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Post by Kelly Marks on May 26, 2010 14:42:33 GMT 1
We'll keep a check on here to make sure we're getting it right! We're also going to hand out some forms at the demos to get BEST BITS/LESS BEST BITS(!) We'll keep doing this till we're sure we're perfect ;D Kx
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Post by Red on May 28, 2010 20:29:51 GMT 1
Well you made an excellent start Kelly!!! Great to see you again as well!!
A couple of lively ponies for you to show your skills and keep you on your toes!!!
Plus a good bit of riding for a change and another good showcase for IH methods on wayward equines!
Brilliant work as always Kelly thank you very much for another great demo!
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Post by Catrin on May 29, 2010 13:47:21 GMT 1
Last night at Kingswood EC Staffordshire was a first for me. The warm–up acts were a good and informative idea - four intelligent horse professionals showcasing their work. Sue Palmer's was the most hands-on, she talked about the benefits of physiotherapy whilst working on Pie in the round pen. Next up was Sam Austin, complete with horse skull and that awful looking thing that dentists put in horses' mouths, that horses don't squirm at as much as their owners do. He talked about the ridden or handling problems that can result from the teeth. We then had a very short, but amusing presentation from Lara Neighbour about Equine Touch, with the offer of trying it out on your shoulders back at her stand. Finally, the presentation that probably gave most of the audience some shocking new thoughts to ponder was from the lady from Intelligent Worming. Getting the balance right between the majority of horses who have immunity to worms and the ones who need wormers yet their worms are resistant, makes you realise intelligent horse owners need Intelligent Worming.
The starter was started in the horse assessment in the afternoon, a lovely welsh mare called Daffodil. That was because the problem horse really did have problems. He was a large grey irish type, bombproof, quiet, galloped when asked and stopped when asked too, happy in his field and stable, working in company or on his own. In all ways a perfect and contented horse, he even felt so much at home in the afternoon that, when left to his own devices, he got down and had a roll in the round pen. He chose is spot fairly carefully though, he made sure he didn't roll on the white pole on the ground, though he was rolling within two feet of it. It wasn't Ifor, short for Ifor Helluva-Big-Jump, that was the problem, it was the pole. Ifor wouldn't step over anything on the ground!
Kelly, with help from Rosie and Linda got him walking between poles, gradually closing the gap. When he was confident in direction and request, he followed Kelly quite calmly even stepping over a pole once or twice at times. When Kelly changed direction or obstacle, it was sometimes like back to step one. Ifor took a lot of convincing, but at least didn't bolt and gallop away as his owner said he had done, he trotted or jumped forward to catch up with Kelly. When Rosie got on his back, he wasn't as sure though he tried, he really needed a lead from in front, so Kelly and Rosie together got him finishing with a lot of success. Lots of work for the aspirant RA who found him to work on at home, but it won't be long before he starts to understand that the white rope or pole on the ground is not always going to whack him with 5000 v.
Next horse up was Jill's Caspar, who gave an excellent demonstration of all the techniques that can help you load your horse. Caspar looked stunning and behaved impeccably, demonstrating how a huge horse can learn to lower his head to go under a tarpaulin when he really didn't want to, then bend from the side and still get in the trailer and comes forward not on the pressure, but on the release. What Kelly couldn't demonstrate was how Jill could load him on her own, as Caspar kept wanting to walk back out of the trailer, rather than stay in by himself. There just wasn't room to solve that problem in a small trailer, leaving something to work on at home, with some incremental learning. He was still a star demonstration model showing how a horse can be persuaded to do things once he has confidence and understands what the handler is asking. He also showed that demonstrations are just that and can point the direction to go in, when there isn't an easy solution to the problem.
The food was fast and good in the interval and the second part of the demo gave us Kelly and Pie, Rosie and Harvey and a BHS Trec national winner who wanted to perfect the gate and mounting. Pie showed us how to make hard things look easy: sidepass, jumping picnic tables, pushing a ball through an L shape and standing around, for ages, when his rider got off to go and do things. He did have some fun playing on the see-saw, while Harvey was busy working. Harvey was a much more relaxed horse since February on his first outing at Southview. Rosie did a great job of explaining her approach to training and coping with Harvey's problems. What happens when your horse can't be stroked as a reward, you lose half a stone, get very fit and good at vaulting - Rosie had rewarded Harvey by jumping off each time he did what she wanted, fortunately now he could be stroked without freaking.
Daisy the Trec horse, was the first I have ever seen with a shiny pink bridle. She was a dark bay and looked stunning, she'd also stand out on country lanes when the usual yellow fluorescent's got lost in foliage and sunlight. I am now looking out for brushed steel stirrups with a subtle pink sheen and also got some tips on mounting block and gate training. In fact on our hacks the two are coincident, it you find a gate, you need to get off to open it! Daisy soon got the hang of Kelly and Pie's way of doing gates and Daisy was so proficient at it that once she was through, she was off the other way doing what it says in the book, practising from both sides. A nudge with her nose and she was back on the other side of it.
Leading to the mounting block was not a problem, but just as the rider bent to get on, Daisy turned her haunches away a little - did she ever do Parelli? Some teamwork and incremental training from Kelly leading and rider on the block had Daisy much improved quite quickly. Lots of tips for Daisy's owner and us to try at home if ever we have a similar problem.
I hadn't been to Kelly's Masterclasses, but I was so pleased I had the chance to get to this one. I met five Horsey Coffee Morning members, four people off the Stage 2 course, three DGers - Jill, Karon and gambler, two office staff and had one load of fun. I also ate too much cake and stayed up very late, so maybe it did remind me a bit of Christmas.
If you live in Lincoln make sure you don't miss out tonight. The final chance to get the 2010 Horsemanship Essentials from Kelly is in Hampshire on Tuesday. If you can get there go! You'll see some fabulous horses, be amongst friends and you can't fail to leave a far more intelligent wormer.
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Post by gambler on May 29, 2010 20:24:58 GMT 1
yes a great demo! you say it all really catrin. how did i break my cover anywho? will try to right a revew when i have more time. though it might be a bit as i will be doing some work experance down with RAs adam and nicole.
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Post by Catrin on May 29, 2010 20:56:06 GMT 1
yes a great demo! you say it all really catrin. how did i break my cover anywho? I think your being male helped me narrow it down, I am married to the other male helper and know all the male crew members. But I promise I didn't tell the other DGers who were there who you were. Look forward to hearing what you thought of the demo. You should have a great time at Adam and Nicole's, especially if you enjoy Adam's taste in music.
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Post by jill on May 29, 2010 20:59:20 GMT 1
I didn't know there was another DGer there, apart from Catrin Karon and myself - but I was a bit busy!
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Post by Catrin on May 29, 2010 21:02:26 GMT 1
email from a member who was there to a number of his friends who weren't: Went to see Kelly Marks and her team @ Intelligent Horsemanship Demonstration at Kingswood Equestrian Centre in Stafford last night.(late night absolutely knackered today lol ) Kelly and her team did an excellent job, I certainly learned and benefited a lot from the experience, there where some brief presentations from Equine Touch, Dental Technician and Intelligent worming etc, very informative before the show. I also bought some 'Horsemanship Essential DVDs £15.00 each, just watched the 'Loading the less difficult Horse' one, its brilliant, also going to get some private lessons in June off a very talented RA (Registered Associate) of Kelly's Gitte Monahan (In Oxford) and attending the loading a difficult horse course at Intelligent Horsemanship in December 2010. Lucky me also Attending 2 courses in June at Intelligent Horsemanship 1. Horse Psychology 2. Foal and Stud Practice Course, also having private lessons how to Start a young horse, also bought last night the Kelly Marks DVD 'Starting A Safe Horse, these people really really do know what they are talking about and demonstrating, all of them, in my opinion you should take every opportunity to learn from them, The DVD @ £15.00 are excellent, check out the website, www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/ Oh by the way am not on commission lol just giving you an honest independent opinion to try to help you
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Post by jennyb on May 30, 2010 14:46:40 GMT 1
Lincolnshire demo was fab, I really enjoyed it and came away with some new ideas to try with Gazdag re training for trec obstacles etc. There were some interesting horses to watch, and I was most impressed with Rosie's agility in getting on and off the first horse, has she done gymnastics on the horse before?! She must have amazing upper body strength!
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Post by alijohnson on May 30, 2010 21:58:45 GMT 1
Hey guys, for anyone who is sitting there wishing you had been to one of the Demo's it's not too late, there is still Tuesdays demo, if you think it might be a long way for just a couple of hours - well - yes it might be, but if you have any opportunity at all -grab it, I promise you won't be disappointed, get on the phone and book your tickets, it has been an amazing tour and Kelly, Rosie and the Team are on top form, these guys are awesome and you cannot fail to gleam loads from them so, if you have the slightest chance of going don't hesitate, having been to all of the demo's so far I guarentee you'll have a ball!! If you are travelling a long way maybe put something on here and see if there are any others in your area going and share a lift, it's always good to be around like minded people and you might make yourself some friends along the way!!!
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Post by gambler on May 31, 2010 23:05:08 GMT 1
I have internet! good detective work catrin. it was just that i had had a combination of sleep deprivation and lack of coffee to chat to anyone(or depart my name) yes a great demo! very informative and entertaining. they managed to get a bit of everything in with talks at the start (at least thats what i was told. i was in the car park in fish jacket)problem horses,trec improvers and riding demo with kelly and rosie. A great evening! "You should have a great time at Adam and Nicole's, especially if you enjoy Adam's taste in music." i do indeed i got a taste of it today
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Post by ruthp on Jun 2, 2010 12:03:56 GMT 1
I'm surprised how few reports there are on here, so thought I'd add my comments.
I went along to the Sleaford demo with my friend Maria whose young horse, Casper was the Trek improver. Firstly, I have to say, I've known Casper since he was a baby, and I felt like a pround aunt on Saturday night. He was such a good boy. And I was deeply jealous of Maria who got to ride Pie!
The first horse had had a bad experience being frightened by a hot air balloon, and had subsequently developed a fear of anything above him, which included a rider, and bizarrely, the moon. Poor chap, he was only a youngster and he really was very frightened. Kelly and Rosie worked with him with helium balloons on a stick before Rosie began the process of getting on board. Like Jennyb, I was most impressed with Rosie's agility - I have no doubt whatsoever that I would have collapsed in a heap on the ground if I'd tried what she did. The horse was still patently nervous, but with Kelly and Rosie helping him he managed to keep things in proportion. As Kelly said, he isn't yet the finished article, but with the right, sympathetic training he will be fantastic.
The loader reminded me so much of a previous horse I used to have - a chestnut gelding who stood on his hind legs when he didn't want to go into a trailer. The owner was totally speechless when Kelly stood right inside the trailer and Linda held the horse some way away at the end of the long line, and then released him and he walked straight in without hesitation. The owner then loaded him herself as if there had never been any issue. Lovely. I always enjoy seeing loaders sorted as it is such a huge issue for so many of us, and so solvable if you just do it right.
I didn't see much of Rosie on Harvey, or Kelly and Pie as I was outside with Casper, but obviously the highlight of the evening for me was the Trek improver. Given that Casper has only been under saddle for about a year, and only been in an indoor arena once before he was astonishingly unfazed by the situation. Kelly showed Maria how to teach him to go under the low branches using a food reward to lower his head - obvious really, but we hadn't thought of it, and then there was a bit of work on standing still for mounting, and finally gate opening. Really useful stuff, and Maria and I will be working with Casper and Bali to perfect all the techniques.
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jebeth
Novice Poster
Posts: 49
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Post by jebeth on Jun 2, 2010 21:29:29 GMT 1
We went to Sparsholt last night and were over an hour late as a lorry overturned on the M25 on our way! This put us in a pretty foul mood to start with. The woman on the door was really helpful to us and my friend finally found a loo!
I am still recovering from a long weekend and yesterday's drive after another day's work, but I wanted to say something about yesterday as you are always keen to find ways to improve the demos.
As I said we were fairly knackered when the demo started again after the break so I may not be remembering everything exactly as it was! Rosie came on with Harvey (the one who had been some sort of posh show horse and had a bad time in producers yards). She talked about why horses didn't always go forward willingly or do what they are asked to do. She said it could be pain or lack of understanding or just that some horses said NO. We pricked our ears at this as we have have a horse who goes into computer mode (computer says No....) and we hoped to get some insights into how we might deal with him. Well we didn't. We felt our hopes were raised and then the topic really got forgotten. We don't expect any quick fix and felt that Rosie's intro was quite exciting. But it stopped there and I felt it didn't get developed or discussed further. There was just a bit of Harvey stepping over a plastic tube. Ok - it may have been the first time he had done that but it didn't seem to address the problem we thought was being demonstrated.We were very tired, but discussed this on the way home and agreed we had both thought 'this is going to be interesting/useful' and it was disappointing. Sometimes it would be good to go into things in a bit more depth. And I expect that is hard to judge when you are doing a public demo.
To end on a good note - I enjoyed watching the bad loader running across the ramp and finally up it into the trailer. Have seen this before and tried it myself and it seems to be a very successful approach to loading.
It was nice to see some people we haven't seen for too long as well!
J
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Post by Rosie J on Jun 3, 2010 9:13:15 GMT 1
hello! Ihave checked the DG for demo feedback before work and thought I would come on quickly to expand a little on Harvey part of the demo - the thing is the specific techniques to use with each horse depend on the situation he is saying no to - hacking, jumping, mounting, whatever - but the way of thinking is the key thing in order to create your own training plan which fits the specific horse and scenario. The key is to be responsible for the questions you ask of your horse and to choose questions which he can/will say yes to - never really trying to push through a no with force, but building on his habbit of saying yes. Riding in a confident but not confrontational way, and adapting your training to make it ewasy for your horse to get better and better at saying yes. I hoped to demonstrate this with harvey who certainly wouldnt walk over the tube if you tried to make him, but if you release any pressure as soon as he thinks about it, and dont get offended by going round rather than over a few times, he soon starts to offer more and more.
I also mentioned not using your legs until you know they are going to work - and this is really key with a horse who has learnt to fight or ignore them.
I'm really sorry you didnt get everything you wanted out of the evening, particularly because getting a hrose to say yes is a favourite topic of mine - its tricky to give practoical hints that apply to everyone (because one horse might be wore willing 'on a contact' and another on a loose rein etc) but I hoped to inspire a thoughtful approach to horses who say no where people can often end up simply repeating the request and hoping for a different answer - and I hoped to give people the permission to look for yes instead of overcoming no, which I have found in my home visits can be a tricky mindset - often even more so for very able riders.
Hope this helps, J.
Rosie xx
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Post by tj on Jun 3, 2010 11:12:50 GMT 1
Hi Rosie
I just wanted to say how useful I found Harvey's part of the demo at Kingswood last week. I have seen quite a few demos now and love the fact that I always learn loads at each one. I ride a few different horses in a riding school that are lovely but understandably say no sometimes and I think looking for yes, rewarding that and then expanding on it will really help me get the best out of them. You explain things really clearly and hope to see you when I do the foundation course in August. I still remember from the perfect manners weekend that my follow up circles should be the size of a Fiesta - another very useful tip!! ;D
Tracy x
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jebeth
Novice Poster
Posts: 49
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Post by jebeth on Jun 3, 2010 11:59:40 GMT 1
Hi Rosie Thanks so much for your explanation above! We have been doing something similar to that with our Mr.Computer. We also decided not to use our legs until we can be sure they will work but you have explained it much more clearly. Perhaps we were just rather tired on Tuesday - but it seems much more logical written on the screen in the light of day! All this animal training malarky seems to take an age to get straight! I used your Harvey method of releasing pressure on a sheep who didn't like the look of the trailer this morning - deep breath, step back and lo ... in she goes! Whoever said humans didn't have more brains than sheep?
Thank you again for taking the trouble to put what you probably said on Tuesday on paper! I am going to print it off and put it on the tea room wall.
J :-)
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