Last night, a group of us girls went to listen to Dominique Barbier speak. This man is a master of classical dressage and now resides in California. He is up here conducting a 3 day clinic and last night he graciously shared some of his insight with regard to training and showing horses.
20 years ago, a friend recommended I read his book "Dressage For The New Age". This book shares his philosophies and training techniques. While I enjoyed the book, it was way over my head and I took very little away to use in my daily horse life. For some reason, this past fall, I dug it out and decided read it again. What a difference 20 years makes - I only wish I hadn't waited so long. Reminds me of the old adage; "when the student is ready, the teacher will come". It totally makes sense to me now. Much of Dominique's philosophy focuses on the mental and emotional aspect of being with our horses. 20 years ago, I wanted the technical know how of being with a horse.
It would have been wonderful to go audit the clinic and watch him work one-on-one with folks and their horses. Alas, it is impossible to do everything.
I took my old book with me to have him autograph it and learned that because mine was an original version (he has issued updated versions since), it is now a collectable and worth around $450.00.
Here's to being inspired!
Tovie
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Did I Mention I LOVE DEXTER!
This past week has been very hectic - not to mention frigid; and so Dexter and I haven't been able to play as much as I'd like. Nevertheless, every visit, no matter how brief, improves our relationship. Thursday, he was very frisky and playful however, I still felt he was connected to me the entire time I spent with him; all 10 minutes before I froze.
He is giving me his front feet nicely now and stays very relaxed and easy to be around.
Just goes to show that we don't have to put in 2 hour power sessions to get consistent results with our horses. Even a little time on a regular basis can make a huge difference.
Tovie & Dexter
He is giving me his front feet nicely now and stays very relaxed and easy to be around.
Just goes to show that we don't have to put in 2 hour power sessions to get consistent results with our horses. Even a little time on a regular basis can make a huge difference.
Tovie & Dexter
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Playing With Dexter's Feet
Every day I have spent with Dexter since last Thursday has seen significant improvement. It is wonderful to see him so friendly and relaxed. Haltering is becoming more of a non-issue. I still haven't attached the lead line but haven't even needed it. The harmony and synchronization I feel with him as we move around the pasture is a beautiful thing.
Anyone who knows me will attest that I am foot (hoof) obsessed. Dexter hasn't been trimmed for quite some time. Since I do my own trimming, it is important for me to help him get comfortable giving me his feet. During one of our early get-togethers, Dexter wouldn't even let me touch his leg without darting away. I have been using TTouch on Dexter and have seen a steady improvement in his acceptance of being touched.
Yesterday I was able to do TTouch down his entire leg, right to the coronet band, so I started asking him to pick up his foot. Initially he would pick it up to step away but I would click and reward just as his foot started to shift back. Very quickly, he was gently handing me both front feet. It was important that I release his foot before he felt the need to pull it away from me. What many folks don't realize is how scary it can be for a horse to give us a foot. As prey animals, they rely on their legs, feet, and balance to run from predators. We shouldn't take for granted the trust it takes for our horse to surrender a foot to us - they are essentially giving up their ability to escape if they perceive danger.
There is no question it would make my life so much easier if Dexter were home with me. However, for the time being, I have stopped focusing on bringing him home. Our property is extremely icey so it is not a great environment to be introducing Dexter to the "Boys" - especially while they sort out the pecking order. Not to mention trailer loading to get him home. Andrea has graciously agreed to let him stay until it is safe to move him.
Thanks Andrea,
Tovie and Dexter
Anyone who knows me will attest that I am foot (hoof) obsessed. Dexter hasn't been trimmed for quite some time. Since I do my own trimming, it is important for me to help him get comfortable giving me his feet. During one of our early get-togethers, Dexter wouldn't even let me touch his leg without darting away. I have been using TTouch on Dexter and have seen a steady improvement in his acceptance of being touched.
Yesterday I was able to do TTouch down his entire leg, right to the coronet band, so I started asking him to pick up his foot. Initially he would pick it up to step away but I would click and reward just as his foot started to shift back. Very quickly, he was gently handing me both front feet. It was important that I release his foot before he felt the need to pull it away from me. What many folks don't realize is how scary it can be for a horse to give us a foot. As prey animals, they rely on their legs, feet, and balance to run from predators. We shouldn't take for granted the trust it takes for our horse to surrender a foot to us - they are essentially giving up their ability to escape if they perceive danger.
There is no question it would make my life so much easier if Dexter were home with me. However, for the time being, I have stopped focusing on bringing him home. Our property is extremely icey so it is not a great environment to be introducing Dexter to the "Boys" - especially while they sort out the pecking order. Not to mention trailer loading to get him home. Andrea has graciously agreed to let him stay until it is safe to move him.
Thanks Andrea,
Tovie and Dexter
Saturday, February 12, 2011
WOO HOO - Dexter is Back with me.
As you could probably tell from my last entry, I was pretty discouraged about how Dexter and I digressed last weekend. The feeling continued throughout the early part of the week. So much so that I started thinking I wasn't the right person to help Dexter find his way to becoming a safe, reliable equine partner. Once again, he surprised me, and we've been back on track since Thursday.
As excited as I am about getting him home, it is more important that he unlearns his habit of being hard to catch and halter. Since Thursday, all I have asked of Dexter is that he accept the halter willingly. Whenever Dexter would take his typical step back when I approached him to put the halter on, I immediately walked away from him and waited for him to come back to my shoulder. By consistently doing this, each visit has taken less time and he is starting to halter very willingly; better yet, he thinks it was his idea. Every time he accepts the halter well, he gets scritched and treats and tons of loving.
Once I have the halter on him, it takes every ounce of restraint not to attach the lead rope and start doing some ground work. My gut feeling however, is to just let him enjoy being haltered without having to go to work in any way.
Yesterday, I jogged around the pasture and my beautiful boy stayed right on my shoulder - walking and trotting and stopping instantly with me. To me that was far more rewarding than getting the lead rope on him because he was offering this gift to me on his own.
WOO HOO from Tovie & Dexter!
As excited as I am about getting him home, it is more important that he unlearns his habit of being hard to catch and halter. Since Thursday, all I have asked of Dexter is that he accept the halter willingly. Whenever Dexter would take his typical step back when I approached him to put the halter on, I immediately walked away from him and waited for him to come back to my shoulder. By consistently doing this, each visit has taken less time and he is starting to halter very willingly; better yet, he thinks it was his idea. Every time he accepts the halter well, he gets scritched and treats and tons of loving.
Once I have the halter on him, it takes every ounce of restraint not to attach the lead rope and start doing some ground work. My gut feeling however, is to just let him enjoy being haltered without having to go to work in any way.
Yesterday, I jogged around the pasture and my beautiful boy stayed right on my shoulder - walking and trotting and stopping instantly with me. To me that was far more rewarding than getting the lead rope on him because he was offering this gift to me on his own.
WOO HOO from Tovie & Dexter!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Dexter and I Weren't Ready
Since my last post, Dexter and I have been doing really well. I am starting to ask more of him and he is responding beautifully. He usually has an initial reaction to something new but then once he figures it out, he settles right in.
It was my intention to move Dexter home this weekend but it wasn't meant to be. I was not in a good frame of mind when I got there, and Dexter could obviously sense it. For the first time since I've been able to halter him, he wouldn't let me. Inside I was smiling because I knew he was feeling and responding to my tension.
It is disappointing when things don't go according to plan, especially when you've wasted someone else's time and effort.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Tovie and Dexter
It was my intention to move Dexter home this weekend but it wasn't meant to be. I was not in a good frame of mind when I got there, and Dexter could obviously sense it. For the first time since I've been able to halter him, he wouldn't let me. Inside I was smiling because I knew he was feeling and responding to my tension.
It is disappointing when things don't go according to plan, especially when you've wasted someone else's time and effort.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Tovie and Dexter
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Asking More of Dexter
I missed getting out to see Dexter during the bitter cold snap we had recently. Thankfully, the worst is over and we're back on track. Tuesday afternoon, I arrived right at feeding time so wasn't sure what to expect. Dexter came right over and allowed me to halter him. Even though he was somewhat distracted by the feed, he led up nicely and moved his shoulders and hips on both sides - a brief 10 minutes turned into another productive visit.
When Gord and I figured out how much actual time I am spending with Dexter, it turns out that the average visit has been 20 minutes in duration. It is surprising to see how much can be accommplished in a short amount of time.
Yesterday, I led him into a separate pasture to get him away from his buddies. He is leading up much better and only balks occasionally and not as long. I just wait him out and give him a chance to want to be with me and he hasn't let me down yet.
My goal was to start sending him in small circles around me. Initially, he was wary of my horseman's stick and became quite reactive. It was important that I not let go of him because he has already learned that he can run off. Unfortunately, at one point I clumsily dropped the rope while he was standing quietly and when I calmly went to retrieve it, he startled and ran off. Needless to say, I was kicking myself for being so awkward. The exciting result was, that after he ran around the pasture a couple of times, he came trotting right back to me and we carried on as if nothing had happened.
We ended the 1/2 hour session with Dexter calmly departing at a walk in both directions.
Horses typically let you know what they thought of their previous experience by how they respond the second time. I can't wait to get out there this afternoon to see where he's at.
Dexter is a very forgiving teacher!
Tovie & Dexter
When Gord and I figured out how much actual time I am spending with Dexter, it turns out that the average visit has been 20 minutes in duration. It is surprising to see how much can be accommplished in a short amount of time.
Yesterday, I led him into a separate pasture to get him away from his buddies. He is leading up much better and only balks occasionally and not as long. I just wait him out and give him a chance to want to be with me and he hasn't let me down yet.
My goal was to start sending him in small circles around me. Initially, he was wary of my horseman's stick and became quite reactive. It was important that I not let go of him because he has already learned that he can run off. Unfortunately, at one point I clumsily dropped the rope while he was standing quietly and when I calmly went to retrieve it, he startled and ran off. Needless to say, I was kicking myself for being so awkward. The exciting result was, that after he ran around the pasture a couple of times, he came trotting right back to me and we carried on as if nothing had happened.
We ended the 1/2 hour session with Dexter calmly departing at a walk in both directions.
Horses typically let you know what they thought of their previous experience by how they respond the second time. I can't wait to get out there this afternoon to see where he's at.
Dexter is a very forgiving teacher!
Tovie & Dexter
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