Quantum Savvy, Moreton Agency

Comfort and Release

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 22:52:00 +0000

Hi All, when you first come to the Quantum Savvy Programme, you will hear a lot about giving the horse comfort, giving it release, and that the horse learns by when release/comfort is given. The Quantum Savvy Release Focused Training(TM) Programme is founded on three key principle, 1. Horses should always have options (humans should also). 2. Horses learn by when comfort is offered (not pain). 3. Horses learn by following a progressive program (not mindless repetition) By following these three principles we are able to work with the inherent nature of our horses, we learn to read them, communicate with them, and develop confidence and trust in our horses. The interesting part of the programme is that it also teaches our horses to read us, communicate with us, and develop confidence and trust in us. This is all achievable as we learn to present option to our horse and not get offended if it chooses to walk away. We allow our horses to 'make mistakes'. In reality they are not mistakes at all, just a choice of an uncomfortable option, and soon enough, as we continue to offer and give comfort, the horse will move towards 'comfort' at the slightest ask. Horses learn by when comfort/release is given, Here is an article written by Meredith Ransley that may help you understand the concept of "Comfort and Release" better.

Comfort and Release

- By Meredith Ransley

Print This Article

If we are to achieve success with horses, its important for us to learn what motivates them and what they really need in their daily existence, as opposed to what we think they need. For predators, especially us humans, its praise, recognition and material things.

We love to be told that we've done a good job, especially to be singled out and told that we've done a good job. Even better if we get rewarded for it, a pat on the back, smiley face, gold watch! Horses on the other hand are motivated by a different set of values. When was the last time your horse wagged his tail when you told him he was a good boy?

To horses as prey animals, praise and recognition mean very little. What motivates them is to feel safe, to be comfortable and to play. Have you ever seen someone trying unsuccessfully to entice a horse with yummy carrots?

I once was asked to help someone with a float-loading problem. I went to see the horse and it certainly had a lot of fear. Although you could catch it, and the owner did ride it, to me it seemed a nervous wreck, very touchy, never relaxed and ready to flee in an instant. I played with it for a while to establish some communication on the ground and throughout the course of the morning offered it a carrot. The owner told me that there was no point as the horse didnt like carrots and had never eaten them. Sure enough, it wouldnt take the carrot.

After an hour or so we had made good progress. The horse eventually began overcoming its fears and then its curiosity started to come up. By the time I put the horse onto the float, it was starting to look confident, it had trust in me and not only did it no longer see the float as a scary thing, it now found it a great place to find comfort.

I put the horse on and off the float a few times and then just let him stand there. After he had stood on the float for 10 minutes or so I asked the owner to pass me a carrot. The owner looked very sceptical but did it anyway. Sure enough, the horse happily munched away on the carrot quite contentedly. The owner was amazed. He had owned the horse for a number of years and it had never taken a carrot or apple from his hand. I guess the horse had never felt safe or comfortable in all that time!

As incredible as it may seem, this type of story is far more common than you may think. Many, many horses live their lives feeling neither truly safe nor comfortable, let alone safe enough to want to play. Countless times I have been very fortunate to witness a horses natural curiosity, enthusiasm, play drive and personality unfold, as their owner gained more savvy and understanding and built rapport with their horse.

Horses Learn By Comfort, Not By Discomfort.

In other words, its not so much when or how you apply pressure that causes your horse to learn, but when you release the pressure. Horses love to be comfortable and will go out of their way to avoid discomfort if possible. The only over-riding factor will be if the horse feels unsafe. Then comfort becomes secondary and horses will do whatever it takes to be safe again.

Horses learn by release, or when comfort is offered. If you can show your horse where the comfort is, release the pressure as often as possible, hell go looking for it every time. This is why little girls are just as successful with horses (maybe more so) than big burly blokes. Try having an open hand on your rope or reins as often as you can. See if your horse choses to be with you when given the option or if he would rather be somewhere else. If he sees that when hes with you he finds comfort, hell choose the former. If he doesnt, he'll choose the latter.

Success with horses is not about muscling them around and making them do what we want, its about understanding them, communicating with them and letting them know when they are right by giving them comfort.

The Tack Room

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:11:00 +0000

Hi All,

One of the discussions on our student forum is about what to do with all the tack that some of us have accumulated over teh years of horse riding and competing. I can not say much towards it as my tack shed has always been rather meagre looking as I 'only' ride for pleasure and the saddles and bridles seem to be the only gear I possess, though I found that I really only use one saddle, so I have since sold two of my 4 saddles. I do still have my dressage and treeless saddle, but ...

As we study the Quantum Savvy Release Focused Training Programme we discover, that some of our tack has become surplus and is just sitting in the shed looking pretty... pretty dusty in some cases. One of our Quantum Savvy Agents has written a lovley article about her Tack Shed and I would like to share it with you all ...

My Tack Room

by Liz McLean (QS Agent Central Vic)

Isn't it amazing how we often 'assume' that what we are doing is the right thing, or how we sometimes just do things because that'swhat everyone else does!

I recently decided to clean out my tack room, as like most of us, Ihad accumulated odd bits and pieces over the last few years. What started out as a simple clean up became an inspiring example of thebenefits of Quantum Savvy.

Before I started with QS I had just started competing in various local events, and as such required specific items of tack to cover specific tasks. For my dressage training I had the compulsory lunge rope, lungeing whip, side reins and the dreaded 'pessoa' to 'make' my horse go round! Once on board of course I needed the dressage whip and the spurs, and of course leather gloves to help with my 'grip' coz you have to hold the horse in you know.

Then there was the showjumping gear- the martingale was THE most important item along side the stronger bit, the dropped noseband and the whip. Of course I had to have the body protector as you never know when the horse might run-out or refuse and just about everyone then topples off their horse.

Lastly came all the bits and pieces- various soft cotton lead ropes (they never last), nylon headstalls (ugh!) of various colors with dodgy buckles, different reins for more grip, different types of gloves for more grip, set of spurs, several different bits and even a medieval looking anti-cribbing collar!!!

I sat and looked at all this 'stuff,' all these contraptions and suddenly realized that I didn't need ANY of them!!! All these items were ways of FORCING my horse to do what I wanted, most of the time asking him to go forward and stop at the same time! (Jumping whip but holding him back with stronger bits???) It was really an enlightening moment- I too had followed what everyone else did as 'normal' ways to 'control' my horse. I felt sad and angry that as horse lovers we as a society have seen these contraptions as not only normal but necessary.

Well, not anymore! I am pleased to say that ALL that stuff is GONE for me now, and replaced with just simply the things I need.

A rope halter and leadrope with LIVE feel that will well and trulyoutlast me, 2 longer ropes, and a savvy stick to use as an extension of my arm- NOT as a whip. That is all I need.

And with those few items I can do anything and everything that everyone else can do while maintaining a vastly improved relationship with my horse. I have better skills both on the ground and in the saddle. I can now ride better, my horse moves better and ultimately i am SAFER than I ever was with all that unnecessary gear.

So next time you go into your local saddlery, or someone suggests you try one of these contraptions to help you with a problem, just stop for a moment and think, no FEEL, what you would rather have- a calm,willing and happy horse that you can do anything with with as little as possible, or a few more 'items' to try and keep your horse under CONTROL. I know what I prefer.

Thank you Quantum Savvy, the only item I need in my tack room is you.

Visit Liz' website.

Have you heard about Practice Groups? Join the fun, achieve your goals, grow your and your horse's confidence, and Live Your Dreams

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:35:00 +0000

Hi All,

I thought I let you kow about Practice Groups and what they are about, and how they can help you achieve your dreams.

You may have heard about Quantum Savvy students around the world coming together in local Practice Groups, having fun with their horses and achieving successes they only dreamt about before.

Would you like to achieve your dreams too?

Practice Groups are made up of 3-12 local horse owners who have get together to achieve better rapport and 'working' relationship with their horses, using the Quantum Savvy Release Focused Training programme.

It is really easy to join a Practice Group, just check out the calendar for Play Days near you and come aloing, with or without your horse. You will be welcomed with open arms and surprised by the friendly and supportive atmosphere. Being part of a Practice Group will help you achieve your goals and support and encourage you if you get stuck ... we've been there and know how you feel. We all have 'been there and done that' with our horses and you discover that you are not alone, but amongst friends who will help you increase your confidence and your abilities.

How can being part of a Practice Group increase your confidence and abilites?

Being part of a Practice Groups is beneficial for you and your horse; your horse will grow more confident and so will you. Being part of a Practice Group, allows you to try things that you may hesitate to try if you were on your own, thus helping you stretch you comfort zone and increase your confidence. Your horse will also grow more confident being out and about and amongst other 'strange' horses. This will come in very handy when you compete or show as your horse will stay calm even in stressful and unfamiliar situations. But... to be honest... being part of Practice Group is so much fun... you never feel like practicing on improving confidence or skills... it's more like Play ... that's why we aptly call our get togethers ... Play Days:D.

What do we do on Play Days?

Play Days ... what we do is limited only by our imagination. Have you ever participated in a hors basketball game, or a group passenger lesson? Played horse soccer or did an egg and spoon race leading a horse? Been on a Horse Trail Walk? Navigated an obstacle course, or gone swimming with your horse? These are just a few things we come up with to do for fun and to practice our horsemanship skills.

We also support each other as we work through our homework cards, and video our assignments to help each other progress through our levels. We even share the feedback we get from our coaches to help each other out.

Anything else?

How about participating in special events, like our annual Worlds Biggest Play Day, Clinics with Shane and Meredith Ransley your Group Organiser can organise, or Quantum Weekends with Endorsed Instructors or Lesson Weekends with our Entry Level Instrucotrs? All this is possible being part of a Practice Group. These events can really accelerate you learning

If you would like to be part of a Practice Group and enjoy the support, fun, camaraderie and great learning opportunities available to you as a member of a local Practice Group, check out the calendar or contact me.

I am looking forward to meet you at one of the Play Days around SE Queensland.

Cheers

Petra

Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:57:00 +0000

Hi All,

as you may have read in my previous post, I am working on my gallop and flying lead changes and admitted that my fear of speed has been holding me back. It is not the only fear I have, but it is one of the bigger ones. There is another one I have, the fear of failure, though... this one is slowly fadeing.

On my journey to overcome my fears, I came across an article and it made me realise how wonderful the QS programme is, as it really helps us to develop strategies to overcome our fears, extend our comfort zones, provide a positive, supportive environment.

I contacted the author of the article and asked for permission to republish it with some annotations of my own as it relates to our horsemanship study and he kindly gave it, so here it is. You will find my annotations in blue.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

Petra

Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt
By John D. Moore, MS, CADC

Four things you can do to chase away the enemies of goal attainment & move o nto reaching you dreams!

When he was 32, Dylan fulfilled his long time dream of becoming a professional body builder. For him, winning first place in the state championship was even more spectacular than he had imagined. Now he seta new goal that would drive his decision making process for the next decade: To become a professional trainer to those who desired to improve their physical appearance. Today, Dylan runs a thriving business and clears nearly six figures a year.

Achieving his goals was anything but easy, because along the way, many people attempted to dissuade him off his path through the use of FUD. Simply put, FUD is Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. It is quite possibly the most powerful weapon that others will use against you to prevent you from reaching your lifetime goals. Sometimes the use of FUD is insidious, cloaked in a message that is designed to plant the seedlings of self-doubt and thus deter you from your dreams. In Dylan's case, several so-called friends told him, "There is no money to be made in personal training? why bother?"

So how do you deal with FUD? Consider a few simple precepts:

IMAGINE YOURSELF MEETING YOUR GOALS
Once you have identified your goal(s), visualize yourself in them to help motivate yourself in their achievement. This may mean keeping a journal of the things you are doing to reach your goal. It may also mean placing up visual aids in places that you can see to self-remind you of your goal. Example: If you goal is to lose weight, place a picture up of a favorite celebrity's body image that you wish to emulate. Another helpful tip: Read up on topics related to your dream. If you want to buy a new car, start examining periodicals that address this topic. All of these activities are designed to strengthen your resolve to achieve your goal and fortify you against the next several points.

When I read this paragraph it reminded me of why we use our homework cards, have the practice groups and our Tah Dahs, both in video and word. I know reading and watching each other's achievements, really helps to keep me inspired and gives me a 'Can do too' attitude, and I really do see myself galloping around with a big grin on my face. Also, by ticking the homework cards I know where I am on my journey and where I haven't been yet to get me to my goal, and keeps me on track and focused.

TUNE OUT NEGATIVE REMARKS BY OTHERS

Sadly, there is always going to be someone who will try and deter you from your lifetime dreams by attempting to mentally sabotage your efforts through negative remarks. Recently, a college professor at well known Chicago University attempted this on me by using negativity with regard to where I am earning my Ph.D. (University of South Africa) [UNISA]. Specifically, he said, "You are going to the world's largest correspondence school ? don't expect to get a professorship at a college." Little did the "good professor" know that I was already an instructor at a university ? or that no less than two Nobel Prize Laureates were graduates from UNISA. He also did not know that UNISA is not a correspondence school, but rather, a distance learning institution with roots starting in the 1800s that does have students on the physical campus. What is my point? People who are uninformed are often the most vocal in trying to sabotage your goals. Always consider both the source and motivation behind negative messages. Ask yourself: "Why would this person say such a thing?" Negative remarks by others causes one to experience personal fear ? fear of the unknown and fear of the future. Don't give others the power over your dreams! Avoid these people like the plague and tune them out!

I had to giggle when I read this. I am sure we all have had them. I only recently got a bit of negative remarks when I was really pushing myself to get the gallop … 'this is the worst riding you've ever been doing!' 'What kind of riding is QS teaching?' 'You're arms are moving about like crazy … it makes you look like an idiot.'

It's hard listening to stuff like that when you, in your heart know, that you actually have improved your seat, that your arms are actually moving with your horse, and that the riding QS teaches has helped you overcome a lot of fear and expand your comfort zones.

I was very angry with the person making the statements, but I also realised that the words uttered were not to be mean and nasty, but simply because the person did not understand the programme and maybe felt a bit threatened by what I was doing, the dedication I have towards it and the determination to achieve my goals.

Still... at the time I was really mad and I had a bit of doubt about my abilities, but in the end... the madness got me to finally get the speed and feel what galloping feels like :-).

AVOID NEGATIVE SELF TALK

One surefire that will cause goal derailment is engaging in negative self-talk. Let me give you an example. Some time ago, a friend of mine had set a goal of losing 50 LBS within a six-month period. During the beginning of her goal, she started doubting her efforts and sayingthings like, "I've always been fat ? I will never lose this weight." Sure enough, FUD began to overwhelm her thoughts and soon she had given up on her longtime dream of having a toned physique. It took several years to pass before she learned to stop engaging in negative self-talk and move onto losing the weight. So what happened to her? Today, she has a body that most women would envy and instructs others on staying motivated to lose weight. Negative self-talk plants the seedlings of uncertainty, meaning that it will cause your goals to become clouded with anxiety. Counter this by focusing on why you are working towards your goal. Drop the words can't and won't from your vocabulary and replace them with words like can and will. A rather simplistic approach, but simple changes like these can go along way in making your dreams come true.

I underlined the last three sentences because they are immensely important. I have become a much more positive person using those simple changes. At first it took me a lot of effort to make sure I use 'can' and 'will' rather then 'can't' and 'won't'. I will be bold and say... it has become second nature to use positive words, even when describing some of my frustrations... ehem... fascinations. Turning frustration into fascination and looking at how a current situation can provide a postive outcome is a really great way to avoid that negative self talk... it's turning it into positive self talk. The other thing is that with our fantastic QS forum, we always have a place we can go if we need an injection of 'positive'.

SURROUND YOURSELF AROUND POSITIVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SIMILAR GOAL

One of the best ways to help you achieve your goal is to surround yourself around others who have like interests. For example, if your goal is to retire at 50, you may want to join an online investment club and find others who are looking to do the same. Perhaps your goal is to earn your college degree, but the only way to do so is through an online university due to family and work obligations. If this is the case, it may be helpful to connect with others who are doing the same thing so as to stay motivated. If you want to write a book, but have heard that it is difficult to get it published, consider joining a writer's club. You get the point. Surrounding yourself around others who have a positive attitude with similar interests will keep you on track to goal attainment by chasing away doubt while instilling personal motivation.

Hehe... the forum, the practice groups, camps, clinics, Quantum Weekends... just a few ways to surround ourselves with positive people who have a similar goal... how lucky are we? Freaking awesome!! It this what makes QS so amazing as no matter what we find positive people around us who will inspire us, keep us focused on our goals and celebrate our achieivements with us. Yeeehaaa!!

CONCLUSION

Reaching a personal goal brings about a sense of accomplishment and personal satisfaction. To achieve your goal, learn how to identify the gremlins of goal derailment, which primarily consists of FUD. You can defeat FUD imagining yourself achieving your goals, tuning out negative remarks by others, personal negative self-talk and finally, surrounding yourself around others who have similar interests. Once you have learned to defeat FUD, you will have gone along way in achieving your dreams ? it happened for Dylan and it can happen for you.

And it will happen for me and for everyone in the QS family! How fantastic is that? Freaking Awesome!!

About the Author

John D. Moore, MS, CADC JOHN D. MOORE, MS, CADC is the author of Confusing Love With Obsession: When You Can't Stop Controlling Your Partner & the Relationship (Writer's Club Press), a book containing a variety of case histories regarding people who use controlling behaviors in personal relationships. Moore is a certified addictions counselor in the state of Illinois and a Professor of Health Sciences at American Public University. More

Author website: johndmoore.net

Time just flies...

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Hi All,

time just flew since my last entry... where has it gone?

I am working on my last assignment to finish Level 2. It's Assignment 9... which involves gallop and flying lead changes. This assignment is proving to be a real challenge for me, but it is soooo much fun and I KNOW I will get it.

I used to be afraid of cantering, or even a fast trot, and now I am getting faster and faster and YES... I have galloped... not quite the 30seconds yet as required by the assignment, but I am getting there. It a huge learning curve and the support I get from my friends on the forum, in my practice group and the invaluable feedback I get from Meredith, is incredible. It won't be long now.

My other challenge is the flying lead change at fast canter. I recently discovered how wonderful my horse Stubby isand how much he listens to my body language. We were galloping along and I dropped my inside shoulder and inadvertantly moved my weight from my outside hip to my inside hip and Stubby performed a smooth flying change and continued on the circle at a fast counter canter.

Here is the video of it happening... have a look at my body position.

Did you see the subtle change in my body position and Stubby's lead change?

My BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) is that me holding onto the saddle causes me to drop that shoulder and put my weight onto the inside hip instead of keeping it on the outside. A huge lesson learned for me, and something I really have to work on... letting go... not just of the saddle, but also totally letting go of my fear of speed. I KNOW it will happen, especially with the support I am getting through the forum and feedback and my practice group member.

If I can do it... so can you :D

Cheers

Petra

2010 Level 1 camp - Lessons Learned, Insights Gained, and Dreams Achieved

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:22:00 +0000

Hi All

Level 1 camp with Firefly ... awesome doesn't cut it to describe this fantastic experience. Fantastic is not the right word either ... it was way past fantastic, awesome, marvellous, inspiring incredible ... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

I haven't got the words to describe adequately how wonderful the experience was and to be able to share it with Tracey and her young horse Indy, and our new friend Helen who had a marvellous time with Boots and can't wait to get started on her horse 'Doc' when she returnsto Victoria in a few weeks time, and Kathy who became Freckles bestes tand newest friend during Level 1 camp.

Well... where do I start?

At the beginning of course. I was chuffed when Meredith said... bring Firefly. Firefly is my little16hh pony who got started by Shane in early 2007 and had some foundation training with Mel Peacock in Oct 2008. Since then she has been more or less left in the paddock to mature, though I have passed a couple of L1 ground skills assignments with her already and had clocked a little bit of riding time with her... always in walk and just a wee little bit of trot.

I was excited about the prospect of trot passenger lessons and canter transitions and was looking forward to them and also was a bit unsure about it all, but I had so much fun doing the passenger lessons and the canters, I couldn't get enough.

But... that just the beginning... although all that happened in the last 4 days, and only after I made the commitment to ask and follow through with my phases to get the canter and in the end we got some nice trot canter transitions happening... oops skipping ahead again .

Okay back to the beginning...

Camp started with working on our ground skills and getting control over the hind quarters. This was especially important with our young green horses as getting effective HQ yields diffuses tricky situations helps switch our horses from right brain thinking to left brain thinking... Very Important...so I repeat it. An effective Hind Quarter Yield switches our horses from right brain (reactive) thinking to left brain (logic) thinking and calms them down. So ... no more skimping on my phases to get the HQ yield happening and no more acceptance of a HQ shuffle (placing feet next to one another). An effective HQ yield means the feet cross over... they need to cross over for the brain to switch over A huge revelation for me and a real situation saver when Firefly got scared by little Briggy (Rhiannon's Shetland pony)

Firefly taught me a few more lessons... like

The need for me to be consistent with her, and make sure my energy is on or off and not somewhere in between.
She also needs me to reward the slightest try, even it is only a muscle twitch in the right direction.
She wants me to use all of my phases, including an effective phase 4, so she is confident in my leadership. To earn her Trust and Respect I need to have effective/good leadership and that means using all of my phases.
Her contact yields are much easier and politer after I established good leadership with no contact yields. She showed me when I was lacking leadership by coming into my personal space with her shoulder.
She also taught me that all of her feet have to be in the right position for the yields, which for the Fore Quarter yields meant her weight had to be off her front and onto her back. I had to make sure Firefly was standing 'square' with her feet before asking for a yield and be aware where her weight was before asking.
When it came to leadership, Firefly needed me tos tand up and be one, which ment I had to be behind her drive line (being section 4) and drive her, rather then being in front of her drive line (ie in section 2 or 3) where she was driving me. I get away with being in front of the drive line with Stubby, but Firefly ... to earn her respect and trust as a leader I need to be in section 4 and make it comfortable for her to have me there. Lots of rubs and release. In the end she was walking nicely next to me, even increasing and decreasing her speed to match me and keep me in section 4... it was really lovelyt o have that and have her walking next to me with her head relaxed and below her wither.

There was so much more, but I think these are the most importantlessons ... oh and ... do not pull on her head, she does not appreciateit as she is so soft and will follow 'feel'. Pulling on her head isdownright rude and she will tell me so ... and I am listening.
Some insights, BFO, my own versions of the cryptic horseman:

When the forward is working, the back-ups, halts and steering are working better
Offer light phases to achieve a light horse
Make the commitment and stick with it, or, When you decide to do something... do it!
The softer I am, the softer my horse is
Respect and Trust are earned through good and effective Leadership
Being on the ground makes me aware of (the size) of my personal space
Being on the barrel makes me aware of (the size) of my horse's personal space (especially above my horse)
Look for the opportunity (the slightest try) to release, rather then for the completion of the task
Rhythmic Pressure - uses all phases rhythmically - it will sensitise your horse and it will try for you
RhythmicMotion - no phases (or the same phase over and over and over again) - it will desensitise your horse and it will stop trying (especially if you are stuck on a phase )
Focus, Focus, Focus and then Focus some more

My biggest Ta Dah's

I cantered Firefly in both directions and achieved some really nice canter departs
I had my Focus working even when cantering to a focus point.
I had really nice soft yields, sideways both on the ground and ridden.
I helped Firefly find comfort in a group of horses and even got used to having Briggy around
We went on a calm and relaxing trail ride playing leap frog.
Firefly and I are comfortable with each other
We had Fun
I Love my little horse

Phew... I think that's about it. Oh and did I mention it was an absolutely fantastic, awesome, marvellous, inspiring, incredible ... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious event and I am so looking forward to quickly finishing Level 2 with Stubby (1 assignment to go), get started on Level 3 and buzz through it so I can finish off Level 1 withFirefly, get Level 2 with her a.s.a.p. and do Level 3 camp with her next year? Yep I am booked into Level 3 camp for next year... wanna join me?

Cheers and have fun with your ponies

Petra

Tales from Level 1 Camp 2010

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:29:00 +0000

Hi All,

oh wow... where do I start? We finished day 3 of our Level 1 camp and my head is swimming with all the discoveries and revelations I am having.

I am here with my young horse Firefly and she is an awesome teacher, and showing me how important it is to get our 3 basic skills and our 3 purpose plays solid, as we will need them throughout our journey, regardless of the levels we may already have completed.

I am only 1 assignment short of finishing Level 2 with Stubby, and the skills I have already learned are standing me in good steed, but I have so much more to learn in Level 1 and I am so glad I am here at camp.

Just some of the things I am learnig (and some of them learning again):

I need to use my phases effectively and consitently or I will desensitise my horse. I found that when my emotions come up I become a make monster and nag my horse, getting stuck on phase 2 and 3 rather then going through all my phases and using them effectively. Say what I mean and mean what I say ... and smile doing it, and keep breathing.

I have to stand up and be a leader, and Firefly is really showing me that she wants me and needs me to be her leader... it's how I put deposits into the rapport account with her.

She also teaches me to be clear in my asks, focus where I want her to go and that no matter what situation arises my focus needs to be strong and unwavering, and that just like we have to improve our physical fitness, we have to develop emotional fitness as it will help us maintain that focus.

I am also learning the importance of an effective Hind Quarter yield and the difference it makes to have a correct HQ yield where the legs cross over compared to a shuffle of the HQ where the legs land next to one another. Firefly showed me a number of instances where an effective HQ yield will help her to switch from right reactive brain to left logical/thinking brain and get her calm and thinking. A lot of my feedback with Stubby was (and still is) "Get after that butt" meaning I need to get him to do an effective HQ yield. It is something I will be revisiting with him... back to Level 1 to help me in Level 3 later.

And last but certainly not least... timing our release. Rewarding the slightest try and with Firefly it is recognising that a weight shift can be and is a try and to release at taht moment. I found this out today when we did a no contact yield to lift her front hoof. I had to release and rub the moment she shifted her weight over to the other leg, if I missed that moment I had to start my phases over again and again. I missed a few of those little tries, looking for a slight lift of hoof rather then recognising the shift of weight as the try. It is recognising those little tries and rewarding them that will help our horses become light and soft.

Not missing the slightest try also was important when we did our float loading. Just because Firefly loads easily on her own float is no guarantee she will load easily on another float. My expectations of what she can and will do left me missing her slightest tries of getting into a strange float and I became quite the nag. Meredith's guidance and support helped me to have some important discoveries on how my emotions affect my ability to spot the try and the timing of the release, the effectiveness of my phases and my focus.

It's 'only' day 3 of camp and I my head is swimming with the insights and revelations I am having and I hunger for more. I am looking forward to tomorrow and the lessons I will learn, the insights I will gain and the BFO's that will come.

What will my horse teach me tomorrow?

Cheers

Petra

The Quantum Weekend is here :-)

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:09:00 +0000

Hi All,

yep it's here. Another fabulous 4 days with Mel Peacock, our endorsed instructor, travelling all the way from Broken Hill, NSW, to be with us and help us achieve our horsemanship dreams.

It's an amazing event and the 8th Quantum Weekend I have organised. Every 3 months Mel makes the trip to Queensland to be with practice groups, to help students in SE Queensland. This weekend we are heading to Allora Showground which is more or less right next to the New England Highway. We have heaps of space to practice our skills and are really close to Allora's CBD. It'll be fantastic as we won't have to travel far to get lunches sorted or find that special treat for our horses.

It's an amazing event; I know I already said that, but I can't say it enough. Participating in the Quantum Weekends, either as rider and/or auditor, has made a huge difference to my progress with Stubby. Everytime I participate in an event I take more insights home with me and dive straight into practicing my new found skills by ticking the boxes on my homework cards. I have found that going to Quantum Weekends support my learning immensely. I learn so much about why how I behave around my horse, affects how he behaves around me. It's all about building knowledge naturally. Here is a link to an article written by Meredith Ransely about 'Building Knowledge, Naturally!'

I am looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow at our Video Evening where we will have a chat about Practice Groups and how they can help you to progress in between Quantum Weekends. I would love to see lots of horse lovers there, so if you near the Allora/Warwick area, drop by and meet Mel Peacock, our Endorsed Instructor, Lisa Horner, Group Organiser for the Downs Dreamers Practice group, and of course me, QS Agent for Moreton.

Cheers :)

Living my Dreams

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:33:00 +0000

Hi All,

I am once again left wondering where time went. It's already, well nearly, the middle of March and only a few more weeks until I go to the Quantum Savvy Experience and spend a whole 9 days living and breathing horses.

I am attending L1 camp this year, even though I am very close now to passing my Level 2 of the programme. Why you might ask. Because I want to attend the new Instructor Orientation Camp in September this year and need to fill in a few holes in my skills. Plus, I will be looking at Level 1 camp from a very different perspective, that of a future QS Instructor.

As I said, once I have passed Level 2 I am enrolling into the Instructor Orientation Camp and after successfully completing this course I will be an Entry Level Instructor. I am really excited about being able then to teach Level 1 of the wonderful Quantum Savvy programme, whilst continuing to study to finish Level 3 with Stubby.

To become an Endorsed Instructor and be able to teach all levels, I either have to attend Foundation Training Programme next year or get two more horses to Level 3 within the next 3 years, which will see me graduating as an Endorsed Instructor.

I am really excited about it as I will be able to help so much more horse riders in my area to achieve a partnership and communication with their horse that they may so far only dream about. I know I am achieving things with Stubby I only dreamed about, and becoming a QS Instructor is one of those them.

I am just so chuffed that this dream is within reach now. Only 3 more assignments to go and once the ground has dried up from all the rain we had up here in Queensland, watch me nail those last 3 in the next few weeks.

I just love it.

Cheers

Petra

Paddock Paradise

Sun, 17 May 2009 21:08:00 +0000

Hi All,

well this isn't actually about doing any natural horsemanship, but it's all about natural (or at least a close approximation thereof) horse keeping, whilst maintaining a viable green space on my small acerage.

I have 2.5 acres on which I keep 3 horses and as you can imagine, in our harsh Australian climate, the ground can become a dust bowl very quickly which is nicer pleasant for our horses, nor for us humans. So, I have started to create a Paddock Paradise. This idea came about when a dear friend of mine... yep Vicki who is also a site member (moderator) suggested Paddock Paradise to me about a year ago. I finally bought Jaime Jackson's book and the changes in my horses are amazing.

Using the prinicples as described by Jaime and what I have learnt about pasture management and horse keeping on a small acerage through Jane Myers book "Keeping Horses" I think I have found the system to keep my horses at home 24/7 and still enjoy a green, dust free (or relatively dust free) backyard.

I have another website where I share my experiences of keeping horses on a small acerage. If you are interested in what I am doing come and visit Small Acerage Horse Keeping :)