26 January 2010

Jodi's Blog Entry no.1. 

The Start of Wonderful Things to Come

Francois and I had our very first horse training session with Animal Behaviourist Tacita Chas Giemre today.
I am feeling so high, excited and confident. I know we are being taught the best scientific principles.
This is going to strengthen our bond with our horses in every way.

Our first session was/is about using pressure/release thoroughly and stop-and-go.
We are starting very slowly and steadily so that we can get our principles down as well as our consistency perfect. At this point it is more about training us humans than the horses, I feel. I need to learn so much. I need to make sure that I am consistent in every way so that I do not confuse my horse, Jupiter, so that he understands what I expect from him. Clarity in my communication with him. This is fundamental to the training Tacita is providing us with.

Now we have wonderful 'home work' to do. Very basic but very effective.
I already felt my understanding, of my horse's behaviour, deepening. Just the fact that what I experience as 'stubborn behaviour' is often my misinterpretation of my horse's actual communication with me. He probably just does not know what I am trying to communicate to him. He is also still unbalanced, young and teething. So sometimes he is uncomfortable or impatient. I made a breakthrough in my understanding.

What a treat for me and Francois! What a wonderful way to start this year and this exciting project, Happy Horse, and strengthen our bond with our horses and each other.