Lucy's Parelli Journey

Wednesday 14 January 2009

Due to lack of health, time and having to go to mandatory appointments such as dentist, doctors etc. I haven't been able to spend much time with Lily. Not to mention the weather has been dismal, but then again it is January. My health seems relative to the 'chicken and egg' syndrome at times; is it because I'm ill that I can't play or is it because I can't play that I'm ill?

In any case she was right where I left her, after I'd hayed both of them and done the fence, I walked back up the field to get my equipment. She thought that because I was walking towards her that I wanted her to catch me then and there so I humoured her, she left her hay and had a nice expression on her face but she was dragging her heels. I fed her a treat, rubbed her neck then carried on walking. When I came back, this time holding my ropehalter and 12ft line, she was much more enthusiastic to catch me which was nice.
I didn't do anything too mentally, emotionally and physically taxing for the both of us although my main plan was to continue bettering the driving game so that she responds rather than reacts. After a few minor-explosive reactions, I thought about my phases and how loud or quiet they would be to other horses. Was my phase 1 really a phase 1 or had I assumed she wouldn't respond to it before I'd even tried? Was my body language implying for her to go forwards or to go around?
So, although it seems common sense now, I experimented to see how little it took for her to yield her FQ away from me. I remembered in Fran's blog she had said there were phases within the phases and I realised that what was the standard driving phase 1 taught in the Parelli levels packs turned out to be way too much for Lily already. After about 5 minutes of testing the waters I found that all I had to do was tap the air with my index finger, that was enough and then some! To make sure she didn't get away from me too quickly as I asked her to yield, I played plenty of friendly to get her to stop. At first she thought I was trying to kill her by moving so quickly but then afterwards, although there was no obvious licking and chewing, it got easier.

We also continued with our driving from zone 5 and she has been great on the left side but hadn't picked up the follow the rein pattern on the right. Sometimes it seemed like she had but she was scoring points when I had to get out of zone 5 to drive her then go back to zone 5. So today I played with my carrot-stick and she got the idea a lot better but then I realised that what phases I had been using to ask her to move forwards were difficult to do when holding a carrot-stick, she soon caught on and only did a few steps then quit. At that point, I wondered if most of her negativity towards the carrot-stick was because I'm not very co-ordinated when carrying/using it. Hmm, how interesting! :)

posted by Lucy at 10:33 pm -

2 Comments:

At 15 January 2009 at 18:53, Katie Hufton said…

"phases within phases."

-remembers;licks;chews-

I love how things resurface just when you need them!

Love you, Lucegoose. Can't wait for you to get your ring in the mail x: IT'S SENT! ;D <3<3<3

Oh, btw. The irony here is strong! My word verification for this comment is equis! Lol!
At 16 January 2009 at 13:53, Anonymous said…

its amazing how sensitive she is!

"phases within phases" thats a little saying that's like engraved in my head. Its a good one.

Karie

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About Me

My name is Lucy Middleton, I'm 17 years old and from the United Kingdom.
I started Parelli in January 2008 and it has been an incredible journey so far.
Pre-Parelli I did the best with what I knew but now I know better; I want to do better!
This is my blog to document my progress as a natural horseman.

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Lily

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The Philosophy

It's not about disposable horses; it's about relationships for life.
It's not about quick fixes and artificial aids, it's about savvy; true understanding and expertise.
It's not about winning and others losing; It's about win-win: you and the horse need to feel good.
It's not about me me me; It's about changing the world for horses, becoming a person of knowledge and influence, and sharing what you know.
It's not about fear and doubt; It's about unconditional love and trust.
Love for the empowerment of others and trust that you'll never ask the horse to do something that would hurt or diminish his dignity.

Reveal your horse. Discover your potential. Live your dream.

-Parelli