...mostly like no one else!

September 2014
Exceptional Horsemanship Newsletter

 

 Hola possums.  

Some people, such as Lee here, write me the most entertaining letters and I hope you enjoy them too.

Hi Lauren,  When I see what you write I agree with myself that I had thought some of it, I just do not have the talent to put it into written words, thank you for doing so.

For years I just rode, now I say a prayer to be a better person and to be a better horseman, and I am getting there.  It is interesting that once I spend some time being humble, thinking about the process of doing things with the horse, not just getting from point a to b the horse seems to feel better under me and seems to react better.  What an interesting journey I am now on, sure was in a rush before.

Interesting how the process and results work for both the 2 legged and 4 legged animal.

Thank you,   Lee
 
There's a post on my blog called "What the Devil is Progress Anyway?"
and obviously I've made it easy with this link for you to refresh your memory or if you're new, read it for the first time. Refresh too, the thought that this concept doesn't go away. It's not something that you train the horse to do once or twice and then get on to more important things. THIS IS those more important things.
But there is more involved to progress. Many people use the words baby steps to explain what progress they're making for what they are working on. And baby steps are very important. But, baby steps can also be an excuse or crutch for not really progressing. Maybe you are a baby step farther, maybe. But you stay there forever and if you aren't progressing, you're going backward because your horse is progressing in how it thinks and how many points she gets while you stay put piddling around calling it progress. As one of my favorite gurus, Brendon Burchard says: "If we are forever taking baby steps - living life without bold steps and those chancy bets of course that are the mark of greatness - then our character and dreams will forever languish in their infancy."
Here's some more from Brendon and why I follow him. Please, please watch this video: Why "smart goals" keep us playing small.
 So join me in DREAMING HUGE! and then we'll figure out how to get there!
What did you think of THAT video??? Email me and tell me your dream.
 
You can catch up on the training ideas you've missed on the blog!
 
So... Are You Horseman Material????

Here's an example of progress for you here in this important segment: When I work with new folks of course one of the first things to do is Curbside Service. Well, this horse was pretty ugly in her behavior towards her people and me when asked to do anything, and I mean anything. Curbside Service is a safe way to install the fundamentals of forward, backward, left, right, sometimes up and down, depending on the horse and stand still in addition to that fabulous service of your horse's back at your knees as soon as you step up on something.
I had installed Curbside Service the first week, but as we're quite a ways away from riding her, we went on to other things like leading nicely and such. 
The other day, her person asked me if we could start teaching the horse to Curbside at the mounting block because it'll take a few months and then she would be ready.
Possums, I admit I had to take a moment to compose myself from the shock! :) And replied, "But, she learned how to Curbside the first week."
Person, "Yes, along the fence. We want to use the mounting block and I'm sure it will take a few months to get it good."
Me, "It will take a few minutes, not a few months. Let's see right now."
Horse: I grabbed the lead, walked to the mounting block, raised my hand and clicked with my hand in position where I wanted her back and "Voila" there she was. Person was shocked. Mission accomplished. And your horse will too!
The real beauty is that the skills it takes to teach Curbside Service are the exact skills that you need for ALL the other things you want to do with your horse and it just makes it so simple to put it into practice. DREAM IT!  
 
What can you do to creatively
engage your horse and go BIG?

BONUS: Here's another one of Brendon's videos that I absolutely love.
 Perfectionist Lie video
How about you forward this newsletter to your friends (so they can have as much fun as you) and tell them to sign up for their own by hitting the Gimme button on the website. 

There's a difference between techniques and technique.
For exceptional results, think "how and how can I".
Upcoming stuff:
Define partnership.
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
  • "It's the little things that make a big difference."

FUN - FUN - FUN!!! Advance your horsemanship! Accelerate your knowledge,  confidence, refinement, skills and more fun on a whole new level. 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