Africa: Our Journey #46 Magical: Mystery and Majesty

Magical!! That's how I describe it.  There is mystery and majesty in the connection between the horse and human relationship.  It has taken two days (so far) to integrate all the "ah-ha" moments.

I'm writing about the 4-day clinic I had over the weekend.  Jesse Peters, a 3-Star Parelli Professional, came to Michigan again and I feel like I've grown exponentially.

At this point, I've been able to organize the amazing learning and insight into four areas: focus, technique, freestyle, and liberty.  Seems like a lot, but Africa and I are ready to take it up another notch.

On the subject of focus, I discovered that my mind wanders and loses contact with Africa.  Then I don't give him accurate messages.  He gets confused and frustrated, pulling at the hackamore.  I get frustrated and angry.  It's not a pretty picture!  Africa looks out of control, when I'm the one unfocused and out of control.  As I remain attentive to our play, I am more relaxed.  Then the phase "expect a lot, except a little" becomes powerful.  Being focused allows me to notice the small steps.

The next area I want to improve is technique.  My phases are not consistent, so I know Africa gets confused.  I'm afraid to use an effective phase 4.  If I did, he might respond quicker to phase 1.  I don't want to use phase 4 too much, so paying attention to how he responds to a phase 1 after using a phase 4 will work as a benchmark for me.  And lots of friendly game!

Influencing the correct zone with Africa for movement and getting out of his way with my body will improve my technique as well.  It takes practice.

Being a RBE, Africa is a forwardaholic.  He wants to move and move fast rather impulsively.  So in the area of Freestyle, we need millions and billions  :-)  of transitions, until he becomes calm and waits for my cues.  Going slow with Africa gives him time to think.  An example we tried during the clinic was falling-leaf pattern.  I used to rush him from side to side.  Now, as Jesse showed me, I ask Africa to wait at each side until he is looking at me and asking a question.  He is much more LB! 

Finally, Liberty!   We did Liberty all four days!  Each day we had 8 or 9 horses in the outside arena, finding their partners and staying with them while playing the Seven Games.  Unbelieveable!!  It gives me goosebumps when I think about it.  At one point, Africa stayed with me as two others horses ran around the arena in RB mode. I was so proud of him!  Then when he left me, expertise in the drive and draw became important.  Clinic mates helped with the drive, protecting their herd of two.  Driving the correct zone kept your horse moving until their attention found you.  Then the draw (backing away) brought them to you. Each horse had to find comfort only with their human.  We all were so amazed!!  Our horse partners wanted to be with us!

I could not begin to tell you all that we tried and learned.  Jesse is a master at knowing when to nudge you and your horse beyond where you think you are ready to go.  My confidence increased ten-fold.  Jesse reminded me to "be confident in what you know and what you do.  It works!!!"