Starting with the Uberstreichen Exercises
Jan 28th, 2010 by Carolyn
Today I would like to share with you a video by one of my students using the Uberstreichen Exercises. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This video clip I made yesterday.
I put the camera up in a tree and started. Before starting I have been reading on Carolyn’s UE Thursday blog and I had printed out the first two exercises and read them over a couple of times and also watched Farah’s and Carolyn/Alexandra’s videoclips on UE. So after the theoretical preparations, I did the mental preparations which was to clear my mind. I clear my mind by watching some video clips of horses, it can be the Unbridled Spirit Videos or listening to a few music pieces. I did not watch the Waterhole reflection DVD yet of Carolyn, but this is the kind of video you can use to clear your mind.
You may notice in the video that I am not distracted of the other horses and I am very focused on what I am doing. My mind is right there 100%. Through my journey so far with Carolyn, one thing that has surprised me the most is how much of what you want to achieve is in your mind. Clear your mind, set your mind and then through the Waterhole Rituals you can “just do” new exercises with out “training”.
This may sound a bit strange but through clearing my mind, sharing territory and doing the other Waterhole Rituals some times, I could make this UE video clip with no “UE training”. What you see in the video is the first time these two horses are doing UE.
I started with giving love and thanks to my horses. That prepared me for working with them, other times I start with sharing territory or a game or exercise to tune focus and attention, it all depends.
Prior to starting the UE, I have worked with the Waterhole Rituals for about two years. Before I have trained basic classical dressage from the ground while I lived in Denmark. The idea of the UE reminds me of these exercises where the goal is first of all to get a “loose relaxed” horse in the head and neck. But there is a very big difference in achieving this smoothness.
I like the UE because it is very logic way to smoothen up and prepare the horse for training. How we are taught to start the UE is through very small steps, asking head a bit down, moving the nose a bit, walking and stopping, lowering head a bit. I like all theses small steps and all the details it really works for us.
The Waterhole Rituals have prepared us and the horses fully trust “giving their heads” to me. We can together focus on what we are doing and not all kinds of other things, so through the Waterhole Wituals we have reached a unity that enables us to continue learning together because we are connected.
I was very focused on the timing, the 5 minutes, the 7 seconds, the 15 feet and the 5 seconds and had gone through this in my mind a few times before starting. I took a deep breath and counted to seven. I walked over the lawn to the horses and counted 15 feet.
I was thinking of what not to ask the horses this first time with UE and that was not to do the 8 figure with the nose and also ask too much arch. I know that most likely my horses would take a step back if I asked for the arch. When Carolyn had watched this video, she me realize that the horses had offered a bit of arching without me asking.
Isn’t that amazing?
The next times we work with the UE I will carefully ask a bit of the nose 8 figure and the arch.
I can be reached at stina@richmondvaleacademy.org.
Love Stina
Do you see what a great response you can get from your horse if you start with the right preparation? As I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog post Liberty Training to Riding Your Horse, maintaining the connection is key to whatever you choose to do with your horse and if you couple this with focus as Stina did, you get great results. Well done Stina.
Have a great weekend
Carolyn
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February 7th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Dear Carolyn,
Thanks again for another inspiring post!
Lori
February 4th, 2010 at 2:13 am
Dear Carolyn,
Snow after snow here with such poor footing. We have mainly just returned to the first exercise and the horses are grateful for the interaction as they are greatly bored. Feeling a bit sad to return so little for all you have been giving, student and teacher. Thanks for the loveliness of Stina’s work with her horses, seeing the spirit of the work in practice. Tend to forget even when not “working,” one can bring an attitude of presence/an openness and regard for the horse’s being.
Be well,
Nan Pantle
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Carolyn
Thanks for sharing Stina’s video. I loved the comments on the mental and spiritual preparation that needs to happen before you connect with the horses. That is an area of importance that of which I am becoming more aware and striving to achieve.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
Hello,
Carolyn, with regards to your action against Rollkur: did you hear about Philippe Karl, who is also doing this in Europe?
I signed his petition a while ago, and received this e-mail now:
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Dear Madam, dear Sir,
On 9 February 2010, more than 20 experts will attend an FEI meeting in Switzerland to discuss once again whether the so-called hyperflexion (“Rollkur”) is an adequate method of training a horse. In order to support the opponents of this method and offer them further arguments, a petition has been initiated at http://www.no-rollkur.com. We’d like to invite you to support this action against hyperflexion – time is short!
You were so kind as to sign our own petition calling for reforms of the FN rules, which was initiated in May 2009. This obviously bore fruit: The German FN eventually invited Philippe Karl for a meeting in Warendorf, Germany. They now have to find an appropriate date. We will of course keep you informed about the outcome of this meeting.
Thank you very much again for your support!
Cordially,
Philippe Karl & his team
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I thought you and others would pherhaps like to know.
Best wishes!