Hackamore Y Garrocha La Isla...

Well, after a week of -25 and high winds left little time for anything other then survival and keeping everything warm and working, I am finding myself finally back with more pictures and stories of last summer...and remembering T-shirt weather...Remember???????

So the next clinic was on Vancouver Island, at my long time friend Deborah Flynn's Twin Creeks Facility. Twin Creeks is such a beautiful location and Deb the consummate hostess, and it just set the tone for a great three days of Hackamore and Garrocha fun.

Laurel and Fancy looking well....Fancy!

As you may know, the hackamore is the the first stage of Bridle Horse Development and very dear to my heart, and of late, there has been a substantial amount of interest in what on earth I am doing with all this gear and what my point is and where does it go and why....sooooooo in answer to all these questions and more, the first Hackamore clinic was put on. Ironic to me that it took place in my old back yard, put on by me yet, when I would have given my eye teeth (whatever they are....:) to have had this opportunity 20 yrs, or even 10 yrs ago.....so fitting somehow...
Vicki D and Falemma...cantering:)

With a Garrocha segment as well, and BOY! has this proven to be an unexpected big hit addition to clinics. (I actually decided that there will be an entire Camp up here devoted to Garrocha just to give it the time it deserves....but more on that later....:)

The first morning of the Hackamore Clinic was devoted to going through the gear...sizes, diameters, cores and fit of the hackamore and mane hair mecate, and why they are made of the materials that they are. This is a very fascinating part of Bridle Horse development and crucial to allowing the horse the time to develop the Feel necessary to eventually carry the spade. It is a SIGNAL based philosophy, and as such demands a great deal from us as horsemen. Timing, Feel, release, balance, position, and weight all crucial to having the horse understand what we are asking. For me, I think the biggest contribution that the hackamore does in its brilliant design is that we humans simply cannot make a horse do anything in the hackamore, as they very quickly can get dull to it, bracey like you can't imagine.


Alexa and Diva...just look at that drive, collection and Alexa's position....

So, happily this really compels us to become increasingly aware of their feedback...watching, feeling, sensing what they are doing and indeed releasing BEFORE the maneuver happens allows them to be willing participants and empowered in their learning as well. Think of the implications of connection, rapport and confidence building. Every time I ride, I find new places of softness, ways of being that are more in harmony with my horse and it is pure magic.
So, after a great am of show and tell with the gear, it was off to fit everyone and get started with experiencing some of this for themselves. All the participants were so curious and open to what was been offered and the horses responding in the typical way...Whoa! What's this heavy thing on my nose? And seeking that place of least resistance, vertical with that full neck arch, not just at the poll. And of course, therein lies the challenge....how do we help keep this carriage and respect with our guiding and active riding, soft hands and body awareness, because they very quickly give us brace feedback if we get it wrong....aaahhhhh! LOL...!

That afternoon, I introduced the Garrocha...on the ground first, going over the basic 'rules', why and how it is is used and the extremely beneficial rewards of integrating this oh so simple tool into our regular riding program. Everyone was dead certain that they would not be cantering with it by day three...and of course, all were.

Laurel and Fancy sorting it out and looking fine...

This single wooden pole is almost magical in its abilities....and is the most effective way of encouraging correct equation and seat, connection and focus, softness and Purpose! Virtually every aspect that we strive for is compressed into this artistic and fluid art and it seems to happen all by itself with far less struggle and tension. Its like the Spanish music and the very act of dancing somehow distracts us from all the 'technical' stuff we always think we need to learn and just Let Go, Flow, become absorbed in the Moment and Movement and learn almost in spite of ourselves. And the Horses....? They LOVE this thing....!


Meredith and her Good mare...and only their first day! See how everything is just lined up?



All in all a simply marvelous three days, and as you can see from the pictures, everyone who rode achieved beautiful moments full of grace and togetherness with their mounts.



And again...This gives tremendous focus for both, having the rider stay centered and not over or under steering, gives a point of reference and just causes both to be in line and together...or its not going to work....

Add in an each participant's individual routine performed for us all to Spanish music, perfect weather and I for one cannot wait to do this again....!

Vicki executing the Inside Turn...

Which reminds me, yes, there is another Hackamore y Garrocha planned for June 8-10 of this year, the location on the Island is not yet set, but please, feel free to contact myself, or better yet, Alexa Linton at alexa.balanceworks@gmail.com ,my Island Clinic Organizer.


Alexa and D. Wish you could have seen their routine to the Spanish Music...Muy Beuno, Girls ! ~

What I Did This Summer

Alright, here it is. The What I Did Over Summer Report...:) Every year that goes by, I seem to have more and more fun with you all that come up to ride with me in this glorious place. I think its a combination of the sage/pine/river/crazy blue sky magic, the crazy, cool, fun-loving, willing to stretch your minds people and my own growth....What ever it is, Here's to a fabulous summer and I simply cannot wait for this years Camps to begin....some will be the same, some new and different....dates are set, but not in stone, so just bear with me a bit....:) So I started the year off with the Road Trip to Californios Ranch Rodeo and Stock Horse Show. Well, actually, it was a plane trip, with Dan and Becca in cahoots...and what an amazingly perfect, hitchless trip( Thanks, Dan!:). I cannot over recommend going to see this extraordinary display of Horsemanship, Camaraderie, kinship and fun...oh...and the Gear!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhhh...where to start~where to stop~where to look! I think the thing that most stood out throughout this amazing weekend was the level of class, sportsmanship, and just simply 'showing' what their horses and selves could do. Very, Very Cool....Highlight? Oh yeah, the Medicine Bull Roping to the first place 3 teams...!!

Next was a private Clinic up at Windy Hills with on of the most wonderful group of curious, willing and hospitable folks! Huge thanks go out to you all, particularly Miranda for spear-heading this clinic for the love of the horses in your care, and of course to Joyce...hostess with the absolute most-est.


The next day,Ian and I did our first joint clinic and colt-start and thoroughly enjoyed mixing our skills, learning new skills and of course that ole personal growth lessons as well...lol! Thanks to you all who came and shared with us all that is happening and were so keen and did such huge leaps of progress over those 2 days...


One day of packing, and Sage and I headed out to Colorado....Why? To ride with Bruce Sandifer. This trip was supposed to include a horse or two, but due to the herpes scare at the same time, I left them at home, and instead was fortunate to ride Bruce's horses. For those of you unfamiliar with his name, trust me, you may not be for long. He is a purist in the Californio Bridle Horse Tradition, and is exploring levels of balance, weight, feel and communication with his Bridle horses that is very akin to my heart. Featured in the movie Tapadreo (also Highly recommended btw) and determined NOT to be a Clinician, he is nonetheless a brilliant,humorous and if hard to track down teacher. I had the time of my life at Wally and Karen's in Kiowa, Colorado and have fallen even more in love with this style of riding and the people it attracts... The Grace, awareness, softness and care that so empowers their horses is self evident....everywhere in their lives. What a treat to call them friends....Over 6000 k's round trip, the extrodinary scenery and of course the Haener....all added up to one of the most special times of my life....This one's for you Mom...


Home and a week off before Ian and taught the daunting Stock Horse Encampment in Armstrong. 5 classes a day, 11/2 hrs each of 4-h kids and their horses and ponies, 32+ temps, great supportive parents and leaders, and tons and tons of laughs throughout had those 3 days fly by, exhausting though they were. For me it was sooo odd to be on the other side of the 4-H fence so to speak. With years of 4-H as a kid coming back to me with a vengeance, I was asked to judge the horse judging portion, and mark all 250+ cards was an exercise in focus to be sure! To watch all those kids hanging out with their horses, playing, learning and having the time of their lives in the heat of the summer was such a pleasure..We switched it up a bit by riding IV and Kid through Armstrong at night and having as much fun as all those kids....we'd do it again in a heartbeat....!


I skipped out a day early to head over to the 71/2 Diamond for the first Camp there, and got everyone settled in for their 4 days of sun, trails, horsemanship, saloon, cattle, andlog cabin experience. The 71/2 Diamond camps are so much fun for me, and feel a bit like days off....lol. Jeanne, her 2 daughters Kathy and Anna, and their good friend Elaine got some great rides in, were introduced to cattle in the wide open spaces and in the pen. They did brilliantly even though they never did make it up to the lake for a swim.....:) My biggest joy? Watching Jeanne and Gumby (yes, my old friend Gumby the Mustang) work cattle, ride out on unfamiliar trails, canter and be all connected and relaxed for the most part...wow! What a long, long way you have both come, Jeanne...what a gift....Anna and Scout's connection was a sight to behold in the Waiting Game. I have honestly never seen a horse so clearly adore and watch over a human as Scout was doing with Anna that day... Kathy's progress with her new boy Carson, the feel she is developing and softness she is guiding Carson with evident in the trust he shows her, relaxed and confident. Fire so definitely and honestly taking care of Elaine, their long standing relationship dynamics one of those mixed blessings that we are all so familiar with with our horses...:) Both learned and taught something new, and that is something that becomes a very big lesson for me as well. Some horses and their people are completely happy with where they are at. Especially the horses it seems, those Caretaker types. and who am I to interfere or even infer that something should be another way. If it works for them....leave it alone. I have found this very interesting of late, and wonder at the bigger lesson hidden in there....hmmmmm.

Well, the Ole Dial-Up Tin Can uploading of this is blog seems to be intent on continually crashing this Computer, so, the next intallment should round out the years activities, and then onto the next....and some more philosophical/whacked ramblings again. The website is undergoing some changes and updates right now as well, so wait to see whats up the sleeve...and who knows? Maybe I'll get to see you up here this year...

Sneak Peak and Sweet Treats...

When I mentioned it was a busy year this year................oh boy! Where to start!


Me and IV. She took over the Main Horse Role this summer as Indy was lame from Feb til last week...





IV made the transition to 2-rein this summer, roping, nice start on cattle-tracking them like a fiend, evening rides through Armstrong....and oh! The best part? She is happy, quiet and brilliante any place. Been a journey for us both....:)


Here is a bit of a sampling and stay tuned at this friendly neigh.....borhood station for some more amazing, funny, emotional stories/pics of all the Summer Camps...
Indy about to box Blondie, the Charlois-x


2-rein horses in Kiowa, Colorado this June.


the trip to Colorado, how the Bridle Horse stuff that I have privately been pursuing for my own advancement/passion/delight for the last few years has now apparently come out of my closet and folks are so keen to learn about this beautiful old Art and Tradition and so have begun sharing what I know. Look for details soon on the Jaquima to Freno Program ....soooooooooooo excited to share this stuff....
And Garrocha! How this seemingly simple pole has been the surprise tool of cool....it is actually way beyond cool in what it exposes/ assists and is just plain FUN....Thinking about doing an entire camp on this one as well....







The blessing of the trailer...woo hoo!








The appearance of a 'significant other' in my life....yes, folks, that's a MAN and yes he rides....brilliantly.


Ok, well that will do for a brief tease....:) OH! Except I am currently re-working the website and (finally)updating the Schedule for 2012....Summer is so short, and those Camps are really stating to fill up. Well...their small so I guess that's not too hard, really...haha!


To say I'm looking forward to them and those glorious Sage and Pine scented, looong hot days of summer again would be a tad understated....which reminds me. Best chop another tree down and fill the woodstove for the evening, feed the hounds their evening cookie and call it a day....

Begin Again

Well, it been quite some time, hasn't it?

If I could count the number of times I've signed into my Blog...............and then left it.




Only just today do i understand why. Writing this first entry after my Mom's story has proven to be one of the most difficult and challenging transitions of my life. It's like finally admitting that life does indeed go on....







Oh, and Life has been so unceasingly busy this year. Go Figure. That I have perhaps orchestrated it that way is not lost on me. With no time to pause and reflect, to sit with the pain and emptiness that comes on Sunday mornings when I call her to share... hand frozen on the phone as I remember. When I have to make trips back to the Island on that ferry and the pain crawls in close then as I usually miss a boat and am left with no choice but to sit quietly for 2 hrs surrounded with decades of memories. As randomly as grocery shopping...Chocolate....Lilacs...The screwy hour hand on the clock in my kitchen......my mohair hand knitted mittens.

Christmas...........





I have been for the most part able to carry on as if she may soon be coming back....But like her dear Soul Dog, Toby, I have finally begun to get that she is just not coming back.


Ever.



I had a visit with him last time on the Island, and he was just done waiting and so, off he went off to find her. Another piece of her goes as well for us, and yet, life goes on...

Don't get me wrong....I love life and understand its ebb and flow and rhythms that color it and shape it and mold it to be always perfect, balanced and natural intellectually and spiritually. But Emotionally?


It hurts like hell and I miss my mom so much it staggers me sometimes.

I will heal. I will allow the pain to come in and pass thru. I will be still enough to feel. I know that she has never left me. I see her in every Red Tailed Hawk that flies so often in my path whenever I am unsure or question.....


This grieving process is a first timer for me and my compassion for those who have lost one so close knows no bounds now...I get it. Hiding in buckets of work is what we Travers's like to do, and feeling the bad stuff sucks, but better out then in. So I learn a new ability. I feel the tender raw new sensations and the dirty, gritty, rotten old ones as well. The sweet taste of memories running down my face, the empty ache inside that I simply just need to allow myself to surrender to. Odd I suppose that it has taken so long for me to really feel this, but then again, I guess not. I am the past master at not feeling, and well well well...don't old habits die hard when the chips are down.

The most beautiful thing about all this though? The only thing I need to do is also the hardest thing to do. Feel and feel and feel and feel and feel and then...


Let Go...


and begin again.