Hi Karen,
WOW! I’m wild about Leading from Behind! It has given us another tool and way to dance together through movement and Esperanza's innate nature.
I ABSOLUTELY resonate with understanding herd dynamics and how that applies to our movements. I love how Leading from Behind lets the horse know, I got you, I’ll take care of the coyotes, so of course the horse in front feels protected and held.
Esperanza and I were able to get the Recall Cue down the next session, that in itself is emotionally bonding. And we continue to play with it during different patterns in the arena.
I’m looking forward to our dancing with fluidity!!!
We are practicing our ’station’ with a hula-hoop and are working toward doing our energy work there. We practice the energy work here and there and she loves it.
OH, OH, OH another great thing has happened! We can walk and graze!!!! We've never been able to manage that without lots of resistance.
As we walk, when I put my shoulder forward and point it to the place to eat, I say "Graze” and she eats.
When it’s time to go, I say: “3,2,1, come and give a slight signal on the lead rope and she’s picking her head up most of the time, she NEVER use to do that.
If she doesn’t pick up, I don’t have to yank and she doesn’t have to brace, the plastic bag at the end of the wand says: “Nope, that’s my grass”.
She’s even doing it if we are at the tie rack, she picks her head up and we walk. We have great big pastures south of the tracks, hills, a stream and lots of uneven terrain.
I’ve been wanting to go over there and play but didn’t feel comfortable doing because of the grass. Now I do!!!
There’s so much more I learned during your clinic.
I took 6 pages of notes and there’s so many jewels I learned from your ‘sayings’ that pop up when we are together: companion walking (we are practicing her taking the first step.
I get how the lead mare wants the herd members to take the first step, ignore unwanted behaviors if safe, belly button power, energetics' of words and body language, I/you/we conversation, which one are you having?
So…this is probably more of my thoughts than you wanted!
You have such a warm, inviting, friendly and fun way of presenting all that you know about horses and beyond!!!
I’m so grateful that we were able to participate. It true that the new master shows up when the student is ready.
I’m still soaking and unpacking it all.
I LOVED your latest video of you and Rhett, mesmerizing and magical. One day we aspire to your art.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU for bringing this work - play to the world!!!
Terri Todd
Colorado Aug 2021
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