himself was a student of and learned from many different teachers; he openly admits this in almost every demo or lesson I've seen. He's always talking about, and crediting Ray Hunt, Bill Dorrance, Tom Dorrance, Ronny Wills and others...as his mentors. All these men provided him with a well-rounded education and enabled him to turn his love for horses into a lifelong career. I believe him when he says he and Linda want to make the world a better place for horses and humans. But I am skeptical of anyone who discourages their students from exposure to outside influences. That is too cult-like in my opinion. PNH is not a cult, but I have read people call it a cult and refer to the students as brainwashed.
Parelli has covered a lot of educational ground during the past 25+ years, and they have given me the tools I need to develop my horsemanship skills. But as an open minded person I like to explore several options and resources, that is what I learned in high school and college. I have found the quality of PNH educational materials, content and distribution to be among the best, that is why I have stayed.
PNH needs to trust their students and realize that it's okay for us to observe what is out there and evaluate if it's right or wrong for our journey. Through observation we are able to gain a broader understanding of this discipline. We are keen enough to know the difference between quality and quick-fixes.
Day 22-How do you explain PNH when people ask what you are doing with your horse.
Hasn't really come up a lot, yet, but I just say I'm using natural horsemanship and let Duke do the rest of the talking.
Day 23-SADDLING: do you use the PNH saddle and/or theraflex pad if not what do you ride in and what does your horse think of it.
I have two Fallis Balanced Ride saddles, and I use the theraflex pad. The theraflex pad solved a problem with my 50 year old Fallis saddle which has a really wide tree that brought the gullet down on Duke's withers. The theraflex pad and two shims solved that. I recently acquired a new custom made saddle from John Fallis designed for a high withered horse and will use the theraflex pad under a wool saddle blanket.
Interestingly enough, I'm wondering if Pat is still using the theraflex pad. Recent Savvy Club dvd's with him riding show him using different saddle pads and blankets, but not the theraflex. Or maybe he's using it under neath.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
30 day PNH blog challenge, Days 16 through 18
Day 16-What is the most challenging horsenality for you to work with?
I've only had one horse who is a Left Brain Extrovert with Introvert tendancies, but he can go Right Brain in a flash...and it's the Right Brain Extrovert who I find challenging.
Day 17-What is your favorite game?
Driving...because there is so much that can be done with that game!
Day 18-A time you have seen Pat & Linda live. If you have not seem them live would you like to, what do you think it would be like?
Celebration Reno, May 2009. Exceeded my expectations.
I've only had one horse who is a Left Brain Extrovert with Introvert tendancies, but he can go Right Brain in a flash...and it's the Right Brain Extrovert who I find challenging.
Day 17-What is your favorite game?
Driving...because there is so much that can be done with that game!
Day 18-A time you have seen Pat & Linda live. If you have not seem them live would you like to, what do you think it would be like?
Celebration Reno, May 2009. Exceeded my expectations.
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