A Warwick Schiller Playlist and an Update

 

I’ve been deep diving on Warwick Schiller in the past few weeks.  First it started with figuring out how to build a better half-halt response, which has been mega successful, and now I’m looking more at having Cruise more present in his body.  THIS PLAYLIST has been particularly helpful, especially “Observing the Ears”.  We’ve been playing with these concepts of connection and having the horse be present instead of looking for gremlins everywhere, and I’ve got to tell you it’s like witchcraft.  Basically, it’s guided meditation for horses and the rein or lead rope is the anchor.  I finally feel like I have Cruise focused mostly on me and have techniques to get him back when he strays.  Granted, it’s only at home and early days, but like with the half-halt, real progress has been made and I feel good about the path we are on.

As I’ve been implementing these changes of the horse being present and connected, I’ve also delved into Warwick Schiller’s earlier work which mostly focuses on training techniques without as much of the connection stuff, and I have to tell you, it’s pure gold.  I’m shocked by how balanced, through, and physically developed his horses are, and how they really embody classical dressage.  Soft, light, and engaged-what’s not to like?  I like his principles of training and especially like his basic checklist that is the basis of every movement.  It’s really not how”Dressage” horses are started but I’m finding his system very helpful and Cruise is straighter and more balanced than ever before.

In further updates, Cruise was tested yesterday for possibly being a crypt orchid.  It’s a fairly complicated blood test involving three blood draws and the injection of some hormones.  Because a I don’t know Cruise’s gelding history, I got a fabulous horse at a rock bottom price, and he’s exhibited some stud like behaviors on trips off property, I felt like I wanted to test to be absolutely sure.  I’m expecting the test to come back negative, but would I be shocked if it’s positive?  Not at all.  Will post when I get results.

Oh and I forgot, the trespasser was caught on video trying to access the barn again in the middle of the night and ran when the alarm went off.  I’m feeling pretty good about the security camera coverage we’ve got but it’s still a bit unnerving.  The good news is that I’ve turned out to be pretty good shot with a rifle and I feel a lot more secure with the cameras, alarms at night, and a loaded gun.