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Tabatha, Shadow and Lance
(Lance
is pictured below)
Just over three years ago I decided to buy my first
horse. After months of searching I ended up buying a 2 year old paint named
Shadow. I had no idea of how to start a young horse in fact I had just returned
to riding a year before, and now I had a green 2 year old. I fiddled around with
him for 5 months waiting for him to turn 3. During this time I did a lot of
round pen work following the instructions of Monty Roberts. This allowed a
relationship to be started between Shadow and I. Then the time came for Shadow
to be started. I wanted to start him in a natural horse method but I didn't know
of any local trainer, so I decided to give it a try my self. (you can only guess
how that went). I sat on his back before, and had people lead me around on him,
but that is nothing compared to riding him on your own. I must of hit the ground
4 times before I realized I was way over my head and scared, not to mention he
is a smart and strong personality horse who was quick to learn that he could
throw me. I ended up sending him to a local trainer who got the job done his
way. I was so scared that It would damage him mentally. You must understand that
I wanted to always have Shadow started in a natural horse method, but I knew of
no one who trained this way, and I had no one willing to steer me in the right
direction. I was so lost.
One year later I went to Vernon to watch a Parelli demo
with Linda and Pat Parelli. I came home with a carrot stick, savvy string, and
a lead rope and a renewed sense of hope that I could build a better relationship
with my horse. I threw out the dressage lessons and started watching the
at-home-study program Level one Parelli Dvd's. It was the best choice I could
have ever made. But unfortunately, with Shadow, my fears came true and I have
been working on undoing so many things that I have done wrong. Although now I
have the tools and knowledge to deal with the situations. I am now the leader of
my little herd, I have way more confidence when it comes to my now 5 year old
paint, and horses in general. I can ride him in a rope halter and brideless (in
a controlled area). I do not need a lead rope, just the carrot stick, when it
comes down to leading and working him around the property. We now have such a
large vocabulary that we both understand, I could not ask for a better horse if
I wanted, we have so much fun together! And I accomplished this all by myself at
home with their DVD programs.
So what am I doing now.... I just bought my 2nd horse a
4 year old 1/4 Arab, 1/4 Percheron and 1/2 Andalusian with 15 rides on him ( you
think I would have learned after the first one LOL).
I just started Parelli Level one with Lance and after 2
weeks it looks like we have completed Level one and we are already working on
level 2. It looks like I'm going to have my hands full with this one. He has
many trust issues and he gives me many "how interesting" moments that make me
sit back and think. All in all he is going to be way more of a challenging horse
then I have had to deal with before. But this time I am prepared, and I have the
support and tools that I have always needed.
So what are my goals now? I want to become a Parelli
instructor, no if's and or buts!!!! I believe there is no other course for me.
You see at one point I wanted to instruct English riding, but I realized there
is so much more than just getting on your horse and riding a shoulder-in or
jumping a 3 ft. course. There is the relationship between you and your horse
which should be valued more than anything else!
Equal parts of Love Language and Leadership!
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