This message is from: "Cheryl Beillard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hello all .. I have a question for any of you out there who have introduced their fjords to the Parelli method of training .. I just came back from my first day at a level 1 clinic .. absolutely amazing to see a dozen agitated warmbloods and arabs, etc. change in just a few hours to something resembling fjords in temperment. However, when I came home - of course I decided to try out a little of what I had seen. Here's the rub (no pun intended) .. unlike the horses I watched all day who backed away from the stick and who seemed to respond almost immediately to a very light pressure anywhere, my 13 yr old mare, who can be headstrong but does not shy at machinery, cars, grouse, deer, etc -- seems totally indifferent to pressure on her nose, to move back, or anywhere else .. she just doesn't react. If anything, she comes toward me rather than moving away. Waving the stick around her head just makes her look a little askance, but not a flicker of concern or understanding that she needs to do anything about it. Ditto for trying to get her to drop her head or lift her feet when you squeeze her hock. I know I haven't even begun to start learning how to do this properly, but when she has no reaction at all, I wonder how agitated I have to become to get her to pay attention. She just stands there, patiently waiting to see what it is I want .. or else totally indifferent! I remember someone on the list recommending the 7 games video so I assume there must be lots of more responsive fjords .. and it must be me! Any comments, clues/advice ..? I'm very sorry I opted not to enroll her in the clinic as I would dearly love to see what a level 3 Parelli trainer would do with the non-reactive horse.
