Working Pleasure: A Photo Tutorial

Laurie Renda has graciously agreed to use photos of her horse to demonstrate my philosophy of developing a horse for working pleasure.  Missy is a four year old Friesian cross mare.  These photos were taken last summer during one of my Carriage Driving Clinics.

Missy is demonstrating a common tendency among Friesians and Morgans: all front action, no back end engagement or motor.  Horses that move this way are not correctly using their bodies.  I hold that flashy knee action without engaged hindquarters is not desirable, nor pretty.  My dear friend and mentor, Bob Riley called this 'cake walking' although, unfortunately I don't know why.  When I see a horse moving this way, it looks like he is dragging himself around with his front end.  Wrong.  Not Pretty.  In this photo, Missy is heavy on her forehand, a result of improper engagement of her hindquarters.

In order to correct this, I asked the whip to use good posture by sitting up straight, lighten her hands by supporting her arms with her shoulders and strengthen her contact.  Strengthened contact is not a steady pull but rather like a firmer handshake.  By lifting the hands slightly, the whip encourages the horse to rock back on the hindquarters and transfer the balance from the forehand to properly engage the hindquarters.

Missy's hindquarters are better engaged here, she is stepping under herself and her top line is more level, but her length of stride is still not balanced and her cadence is off.  [Her inside hind will hit the ground before her outside fore.]

The whip has lost a little contact and Missy appears to be lengthening her front end to catch up with it.

Same corner of the arena as the last photo, contact is more supportive, producing a marked improvement in cadence and stride.  

This is a great photo to show how hard Missy is trying to get it.  You can even see her thinking about the whole process.  She is trying to be engaged, but wants to go back to her habit of hanging on her forehand.  The whip is using a half halt to ask Missy to drop her hindquarters, and a voice command to encourage her to take a longer stride behind to lift her off her forehand.   Cadence is slightly off, but engagement is improved.

This is a wonderful photo showing how far Missy has come from the first photo.  She is rocked back on her hindquarters, light on her forehand and her top line is more level: she doesn't look like she is going perpetually down hill.  This is not a working trot, and I think it might be mid transition to the walk, since we will not even think about the collected trot until we get a consistent working trot.  Missy's flashy knee action is still there, but enhanced by a balanced hock action.  As she gets stronger and better conditioned she will seem to float above the ground, not dig herself into it.

Missy has lost cadence here, but her balanced frame is blossoming.  The whip needs to encourage her to be  more forward with a cheerful voice command and consistent aids from the reins, whip and voice.  If you congratulate the young horse on improvement before you correct on another aspect, they come along very quickly and will work to get the congratulation diligently.

At the end of her lesson, Missy demonstrates better balance, correct frame and lovely cadence...

..and there is a pretty picture.

Once the horse is correct in balance, engagement and cadence consistently, conditioning will produce action that is heightened, elastic, flowing and above all natural.  I think it was Charles de Kunffy who said, and I paraphrase, you know your training curriculum is working if your horse becomes more beautiful each time you work him.

As I discussed in the Reinsmanship Tutorial, the whip needs to be attentive to the horse's way of going to be supportive with the reins, whip and voice aides.  The whip also needs basic skills in determining what is correct way of going and what is not.  Look again at the first photo of Missy and then the last photo.  Time elapsed was less than an hour.

Many thanks to Laurie Renda for her photos of Missy and for allowing me to publicly comment on them.  I look forward to witnessing Missy achieve her potential as a driving horse, which is considerable, as the above photos attest.

If you would like to have your photos evaluated for working pleasure, reinsmanship or to arrange a seminar or clinic to help you understand how to help your horse achieve his potential, please contact me.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation Company.

Ode To Columbus Carriage Classic

The 2010 Columbus Carriage Classic is now history and what a lovely show it was. Organizer Nancy Osterhaus and her team continued the tradition of excellence that is synonymous with the show. The pork dinner was sublime as always, the Caribbean pool party was a nice addition to social activities and highlighted the gorgeous pool that we'd never seen before, but sat at the edge of the show. Frey Carriage Company held their annual reception on Saturday night, which is ever a treat for the carriage driving fraternity with great vehicles, accessories and accouterments on display. The weather held for us and gave us excellent driving under sometimes sunny, sometimes overcast skies with a soft breeze.

But what must stand out above all else is the company. We were stabled with Milady Martha Stover [who could not win a ribbon that wasn't blue, and took Concours d'Elegance Honors with the superlative Lisa, her welsh pony] and the Zaettas, Marilyn and Jerry [who we are now energetic fans of], Vicki and Jim Bodoh and Micheal Scott. Reuben and Florence Franz were there to greet us and looked after my family who came to watch on Saturday by giving them their extra sponsorship passes. Lucy was on high social butterfly deportment and endeared herself into the hearts of many. [In fact, Lucy spent two nights in a hotel, while I camped.]

Laurie Renda and Harold Ault helped Don Pecos and I through the show with very respectable placings in an insanely hard Open Horse Division. It seemed everyone was at the top of their game and I think we did a fine job of impressing the Canadian judges with our Midwestern carriage horses. I know I was proud to be in such good company in and out of the show ring.

I spent a bit of time drumming up entires for New Moon Carriage Classic and the response was very positive. The date, one week after Villa Louis, is a sticking point, of course, but after giving my pitch to those who were dubious, they warmed to the idea. I certainly hope that I can put on as good a show as Nancy did last week. Between Columbus and Villa Louis, I have a high bar to achieve.

Thanks to everyone who made the Columbus Carriage Classic possible. Your hard work and determination are not lost on the Serendipity team. I look forward to returning next year. Alas, that is all the time I have for reminiscing on to Skunk River this weekend, North Star next week and Metamora the week after that. Blogs many be few and far between, but I'll try to write at least a couple.

Hope you are enjoying the summer so far.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

The Road To Columbus

Lucy Fur at 2009 Columbus Carriage Classic

Wisconsin. To the Columbus Carriage Classic, which is this weekend. Don Pecos and I have been working very diligently to get ready for the highly competitive Open Horse Division. When I started showing in carriage driving, I always had time to get the horse supremely ready for the show. Nowadays, it seems not. I constantly say to myself, "I wish I had two more weeks."

Don Pecos is buff as he's ever been. His coat is like copper glass. Inside his little body, the big engine purrs. My one concern: he is stiff as a board in harness. I cannot get this boy to bend. And I know he can, because he is like a corkscrew when I ride him. And in the pair, he was, at times beautifully bending. I've gone over and over this in my mind to discover what is the problem and or the solution. I'm getting nowhere on this puzzle.

I call in the big gun, my dear Theresa Burns who tells me it is nowhere hear as bad as I make it seem and all will be well. I feel so sorry for people who don't have Theresa Burns in their lives. So, Lucy, Don Pecos, and I are off on Wednesday to Laurie Renda's to teach some lessons, meet Harold Ault and break up the long haul to Columbus. Then on Thursday in Columbus we will join my other dear friend Martha Stover, her glorious Welsh pony: Lisa, along with Vicki and Jim Bodoh, Micheal Scott and a host of other carriage friends.

Added bonus this year: my brother and his family along with my Dad [who is traveling up to Chicago from Kentucky-yeah, that is strange; but related to the Nut Farm business] are going to join the group and camp with us for the weekend. For the first time in many years, we will spend Father's Day with Dad. At a horse show. I'm sure Dad is thrilled. But I certainly am.

Columbus, Ho!

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Exceptional Equines and Their Exceptional Gals

The irresistible Cody gets double grooming

A very happy Mickey Hansen and the very adorable Toby

Gypsy Gold: Eli and Maggi Tyler

The Money Shot of Missy [photo and caption courtesy of Maggi Tyler]

It might be the gorgeous setting. It may well be Laurie Renda's hospitality and elan. It is undoubtedly serendipity. I've just returned from another fantastic weekend of carriage driving lessons in Cedar Rapids with a heart full of joy. I made new equine friends, intrigued new clients with my unconventional teaching and ate like a queen.

I've blogged before about Laurie Renda's magnificent house, cooking, and company. She proved it was the rule and not the exception this weekend. She even had a proposal of marriage, albeit dependent on her conversion to Mormonism, but that is another story. On top of catering to our every wish, she also acted as photographer and gave everyone who took lessons a CD full of photos to take home. As a hostess, Ms. Renda raises the bar beyond most mortals. In fact, I think she should be a religion.

The horse lords gave me the opportunity to continue my work with Missy and sent me three new friends: Eli, Toby and Cody. What strikes me most profoundly about going to Cedar Rapids to teach is how perfectly these horses have chosen their humans. Each one of them has greeted me and seemed to say: we've been waiting for you. Missy actually seems to have managed to be born for Laurie. Eli searched all over the country before finding his English mistress, Maggi. Toby and Cody [twins from different dams] somehow networked their way to be re-joined and 'familied' with Mickey.

Exceptional equines, exceptional gals. I am so honored to work with these individuals and can't wait to see them achieve their potential. It will be epic. I guarantee it.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www,hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Iowa Horse Fair 2010

Laurie Renda modeling one of Judy McClure's marvelous Classic

Hats in the Serendipity booth at the Varied Industry Building.

Laurie and I take a peek at an original copy of Driving For Pleasure by Francis Underhill.

Bob and Don Pecos cut a dash while demonstrating Body Awareness For the Whip in the Pavilion at the Iowa Horse Fair.

Thanks to Kathy Nervig for acting as photographer and historian for the 2010 Iowa Horse Fair.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Over the Cornfields To Laurie Renda's House We Go

Here are some photos I pirated from facebook to prove how much I loved being at Laurie Renda's house this past weekend. Accidental sagacity: discovering Laurie Renda...

Laurie's Tack Room, yep I typed that correctly. This is not Laurie's living room.

Laurie's Dining Room

Laurie's Deck

Believe me now? If you need an interior designer, you know where to go.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.

Unforgettable Driving & Dining Weekend

Missy and I in the drive at Laurie Renda's fabulous property.

Nothing is higher on my list than working with people and their driving horses, eating great food and meeting new whips. So, all my dreams came true this weekend at Laurie Renda's beautiful farm. I started working with Laurie and her horse Missy last fall. Laurie offered to organize a Serendipity Carriage Driving Clinic for fellow whips in the area, but it wasn't going to happen until May 22-24 and she was chomping on the bit. So, I told her I'd come out early. I remembered that Maggi Tyler, an internet friend lived nearby and sent her an email inviting her to join us so we could meet in person.

I expected a great weekend, but I had no idea I was going to spend it in a five star house, eating five star food as well. Laurie was an interior designer and furniture store owner in a former incantation and her house is probably about the most perfect house I've ever been in. She has such style and ability to layer all aspects of that style together for a result that would be the envy of HGTV or Better Homes and Gardens. Laurie is also a foodie to rival me. It was heaven.

The Saturday weather was perfect, albeit a little breezy, but it blew in the freshness of Maggi Tyler's friendship and camaraderie. [Maggi has the most extraordinary Gypsy Cobbs that are just plain: WOW. Check them out: www.harkawaygypsies.com] I knew I'd like Maggi from emailing her, but at first sight, I loved her. She is bubbling over with good humor that is completely contagious.

Maggi audited Laurie and Missy's lessons of ground work and driving. Laurie has been diligently working on cadence and correctness of Missy's stride all winter. I could see the benefit of that work, although I noticed Missy has that Freisian tendency to work off her front end instead of from behind. Although she was tracking correctly, she was a little long in front and short behind. I worked with Laurie to get Missy up under herself, raise through her topline and finish on the bit. Maggi and I cheered. Laurie beamed. Missy decided she really was beautiful.

After a break for iced tea on the five star deck overlooking the all weather grass arena, effervescent conversation, we went back to work and hitched Missy. Laurie was a little nervous: is was windy, Missy had only been hooked 6 times. I was not: Missy was sensible from a long winter's groundwork, Laurie showed considerable ability. It went superbly. We worked to clean up Missy's bending with Laurie's bending. So many whips think you turn to the right by pulling back on the right rein, but they don't consider using their own body to participate in the turn. It is the difference between adequate and excellent.

Laurie is a quick study and soon she and Missy were cutting quite a dash. Maggi and I cheered. Again. Laurie beamed. Again. Missy started really fitting in her skin. The birth of a phaeton horse, aaahhhhhh.

Maggi left chomping on her own bit to go home and drive her horse with what she had learned from Laurie and Missy. She plans on joining us for the formal clinic on the 22nd of May. Laurie, Missy and I continued to build consistency on Sunday and finished with a written training curriculum for the next few weeks. We went turnout shopping in Laurie's closet and discovered she already had six or more blue ribbon outfits hanging there. Then Laurie fed me. Again.

I left with an intoxicating feeling that this was the first of many great weekends, working with gals who want to be partners with their driving horses, not passengers. Gals who are supportive of their fellow whips, not suspicious. I'm still getting goose bumps thinking about it.

If you are interested in joining us on the 22-24 of May, let me know. I will also be doing a clinic this month in Buffalo, Minnesota, which I intend to lace with the spirit of this one.

Thanks again to Laurie and Maggi for an unforgettable weekend.

Kind Regards,

Michelle Blackler

Serendipity

www.hossbiz.com

Serendipity is an Accidental Sagacity Corporation company.