One of the girls at our barn went to a clinic taught by Buck Brannaman who I hope to meet some day or attend one of his clinics. So I did an interview about what she learned at the clinic.
- What type of things did you learn?
- We worked on feel so when you open your hands low and wide and the horse tips their head so there is slack in the reins you release you give to them. We worked on connecting all 4 feet with ours. So learning when it picked up we could move it. We worked on serpentines tight and wide and learning to turn when the inside leg was up so it could move. We worked on reaching so if you are going in a circle you wait for the foot to step out so it is movable and can do better circles. We worked on backing up soft. We worked on groundwork, on yeilding front quarters and back quarters. So having them cross their legs over the other.
- What were the purposes of the exercises you did?
- The purpose was to become one with the horse and connect with them. You are a team, you are not manhandling them you are speaking there language. The first exercise is asking for something and as soon as you give it to me I will give it back to you. Knowing instead of having 2 feet you have 4 and that when each one picks up you can move it smoothly. So you are not trying to counteract and whipping, kicking, and spurring them you are using your energy. So when you want to stop he taught us to sit on our seat bone and to relax and the horse will stop.And when you want to go you sit up.
- Did you notice a difference in your horses behavior?
- My horse was the one whinnying and running and going crazy, and looking at everything. And freaking out and at the end of the clinic she was more calm and collected. Then I took her to a different clinic and one of the other gentleman that was running that clinic was like is this the same horse? And I said yes it is, simple things change their minds. She has anxiety, and her anxiety gave me anxiety. So doing the simple exercises and getting a hold of her mind and connecting, when she knows that I know where her feet are and when they are going to pick up, so I can move them she has respect for me and I respect her. We build that trust.
- Have you notice any behavior changes out on trail or is it only in the arena?
- Arena is really good. I can get her head and mind really quick. We are still working on precise. To make sure we are doing it right, and not being sloppy, you should start with doing the basics and then slowly work up. A lot of the time we get ahead of ourselves. On the trails, she is doing so much better. She will start to get anxious and I will go straight into the serpentines. I will stay calm and do the soft feel and sit and keep collect, I know where her feet are. If I am there and pulling on her mouth and squeezing the reins she will feel that energy and she is going to go oh no oh no oh no I got to go I got to go. But if I relax and do the serpentines and keep only focusing on her. It is like Buck said, don't focus on anything only focus on your horse. The horse next to you can be bucking and kicking who cares it is your horse. So it has helped me realize that our heart mind and spirit are connected as one. That no matter where you are you will be able to understand each other. So if they get scared you will be like no its ok and vise versa.
- Have you been able to pick up what your horse is going to do before they do it easier?
- Yes, because before it happens you are connected so kind of feel what they are thinking and they know what you are thinking. But you do not want to expect it and act like nothing is happening and then freaking out and scolding them when the behavior you use the energy and put it to use. So you use it as a tool and do something with it instead.
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