An Epiphany!!!!

So I've been reading up on lots of different approaches to training and relationship building with our equine companions.  Having learned my lesson that jumping on a single bandwagon no matter what even if your horse rejects said bandwagon does NOT work, I've decided to amalgamate some of the ideas that work with the philosophies that are milling about in my head these days.  Lately, I've been reading a lot about Carolyn Resnick Horsemanship from the Ground Up and her Ueberstreichen Exercises. I must admit, part of the interest is that it is great fun to SAY I am learning the Ueberstreichen Exercises, lol.  These exercises, according to Carolyn,
"...can be used on all horses no matter what level of training they have received. The purpose of the exercise are to enhance the forward expression of the horse’s gaits. They improve collected and extended gaits by giving the horse the ability to perform with ease. They support the horse’s way of going by removing locked muscles while simultaneously schooling the horse to respond correctly to rein and leg aids."  I am interested in these exercises because they are a way for me to focus my work from the ground (if you've read earlier entries, you'll know I was "grounded" with a tailbone injury in November). There is too much information to go into details here, but I encourage you to read up on them here: Intro to Uberstreichen

So last night, I went out to see Merle after work.  I went out and greeted her with neck scratches (her favorite so far) and cleaned out her hooves.  I observed silently from the ground for a bit settling in on my haunches...this made Merle wander over my way to ask just what the heck mom was doing on the ground!!!  After a bit of socializing, I put on her halter in prep to do some experimenting with uberstreichen.  We played a bit with having her stand on her own after I walked away, and following me on a very loose rein, stopping and changing direction whenever I did.  Then...we tried the first proper exercise.  In the first exercise, you stand in front of your horse, and loosely grasping on either side of the halter, gently ask for them to lower their heads and return to neutral.  The COOLEST thing happened - the minute I started moving her head, Merle gets this totally blissful look in her eyes. I think I have just discovered her relaxation button!!!!  I disconnected from the exercises, walked around with her and tried again.  She blissed out again!  I did this three or four times to make sure it wasn't a fluke... I can't wait to go out again and continue working with her.

Until then I leave you with this thought...

The eyes are windows to our souls...in the eyes of my friend I have found peace

oops - fell off the bandwagon a bit!

Alright, so the New Year has gotten off to a bit of a slow start...I was hoping to blog at least every couple of weeks, and here it is a whole month gone by with no word from me!

I spent a lovely 4 days out on "the farm" house/horse/dog/cat sitting for Hil while she was out of town.  It was a MUCH needed break from the chaos of my life in the city and it was a nice way to be able help out when needed.  The solitude of not having the phone ring, no cable, a good book and great animal companionship was just what the doctor ordered.  Things have been hectic in the final stages of our new home construction and it was lovely just to disengage from that for a bit.

There is something absolutely magical about being welcomed by the horses in the pasture first thing in the morning.  My first day of morning barn chores dawned with unseasonably mild temperatures - even the wind was warm!  I stumbled out of bed, bleary eyed and sleepy and threw some clothes on.  Out to the garage - aka the feed house - to prepare the chop mixture and then out to feed the kids.  The soft nickers of welcome "hey how ya doin' mom? what's that - breakfast? why, I don't mind if I do" were heartwarming.  I know they were mostly happy because of breakfast, but I can pretend I had something to do with it too :)  It was such a surreal and calm morning that I really did not want to go to work...I somehow managed to drag myself away. 

The weekend, which was supposed to be mild and no snow, turned out to be the beginning of one of those FANtastic Manitoba storms.  It involved trudging through near blizzard conditions, knocking ice chunks from manes and tails, and scaring the "boogeyman" (ordinarily known as snow falling off the barn roof) away for the night.  It was damp as well, so for Merle it was a multiple sheet change as I apparently need to get her something a little more water proof... guess what the next paycheque is heading for?

Hoping it warms up - our playtime this weekend might be pretty short...

until next time :)