Logo gear for sale

Wow a lot is going on!


Please visit the new items we have on sale featuring the 20/20 Horsemanship Logo and the horses!
www.cafepress.com/naturalhorse








Loretta the natural horseman clear communication/visible results

Logo gear for sale

Wow a lot is going on!


Please visit the new items we have on sale featuring the 20/20 Horsemanship Logo and the horses!
www.cafepress.com/naturalhorse








Loretta the natural horseman clear communication/visible results

Training Astro

This time last year I had a broken ankle.  Prior to that I had been working on training Astro under saddle with the help of my trainer, Yvonne Lucas.  I didn't ride for several months after the break, and when I did Astro repeatedly tried to shake me off.  This went on for some time and when the vet took a look she found significant back pain.  Astro needed at least 3 months rest.  3 months turned into 5.  It was fall, I was busy, bought Stryker,  Stryker got hurt and then the SNOW came.  Astro's original 3 months off turned into almost a year of not being ridden.


I have a sweet little student who rides Astro on the lead line.  He is perfect in every way.  However, when he is ridden off lead and away from his paddock he has been a little nutso.  I really want some other experienced young riders to ride him, so I've been working on him during this last week. 


I have been doing ground work with him in the front field.  Here's how he has progressed:

• Day 1  He responded well to what I asked, until I asked him to trot.  Every time a car went by he did his little boy spook.   He kicked the pole he was trotting over every time, and it was on the ground!
• Day 2  He no longer spooked while trotting, yeah!  I had him keep trotting until a car went by and he did not react.  Then I let him stop and munch grass.  He figured out the plan very quickly!
• Day 3 He no longer kicked the pole he was trotting over.   I used the same approach.  Trotting over the pole, without stopping, until he no longer kicked it.  Then, time to munch the grass.  I raised the pole and he did kick it a bit, but we worked on that the next day.
• Day 4 He no longer kicked the raised pole.  Now it looked like a small jump.  He trotted over it, back and forth, without stopping, or kicking it.  What a smart pony!  I had him trot over other small jumps and he was a dream.
• Day 5 I raised the pole to 15 inches and he trotted over it, and a few times actually jumped it.  A very quiet, calm and relaxed jump.  I asked him to canter on the lead and he did.  We went around to all the jumps and he jumped them lovely.  

I am so pleased and proud of him.  I will continue showing him new things and changing things up for him.  It seems the unexpected is what gets him the most, so training near the road is good for him.  I will ride him again in a few days and expect his behavior under saddle to be improved as well.  Ground work and saddle work go hand in hand.

Loretta the natural horseman clear communication/visible results

Training Astro

This time last year I had a broken ankle.  Prior to that I had been working on training Astro under saddle with the help of my trainer, Yvonne Lucas.  I didn't ride for several months after the break, and when I did Astro repeatedly tried to shake me off.  This went on for some time and when the vet took a look she found significant back pain.  Astro needed at least 3 months rest.  3 months turned into 5.  It was fall, I was busy, bought Stryker,  Stryker got hurt and then the SNOW came.  Astro's original 3 months off turned into almost a year of not being ridden.


I have a sweet little student who rides Astro on the lead line.  He is perfect in every way.  However, when he is ridden off lead and away from his paddock he has been a little nutso.  I really want some other experienced young riders to ride him, so I've been working on him during this last week. 


I have been doing ground work with him in the front field.  Here's how he has progressed:

• Day 1  He responded well to what I asked, until I asked him to trot.  Every time a car went by he did his little boy spook.   He kicked the pole he was trotting over every time, and it was on the ground!
• Day 2  He no longer spooked while trotting, yeah!  I had him keep trotting until a car went by and he did not react.  Then I let him stop and munch grass.  He figured out the plan very quickly!
• Day 3 He no longer kicked the pole he was trotting over.   I used the same approach.  Trotting over the pole, without stopping, until he no longer kicked it.  Then, time to munch the grass.  I raised the pole and he did kick it a bit, but we worked on that the next day.
• Day 4 He no longer kicked the raised pole.  Now it looked like a small jump.  He trotted over it, back and forth, without stopping, or kicking it.  What a smart pony!  I had him trot over other small jumps and he was a dream.
• Day 5 I raised the pole to 15 inches and he trotted over it, and a few times actually jumped it.  A very quiet, calm and relaxed jump.  I asked him to canter on the lead and he did.  We went around to all the jumps and he jumped them lovely.  

I am so pleased and proud of him.  I will continue showing him new things and changing things up for him.  It seems the unexpected is what gets him the most, so training near the road is good for him.  I will ride him again in a few days and expect his behavior under saddle to be improved as well.  Ground work and saddle work go hand in hand.

Loretta the natural horseman clear communication/visible results

Stryker update

Exciting news to share about Stryker!


The vet phoned to say they will come out again in 5-6 weeks to ultrasound the tendon. In the mean time he can be hand walked up to 20 minutes daily! Yippee! This does mean, however, that I will have to sedate him.   I'm sure he'll want to do more than walk! If he can remain quiet and calm after his walk, I can allow him to graze (on lead, in hand) for as long as he likes. (or that time allows!)


Additionally the Doctor thinks that when they do see him again, he may be able to be moved into a bigger area. I'm sure he's had enough of the stall, so he will be looking forward to that immensely!

Stryker update

Exciting news to share about Stryker!


The vet phoned to say they will come out again in 5-6 weeks to ultrasound the tendon. In the mean time he can be hand walked up to 20 minutes daily! Yippee! This does mean, however, that I will have to sedate him.   I'm sure he'll want to do more than walk! If he can remain quiet and calm after his walk, I can allow him to graze (on lead, in hand) for as long as he likes. (or that time allows!)


Additionally the Doctor thinks that when they do see him again, he may be able to be moved into a bigger area. I'm sure he's had enough of the stall, so he will be looking forward to that immensely!

Understanding the Subtleties

What many folks fail to appreciate is, the technique can only take you so far, you need to have the understanding and balance to use it correctly. That balance and understanding is what Parelli means when they refer to "Savvy", knowing when to be, where to be, how to be - knowing WHEN to do things and knowing when to STOP doing things.


I apologize for not remembering who wrote it, but it is PERFECT!

This often comes up for me while working with owners. They watch me working with their horse and I do explain to them what I am doing. However there is definitely a certain amount of knowing (especially) regarding timing of releases, amount of pressure etc... that just cannot be explained. I am very intuitive, which helps for sure, but sometimes I have difficulty articulating because of this 'knowing' or 'Savvy' and intuition, or a combination of them.

I see owners becoming frustrated because they do not achieve the same results as I do after working with me for only a few sessions, sometimes even just one or two. It takes time, patience, practice and more time, patience and practice!




the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Understanding the Subtleties

What many folks fail to appreciate is, the technique can only take you so far, you need to have the understanding and balance to use it correctly. That balance and understanding is what Parelli means when they refer to "Savvy", knowing when to be, where to be, how to be - knowing WHEN to do things and knowing when to STOP doing things.


I apologize for not remembering who wrote it, but it is PERFECT!

This often comes up for me while working with owners. They watch me working with their horse and I do explain to them what I am doing. However there is definitely a certain amount of knowing (especially) regarding timing of releases, amount of pressure etc... that just cannot be explained. I am very intuitive, which helps for sure, but sometimes I have difficulty articulating because of this 'knowing' or 'Savvy' and intuition, or a combination of them.

I see owners becoming frustrated because they do not achieve the same results as I do after working with me for only a few sessions, sometimes even just one or two. It takes time, patience, practice and more time, patience and practice!




the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Why the trainer has a trainer

The other day I met with a family for the first time.  We were discussing my set up and their desires for their child. While talking, it came up that I use a trainer.  They  were quite surprised by that and expressed concern about my abilities if I use a trainer myself.


I am sharing this because as I've thought about it over the past few days I realize how important a topic it really is.  My learning will never be complete.  I am constantly reading books about teaching about training, horsemanship, styles, theories, breeds, you name it.  I love watching you tube videos and reading blogs.  I like to think I have been doing this long enough so that when I receive new information I am able to decide whether or not it is relevant to me and my work.  There is a lot of info out there and we need to be able to decipher between what is good and what is not so good.  A lot of well meaning folks get caught here because they really don't know the difference.  The internet has such an abundance of information and it is an amazing tool.  However, having someone you know and trust to run things by is always best. To know that you need to ask is honorable and respectable.


In this case I was saying a trainer was working with me and one of my ponies.  He is very young and green.  I am capable of finishing him, however that is not my specialty and I realize that.  I am not afraid or embarrassed to say 'Hey, I'm not the best one suited for this.  Can you help me out?'


I was pleased explain this to my potential clients and they quickly understood and agreed.


By the way, we really connected and they are beginning their horsemanship experience as a family.  I am honored they have chosen me.  Just another example of how we attract the  perfect partners into our lives.






Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Why the trainer has a trainer

The other day I met with a family for the first time.  We were discussing my set up and their desires for their child. While talking, it came up that I use a trainer.  They  were quite surprised by that and expressed concern about my abilities if I use a trainer myself.


I am sharing this because as I've thought about it over the past few days I realize how important a topic it really is.  My learning will never be complete.  I am constantly reading books about teaching about training, horsemanship, styles, theories, breeds, you name it.  I love watching you tube videos and reading blogs.  I like to think I have been doing this long enough so that when I receive new information I am able to decide whether or not it is relevant to me and my work.  There is a lot of info out there and we need to be able to decipher between what is good and what is not so good.  A lot of well meaning folks get caught here because they really don't know the difference.  The internet has such an abundance of information and it is an amazing tool.  However, having someone you know and trust to run things by is always best. To know that you need to ask is honorable and respectable.


In this case I was saying a trainer was working with me and one of my ponies.  He is very young and green.  I am capable of finishing him, however that is not my specialty and I realize that.  I am not afraid or embarrassed to say 'Hey, I'm not the best one suited for this.  Can you help me out?'


I was pleased explain this to my potential clients and they quickly understood and agreed.


By the way, we really connected and they are beginning their horsemanship experience as a family.  I am honored they have chosen me.  Just another example of how we attract the  perfect partners into our lives.






Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Fun for kids

http://www.juniormasterhorseman.com


I set up a FREE group for my students (kids) here.  It seems like some fun, so please feel free to allow them to enter.  There are games and things you can do with them.


You can find the group by searching 22066,  or the name Piero10.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Fun for kids

http://www.juniormasterhorseman.com


I set up a FREE group for my students (kids) here.  It seems like some fun, so please feel free to allow them to enter.  There are games and things you can do with them.


You can find the group by searching 22066,  or the name Piero10.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Giving

I had a new student come out today.  She was very happy just to be around horses again.  It gives me much joy to be able to offer these services and to help others become more enriched horseman.  I have to remind myself sometimes of what it felt like when I had to rely on other people's horses in order to spend time with an equine.


Yesterday a teenager from my Tae Kwon Do class came by.  She had her first pony ride.  Not only that, she had never even been up close to a horse, never patted a pony.  I was honored to be the one to give her that first experience.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Giving

I had a new student come out today.  She was very happy just to be around horses again.  It gives me much joy to be able to offer these services and to help others become more enriched horseman.  I have to remind myself sometimes of what it felt like when I had to rely on other people's horses in order to spend time with an equine.


Yesterday a teenager from my Tae Kwon Do class came by.  She had her first pony ride.  Not only that, she had never even been up close to a horse, never patted a pony.  I was honored to be the one to give her that first experience.


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Welcome

Welcome new students!


So far in March we have:


Ashley
Izzie
William
Anna
Laurie
Meg
Alex
Alissa
Sheila


Wow.  They sure are keeping me busy!

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Welcome

Welcome new students!


So far in March we have:


Ashley
Izzie
William
Anna
Laurie
Meg
Alex
Alissa
Sheila


Wow.  They sure are keeping me busy!

Loretta


the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Gemstone update

Gemstone is doing great.  She has been ridden by several students so far and seems to be settled into our routine.  Can't wait to get her shoes so I can show her the trails.....


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results

Gemstone update

Gemstone is doing great.  She has been ridden by several students so far and seems to be settled into our routine.  Can't wait to get her shoes so I can show her the trails.....


Loretta

the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results