Remy explores neue Ufer - and did we stumble upon the holy grail of horsemanship?

Pleasant surprise when pulling up to Brandt’s farm: Maureen, a riding friend from many years back. We had lost touch over time, and –small world- here we meet again.

Brandt lost no time, we saddled Remy and off they went. The property looks like a huge playpen for horses. There are all kinds of obstacles, different surfaces, woods, boulders, and a small lake with a sandy beach (note to JP: watch the pronunciation). Remy wasn’t sure about the lake at first, Brandt quietly moved his hindquarters around until Remy decided himself that he would like to go into the water. The goal wasn’t getting Remy to go into the water, though, it was to make him understand that he could not just balk and then walk away. Once that was established Remy had some good “drink and splash” time. So yes, literally, Remy did explore new shores (neue Ufer)!

From there it was into one of the pastures where six horses ran right up to check out the newcomer (still with a rider on his back). That’s usually our downfall – horses coming from all directions. Remy jumped around a bit but got the hang of it really quickly. He definitely loved it when he could herd all the others around. Brandt cantered him in the pasture, and Remy looked great, soft and eager, with some easy and clean flying changes to boot.

After that they went to ride along a very busy US12, it was rush hour and heavy trucks and log haulers were speeding right by. Not a problem (other than me not daring to breathe).

Fazit after the first day: Wow! Lightness and quietness, ease and results: Did we stumble upon the holy grail* of horsemanship? Let’s see how the journey continues…. Mounted police training next Wednesday!

Auf zu neuen Ufern - trying something completely new

Well, today we’ll go and try something completely new: Away from traditional dressage training and onto working with a horseman that trains the mounted police and participates in rodeos.

I was able to get a hold of Brandt* this week, and knowing how busy he is, I jumped at the opportunity when he offered me to bring Remy to his farm today. It meant rearranging our plans – and luckily Judy supports us ‘going off the reservation’. Originally the plan was to go to Waterloo next week, put the big girl pants on, and try to survive the warm up ring. I have to admit that it doesn’t break my heart to sit that one out.

In talking with Brandt we established a plan of him working Remy  in the round pen amidst his horses, and then moving it out to other areas. Remy is also slated for training with the mounted police (i.e. getting used to gun shots, fireworks, formations). If all goes according to plan, any show ground, crowded warm up area, blaring speakers should be a piece of cake!

It’s exciting, but I’m also quite nervous. Yesterday on NPR I listened to a report about parents immersing their children in other cultures: Mono-lingual English speaking parents sending their kids to a Kindergarten where the only language used is Mandarin.  Guess it will be similar for Remy - he will have his very own ‘cultural immersion’!


*Brandt Clark, Professional Horseman, www.brandtclark.com

Not much of a 'welcome back' - the footing hates me!

Well, the trip to Europe was great. I had never been to Turin before and I discovered a very charming city and met some lovely people. Paris, of course, what can I say? Je t'aime! Then Stuttgart, where I had a wonderful time with my parents and friends. JP was holding down the fort at home, managing the contractor plus shepherding a multitude of workers pounding away on our addition / remodeling project. All the while taking care of all the critters, and -oops- getting bumped off Chambord (but that one he tried to brush off lightly).


After the trip I had some days off and was hoping I could arrange for some sessions with Brandt, the horseman that had offered during our first phone call to help me work on Remy's issues. Alas, so far, no luck tracking him down.


However, the real bummer came when I was all pumped up to go back to my lessons at Judy's: The new footing received another ingredient based on shredded athletic shoes while I was gone. Just walking into the indoor made me gasp for air - and I wasn't even on Remy yet. It went downhill from there, with me fighting for every breath and coughing. What now??


Off I went to buy a case of face masks, and showed up stylishly made up, sporting a face mask (a certain entertainer comes to mind) to my next lesson. I got very hot and sweaty under the mask, and my lungs hurt afterwards. On the bright side, though, I had a great ride. Go figure. Actually, that's exactly it: I figured out that Remy needed to be quickly and honestly in front of my leg and on the aids as I just didn't have the breath to push and cajole him into work.


So yes, thank you, Footing: You helped me figure something very valuable out. But you better air out, settle down, whatever, pronto! - because otherwise I won't be able to hang out with you.

Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel - through a different approach

Well, we lived to tell the tale of another Waterloo! Got there, noticed that they added another arena – just where Remy and I had our unfortunate parting. It used to be a warm up arena, now it’s for competition. Awesome, let’s scratch this one off my list. And that’s just what I did, went to the show office and asked if they could stick me anywhere else but there. OK, at a lower level,  but with a goal of “stay on and in” not an issue.

Remy freaked out in the warm up, he also had an “unfortunate, unexcused exit” and thus got himself and Judy eliminated. Saturday I made it around, barely, and by Sunday it took about all I had to ride this test. Scores were so-so, 60s, we can definitely do better.

It was just all pretty emotional, and I really question if this is really what I want to do. No fun, only stress. Yes, after a year I finally made it through not one but two tests at Waterloo, but it left me empty – exhausted, frustrated, and questioning why in the world am I doing this (dressage shows).

It’s a good thing that I’m leaving for Europe on Saturday, it gives me a break and time to consider the next steps. Actually, the next steps are lined up:  Glenda recommended a horseman, Brandt, that helped with her young horse. I spoke with him yesterday and was quite encouraged. Remy needs to get over his issues mainly in the warmup. Brandt trains the Mounted Police, so he offered for Remy to participate. Also, Remy might go to the Rodeo! No, not as a bucking bronc, but as the flag horse. Brandt announces rodeos and also gallops with the flag at the opening. Who knows, perhaps one day it will be me??

Sharpening one tool - and digging out another one

Well, Remy’s “tool” –aka his saddle- needed to be ‘sharpened’ yet again. It’s only been three months since the last adjustment, but I felt that the saddle was off. It seemed too low in the back and I had a hard time keeping my legs in the correct position. So, Luanne to the rescue. Luckily she was able to fit us into her busy schedule rather quickly. And I was right: Luanne measured Remy and confirmed that his shoulders grew wider, hence putting the saddle out of alignment. Not only the saddle, me, too! So – some tree tweaking and flocking adjustments and we are back in business.

The other tool I am referring to is something I have neglected, and I really do not know why. It’s the one-rein stop. It just hit me the other day that the trusted one-rein stop (honed by years of riding Saumur) would help me get my confidence back in dicey situations with Remy. To quote Buck Brannaman:

“In order for you to advance, you have to do this without a problem. This will be absolutely necessary for you to do…If you can’t walk, trot, and canter and then stop with a one-rein stop, then you ought to practice every chance you get….It ought to be something that you would bet your life on.”

You need the skill and confidence to NOT constrain a horse when it bolts or panics.

So I have been throwing some practice one-rein stops into the training mix, and I am really happy that I dug out that old and trusted tool again.

To close with another Buck quote:

“Don’t be a victim. Be busy with your horse so you stay out of trouble – otherwise, trouble will come and find you. Be assertive, but don’t be aggressive, if you are aggressive you’ll make the horse flighty. The horse needs perimeters like anyone else. Give them guidance, support, rules. The same rules. Don’t change the game, don’t let them have excuses just because of their past.. and love them.”

Plan your ride - ride your plan

OK, that’s pretty much plagiarized from the old foxhunting mantra “Plan your Hunt – Hunt your Plan”. Still, gotta have a plan – and my plan is very easy: Keep my hind end in the saddle!

Saumur has had me well trained over the years. I have been riding more or less in a modified two-point position, not willing to put my (whopping) weight into the saddle for fear of upsetting Saumur. As soon as he spooked I became even lighter in the saddle, so as not to disturb him. Not sure where that logic came from – certainly not from a dressage book or instructor.

With Remy it is really important that he feels me firm and steady in the saddle as it gives him confidence. With Judy’s help I’ve been working hard on improving my position and it’s coming together now. No (especially undeserved) flattery from Jude, so I was really happy when she commented yesterday “you have always been a pretty rider, but now you are an effective one”. Hohes Lob aus berufenem Munde! That made me really happy.

Plan my ride: Keeping my butt firmly glued to the saddle. Ride my plan: Someone better be ready to pluck me off afterwards!

 

I'm working on my head - and some interesting conversations

“Working on my head” means addressing the bouts of anxiety I am still experiencing. Flashbacks to being thrown, to be precise. I am embarrassed to admit it, after all, there are people breaking bones or worse and get on with it. From a rational standpoint I know very well that it was a freak accident, but my mind doesn’t seem to be convinced. Enter Julie, certified Hypnotherapist. She had helped me in the past and so I booked another session. If nothing else (not to diminish her talents in any way!) I always leave deeply relaxed.

After the session we chatted a bit and Julie offered to come to our place and treat Remy also. I was rather skeptical, to be honest. Hypnotherapy I can grasp and see where it helps – but talking with a horse? Nevertheless, I thought it can’t hurt, and so Remy had his session.

It was really interesting to see how he reacted, I had him loose on a leadrope in the barn and Julie was sitting in a chair in front of him. Remy didn’t move, but I could see how his ears were going back and forth showing that he was indeed engaged in some non-verbal communication. He was relaxed the entire time, deeply sighing. Julie said she could feel that he has the biggest heart ever, Remy wants to please, and that he is a real sweetheart.

So.. how did the conversation go? Well, Remy communicated that he felt really shocked and guilty about what happened and that his biggest fear is  that “he gets send away again”. Now, that is interesting. I never told Julie about his past. Remy was sold as a six month old and got shipped from California to Montana. From there he was sold as a three year old and subsequently had to travel across the country to get to us. Remy also mentioned that he doesn’t always like his work (hah!), it is sometimes too constraining and he likes to be free. Hmm… buddy, wouldn’t we all like this!

Still, I take the hints: We’ll make sure the work is appropriate, the playtime is ample – and yes, it is a lifetime commitment for both of us. So, where’s my ring? J