Kjarda is Home!!

It has been a long-awaited spring.  Kjarda finally was able to come home to Stehekin on May 9.

I had studied throughout the winter to work on my mental fitness so I could be a better partner for Kjarda.  I wanted to be more patient . . . less direct-line . . . have a more playful attitude . . . gain more understanding and add to my arrows.  I read a book this winter that reinforced the Parelli 10 principles of a natural horseman and it was an eye-opener, because it was written by a couple from France who had never heard of the Parellis while they were gaining their experience with horses.  They became the creators of Cavalia, a horse extravaganza. The book is called "Gallop to Freedom".  What they ended up doing with their talents and knowledge, however, is less important than how they got there.  The love, language and leadership was so evident in their training . . . letting the horse's idea be your idea, and helping your idea become the horse's idea . . . never putting the horse in a position of stress while learning . . . the attitude of justice was very evident in their process . . . giving the horse responsibilities and being a responsible human in return . . . mutual learning of horse and human . . . and most importantly that horsemanship is natural.

I say all that to say this:  What the Parellis teach is spot-on.  I am just learning, however, that it is really important to listen to the mental part of the process and not get hung up in the tasks and passing the levels because it will only be possible to accomplish the tasks and pass the levels if we are putting the horse first and our ambitions last.  Unfortunately, I had been hung up on completing tasks and passing levels.

After I read the book "Gallop to Freedom", I watched the Parelli videos with a clearer understanding and a different focus and when I next saw Kjarda in February, I sensed more softness in myself and my approach.  The wonderful thing is that Kjarda noticed it too.  She was surprised that I did not respond to her the same as I always had and she started to look at me differently.  I realized that she had always wanted to be my partner and trust me, but I always was doing things that ruined that trust . . . pushing too hard . . . getting angry . . . not taking the time it takes.  I can think back on times she would look at me with a "look" that now I understand was saying,  "I want to come to you, but I can't.  You are in the way."

My last session with Kjarda in the spring before she came home was over a two day period in April.  Our on-line work seemed to be more lively and she was more responsive.  I was able to introduce a new game in the round pen at liberty (canter-whoa-back-canter) and not overdo it or get frustrated because it didn't go perfectly the first time.  I introduced it, got a beginning of understanding from Kjarda, though she does not like the backing part, and left it.  I know that with time this summer, we will do well with that game, because I am not going to push her beyond her understanding or desire.

Since she got home on May 9, I have only had three days to really play with her due to rain.  But already, I feel more freedom in myself, and more energy from her.  Right now I am in the process of getting her conditioned for the season.  Playing all the games we know on the ground and from the saddle will be a fun way to do it, and we will keep adding to the games and patterns, thanks to the Parelli Patterns, but with a more playful attitude.  Now it just has to quit raining . . .