Posted in Misc on Feb 10th, 2011
Cavalia Show Highlights
Cavalia is back again in Southern California, this time in Burbank. Normand Latourelle, one of the founders of Canada’s famed Cirque du Soleil, created the grand spectacular between horses and humans we know as “Cavalia.” The first year Cavalia came to California was in 2004. One of the most amazing things about the production is the sheer size and scale of it! Cavalia is held under the largest touring big top in North America reaching a height of 100 feet with a stage that is 160 feet wide! This allows the horses enough space to gallop and play with the artists at times free, unfettered by bridles or halters, my kind of show!
The first time Cavalia came to Southern California, I went only once, because that is the way people usually do it, just attending one performance once a season. The next time I couldn’t help attending the show three times- especially because Cavalia doesn’t come ever year, and there is no guarantee that they will return. I thought I was probably in the minority going back to see three shows in the same season. Few people are as horse crazy as I am!… Read more
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Posted in Misc on Jan 19th, 2011
Last week I had the opportunity to be back stage with the horses of Cavalia. We were able to see the horses unload from the trailers that came from the last location of the show in San Francisco, California. I have to say I have never seen so many horses that looked so calm and relaxed about getting off the trailer and in such good condition and happy! Also impressive was the team of handlers and riders that helped to create a relaxed and extremely well organized environment.
Once the horses were out of the truck, we were given a private tour of the stable area of all of the horse stars of the show. It was amazing to see incredible tents and the immaculate stalls. The horses were groomed impeccably and the atmosphere was wonderful!
I was also able to meet the founder and artistic director of Cavalia- Normand Latourelle, which was quite an honor. His vision and the production of the show is incredible, and my hat is off to him!
We then were invited to watch Sylvia Zerbini working with her 9 Arabian horses at liberty. The fluidity of their movement watching them trot… Read more
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Posted in Advice, Misc on Jan 18th, 2011
Second Annual Free Course, Winter 2011
Welcome to week 2! It looks like we have a very full classroom!
I’d like to continue writing on the subject of theory and the Uberstreichen Exercises a little bit more before I give you the first exercise. I would like to add and revisit some finer points as well.
Some Additional Benefits of the Uberstreichen Exercises:
1. I developed the Uberstreichen Exercises to help me in my training center in order to develop a horse that would work well for others in collection, presentation, and the attitude of the horse.
2. I also developed the Uberstreichen Exercises so that when the horse went home, the training and connection would stick for the owner.
3. When a horse got excited and fearful at the shows I could return his focus easily to feeling secure and relaxed.
Some Surprise Benefits are:
4. I could return an out of control stallion in a new environment around mares and other stallions to relax and return his focus back to me. In those days I had 5 stallions at the time I was developing the Uberstreichen Exercises, and accidentally found out how brilliantly they helped me in
… Read more
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Posted in Advice on Dec 30th, 2010
Recently I was working with a new student, showing how I introduce teaching halt from trot on a circle at liberty after I have the basic connection with a horse that the Waterhole Rituals provide to the partnership. I asked the horse to whoa, and about eight strides later, he stopped, and looked at me with a look that seemed to say “Is this what you wanted?” I then told him he was a good boy, and gave him a treat.
My student asked why I treated the horse since he stopped eight strides later than when I first asked for it. Since the horse had not been asked to halt this way before, the fact that he stopped at all was quite an accomplishment. Of course, with more time and training, soon the horse will be stopping on a dime and will be happy to do so. As our training session progressed, gradually, the horse stopped in fewer and fewer strides. It was the pause which allowed him to think about the request, and gave him the time to put his body in the right frame which would allow him to stop from a trot.
The next stage of… Read more
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Posted in Misc on Dec 28th, 2010
Horses test us and build our character through their innate nature and natural instincts by how they respond to us. One of the ways they test us is by how we approach them. However, the rudder is lost in how to learn what a horse has to teach us if a horse is forced against his will to respond differently from his natural instincts. The path is lost in how to grow spiritual awareness, compassion, and wisdom. When a horse comes to us, it naturally puts us in a position in having to choose whether to lead him, follow him, or be with him in the pause. A combination of these interactions in the right sequence builds a wonderful partnership revealing how to connect with all things.
By learning when to lead, when to follow, and when to pause we grow the cross species bond and our spiritual evolution. This is our first lesson with a horse. Not only is it our first lesson, it is the lesson we are always facing when working or being with horses.
When we are in rhythm with nature it is easy to know when to lead, when to follow, and… Read more
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Posted in Misc on Nov 30th, 2010
Sorry we missed posting on Thanksgiving! We hope you shared some lovely quality time with your family and your horse! Today I wanted to share a story from one of my Insider Circle students, she writes…..
HI Carolyn,
I just wanted to share with you what happened today with my horse Jeri. Jeri is a Thoroughbred/Trakhener and about 15 years old and he came to me as a green broke 10 year old. I bought him to show him in dressage which I did successfully. He is the kind of horse who will to do what you want when tethered to you but he never really had his heart in his work.
When time permits I have been doing the WR with him, so about 2-3 times a week since the WRIC course started in April.
Today as I shared territory he stood in front of my chair, relaxed for 5-10 minutes. He spent a few minutes with his nose touching mine just breathing in and out with my breath. It was a very magical moment.
Later I did some companion walking. He just connects to me as soon as I get off my chair and start walking. After a
… Read more
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Posted in Misc on Sep 2nd, 2010
Communicating with a horse is like a courtship.
Try treating a horse like you would like to be courted, and then your horse will show you how he would like to be approached, this way you will discover a working partnership from a co-creative evolution that will grow into an amazing cross species bond built on love, affection, parenting and respect. Know that trial and error will, usually, have a positive result, because your heart is in the right place.
There as been several people a bit confused in how to communicate the fifth Ritual Eye Contact with their horse.
It is quite easy to put it into practice.
I thought I would break it down for those of you that would like more information.
What you are wanting to do is to develop your horse to have a habit of keeping an eye on you, not as a horse would on a predator but like you would do with a friend at a gathering of many people, where if you did not keep and eye on each other you could get separated.
The way you approach this ritual is the same way lead… Read more
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