Horse related web sites

www.noworriesclub.com $19.95/month - Over 200 video's from Clinton Anderson showing
you a proven method of ground training and under
saddle training
www.eurodressage.com - Lets you know what is happening in Europe in
dressage
www.dressagedaily.com - USA dressage happenings
www.ultimatedressage.com - Forum for questions on dressage, vet, trailering...
www.hsdsmaui.org - Maui Dressage club web site. Calendar of events.
www.dressagenewsnetwork.com - New live streaming Dressage news.
www.fei.org
www.usdf.org
www.usef.org
www.dressageclinic.com $24.95-$34.95/mo Dressage Trainers via video feed.

Rupert in Main Arena - Almost ready for a rider

Look at this face, so relaxed, standing ground tied. Thank you Clinton Anderson for all the wonderful exercises and guidance via DVD and your http://www.noworriesclub.com/. I could not have gotten to this point this quickly. I think back to him dragging me across the property 2 months ago. Out of control, whinnying for his mom. Un-weaned,BIG and Dangerous! OMG what do I do.
Today he had not been in the main arena in weeks. He went in, I saddled him without incident. He was lunged and changed directions with a hint of body movement, disengaged to stop. He then backed and stood waiting for me. I stood on the mounting block on both sides and laid on him. Whirled the whip over his head and around his sides. He backed to light pressure on his nose. Put his head down to the ground w/ light pressure. Moved his hips away w/ light pressure. Moved his forehand 360 around his HQ. Moved his HQ 360 around his forehand. I ran up to him from all different directions with out spooking. Touched his nose to his side. Flicked fingers in his face. Hung off his side. desensitized w/ whip. What a good boy. I think he is almost ready for a rider.

PS He still is spooky w/ the plastic bags. I can get it within a foot of his body now though. But now that I have them flapping on the ground in the round pen he is getting more used to them.

Swine flu strikes

Yes, I got the swine flu and was down for a week. No riding :( Just lay around and watch Horse video's. I watched the entire Clinton Anderson Colt starting, Road to the Horse, Flying changes and Mindy. and in the mail I got the noworriesclub.com foal DVD. I think this is nearly 30 hours of video's. Watch out Rupert!
Linda and Jessica came over to practice prior to the show Aug 1&2. I waved at them from the house and snapped a few pictures. It was blowing a gale all week and on Friday it was threatening rain. Everyone had fun at the show. Linda's first Training level tests 1&2 with Bambino (cantering yeah) 62% Brandi and I'Claire First Level 1 &2 2nd place 64% able to maintain the lead in the canter serpentine ( she wants to do a flying change)

Jessica and Elroy Training 3-4 62% Peter and Zoe Tr 1 62% Jackie and Makani First Level.

* Look at Kimo- Looking good "stud muffin" - at 33 years old. The QH just keeps going.

Mid July- Colt Starting Progress- PLASTIC BAGS ARE ALIENS

I was just about to put the surcingle on Rupert when I happened to watch a Clinton Anderson TV show about spooky objects and introducing the plastic bag. Clinton said he never got on a colt unless they were desensitized to the plastic bag. I am sure glad I saw that video because Rupert is having a " COW", as in big black and white Jersey Cow, over the bags. I have spent all week working on it and only yesterday did he touch it with his nose. I still can not get it any where near his body. Geeze he is sensitive. If the water issue was scary. This is magnatude 10 X more scary.
I thought I better order Clinton Andersons Colt starting DVDs because I would not want to leave a important step out. His TV shows do not show the actually saddling and I have heard mention surcingle and boat bumpers. So The DVDs are on their way.
PLASTIC BAGS ARE GOING TO EAT ME!!!
Hooh man - the first day he was snorting and trying to dash left and right. All I did was hold the handy stick( with 2 bags on the end of it) in front of me and try to lead him behind me. The correct way to introduce a spooky object is to have it retreat from the horse per Clinton Anderson. It is not a threat when it is going away from the horse. I worked in the round pen for an hour. Low energy first desensitizing, doing some lunging for respect then backing and turning the HQ and 4 hand. Then following the bags. I got to the point I could wave the bags in front of me from Left to right. I was beginning to wonder if I was doing it right but I just thought I cant quite while he is uptight, he has got to relax. Granted it was quite breezy causing the bags to whip around.
The next day was equally as difficult with the bags. Tight frog lips or as CA says "Fish Butt". Lips so tight they are water proof like a fish's butt. Another hour of work. But I was able to lead from both the right side and left side. He is definitely not wanting me on his right side. It is more spooky when I am on his right side. He did take off a few times and get away from me in the round pen when I was on the right. Snort, snort, big boinking steps but he would disengage and stop facing me.
Day 3 Much better today. And the wind has died down so the bags are not whipping on their own so much. I could wave the bags L and R. Change directions and eyes much better. But he still has his "Frog lips" lips tight together, a little anxious about the bags. I did manage to finally walk backwards with the bag between me and him and wave it R and L. He was snorting and more unsure. Head down taking tentative steps and weaving right to left. Not able to hide behind me! Finally I was able to stop. Hold the stick up and while holding the bags he actually sniffed and lipped the bags.
Day 4 - The Plastic Bags are AWOL -Rupert had someone hide the bags. I can not find the stick and bags. They are gone. Did a big dirt devil whirl them away to OZ? OK Pony's return the bags! Rupert is happy! With a dark horizon, rainbow and immanent rain: we hurried up and just worked on putting his head down to pressure on the poll region. This is for ease of bridling. We worked on introducing moving his HQ away from constant pressure which he did very well. He doesn't mind a rope around his barrel pulled tight. He can have the saddle blanket over his head, neck and back with out any problem.
Approaching another week, making slow but steady progress when compared to where we were on June 1st. I just have to put it in perspective, compare it to the start and be patient.
One thing I have learned is to make sure he has front protective boots and bell boots on. I didn't when I first started working him because he was too spooky. I put them on at 2 weeks of work. As I led him off the tie rail he was taking big high steps with his front feet. He almost ran me over because he was looking at them with his right eye and spooking left into me on a circle. He had just enough round pen work to remain in control and not run me over but it was close. Sure glad I had them on for the plastic bag work though. His legs were hitting the round pen pipes as he frantically dashed around.
This week I also learned to never be with out my Handy stick. I had tied the plastic bags to my Handy stick, but when working on the other exercises I was just using the lead rope. He darted off and kicked out at me when the stick and bags outside the RP rattled and scared him. Thus I put the plastic bags on a old shortened lunge whip so I could have my Handy stick available.
* PS: I wear my helmet during all this ground work and always when riding.

First Week of July - Ruperts Log

Great strides this week! Every day 1-2 new things are introduced. Really scary this week was the whip whizzing thought the air over his head. Also me climbing on the RP top panel resulted in lots of snorting and spooking. But by day 2 of these new things he was calm.
He has been working on the sending exercise on line,backing, turn on the forehand, turn on haunches. Whip in figure eight while standing facing him and on each side. Leading, following the running water hose. Usually after 2 days off I put him off line in the Round pen initially and work on turning and some cantering.
On the 4th of July with fireworks popping in the back ground he worked well. Attentive and not afraid. I was able to Jump up and down holding onto his withers and back and really get some height with my torso bumping into him.
Yeah! And the big one - Rupert had his chest and neck hosed down with water while he was slurping the hose. Thanks Clinton Anderson.
We might not be putting the saddle on in a few days like Clinton but I am really happy with the month of work under our belt. I am thinking of laying on him this week but he is so tall I don't know if I can jump up. I need a leg up.
Sorry for the lack of photo's but it is a little challenging to work him with a camera in hand :)

Clinton Anderson and a supple horse

I watched Clinton Anderson's advanced ground work and riding. It blew me away. In the ground work the horse is totally obedient and quick. Crossing fluidly demonstrating a remarkable relationship between horse and rider. Wow I want to do that. Similarly under saddle he is basically demonstrating leg yield, half pass, tempi changes, backing, pirouettes, turn on the 4 hand and turn on the haunches... all dressage movements and all very fluid. It made me realise my older horses all need improved suppleness and submission. Don't get me wrong, Kalae is a awesome horse but she could be better. The reason I am having trouble with my flying changes will be solved with improved suppleness and submission. I need to ask for more fluidity. I have started all my horses back to the beginning of ground work using the Clinton Anderson method.
The herd:
Freesia wont back up reliably and drops her shoulder in toward the person on the ground. She pulls back when tied up and doesnt tie.
Freederic has a very stiff neck and is difficult to bend. He is sensitive but could be quicker off the leg.
Divine needs to be more supple laterally.
Kalae needs improved fluidity and suppleness in lateral work. Fine tuning for more submission in transitions. More collection and control of 4 hand and HQ for improved flying changes.
Rupert is just in the colt starting stage.
Darlene needs respect on the ground. She tends to mow you over.
Pueo is very timid and can use desensitizing.

One Rein Stop - Every rider needs to know this!

I went trail riding with Linda and Bambino a few weeks ago. Linda has introduced me to Clinton Anderson. At the end of the ride, as we came out of the pineapple field and approached my house, my herd all ran to the road. It wouldn't have been so bad if they just stopped but they slammed on the brakes, rolled back, bucked, squealed and took off. Kalae and Bambino bolted forward on the asphalt. Linda instantly grabbed mane with one hand and applied a one rein stop effectively planting her Clyde in place. Mean while we bolted forward, head high, not yielding to the reins but stopped after 30 feet because Kalae is a awesome horse.

Well I saw the video on the one-rein stop just a few days ago. Clinton shows how you practice sliding a hand 2/3 the way down the rein. You just ride around, slide left hand, slide right hand so it is second nature. From the halt slide the left hand and bring it to your hip, bringing the head around, release and do it again. Then do the right rein.  Then try at the walk. I practice this on Kalae 13 yo and Freederic. 10 yo.

It really helps with Freederic because he wont stop. This is the one thing I have been working on for a few months. I ride him toward the fence and do a down transition so the fence helps. He is too stiff in the neck and he sets his jaw when you try to stop. The one rein stop has worked wonders. He is a really huge guy at 17h and when he spooks and darts off in just a few strides you are across the arena. I actually shut down a spook. Yipee.

Every rider needs to know the one-rein stop. It is just amazing no one has taught me this after 30+ years riding. This is what I love about horses. I am always learning, there is so much to learn. It is so exciting to have this new opportunity to train a youngster.

Scared to death of that water hose - amazing result

Rupert is scared to death of the water hose. I have tried to sponge bathe his neck and front legs over the years but it has not worked. For sure I can not get a hose near him.

I saw the video of Clinton Anderson about introducing a scary object. You put your plastic bag on the end of the handy stick and walk straight forward with the stick pointing in front of you, leading the horse behind you. The scary object isn't scary when it is going away from the horse. So I did this with the hose, turned it on and walked forward with it in a big circle. Within just minutes he was trying to touch the water with his nose. He didn't mind the hose dragging along behind him. It was so simple and totally amazing.

June 7-13 Rupert's Progress

Worried start, blasting around - More relaxed in top photo at the end

I put Rupert in the round pen "off the line"and followed the steps in Clinton's First episode #1.

#1 Get him to go in one direction.

#2 Then Get him to turn to the inside

#3 Get him next to turn consistently to the inside

#4 Follow and look at you with 2 eyes

Well as you know he isn't weaned. So mom is whinnying 20 feet away, He is flying around the arena, trying to stop and turn when he gets half way to the far side. After about 5-10 minutes he starts to not stop and goes all the way around. He goes well to the Left (more comfortable side) so that's all I do on Day 1. On Day 2 we start off line going to the Left. He is still calling and Mom is racing back and forth along the fence. Rupert is looking out at his mom. He settles slightly quicker and I get some turns to the inside. I do get him to go reliably to the right. Good boy

Day 3 I try to lead him but he puts his head up, prances ahead of me dragging me back toward his mom. Yup that was intimidating. I didn't find the CA video about that until a few days later and the solution is so simple. Just walk in a small circle until his feet quiet down. Wow I have been handling horses 30 years and no one taught me that.Day 4 Big break through he did everything like a dream and stopped, gave me 2 eyes and took a step forward.

I Worked for 2 days so Rupert got a break.

Day 7 : Nightmare on Elms street: Sweaty all over and totally blowing me off, not licking and chewing, not giving me 2 eyes. I cant just stop and reward this disrespect. I keep hearing Clinton's voice, "I canter them right off because it just all takes so much longer if you don't." So I am having him go, change directions and I keep trying to stop and offer him the chance to stop moving but he is looking out and concerned about his mom. After 45 minutes he finally licks and chews and sort of comes to me. Hummm I had better stop here, he is a baby and out of shape and I don't want to blow any tendons.

Yes at 4 yo he is a 16.2h warmblood. They do not stop growing until they are 5.5-6 yo which is why I have waited until he is 4. Research has found TB and QH joints are closed at 3 yo, Warmblood joints close at 4 yo and WB/TB cross's at 3.5 yo.

Clinton Anderson - "No worries club"

I am excited to have found www.noworriesclub.com. This gives me access to all Clinton Anderson's TV shows ( 200 episodes) on ground training and colt starting via my computer. I just watched show #1 -3. It is a progressive series which is exactly what Rupert and I need. Now I can see what Linda was telling me. There are forums, articles and you get a discount on his shop. I am always amazed how the information I need finds me.

Rupert - advice for next step

Linda is helping Rupert and I. It has been 10 years since I backed my last batch of foals. Linda has a big half clyde mare named Bailey. Years ago when she got Bailey as a 4 yo Premarin Mare, she could barley be haltered. She worked her on the ground for years and now has a nice riding horse. Now Bailey's foal is a 5 yo colt named Bambino who Linda has worked extensively on the ground. She is up on all the different ground training methods and watches RFD TV video of Clinton Anderson.
She had recommended that Ruperts initial round pen work be on the lunge line. This worked very well. My previous foals (8 of them) all went into the Round pen w/o a line attached and worked free. The big difference is they had all been weaned. They learned to turn to the outside, turn to the inside and joining up. Back then I was very fortunate to be introduced to a young man from Colorado named Tyler McCann. I had just returned from visiting my sister in England. While we where camping one of her friends daughters was reading a book by Monty Roberts. "What you haven't heard of Monty Roberts?" There I was in Scotland sitting by Loch Linne reading a fascinating story. Wow it made so much sense. I had been a horse person for 20+ years and I had never been introduced to this. When I got home I was telling my friend about it when her daughter who was visiting said; " My boyfriend does that. I will bring him by tomorrow." Tyler had be en raised with Ray Hunt as his mentor. He showed me so much in the few days he was on Maui that I invited him back for a clinic. Little did I know he was still in High school. A nice young man with a wonderful feel for horses. This lead me to study Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, John Lyons and Monty Roberts. This all happened around 1997-2003.

Linda advises don't forget to use your body language to send him out on the lunge. Point to the direction you want him to go. Bend forward at the waist toward his hip that you want him to go.
Wave the wand 3 times in the air over his hind quarters, If he doesn't go you tap him 3 times. Usually they will go on the first tap. If he goes well on the large circle good. If he doesn't then you make the line shorter to the middle range, if that doesn't work then you walk him on the short line just out of the kicking zone at the walk. Don't be afraid to let him know with the wand he needs to stay out of your space. The Reason is, you can not have a 1200 lb animal in your lap. He must respect your space. I am constantly having to remind Bambino to stay out of my space.

Yes I remember years ago I could not lunge Divine. She would drag me all over the arena. John Lassetter watched us for about 5 minutes, took hold of the lunge and shortened it to 15 meters and she lunged like a dream. "When you have control on the shorter circle, then you can let her out a little longer. The moment she starts dragging you around you shorten her up and put her to work."

Linda says once he lunges well, next we have to work on changing eyes. On the lunge I can send him forward along the rail, then ask to change directions, send him past me as I stand in the middle of a figure 8. I remember doing this with Tyler.

Then free work in the Round Pen
Then Trailer Loading and Unloading. He does this but has never had the doors closed or the trailer moved.