Feb 2010 Newsletter - Dressage Naturally by Dressage Naturally

Creating healthy biomechanics and stronger partnerships through combining natural horsemanship principles with the art of dressage... Karen Rohlf

never underestimate the potential for harmony & lightness to improve in ways you cannot yet imagine

Welcome back to the Temenos...

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an

Temenos is an ancient Greek word. It refers to a sacred space that has no limits, where special rules apply and extraordinary events are free to occur.

act, but a habit."

-- Aristotle"

Upcoming Clinics:

This Month • News • Student Q & A • Ancora Imparo

Clinic schedule:CLICK HERE February 13 Private Lessons at Temenos Fields Contact K2@dressagenaturally.net

February 28 - March 5 6 Days at Temenos Fields One Opening just made available! closed to auditors

February 14 Open Format Workshop at Temenos Fields Contact K2@dressagenaturally.net

March 21 - 26 6 Days at Temenos Fields Full, closed to auditors

Auditors Welcome! at Privates and Workshops!

NEWS FEI meets regarding Rollkur.

On Feb 9th there will be closed-door meeting of the F.E.I. to discuss the issue of rollkur or hyper-flexion. Most judges would likely agree rollkur is not what they want to see, but are helpless to do anything about it, because the horses are presented without hyper-flexion in the competition arena when they are judged. Veterinarian Gerd Heuschmann (author of Tug of War book and If Horses Could Speak Video... See my More Resources Page) has been outspoken in his efforts to put an end to the practice of Rollkur or Hyperflexion and will be one of the people presenting at this meeting. (If you are not sure what rollkur is, it is easily ‘googled’. Or check out this link. It will give you an idea of what it is about). Let’s hope it is a productive meeting for the horses. I am often asked my thoughts on the subject. Here is a note I sent to a magazine asking for my opinion: “I think it is so unfortunate that this hyperflexion technique is being used. Unfortunately, some riders who use this have been well rewarded in the competition arena, and so the end has somehow justified the means, and others are emulating these role models. I know that we must be careful not to judge any technique by the way it is done by less that expert people. But is it even possible to do a technique ʻwellʼ that seems to strip the horse of all dignity and pride? Reducing him to simply a body of bones and tendons to be manipulated? With horses (as well as with all animals and children) we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard than we would even with other humans, who are able to speak and able to protest. My thought when watching videos of the horses in hyperflexion, by the worldʼs top riders, or with blue tongues hanging out is how amazing horses are to tolerate this; trying so hard just to understand the system. But what choice do they have if they were to protest? On the one hand I think we need to be careful in our criticism because it would be easy to say that we should all just leave horses alone in the fields to truly be free.... After all there are many horses 'abused' inadvertently by

even the most passionate loving people as they learn to ride with 'correctʼ techniques. I

decided this is the technique he wanted to use.

certainly am fully aware of all the mistakes I have made.

The horse went in to the competition arena, the head came up and he won an Intermediare I with 67%.

BUT, on the other hand, I think it is a different thing altogether to consciously create a system that knowingly puts the horse in such an extreme position, where they are unable to see, breathe or swallow even when the technique is done 'correctly'. To me it is in the category of the unlucky western pleasure horses who have their heads tied up in their stalls so they will drop to the ground in the competition arena, tied to their saddle to teach them to ʻbendʼ, or the gaited horses who have chains and weights on their feet so they snap up when they are taken off.

What a shame.” ~Karen

Another successful 6 Day clinic group!

Even if it 'works' it should not be done. Done poorly this technique looks like torture. In expert hands this technique seems to create freakishly 'brilliant' movement. Perhaps in expert hands it would merely be considered an 'enhanced interrogation technique'... a fancy way to say ʻabuseʼ. We have to ask ourselves if the end justifies the means, and we also have to ask ourselves if we really need to see freakish movement on horses who are already so amazing. I think the answer about this technique would be obvious if it wasn't for the fact that people are winning competitions by training with this method. That is where we need to get the official bodies to stop and really think about what is going on and do something at least at its official events to protect these horses. I have confidence that we can train officials to see the difference between a horse momentarily going a little ʻextra roundʼ and someone employing a planned strategy of sustaining an extreme position. Here in the United States we donʼt get to see this too often, but recently at a competition, I did see someone doing rollkur... It was sustained, it was extreme. The rider was a tall and effective man who was leaning back holding the double bridle tightly and spurring. The horse was making sounds as if he was a roarer. It was unemotional, it was a decision. This is a rider that was coming through the Young Rider Program when I had a student in Young Riders. I know he can ride better than that. I knew him when he rode well. He was not simply trying to do the right thing but not doing it well.... He is an effective rider and he

A new group participated in a 6 Day clinic at Temenos Fields in January. Actually, except for one person, all had ridden with me sometime before, but never for this long a block of time. The weather was perfect. For this clinic I really focused on Rider.man.ship. Using a combination of demonstration, experimentation with our own posture, private lessons and visualization, all horse’s and riders made nice improvements. I felt very proud on the last day, watching everyone ride in my front field and dressage arena, making excellent decisions and looking so gorgeous! Atomic, Monty and Ovation were happy to help with the demos!

Karen in Cavallo article The German magazine, Cavallo, did an article on training the piaffe called: “The Dream Piaffe: Step by Step Without Force.” in their February 2010 edition. Karen was one of the people asked to contribute and a photo of Monty was included (doing piaffe bareback and bridleless). Of course you will have to be able to read German to appreciate it, but if you can, check it out. In the same issue is an article about Parelli Instructor extraordinaire Walter Gegenschatz!

Still room for 2 students in Australia! There are still 2 spots open in the Gold Coast clinic in Australia. All the other venues in Australia are full... If you live anywhere in Australia and want to ride with Karen... now is your chance! In the U.S. I often have students fly in, lease, or borrow a horse, so even if you don’t live in the Gold Coast area.... If you didn’t make it into the other clinics... Get creative and don’t miss this opportunity!

Some recent photos for you.... (Left) Ovation in a shoulder-in (Below) Ovation’s medium trots are really developing!

If interested please contact Pat Miller at: pmi23806@bigpond.net.au right away.

New Clinics on Schedule! We just added some new clinic locations to our schedule. Karen will be teaching in California (San Luis Obispo) in September, Germany and UK in August and Washington (Seattle) in July. For the full schedule visit the Clinic Schedule.

index of Newsletter Topics When you sign in to the home page, and get to the Newsletter Archive page, don’t forget to scroll down and check out the Index of Topics, to help you find more information on what ever subject you are looking for! (Left) Monty shows excellent posture even bridle-less! With some horses.... Riding bridle-less does not have to mean you give up good balance and posture!

New Article on Website Go to my website and click on Education to see Articles By Karen in the pull down menu. This new article is about finding ‘Yes’ moments... These glorious moments when you are with your horse thinking: “Yes, this feels great!”

(Below) Monty doing an uphill flying change... He is very artistic with his tail ;-)

Many students underestimate their and their horse’s ability to achieve these magic moments. **(late note... if it is not up right now... it will be in a day or two!)

Photos: Dana Rasmussen

Question about aids for collection

Q: Hi Karen, Following is a quote from Walter Zettl in a Matter of Trust and my questions and confusions about what he specifically wants a rider to do with her seat, legs and hands to aid the horse in collection. I know that Walter is a master horseman so I know that there has to be something specific that he has in mind that can "aid" the horse in understanding that he desires a more collected posture, but the language quoted sounds like micro management so I obviously don't understand. I would very much appreciate Karen's take on this issue. He said something very interesting about getting a long backed, strung out horse to round up and engage his back and hind end. I had to listen over and over because he talks in broken English with an accent and his own favorite little German words. But he said the biggest mistake riders make is trying to lift their horse, or "half halt" their horse backwards onto their hind end. It doesn't flow with the harmony of how a horse balances and works. He recommends lots of "low gear" riding that gives the hind end a job to do. It starts in the rider’s seat and legs, effecting the horses "seat" and legs. As a horse sets back and powers up his hind legs, he naturally rounds his back, carrying more of his (and the riders) weight on the rear. They adopt a more compact appearance. The hind end walks itself up towards the front.

I just really liked those two descriptions. Somehow they clicked for me. I like word pictures. Helps my simple mind grasp big concepts. ~T

A: In thinking about collection, I hear that one of student's biggest fears is that it may be 'micromanaging'. it begs the question: 'What is Micromanaging?' Dressage has a lot to do about shaping the energy as it flows thru the horse's body. We, as riders need to be able to influence this and cause the energy to go in a particular way. Horses already know how to carry themselves naturally.... with some having greater or lesser tendencies towards being 'up hill' or engaged. But remember, as soon as we sit on them, it is no longer a natural situation for them and we need to do something to help them find healthy biomechanics in spite of our burden.

The description of collection by WAZ looks fine to me, and simply describes the circle of energy. The problem would be if you didn't embody this as a rider, or if any of the aids asking for it didn't work, and then the rider would have to carry the horse in this way.... feeling like if they relaxed for a second it would fall apart. I usually think of a seat that feels it needs to drive is an indication of a horse not freely offering his energy. Carrying a horse around with your aids is definitely not what the goal is! The goal is to feel as you have a great dance partner... I highly It all makes sense, and is sorta what I recommend ballroom dance lessons; you was taught to do (and have continued will learn so much about connection, selfdiscovering more about). But he teaches carriage and leadership without microit with soft rein contact, not freestyle loose managing (which, by the way is usually reins. due to lack of understanding, motivation or balance) Another book I read (gosh, can't remember the author right now) described In the beginning, yes, the horse will need the energy a horse produces in the hindquarter as a flowing river. Without the rein reminders (and so will the rider) to sustain contact you spill the energy, right out the this posture... but through correct and front end of the horse and he runs fast, consistent development it will be decarried away by the energy he's created scribed as easier and easier until it is 'just in the hind end. But by creating a bit of a the way the horse moves' and when soft, flexing "dam" with your hands asked what the rider is doing to have the maintaining a gentle contact with the horse look this good will report: 'I am just mouth, it blocks some of that rushing forward energy flowing it back up stream sitting there!' like a circular undertow. The energy spins round and round creating lift in the But we know that is not really true, because it will be totally different than 'just front end. sitting there' on the couch, or when out on 4

a trail ride, for example. But it is a clue that the training is going well... If it continues to feel physically or mentally challenging to 'keep it together' then probably you are relying on micromanaging... or carrying the horse. One other point that is a pet peeve of mine, but an important one.... The term 'collection' is often misused as a synonym for 'riding in connection with the reins' or for riding a horse in a round posture. It is not. A round, let loose posture and a harmonious connection with rider through the reins at a level balance is a prerequisite for collection. Working gaits come before collection. Collection is when you take this connection and you begin to challenge the horse to carry more weight on hind quarters, becoming a degree more uphill. The difference between 'collectionʼ and just riding your horse with short high steps and a higher more vertically flexed neck is the use of the horse's back... The strength of which must be developed carefully and not challenged too quickly. If you are trying to ask for collection before the horse has learned to free and move through his back you will certainly have to micromanage him, as he will not be able to carry himself yet!! If you are using the word collection when you mean to be saying 'riding in connection with the reins' or 'working gaits' then I will just tempt you to change your language! Because I do many things with my horses.... they can trail ride, go around relaxed where I am not particular about their posture...., or be in working or collected gaits....even when bridle-less I can have a focus about posture and balance, or not. It is important that I have a way of communicating these different modes. I need to tell them something otherwise how do they know? There are times I don't need them to be in a state of collection. If I am always in the same neutral how will they know? Don't be afraid to talk to your horse with your body. Aids are called aids because they really can help! The key is to make sure they are understood and that the combinations of aids are applied in a way that does not conflict. This way you can live in the wonderful neutral of collection, or working gaits, or casually moving in Copyright 2010 Temenos Fields, inc February

which ever way the horse wants.... All different neutrals! I have a podcast on my Dressage, Naturally website (www.dressagenaturally.net) that talks about this, too... if you are a registered member on my home page (which I highly recommend, of course!) you can sign in and get access to the newsletter and podcast archives. I hope this helps!! ~Karen

What does ‘let-loose’ feel like?

Q: Dear Karen,

I do have question for you . Today, after doing alignment exercises on the ground, I felt like we got a let loose posture on the ground, I went back to asking him to shape his body with mine while riding, including through the change of direction at a walk. Then we went on to alignment exercises on a circle at a trot. We started off at a flat trot on the forehand (I am very excited that i know what that feels like now ), then he went to putting his head down while traveling on the forehand, like he usually does and what i thought was let loose. I kept playing with the alignment exercises and then he really stretched down and came right through from behind, it felt powerful and just awesome.

Firstly, I wanted to say thank you for making your DVD/book series, it is just awesome to be able to have access to information on doing dressage naturally!

Is this what a let loose posture feels like, he was relaxed but I was surprised at how much power I felt. I guess to do it they are not traveling on the forehand I am a Parelli student and have passed all either? of level 4, except finesse. I must say I have been dreading it and avoiding it until Sorry, I know that was a long way to ask now. Now I realise this is going to fill in so a simple question, but I am interested in knowing if there might be something else many of the missing pieces for me and my horses not matter what level they are I am missing and to make sure I am on the right track. at. Itʼs very exciting! Since starting the Parelli program 2 ½ yrs ago I have been riding my horse on a loose rein and in straight lines, even on circles. My horse appears to travel in a relaxed posture and when I saw your information on a let loose posture, I thought that was perfect as we had already found that, until yesterday. I had been playing around with different postures and mobility exercises on the ground and they seemed nice and had played around with relaxed and up postures. But when i began earnestly on the mobility exercises Rowley, my horse, got bracier and more uncomfortable to ride than ever, it was dreadful. I eventually realised it was because he was not relaxed in the body and had no idea about how to let loose, oops! After this I realised that I have ridden Rowley in straight lines and on the forehand for 2 years, no wonder he couldnʼt do what I was asking and more to the point when he was putting his head low and traveling around while maintaining gait and direction he was totally zoning out!

I have booked on to ride at one of your clinics in Australia and I just canʼt wait (neither can Rowley)  Thanks again, Anne PS I have attached a photo of Rowley before playing with the alignment exercises and after when i feel he was really starting to relax. PPS I purchased and Ansur saddle after reading your review of it and thought I would take a chance, we have had so many problems fitting a saddle to Rowley, he has a very high wither and every normal saddle has made him sore. The Excel is just gorgeous and no more sore horse!

A: Hi Anne,

low and a horse that is 'let loose'. But until you feel the difference it can be tricky to understand the difference. Yes, when they are let loose it is because they are open to suggestion (mentally and physically) and the proof of that is found in the asking! And yes, they should feel more powerful as their back muscles are free and allowing their hind ends to engage. Often they may actually slow down, as they gain balance and a more rhythmical gait. There is a very particular feeling in the horse's body associated with a let loose posture. This feeling can still be present even when the horse is more uphill... Once they are strong enough to sustain that balance... In the end it is less about the head being down, and more about the back being up and swinging. In the beginning and with some horses, they will still be relatively on the forehand in their stretch.... but at least you will have an open, free-moving, relaxed, energetic horse... And that kind of horse is the kind that is ready to be gymnasiticized to develop more uphill capabilities. One thing I will say is to make sure you keep things in balance. This stretch of the horse is great to develop: elasticity, freedom in the back, balance (because it was alignment and balance that caused it!), free forward energy, relaxation and suppleness.... It will feel so good, that often students and horses spend too much time there, and then they don't develop the muscles for carrying power. So enjoy this new place of 'let loose'.... and also remember to do transitions and other exercise to encourage carrying weight more on the hind end, and carrying the poll high. Again, thanks for the email.... How would you feel about me using this question and answer and your photos in my next newsletter?

Thanks for your email... First of all it is not a simple question that you ask... And it is I look forward to meeting you in Australia! a great one! My Best, Karen There is, indeed, a big difference be(See next page for photos of tween a 'zoned out' horse with his head Anneʼs horse!)

Photos of the horse from question on previous page

Anne’s horse, Rowley Before (le2) and a2er (right)... Good job, Anne, catching almost the exact same moment in the stride in each photo! NoCce the difference in the balance of the legs... in the ‘before’ the legs are mostly behind the horse, where in the ‘a2er’ the legs are more balanced, with a greater reach forwards. This is due to the release of the back, to allow the shoulder to swing more. Also, the horse’s ab‐ dominal muscles are being acCvated which gives the impression of the middle of the horse (the part under the saddle) coming up. NoCce how, even though the head is lower in the second photo, there is more of a feeling of the horse ‘hanging or suspending from something around his middle, allowing his neck and hind‐end to swing down, whereas in the first photo the horse looks heavy and leaning over his front legs. The alignment exercise created a balance, that enabled the horse to release his body into a more powerfully engaged trot, that I believe the horse would say was less effort! It is this dynamic in the body that we want to take uphill.

Creating power/keeping relaxation

Q: Karen, I have been getting more power from horses and bigger gaits, which is excellent, but now I feel unsure about how to continue getting more and more power without loosing the relaxation. I know all these things come in cycles, so I guess my question is, can there be a phase where you do loose some relaxation for energy and balance. I don't mean for a moment here or there, but rather, could there be a week or month where you encourage the horse to push a little more into the bit, to always think forward forward forward for the sake of building power. I saw a horse about a week ago in the early stages of piaffe (usually training it from walk) The day I saw they only worked piaffe from the trot, yet every time he walked you could see the anticipation. The horse did not look tense- just excited. As natural horsemen we want horses that not only walk on the buckle, but can do everything on the buckle! What are your thoughts on taking a block of time and devoting it to engagement? Thanks, Danee Rudy (www.Rudyhorsemanship.com)

A: Hi Danee, Nice to hear from you! One thing first: You wrote: As natural horsemen we want horses that not only walk on the buckle, but can do everything on the buckle! What are your thoughts on taking a block of time and devoting it to engagement? I don't really think this way... there are some things we can ask our horses for, where the reins are a great tool to create clarity... And that there isn't a choice between being natural and asking for engagement.... Being a natural horseman is more a state of mind, or attitude towards any training that you do. As much as I strongly believe there should be a 'no reins' version of everything.... some movements are challenging enough for the horse... why try to do it with one arm tied behind our backs?! Also, having a harmonious, excellent connection with our horse through the reins is an ultimate statement of trust and partnership, as it is a challenging circumstance for it, and requires truly artful riding to do it well.... To answer your question about energy and relaxation:

Yes, it is tricky. and sometimes in training, the pendulum swings too far to the side of perfect center... Some movements do require power, and require that the horse is in a state other than.... couch potatocalm! :-) The key is to really see relaxation as different from tension, nervousness, fear.... but also see that there can be relaxation inside of being excited, inspired, anticipatory, empowered. Sometimes when learning power-moves such as extensions, piaffe, pirrouettes, higher levels of collection, it is necessary to create some of this 'higher state' energy. It can help to cause a less-than-inspired horse to step up. These movements will be easier for the horse if he is in this state than if he is 'dead-calm' - so we know we are doing it for the horse's benefit. I may find a way to get the horse excited in ways he likes... a quick gallop, a jump... treats... what ever lights him up... I get excited about the maneuver: "get reeeeaaddy!!"..... big effort, big reward....then of course making sure i can return to total relaxation. With this horse I am excited if they start to get ready when I do, and go to the magic edge of anticipating... without going over the edge into assumption or nervousness...

A more naturally nervous type horse will need the opposite.... They tend to be over-achievers and although they may move their feet more readily, you must focus more on the returning to quietness. with these types it is easy to 'cheat' and use their nervous energy, but this is not a good long term plan.... Either they learn to be more nervous, or if they finally figure out how to relax during the move, you suddenly will find you never really had communication about it in the first place, and are often left with nothing...

when I set that thought in motion Ali ʻsaidʼ, “Now, you can have it all”!!

So trust your instincts when you feel this power coming up... is it inspiration or tension? One good test is to see if you can just drop the reins and hang out anytime, anywhere.....

So thank you for reminding us that it is not always just about the training. Sometimes the beauty lies in the moments where we gives thanks for what we have, soak up the lessons we have to learn, acknowledge how our partner is playing the role we have given him perfectly, because horses know no other way to be. These moments can make the biggest difference of all.

I hope this helps!! Let me know ~Karen

Feedback

Hi Karen How wonderful that you continually remind us all to pay homage to the less physical aspects of our equestrian journeys. We all need to remember how important acknowledgment and gratitude are and how it cuts across the species divide. When we can begin to understand that our horse partners are there to help us learn the lessons we consciously or unconsciously signed up for we can more easily dispense with disappointment and blame, we begin to see the value in even the ʻnegativeʼ experiences. I have an Arabian Warmblood gelding, Ali, I have had him for more than 7 years. In the first few years in my ignorance I made everything his problem and tried to ʻfixʼ him by working my way through the ABC of training methods. After several fairly depressing and demoralising years during which time Ali never forgot who he was I finally realised that it was me who needed ʻfixingʼ. I remain grateful to this day that Ali waited for me to morph into a human worthy of his gifts. I wonʼt pretend it was anything other than a bumpy ride but eventually it dawned on me that he was perfect just as he was and I swear that

We are bitless and bareback or treeless now. He even got me home when I fell off and briefly knocked myself out once – 5 or 6 klms from home, narrow verges, crossing roads, so far outside his comfort zone, doing his job as well as mine because I was so out of it I couldnʼt remember what year it was or how many children I had!!

Best regards Pauline C

you want, already there, and all you have to do is open the door. And she also put a big emphasis on thinking about going forward through the downward transition (don't think of it as a "whoa"). Oh, and all of what she did in this latest DVD was done in a halter. If you want to see what the beginnings of finesse should really look like, get a hold of this DVD. It is magical to see the development of her horse, Ovation. He is in the beginning stages of it all with the first DVD's she put out, and he has come so far already. I can't wait to see what is yet to come. The original book/DVD is a must have before buying the rest of the DVD's in her series.

Karen – Once again, I need to thank you for your release of your Lengthenings DVD to coinciding perfectly with my needs. You are most considerate. J

I’ve been working on my Level 4 (under the old program) – and the one thing that has been gnawing at me is the extended Hey Karen, trot. We’ve been working to get Biscuit tracking up – and I can tell we’ve made I just finished shoveling the snow and great improvements – he has wonderful came in to warm up and read your movement at liberty when he’s wound up newsletter. What a great newsletter this and flagging the tail, but we’re not quite month. Your dialogue on letting our there with Jean aboard. What I’ve been horses and ourselves know that they are told is to work exclusively on the trot, and perfect where they are, yet still be fopush Biscuit’s back legs forward with cused on continual improvement, hit each step. We’ve been doing this since home with the question I've been ponder- September – and I know its developed his ing myself. As I struggle with always musculature. But, dang, I’ve known there wanting to improve and reach Dylan's and has to be a better way to teach the my potential, but to not become frustrated movement (as well as develop my abwith not being at that goal I need to tell dominal muscles)! It was driving me nuts. myself that we already are in a perfect place, by just having the sheer opportuThe DVD gave me exactly what I was nity and privilege to have the time and looking for … connecting the dots in a relationship in each moment. My ultiway that makes sense to both me and Mr. mate challenge is pursuing the goals, but B. The first ride after I saw it – we didn’t remembering to be present and grateful get a better quality of gait – but we got a for the moment we are in. clearer understanding. The second time, my focus became clear (prepare, wait, ok ~ Lisa now) and we got boldness. Oh boy, was that sweet! The path is clear, and I think we’re on our way. Oh my gosh! Karen's latest DVD, developing lengthenings, is just the best. You Thank you can clearly see what she is doing to activate her horse's hind end. You can see Jean and Mr. B, the Magnificent Trot Mawhen he really becomes engaged. She chine put a big emphasis on having the energy 7

Thankfully it doesn't attract flies when its frozen.

Manure Happens, but we can choose how to deal with it!

Sometimes the makers of manure get in the way, causing the job to be more difficult.

Words of Wisdom from Dressage, Naturally student Sarah Drew.

Sometimes, they see you picking up the manure, and maybe to be helpful they decide to make more. If you can catch it in the wheel barrow – that's best. If not, pick it up before it freezes.

Karen, I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how Tessa is progressing with her FLC. I have been playing for months now with really getting lateral work soft and correct... A few days ago, we were cantering and we came across the diagonal - I asked her for a transition in the middle, but instead of trotting, she rebalanced herself and gave me a lovely FLC. We cantered around the other way and I patted her and thanked her for her effort. I came around the next diagonal - her stiffer side - and again asked for a downward. To my surprise she also offered a FLC in the hard direction! I went around the corner and then walked and let her know how wonderful she was. Today, we played with 1/2 steps of piaffe, which we have been doing for sometime. Today the lightbulb seemed to go off, though and she 'got it.' She gave me some much more powerful steps at an almost halt - and then moved out into a collected trot. Before she would lose all energy and just pick up her feet in rhythm. I have been working on myself with the piaffe trying to feel light and floating when I ask. We've also been playing on line for some time before I asked under saddle. I know that your book and your philosophy along with PNH have led me to where my girl is enjoying the sessions as much as I am. Thanks so much!

Below are some thoughts I had when out picking up manure this afternoon - I thought you would enjoy them. As I was out in sunny, 30F weather (a heat wave! Yeah!) doing my part to keep our field clean (9 horses share it), I became philosophical about the whole exercise. It seemed to me that picking up manure could be related to all of life. They weren't

If you have the right kind of help, though – the job will go a lot easier. Two working on the job is nice – provided you're not both trying to work on the same pile. Two people cannot pick up the same pile of manure without getting in each others way. Its more enjoyable to divide the work and meet somewhere in the middle. original ideas, but thinking about them made the time pass and the wheel barrow practically filled itself. I became convinced that the way I tackle frozen or soggy manure, could be used to handle all of life's difficulties. Now, warm at home, I'm not so sure. But, here's my thoughts:

Life lessons from the manure pile: Better to pick it up often – once its frozen to the ground, it's a lot more work. AND – there's always more of it. If it is frozen to the ground, work at it from all sides. Where one side may appear frozen solid, if you work at it from a different angle, it will often come free. If it doesn't come free, you may need a better tool – like a shovel instead of a rake.

Wet manure is worse than frozen. Then it melts into the ground and is heavy. If you know the rain is coming, it is worth the effort to go out and clean up BEFORE it starts. No one likes a lake of liquid manure. Picking up manure is good exercise. It strengthens the core, arms and legs. Plus you're out in the fresh air. And, there are fuzzy creatures coming to see if they can help and looking for scratches. Much better than the treadmill in the gym. Seeing a clean field gives me a real sense of accomplishment. But then, the minute I turn my back, someone's dropped another load! Yep, no matter what, if the field's inhabited – there will always be more manure tomorrow. That's job security! Regards, Sarah Drew and Tessa in Berlin, Germany

If it still doesn't come free – you'll probably have to wait for warmer weather. If its stuck that hard to the ground, no point if fighting with it.

Ancora Imparo

”If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own.” — Henry Ford Many of you already know that one of my favorite sayings is: ‘The truth is in the middle’. We get closer to the truth when we give ourselves the luxury of seeing things from all angles. If I drank from the above mug, and held it only in my left hand, I would swear it had black stripes and brown scribbly dots. However, the person across the table from me would argue that it had black stripes and blue-ish/ purply hearts. Yet it is the same mug. If we only look at it from one perspective, we only get part of the truth. When we get a new perspective on an old familiar subject we gain perspective. I recently attended a Kyra Kirkland Symposium in Wellington, FL. Kyra is a master dressage teacher, trainer and competitor. What I love about Kyra is she is incredibly creative and open-minded. She is a trainer’s trainer. I am always curious to observe what people choose to talk about in the first few moments of meeting them. Kyra opened her presentation by talking about how important and difficult it is for people and horses to change. It is as difficult to change our minds as it is to change our bodies. But that we must be open to change.

She made many very basic revisions to advanced rider’s positions, and when getting on even a Grand Prix horse she tested out their ability to simply go, stop and turn. Often the session didn’t get much further than that. The more advanced you are, the more difficult it becomes to make the most basic changes, and so problems become seemingly more complicated. It reminded me of hearing that Tiger Woods made a major change to his swing when he was at the top of his game, temporarily worsening his scores, but ultimately making him even greater. Talk about being brave about making a change! There were certain abilities she definitely wanted to see in the horses/riders, but her system seemed based on having freedom to choose from many tools and techniques, and adapting to the needs of the horse at the time. She seems to have gathered experiences from many different sources. For example she showed the riders at least 4 different ways to hold the reins for the double bridle. each technique had a different reason, a different effect.

I think you can understand, that I also am someone who is open to new ideas. It is so important to learn the cause and effect of various techniques instead of blindly following one. I am always grateful for a true teacher, who’s ego is separate from the information. this condition leads to a continued curiosity and so continued learning. Humans really love to organize information, label it, put it in categories. We want recipes to follow. I guess the key is to balance the value of a system without loosing the curiosity of an explorer... Because no one is exactly like you and your horse!

closer to the truth is it is a mug that has brown dots AND purple hearts...

Clearly, Kyra is someone who has not been afraid to hear other people’s perspectives and to learn from them. 9