28 February Travaille Francois!

28 February

 When we arrived yesterday evening, Willy told us that we would be spending the next week preparing 7 horses for their future careers in Germany. They leave 8 March. Between now and then they will be ridden every day....Travaille Francois!

When I arrived Anna was riding a young black mare in the manege. Apparently Anna had ridden all the young horses with no problems last week under Willy's direction. It was not going well today. You could have sliced the atmosphere with a machete. Anna has a super position on the horse. In contrast to F she always sits up and never tips forward (if anything she is more inclined to tip backwards when stressed). However, her reins are always too long which means that she has problems with leg/hand contact.

The mare did not want to pass close to where we were standing and tested Anna all the time. Anna was not strong enough to take the leader position and direct. As a result the mare decided to do it....the mare had no respect for Anna and the eventual result of the lack of contact and indecision was a fall. I felt so sorry for Anna. I could feel her hurting inside but Willy wouldn't let us sympathise or go to her to help her. We watched as she picked herself up and then attempted to get on this huge mare from the ground. Willy opened the gate to the school and asked Anna to continue riding the mare inside past the open gate. Another test. In my opinion he was very hard on her!

Afterwards we talked about what had happened and why together. Willy said it was Anna's choice to ride. That she understands that the horse is a mirror and that Anna wants to learn and get stronger. Apparently it is not only horses that walk all over Anna. He told us that Anna is like a piece of apple under a cover....not open, indecisive and a walk over for the others. Why? Because she wants to be liked. Because she is afraid of damaging something. Because she is afraid of losing someone. I know how that feels! She chooses to seek to be liked rather than respected. Willy demands respect. He wants others to have the courage do the same.

 Why the problem today when she had no problems the week before? Was it because we were watching? I remember that feeling...that others were watching me and finding me wanting. Some of my friends will still not allow others to watch them when they have a lesson. Why? Because it puts them off! They are unable to control themselves (their reaction to the spectator) so they try to control their environment (by banishing the spectator!) The issue with horses is that you can't always control the environment!!!! And for those wishing to compete it is even more important....you can't avoid the spectators at a show. My experience of competing taught me to shut out everything around me and focus only on the task in hand. There wasn't anything else in my head...just me, my horse and the jumps.

The truth is that we create our own reality. The reality we think we see and feel is just energy and signals within our brain. We are what we think we are. Which is why our confidence is so important. 

Willy explained how quickly a clever horse can outwit a weak rider. The horse looks for confidence in the rider....for leadership and security...but when it isn't there he is insecure and he tests. Young horses, like teenage children, nearly always test. If the issue is not corrected swiftly it grows and in no time an ordinary horse is labelled "difficult and unrideable". It is not many steps after that to the butchers! Or Willy's if they are lucky!

Wow what a big learning experience! And there was much more to come!

The next test? Tamtam (TT) in the douche and loading! Francois (F) went to get him while Willy and I watched. I am relieved to report that TT managed both tasks with only a slight hesitation. He has clearly thought about things and sorted out some issues in his head while we have been away! Then Willy announced we would take TT to the river crossing. F led TT through the river with no hesitation....TT was in his element.then Willy put F on TT bareback with just a head collar and told him to ride through the river and back. He did! Then TT loaded well and returned to the stables. I was impressed and so happy for both TT and F. This is a foundation we can build on I hope.

 What about Eric? Well he is as happy as a pig in muck! His hind legs were a bit puffy probably due to lack of work so I did a bit of work with him loose in the school. More tomorrow!!!

Then F rode 6 young horses: 3 mares and 3 geldings. All went well. The best was the horse Willy calls "the galloper", a big dark bay rangy through-bred gelding. F rode him really well and is starting to look like a proper rider in walk and trot......however he says he is still not ready to canter. He says he would like his first canter to be on Eric or TT in the school. The issue is that if we go out on a hack and he doesn't know how to canter and his horse decides to do it what will he do?? He needs to try a canter soon!

Oh one other tip I'd like to share. Willy has been tidying up the horses which are sold. I watched him removing the long hair under the horses jaw by singing with a candle. Now that is a sign of complete trust. And makes a very tidy finish. So on that point I'll finish for today!