Liberty Principles on Line

Here is a video showing how I take Liberty Principles to the Line Phase progression. See the next exercises and more at the new FDhorsemanship Virtual Clinic!

The New Virtual Clinic Launch

I have been busy cooking up the new Virtual Clinic Classroom! It is ready to launch and I have been busy with new videos that are being prepared as I write this. Some of you are already subscribed to my Classroom and this new Virtual Clinic site will replace the existing classroom. You will receive instructions for how to switch to the new Virtual Clinic Classroom in an email soon.

This is much more then a Classroom. My vision is to provide on going clinic support for those who have attended my clinics. My other vision is for those who would like to learn my Liberty-Line-Mounted exercises in an online "Virtual Clinic" environment and who may not be able to work with me in person. If you do work with me in person, you can still join to get access to the exercise library to practice by yourself.

Memberships are $9.95 a month. Some exercises will be free. Your membership includes a profile and the ability to upload videos of your practice for evaluation by me. You can schedule a personal, individual Skype or Google Virtual coach or you can get in on a Clinic Group call. You can also post comments and questions on videos. Online video chats will be available at scheduled times for Clinic Groups in different time zones. Clinic Groups are based on geographic location. Pay per view clinics and exercises will be available at times if you would prefer to just view a clinic exercise or video without a membership.

If you have attended a Clinic with me, The exercises in the clinic will be covered on the site so you can refer to them again and again. I know how hard it is to remember all the information you learn. It  also allows you to be able to progress to more advanced exercises when you're ready. You'll find it all at the new Virtual Clinic.

Currently, Starting Django will be up which is my Vlog of Starting a 3 year old Friesian colt with my Liberty foundation on to Line and Mounted.  I have also posted my Going Bitless class in it's entirety which includes my Liberty-Line-Mounted progression and some of my basic FUN!damental exercises for Chiropractic and Suppleness benefits to your horse. The Going Bitless Clinic should be considered useful for Liberty rein work and Bitted riding as well. My popular Bridling/Halter game Exercise is also up so there's already a lot to look over. New videos will be added regularly. If you enjoy my Youtube channel and want to learn how it's done, this site is for you.

Another change will be this blog will be merged with my Original FDH Blog so if you haven's already subscribed to that one, take this opportunity to do it now. This blog will be switched on October 1st.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. Click here to visit the New Virtual Clinic Classroom.

http://www.fdhorsemanship.com/
http://fdhorsemanship.com/virtualclinic/

Practicing test patterns for fun

Did you ever think of practicing test patterns just for fun? I know not everyone has competitive aspirations but if you are looking for a challenge and variety in your play and practice, test patterns can be a good learning tool and can be used in many creative ways.

Horses like patterns and shapes because they give them and their person intention and a goal. They give the horse a sense of purpose and destination. It is also a great focusing exercise for distracted horses and fearful riders.

Test patterns come in all levels and abilities so don't think you are not ready to try them. They generally start at the walk, trot/jog. You can also walk the whole pattern, trot in canter sections, and modify the patterns to your level. You can gradually work toward doing it exactly in your own time.

Obviously riding patterns is one way to use them. But you can ride them Bitless, Bareback, English, Western, Gaited or any other style you may do.

Did you ever think of just leading your horse around the pattern? You can practice leading from both sides and if you have a young horse, un-rideable horse, or a horse being rehabbed. This is a creative way to use patterns.

Another fun challenge is to do them at Liberty. Can to get your horse to do the patterns mirroring you? Can you get your horse to circle around you? You could put treats along the shape of the patterns and guide your horse to them. Be creative, modify the patterns to your own liking. Make up your own original ones!

If you do compete, these are fresh ways to practice and make it more fun. See the links here with Western Dressage patterns and USDF Patterns and enjoy the video of some patterns I make up.
Western Dressage Tests
USDF Tests
USEF Tests

Django under saddle

This is one of the last clips from the Starting Django Vlog. This video shows a ground to mounted "Touch" exercise progression for suppleness, communication and steering.
http://www.fdhorsemanship.com/

Change the bend exercise

This is a fun little exercise I like to do at Liberty and on line and can be taken to mounted work as well. 

UK clinic summary

I just got back from the UK clinic and it was full of fun, interesting people and horses. I saw many happy smiling faces and happy horses at the end. That makes me happy. Lots of new faces and some familiar ones. I so enjoy the interaction with diverse groups so we can learn about all different ways to work/play with all different personalities and types.

Some cool new programs have sprouted out of my connection with the New Horse and Carolyn Bourchier Horsemanship. We'll keep you updated on developments. We are working on being able to provide continued support to clinic participants throughout the year online.

I also got to visit with Jenny Rolfe and her Stallions again. It's always inspiring to be around like-minded individuals and share thoughts and ideas about horses and teaching. What's really cool is my US and UK network are really starting to overlap and allow us to provide support and guidance as a team. As usual Allie Bourchier provided us with unforgettable photos of the clinic. Enjoy and keep watch for the next clinic in your area here http://www.fdhorsemanship.com/#!calendar

UK clinic slideshow 1

UK clinic slideshow 2

Got to hang out with my good friend Taz again!

Working with food: part 2: Hay exercise

Other uses for hay when you're not eating it...

I have a simple exercise I do with hay which is a nice way to start introducing the idea of focus around food.

For safety, I must be able to move my horse away from my space easily at a slow or fast pace without any food around. I must feel that I can reliably move my horse without food.

First, I will sit/stand with my horse while they are eating their hay and just let them relax with me for a time. I am not in a hurry to chase them off their food. It's not about depriving them. Once I've allowed them to eat for a bit comfortably, I will ask them to leave the hay pile either by just my body language and voice or using a stick with body language depending on the horses' nature. I wont hold them away from it. It is just about them letting me move them off slowly and then allowing them to come back as soon as they show willingness to leave.

This game is played with horses all the time in paddocks when you drop several hay piles down with more then one horse. I call it the Musical hay pile game. The top horse will push the others from one hay pile to the next. But at some point you see horses sharing the same hay pile together. I also see this done with grass patches as well. It is not done out of meanness or spite though it may seem that way. It is how horses establish order using food. See more examples of food work in my Vlog of Starting Django http://www.fdhorsemanship.com/#!classroom Happy horsing!