...mostly like no one else!

MAY 2014
Exceptional Horsemanship Newsletter

 

Well, What do you think of the new logo? Please drop me a line with your thoughts.
The workshop on the 19th was great. It's so delightful to see the looks on the people's faces when they have an "ah-ha" moment.
Peka hanging out with Susan and then me hanging out on Peka. Black was absolutely fabulous and has become not only a remarkable horse trainer, but a gifted people trainer, too! Who woulda thunk it?!!!! Peka
Peka & Susan






Did you notice my big Black Diamond is standing on the stump I'm sitting on?
I got this lovely email so I thought I would pass it along (great video on this link) so it can help those of you unfamiliar with the wonders of Curbside Service.
Lauren, Thanks for having me on your list. I always enjoy your newsletter. I'll get a video to you of some "proof" to people who haven't read your books of my 'before' mounting ...off a bucket ...no grace involved ...chiropractor practically necessary for me and 'after' to the graceful bareback mount your BOOK gave me!!!! I think your book should be given to anyone who ever buys a horse - sort of like a welcome wagon bucket. :) 
   I am generally not a read and learn type of person. I am a watch, see, do kind of learner. But your book was so amazingly well written and fun, I taught all 3 of my horses Curbside. So, maybe that is the reluctance to the horse "reading" audience? I was also pleasantly surprised at some "side effects" of the curbside training. 1st one was I thought Ginger, my mare who I've done more groundwork with any horse on the planet, got nervous if you were on her and touched the fence. Weirdly not a problem, now. I thought Curbside with her would take us the summer - not 10 minutes !! Nutmeg, my Haflinger who would walk off when mounting-Curbside installed-that went away! She stands, so weird, without working on those specific issues, they disappeared!
Just click here to get YOUR copy of Curbside Service! (in print or Kindle) 
Also, I've written an article that is on the HorseConscious website called "What is the Greatest Threat to Your Horsemanship". I hope you give it a read.
I've put this video Mustang Makeover video up to show how much is being done to promote the versatility but I also want to encourage a thought process that says there is no real importance to having a BIG/HUGE sized horse for dressage. I understand that folks think they're breeding what is needed for competitive dressage, but I'm pretty sure that falls into the Emperor Has No Clothes category.
You can catch up on all the training ideas you've missed on the blog. Also, there seems to have been a glitch in the process of signing up for the newsletter and getting the "9 Steps to Better Horsemanship" in the last few days. So, if you didn't get it and want it, just shoot me an email and I'll get it right off to you.
 
So... Are You Horseman Material????
FOCUS
But what if what you're focused on is the wrong thing-out of step or too many steps up the ladder from where you or your horse are.
Story Time
Some time ago, I packed my bags and went out of state to participate in a natural dressage clinic. There are several aspects of this conversation that I want to address but today I'll start with my topic - how odd is that!? I'll get to the other stuff in another newsletter.
I wanted to take one of my horses, but the drive was long and the weather was supposed to be dreadful (which it was--blinding snow and whipping wind on treacherous mountain roads), so maybe I should audit instead. While discussing that with the host, she asked me a bunch of questions about my skills and then offered me one of her horses. To consider it, I asked her a bunch of questions about her skills and the training of said horse. She told me she was working on flying lead changes and half-pass and such on her horse and that the one she was offering me was also well trained in most aspects but wasn't working on flying changes yet. Fine. We made the deal.
Turns out this clinic was actually private lessons in a row. So, I'm watching the host in her lessons. I'll cut right to the chase. The horse is running around at a trot that was so fast and strung out and she's kicking and swatting in order to... get the horse to canter. And I mean for an entire lap or two of the arena. I'm puzzled. The horse is braced and looks like a motorcycle around the corners and didn't stay on the rail. I'm wondering what the horse I'm getting is like.
Needless to say there were no flying changes. 
She got off, pleased with her ride, and sat with me while we watched another participant in their lesson, she asked me what I thought about her lesson. OI!. She asked. Pondering my stay there at her place (in her house) for the next 3 days, a three hour drive to the airport without my own transportation and such, I did have to be careful so I said, "Transitions are so important, aren't they? Do you think maybe if you worked on a better canter depart first the flying changes wouldn't be such a struggle?" Turns out she didn't think that was the least bit helpful and was adamant about the impending success of her flying changes. This is also why so many clinicians put out dvd's on flying changes--because they sell.

Mindfulness - have a conscious awareness and approach without judgement. 
"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.
-- Walter Elliot
Please forward this newsletter to your friends and tell them to sign up for their own. Click the purple "Gimme" button on the website.
 
There's a difference between techniques and technique.
For exceptional results, think "how and how can I".
Upcoming stuff

As usual, I've added more to the queue than I eliminate. But, such is life.
 The EASY button isn't what you think and running rough-shod over it will keep your horsemanship on the uphill struggle side of the hill.
Accuracy - what does the movement look like? ex:  on the galloping bridge. Drift. Would you know what side of the balance bean you'll fall off?
A horse invading your space as opposed to being in the same space.
Dressage Mastery
Sunshine Acres
Riding into your 90's.
Asking your horse to do something way above his level and way above yours! 
 "awareness" - the need for calm.  maintain boundaries in order to create focus, both in yourself and your horse.  ladder jumping - the art of waiting   timing/feel   come
Managing space around other horses
scarcity vs. abundant mindset
Learn how to Focus on and Prioritize the Right things to have Success in your horsemanship! Accelerate your knowledge. Call or email me to schedule a lesson, training session, phone or email lesson/consultation today.
Don't forget to check the blog for more training and put in your questions and comments!

Sincerely,
ME

Lauren Woodard
ExceptionalHorsemanship.com
Lauren Woodard
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254