Stacy’s Video Diary Jac-Episode 33- Behind the scenes look at horse training at an expo
Total training time-139 hours 30 minutes
When traveling with horses to shows, trail rides, clinics or expos it is often the ‘behind the scenes’ stuff that seasons them more that the event itself.
Before the event even began I was riding in the arena where I would be speaking. This is also the same arena that the freestyle reining is held in during the Quarter Horse Congress which is why I said, “Jac’s pretending we’re getting ready to go in the freestyle.”
There is a quote that says, “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.”-Robert H. Schuller
I explain that there are often times when riding horses that the horse will anticipate things; for example a reining horse anticipating the lead change when coming through the middle of the show pen….because a lead change always happens in the middle during a show.
Many people think that avoiding the problem area is a solution. The problem with this thinking is that the lead changes cannot be avoided during showing…so by ‘avoiding’ the problem area during training you are actually highlighting the fact that the ONLY time you deal with that area is when showing.
I explain that I do patterns like the 4 leaf clover pattern (shown on the DVD Basic Body Control and Bridleless Riding: How Does She Do That?) at home so that I can ‘open the can of worms’ and work on the issue at home. By using a repetitive pattern, such as the 4 leaf clover, the opportunity to train through the anticipation phase become possible. When the horse knows that a left turn is coming and the rider corrects the problems such as ducking and diving, the horse become aware that although there are repetitive things coming-they should still wait for and respect the rider.
The video also shows a ‘behind the scenes’ of Jac’s celebrity life including getting into Jac’s ‘celebrity’ stall, lunch on the go (PB &J) with Stacy and Jac, saddling up, and warming up for a demo.
The chaos of traveling with horses is what gets them ‘seasoned’; trucks, people, other horses, flags, carts, etc.
Jac encountered his first ‘scared’ moment of the expo when a small driving team entered the warm up pen. Listen as I explain how I used the distraction as a ‘test’ for Jac.
Jac handled this whole experience quite well. I show a closing video of Jac in his ‘celebrity’ stall as the expo is closing (I try sneaking up on him) and we see that Jac is relaxed and confident…exactly what we want to see in our horses.
My favorite part is when I ‘sneak’ up on Jac and he stops chewing…I don’t know why but I always laugh when horses stop chewing to focus…it makes me think of a human freezing ‘mid-chew’ and I can’t help but laugh!
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Stacy I loved seeing the show from behind the sceans! I am wall ways in my own, this is the first time in years I missed it,this was awesome and a fresh look at the show! Thank You
Stacey, I’m so impressed with your training! You look so good on a horse and sometime I would love to come watch you! You make the horse look good! Thanks for sharing……
this is one of my most favorite videos…..no wonder you were sooo tired….WOW you WERE busy!!!
Jacs body language and the LOOKS he was giving that cart was too funny…. he is a GEM!!! :o)
oh and one more thing….
I LOVED a quote that you said in this video …
“it’s OK….life’s a little bit chaotic …but I’m here and I’m guiding you”…..
it kinda hit pretty deep with me…. thanx!
It is very interesting that this happens to be the topic of the video today. I just so happened to have had an excellent travelling training opportunity for my yearling colt this morning. He got to have his first visit into the veterinary office. (He has seen the vet previously, but at home when he was just born.) It was only his second trip in the horse trailer, he had to wait for more than a half an hour in the trailer at the vet’s, then his first trip into a barn (we just have a pasture with a couple run in sheds), he had to go into a dark room off to the side and go over a “bridge” that was the scale. When at the barn entrance I mentioned that he had never been into a barn, the vet pleasantly commented how he didn’t even hesitate at the door. All of the work I have done paid off when he walked confidently into that barn, into the dark room, and over the “bridge” scale. I was a proud mama this morning with my boy!
Love it!
Why can I NOT see the video?? thanks.
The chewing thing always makes me laugh too. My gelding does that when I prep the grain, and then when he sees the bowl rapidly spits the contents of his mouth out to make room for the grain! lol makes me laugh every morning! 😀 Awesome video!