Progression
One of the most delightful aspects of the Parelli program is the fact that it is a PROGRESSIVE program. Progression: Movement from one member of a continuous series to the next. (www.freedictionary.com)
This concept could be the single most powerful aspect of Parelli Natural Horsemanship.
As I look back over my long and varied history with horses, I can where my 'failures', my accidents, my ineptitudes all are completely explained by a violation of PROGRESSION.
That is, I either went too fast for my horse or too fast for myself, leaping forward past steps and over-estimating our abilities, or underestimating the time it would take for us truly to master a step before moving on.
Most times, I just wasn't on any sort of an organized CONTINUOUS SERIES at all.
I can also look at the successes I have had and see where the concept still applies....I was systematically going in a proper sequence and also reading my horse and presenting things in a manner that could be absorbed.
But hey, even a blind squirrel gets a nut from time to time and a broken clock is right twice a day.
It is difficult though, not to look back at how much heart-break and struggle (as well as physical, and psychological injury) could have been flat out avoided by following this logical progressive path.
Dani, my 'official' levels horse, is proof to me of the power of this program. I've written early about this mare's absolute aversion to putting her hooves on ANYthing. I am just slowly and systematically presenting things to her, not with force and we are taking the time it takes (which sometimes feels a bit like watching paint dry). I am learning so much in the process....much about how even though I have worked sooo hard to develop patience, I still am quite lacking.....much about how a horse like Dani learns....how not to push her over the edge and activate her temper.
And then, learning how going through all of these steps sets us up for a day like last week when I took her over to the mini pedestal and asked a few times and she gave me this:
....and was waiting all this time while I fussed with my phone trying to pull up the camera function as I was NOT expecting this!
It may not look like much to some people, but to us, this is huge. I've just got hours and hours of working with this horse with getting her to put her feet on something.
I know now, it is not about the feet....the pedestal....any of that. It's about the trust and bond built into our relationship, and me NOT making the pedestal more important than any of that.
And it is about progression.....moving in a logically sequence from one thing to the next. Going at a comfortable level that pushes slightly, but not too much. Being ever vigilant for when the push is too much and especially being vigilant AND APPRECIATIVE for what the horse offers.
Ironically, in not working in a direct line to the task, you actually can get the task.
Amazing.
Sue, progressing, in Ohio
This concept could be the single most powerful aspect of Parelli Natural Horsemanship.
As I look back over my long and varied history with horses, I can where my 'failures', my accidents, my ineptitudes all are completely explained by a violation of PROGRESSION.
That is, I either went too fast for my horse or too fast for myself, leaping forward past steps and over-estimating our abilities, or underestimating the time it would take for us truly to master a step before moving on.
Most times, I just wasn't on any sort of an organized CONTINUOUS SERIES at all.
I can also look at the successes I have had and see where the concept still applies....I was systematically going in a proper sequence and also reading my horse and presenting things in a manner that could be absorbed.
But hey, even a blind squirrel gets a nut from time to time and a broken clock is right twice a day.
It is difficult though, not to look back at how much heart-break and struggle (as well as physical, and psychological injury) could have been flat out avoided by following this logical progressive path.
Dani, my 'official' levels horse, is proof to me of the power of this program. I've written early about this mare's absolute aversion to putting her hooves on ANYthing. I am just slowly and systematically presenting things to her, not with force and we are taking the time it takes (which sometimes feels a bit like watching paint dry). I am learning so much in the process....much about how even though I have worked sooo hard to develop patience, I still am quite lacking.....much about how a horse like Dani learns....how not to push her over the edge and activate her temper.
And then, learning how going through all of these steps sets us up for a day like last week when I took her over to the mini pedestal and asked a few times and she gave me this:
There are two hooves on that pedestal. TWO hooves. And she just stepped up there calm as can be.
And stayed there when the crazy cats were making noise in the corner.....even concerned, stayed there.
It may not look like much to some people, but to us, this is huge. I've just got hours and hours of working with this horse with getting her to put her feet on something.
I know now, it is not about the feet....the pedestal....any of that. It's about the trust and bond built into our relationship, and me NOT making the pedestal more important than any of that.
And it is about progression.....moving in a logically sequence from one thing to the next. Going at a comfortable level that pushes slightly, but not too much. Being ever vigilant for when the push is too much and especially being vigilant AND APPRECIATIVE for what the horse offers.
Ironically, in not working in a direct line to the task, you actually can get the task.
Amazing.
Sue, progressing, in Ohio
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