2006 US tour highlights
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Touchdown in Colorado and heading to Fort Collins. It proved to
be a good opportunity to lay the groundwork for some clinics during
2007.
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Wyoming wasn't
the only place to welcome Carlos! But it was a highlight, with a
foray into Cheyenne and Sheridan.
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Down to business
in Ames, Iowa, at the Best Little Horse House. Carlos' first demo
drew a crowd despite a concurrent dressage competition, as well
as a few unsettled arrivals to the property and an unresponsive
diesel needing a jumpstart. This is Viceroy, a 17.2h Anglo Arab
who had more than a few issues, including being naughty in cross-ties
and not maintaining rhythm when he was working. Over the next couple
of days, Carlos got rid of the dropped noseband and worked on straightness
(which Viceroy lacked) and rhythm in a halter during a full 30-minute
workout – something Viceroy had been unwilling to do.
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This was the first of nine different horses, riders and issues for
Carlos on his first full day in the US. Riding in a halter was new
to this rider – but she was quickly getting the hang of it,
using the bridle only as a back up as she got used to it. The rider
had tried a number of different approaches, which seemed to have
confused the horse, causing a lack of confidence in both horse and
rider. Communication is much easier when both horse and rider are
calm.
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This quarter
horse and rider wanted to concentrate on bridleless riding, which
requires clear communication and trust between horse and rider.
First step? Lose the carrot stick – she didn't need it! They
worked on improving communication, initially through groundwork,
and minimising confusing hand signals before moving to the bridleless
work.
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This 10-year-old
quarter horse (an ex-school horse) was terrified of plastic at the
beginning of the session with Carlos. Who would know? He's well
on his way to getting past it!
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Just two weeks
before, this three-year-old Morgan had been shipped back to the
Midwest from the East Coast. The owner was riding him in a double
Pelham to encourage collection, but Carlos quickly pointed out that
the horse lacked straightness. What she needed to work on was helping
the horse achieve collection by carrying himself properly, not through
a bit and bridle, for which straightness is essential. They made
great strides toward a softer carriage as well as resolving the
horse's inability to stand still while mounted.
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This pushy Percheron
x Thoroughbred mare 'walked all over people' according to her owner,
requiring elbows and smacks to keep her from coming on top when
trying to back her up. After some targeted groundwork and about
15 minutes, Carlos had each person in the bleachers, along with
the owner, backing the mare up.
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Viceroy looking
very proud of himself, after showing his owner and rider just what
he was capable of doing – maintaining rhythm and self carriage,
all in a halter.
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A proud Belinda
Smalling, owner of the Best Little Horse House, with Carlos and
Viceroy at the end of their last session – till next time!
Belinda also had a chance to work with Carlos and her 20-year-old
Spanish-blooded Arab bareback and in a halter. She said he'd given
her enough confidence to try just about anything, including a piaffe,
even though she'd never done it!
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Look ma, no hands!
In between his first clinic and doing a demonstration at Iowa State
University, Carlos provides proof that horses, regardless of where
they are, understand his philosophy and groundwork. This 12-year-old
quarter horse quickly understood what was being asked of him, despite
not doing much work with his owner, who had taken a bad fall from
him several years ago.
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And he's convinced
yet another person to ride the horse as the horse wants to be ridden.
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The next day
found Carlos speaking with the students in an Iowa State University
'train the horse' class, where this two-year-old quarter horse was
exhibiting a number of behavioural issues. Through the course of
a semester, these students were being asked to start horses under
saddle. Carlos emphasised his opposition to starting horses less
than three years of age under saddle and outlined his reasons why.
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Carlos walked
the students through his groundwork exercises, showing how he used
the groundwork to get the horse to focus on him. Previously unwilling
to be lunged (kicking and showing aggression), this horse not only
walked willingly in a circle, but gave Carlos a bonus – trotting
in a circle for him.
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Other problems
identified by the student handler and instructor included bucking.
Carlos was able to quickly identify the reason for this youngster's
bucking problem as a back problem, needing rest and professional
attention. It was an excellent example of why Carlos doesn't start
horses at such a young age when their bones are not properly formed.
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While Carlos doesn't condone the use of bits, he was able to assist
this student to bridle her horse, something she'd not been able
to do easily.
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Later that evening,
Carlos worked with several 4-H girls who were training new horses.
Groundwork was definitely on the agenda...
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...as was desensitizing
work with plastic, all of which helped to build the confidence of
both horse and rider.
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Spending a day with the participants in the Thoroughbred Retirement
Program at Newton, Iowa (one of just three in the US) was an absolute
highlight. The program brings ex-racehorses to the facility for
retraining by the inmates for new careers off the track.
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Here, Carlos
was able to get everyone on 'horse time', emphasising the importance
of being with your horse 'in the moment', and not worrying about
what happened yesterday or may happen tomorrow. Carlos started the
day with a demonstration for the guys on a race horse that was just
two days off the track. The most important task at this point was
showing how to calm the horse – neither horse or human learns
well if not calm. Each of the guys was able to build on his relationship
with his horse – whether through improved handling during groundwork,
being able to 'catch' the horse in the herd, or having the horse
stand still for saddling. No one wanted the day to end – but
this was just the first of many such trips back to work with the
guys and their committed supervisor!
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From Newton,
it was on the plane the next day for Rochester, New York. The planes
kept getting smaller – we were just a bit worried about the
saddle making the flight!
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