LLM: Lateral Leg Yielding: Liberty part 1

In case you are wondering what LLM is, It stands for Liberty, Line, Mounted. This next few post will be about using that progression to introduce Lateral work and Leg Yield from the Liberty exercises, to On Line (or In Hand) to Mounted. It's a really fun and flowing way to introduce any new communication to a horse and it make for an often lively conversation! The first video addresses Liberty warm up for this of movement.
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Lots of stuff!

I wanted to let everyone know some of the current and upcoming events in the coming months. First off all, The St. Vincent's Caribbean Clinic is coming up February 28th. This is an amazing clinic with Stina Herberg and Myself is paradise with her horses! It is magical! We work with Carolyn Resnick's Waterhole Rituals, Yoga and Meditation for riding and transitioning to riding from Liberty work. This clinic is especially good for fearful or traumatized riders. I can't express what an amazing experience it is. We are offering an early bird sign up with a savings of 10% on this already great value. Go here to sign up and get detailed info http://fdhorsetraining.com/Showschedule.html check out a video from the last one http://youtu.be/UbRt-d23b4w

In other news, I am now able to offer playshop intensives at Back Acres Farm in MA. There is accomodation available for you and your horse on site or near by. You can come and work with me for 1-3 days in small groups. You do not need to have a horse. You can lease one if needed. These are arranged by request and demand so If you would like more info about this Contact me here.

Also keep and ear out for clinics in CT as it gets warmer. So far I will be tentively scheduled to do clinics in the UK, Washington, New Zealand and Australia for 2012. Contact me for more info or to find out about having a clinic in your area.

I have currenty available The New Zealand Clinic video and the Going Bitless class video for sale here http://fdhorsetraining.com/FDTIinstruction.html
It's a great way to experience the clinic or classes if you couldn't make them.

Last but not least keep an eye out for the new website launch and the on Demand Video Library coming soon! It will feature exercises in my Liberty-Line-Mounted progression with and emphasis on building Connection-Communication-Calm Leadership. Hope to see you soon in the virtual world or the real one!

http://fdhorsetraining.com/

Goal Setting and Visualization

FDTH in New Zealand...Cool!

Here is the first exercise of the New Year. Every year at this time I like to evaluate where I've been and where I'd like to go in the coming year.

It's been an amazing year for me with lots of travel and meeting incredible horses and their people.

Mercury and I have had our usual fun and adventures with a year of careful rehabbing and training us back to full fitness again. He had a year off previously due to injury. We did our first Demo together and he was the Star of the show as he likes to be always.

As I look to the year ahead, I see Mercury and I going back to the show ring and exploring deeper connection and partnership as always. Making up new fun games and my goal of Dancing with horses even more! Whether it be at Liberty or Riding.There is also more travel in the year ahead to new places, people, and horses. I have a deep sense of gratitude to be able to do all the things I do.

The exercise is to write down what you did in the last year with your horse or otherwise, how far you've come and what you are thankful for. Acknowledge your successes and write what you might carry on to the next year as a work in progress. Once you've done that, write any new goals that you would like to achieve with your riding, liberty or connection (or otherwise). Keep that paper or file so you can look at it next year in January and see what happens. That's it! Happy New year! You will reach your goals....

http://fdhorsetraining.com/

Announcing: Going Bitless online class info

Yes you too could own this sexy Zebra bitless
bridle for your horse!

The Next Going Bitless online class will start January 1st running through January 30th with the first videos to be released for personal practice followed by a Skype Q&A session a week. This class is suitable for beginner (horses and riders) as well as the addition of intermediate exercises in this class for those who have done the class or are further ahead. It is suitable for all disciplines as well.
You will have the week to get signed up and review and practice the first exercises. Additional video exercises will be sent out each week with call recordings for the people who could not attend or to review info. The Skype Q&A answer session will be held Mondays at 7pm EST. If you have not downloaded Skype click here to get it. Otherwise, if you cannot make the calls or can't get Skype, You may post questions to the Blog or Email them through my Website. If you have a Youtube channel, you can send me links to your uploaded videos from your channel for evaluation. If you have another video host you use, that is fine too. I only need to be able to view them through the links to share with me for evaluation. If you need more help with this or have more questions contact me. The cost of the online clinic will be of $150.00 payable through my site (click here to sign up and pay). If you would prefer to audit the class it is $100.00. This offers you access to all videos exercises and Skype call replays as well as email in questions to be answered on the calls.
To Purchase my Side Pull Bitless bridle click here.

Here is how the class will work:
1. Sign up by paying through Paypal. (click here to sign up and pay)
2. Add me through your Skype contacts search Farah.Dejohnette or Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship
3. Once you have signed up and I have your email, You will receive the links to the weeks video lessons.
4. Speak to me on the weekly Skype call to have questions answered and get feedback on videos.
5. Post questions on the blog or email them to me here if you don't or can't access Skype.

http://fdhorsetraining.com/
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Liberty-Line-Mounted exercise: Turn on the Forehand

Here is another exercise that will easily flow applying my Liberty-Line-Mounted progression.

Turn on the Forehand (or Yield the hindquarters) is a movement that has a variety of applications. 

It is a Suppling exercise, A strengthening exercise, a way to learn how to request the hind legs of the horse one at a time. It is also a very basic way to present the idea of moving sideways as opposed to forward (off of a "Touch Cue") or what is otherwise known a a Leg Yield. 

As always, Introducing a Language, Concept or Exercise at Liberty is always a great way to improve your Connection, Body language, trust, and learn how to read your horses responses and natural ability, fitness and strength level. I prefer to see a horse try a movement when he is unencumbered with tack or a rider to see what his true level, natural movement and flexibility is. Then I can go on to the Line or In-Hand work departing from this place and not push the horse beyond his comfort level. After that, on to Mounted if it is appropriate.

A Turn on the Forehand is when a horse keeps his front feet in one spot and cross steps his hind legs around  in a circle 90, 180, or 360 degrees. 

There are two ways approach this at Liberty. The first is simply to use Eye Contact to draw to horse around 360 degrees on the spot he stands. If you have worked on your horse keeping his eye on you when you move this will be easy. You would start by standing directly in front of your horse and going to the left or right in a circle around his body working toward his tail a safe distance away. You make a circle around your horse slowly. Clucking sometimes helps if they wont look or moving them a step or two and starting again. Done correctly, the horse will pivot on the spot crossing his hind legs creating a Turn on the Forehand in his effort to keep his Eye(s) on you. 

If your horse has not learned to yet keep an eye on you, then another way to do this at Liberty is to stand close to your horse while he is free and place your hand on bridge of his nose. For example, If you were on your horses left, you would take your Left hand on their nose and step around toward their hip. You can then add a touch of the hip or flank (you may not even need to). I actually like to touch where my leg will go with my hand to make an "Association exercise" The horse will learn to associate that touch where the leg will go later with my leg when I am mounted. 

Once you and your horse have a good understanding of this at Liberty, you can put your bridle or halter on and go through the same sequence with a feel on and off the rein or line. If my horse is on a line, I can apply the Eye Contact exercise again while keeping a long slack in the line so the horse can move on the pivot freely. 

If I want to use a hand on the rein (which would be similar to hand on the bridge of the nose), I would stand in that same position on the left side of the horse with my left hand on the left rein instead of the nose and touch where my leg would go or the hip/flank (if necessary and add a cluck). Remember to release the signal as soon as the horse tries or responds. Go to the other side when ready and remember one side is always a little more difficult than the other and this is a good way to see that and help your horse become more strong and flexible in a gentle way. 

If you are doing so well with this you feel ready to do it mounted, go ahead and give it a try. At this point your horse will feel confident in the exercise and will understand your Ground Touch and the feel of a rein or Line. Once you are on and ready to try it. Touch you horses side a little further then behind the cinch or girth with you leg and cluck if necessary. (you can also turn your body in the direction left if you are using left leg or vice versa) One step over is plenty to reward and build up from there. 

Remember to go slow and go back to easier levels if it is getting too difficult. Have fun and patience!

http://fdhorsetraining.com/

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FDTH Online Bitless video class update

I am really pleased with how this first class is going! Here is a sample of the Intro to Going Bitless online Virtual Clinic class on starting or transitioning to Bitless riding. I will be offering this class again as well as an Intermediate, and Advanced class. I will keep you posted on this. This video will be available for sale soon if you just want to work at your own leisure and pace. 

Link to video

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Announcing: Going Bitless class info

The Introduction to Going Bitless online class will start November 1st running through November 28th with the first videos to be released for personal practice followed by a Skype Q&A session a week. You will have the week to get signed up and review and practice the first exercises. The Skype Q&A answer session will be held at a time to be determined. Sunday or Monday AM or PM times are available by popular choice so let me know in the comments section what time of those two days may work best. If you have not downloaded Skype click here to get it. Otherwise, if you cannot make the calls or can't get Skype, You may post questions to the Blog or Email them through my Website. If you have a Youtube channel, you can send me links to your uploaded videos from your channel for evaluation. If you have another video host you use, that is fine too. I only need to be able to view them through the links to share with me for evaluation. If you need more help with this or have more questions contact me. The cost of the online clinic will be an Introductory rate of $150.00 payable through my site (click here to sign up and pay). To Purchase my Side Pull Bitless bridle click here.

Here is how the class will work:
1. Sign up by paying through Paypal. (click here to sign up and pay)
2. Add me through your Skype contacts search Farah.Dejohnette or Farah DeJohnette Horsemanship
3. Once you have signed up and I have your email, You will receive the links to the weeks video lessons.
4. Speak to me on the weekly Skype call to have questions answered and get feedback on videos.
5. Post questions on the blog or email them to me here if you don't or can't access Skype.

http://fdhorsetraining.com/
Subscribe to my Blog