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The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information
Our apologies - the names of half-brother Challenge Students Fareed (bay) and Zameel (gray) were unintentionally switched at the beginning of the Challenge. Unfortunately this has caused much confusion, and for this we sincerely apologize. Zameel's accomplishments since May 2010
Week 14 - August 2 through August 8 - "Staying in the lane" We were thrilled to receive some calls for Zameel, but no contact information was left. Please call back and leave us your name and number or even better, send us an e-mail at dkrk1@aol.com with "Zameel" in the subject bar. Thanks a million!
Tuesday, August 3: What can I say; someone will be a very happy owner of a very fine colt. Zameel was brilliant tonight at a walk, trot, and canter both directions and on the bit and aids. Going one direction, he's still a little drawn sideways to the gate, but its improved leap years over last week. Tears will be shed by both Dan and I when we say "goodbye" to this talented colt who holds a piece of our hearts. Wednesday, August 4: The boy is brilliant! Today, Jennifer enjoyed the coolness of the early morning to ride Zameel at a walk, trot, and canter in the large outdoor. I think his favorite thing to do now is to canter! It is sooooooo FUN! His steering towards the gate was even better than yesterday.
Friday, August 6: Jennifer rode all gaits in the large outdoor. The steering wheel, brake pedal, and gas pedal are all in working order, and we're staying on course! For more photos, see Zameel's Facebook page: "Week 14: Jennifer and Zameel." Saturday/Sunday, August 7/8: Rode Zameel all gaits in the large outdoor on Saturday before heading out to another two-day show in Lake Elmo. Why black wool jackets on 90 degree summer days? Week 13 - July 26 through August 1
As a side note, during the last week or two Zameel's mounting and dismounting anxiety has gone away. Tuesday, July 27: Heat index of 103 degrees. Too hot to ride or to be ridden. Wednesday, July 28: Enjoyed a cool and breezy Wednesday morning ride on Zameel. A nice change after yesterday's heat index of 103 degrees! Jennifer rode solo while Dan hit the golf course. She had a wonderful and productive session at a walk, trot, and canter with brakes and a steering wheel. This fine colt is making wonderful progress! Thursday, July 29: Long reined Zameel in the large outdoor before riding him briefly. Our ride was cut short by an unexpected visit by two Jehovah Witnesses.. Friday, July 30: While Jennifer was melting away at Walking Horse show Friday-Sunday, Dan worked with Zameel on Friday. When asked how it went, Dan said, "Good." Saturday, July 31: When asked how the horse show went, Jennifer said, "Wonderful! Fun people, fantastic horses, great facility, and my horse did very well, placing in every class and taking two Reserve Championships: Trail Pleasure 3-gt English and 3-gt Western." Sunday, August 1: Zameel had a nice break while Jennifer was at a 3-day show with her Walking Horse. We'll be back to work on Monday. Week 12 - July 19 through July 25 - "Adding a steering wheel" Monday, July 19: What a fun-filled Zameel summer it has been! We rode both in the round pen and the large arena at a walk, trot, and canter. Zameel surely has a lot of endurance. We have yet to see him tired. In one week, his canter has improved from three consecutive steps to three consecutive 20-meter circles without breaking. His trot is also improving by getting more forward, on the bit, and maintaining a "circular" circle.
Zameel's latest antic is to rein back instead of walk forward. Is this why rein back isn't introduced until second level dressage? I don't know, but I have learned the value of teaching rein back earlier in the training, especially since many of us never get to second level! The reinback seems to build softness and engagement and helps the other gaits be more connected. To remedy this evasion, we started to carry a dressage whip whenever his transmission gets stuck in reverse. This seems to help him move forward. Tuesday, July 20: Jennifer rode Zameel solo in the large outdoor again while Dan was at a meeting. We spent most of our time working on trot circles and figure eights, trying to get Zameel's steering under control. How quickly I've forgotten this awkward this stage of training is when my other horses went through it. Zameel began to pull his stopping and not wanting to move forward evasion tactic, and I was armed with a strategy. I tied a short rope around the horn and each time he ignored my voice and leg aids, I tapped him on the hindquarter with the lash. That got him going forward again without an explosion. I've also forgotten how much of an aerobic workout trotting horses are! It's no wonder I've gained weight riding a Walking Horse! Thanks to Zameel, I'm getting back in shape. Wednesday, July 21: Dan and I switched off riding Zameel after reminding him about umbrellas, tarps, cavellettis, plastic, and a few more odds and ends. He took it all in stride. At first I thought that Zameel was a lady's horse, now I'm not so sure. He really likes Dan. (Maybe it's the treats he slips him when I'm not looking. I don't know.)
During today's ride, we did the above and finished with a short trail ride around our hilly back pasture that is surrounded by large trees. The hills are definitely a good way to strengthen muscles and balance. Friday, July 23: Rode Zameel in the hilly back pasture after a few rounds of trot and canter in the round pen. Two wild turkeys popped up their heads up and ran away. Zameel just watched. We also worked on dragging a tire with a rope. This is still not making his top ten favs, but he's making progress. Saturday, July 24: Today's steering exercise began with long reins in the large outdoor at a walk, trot, halt, and reinback. He did fabulous! Then we mounted and rode him at a walk, trot, and canter in the round pen and ended with a ride around the hilly back pasture. Sunday, July 25: Another fantastic session with Zameel to close out another fantastic week. Today we rode Zameel in the large outdoor and had great success steering him. He had moments connected between the rider's legs and reins, he came down onto the bit with softness, and was moving forward in the direction we asked. He even foamed on the bit for the first time! Week 11 - July 12 through July 18 Monday, July 12: Zameel's training is coming together just in time! Walk, trot, canter, reinback and trailering. He took both leads and maintained his canter much longer. He is establishing a nice rhythm at both the trot and canter. Zameel took four soft and round steps back with light aids. Then he loaded calmly and without hesitation, trailered quietly, and backed out calmly. Gold stars for Zameel! Tuesday, July 13: Today we switched off riding Zameel in the round pen without a lunge line: walk, trot, and canter both directions. As Clinton Anderson would say, we worked on the “gas pedal,” and we worked on the “brake” with one-rein stops in all gaits. We also worked on lateral flexing from the saddle, stretching the bit for softness, and rein back. Zameel is getting stronger and more consistent at all gaits, maintaining the trot for several minutes and the canter for a couple circles before breaking, and is taking more consecutive and deliberate steps at the reinback. See “Week 11” photo gallery. Wednesday, July 14: Another "gold star" day for Zameel! More walk, trot, canter, and reinback. Plus a few steps of shoulder-in. Today we celebrate that he spooked "in place" instead of exploding like a rocket set for the moon! His very tall evening shadow kept dancing alongside him everywhere he went. Thursday, July 15: No horsin’ around today. Zameel earned a day off.
Dan and I switched off riding Zameel in the large outdoor. It was our first time riding Zameel in a large space in all three gaits without a lunge line. Zameel is much like driving a car without a steering wheel. It's much easier trotting and cantering him in the round pen, where he has walls to lean against. Now he's learning to balance on his own within the rider's legs, seat and reins. Zameel knows his verbal commands well. Now we are trying to get his gas pedal more responsive. Right now, he takes a lot of leg to get going and stay in a trot and canter, especially as the circle gets wiggly. I ended the trot work when I rode Zameel successfully in three consecutive circles on the aids each direction. This was huge improvement over the first few wobbly efforts. Dan and I rode Zameel and our Arabian mare through the woods before ending another perfect ride.
Later we set up the round pen as a trail class and worked Zameel through. We added a few surprises, like opening and closing an umbrella. He handled it well, except when the umbrella was taller than he is. He didn't like that, but stood for it. We also worked with dragging an object. He is still not comfortable with this. We are trying to teach him to face his fear instead of running away at light speed. We had one explosion and then the skies lit up with lightning, high winds and rain. I don't like to end on a bad note, but we had no choice. Tomorrow, we will pick up where we left off and face our fears once again. Sunday, July 18: Picked up where we left off yesterday before the storm hit. Walking over tarp with plastic bottles, walking next to a person who is opening and closing umbrella, and then more trot and canter work. Zameel is coming along nicely! Week 10- July 5 through July 11 Monday, July 5: Six weeks remain before the big event! Thankfully the rain cooled it off this evening. Zameel picked up where we left off on Saturday and trotted both directions calmly. We continued to add consecutive trot steps, and he had moments of beauty: forward, balanced, and with a lower head and neck. Tuesday, July 6: More trot on a lunge line with a rider. We've worked up to several circles in a row of a calm trot going both directions. For more pictures, see the photo album: Week 10.
During my ride, I began to apply some of the tools in my training tool box that Bucky Sparks has taught. His training method is called B.L.E.S.S. (balance, looseness, engagement, softness and soundness). He mixes a blend of classical dressage and natural horsemanship methods. Among his famous sayings are: "Head up, bad. Head down, good!," "Don't let your horse take two steps of stupid," and "A one-rein stop will save your life." When Bucky says, "Don't let your horse take two steps of stupid," he means that the rider needs to be an active participant of each step, especially when riding a young horse. Don't let your horse practice the wrong thing by allowing him to repeat it. Quickly redirect the horse into the right thing. One of his tools is "breaking it down." He directs the horse with one rein and leg pressure and releases the rein so that the horse doesn't learn to brace against the rider's hand. He does a lot of circles and turns to help the horse listen to the rider for direction. This is a great tool for a young horse that has a short attention span and is easily distracted.
Larry addresses this as well by using the analogy of a dance partnership between horse and rider. The rider needs to be the dance leader. Don't just sit in the saddle as a passive passenger, but be the dance leader of each step. All three trainers, Bucky, John and Larry, teach about staying safe by minimizing risk and developing effective leadership which fosters trust and respect. Thursday, July 8: Dan rode Zameel first and trotted nicely for several circles both directions. Then Jennifer rode solo for the second time. It's thrilling when a young horse and a human being finally begin to learn a form of communication that they both understand. Zameel hasn't had any explosions for several days, and they are becoming less and less. Lately, Zameel doesn't stand still while we mount. I think he's a little confused with the one rein flex. While in the saddle, it means step under, and on the ground it means lower your head, get soft, and stand. One of the tool box tips that Bucky Sparks has taught me is for a horse that doesn't want to stand while I mount. He said that you can't make a horse stand still, but you can help him understand that it's easier to stand still than to keep moving. Bucky simply flexes the horse's nose to the side and places the mounting block down. If the horse moves off, keep him flexed to the side, pick up the mounting block, and follow him around until he stops. Release the flex when the horse stops. Then try mounting again. Keep doing this until the horse realizes that it is easier to stand than to move around. This training tool box tip has helped me with my young Walker, and I've never had trouble mounting since. Now we are applying this with Zameel with great success.
My goal by the end of the week is to get Zameel cantering with a rider. Saturday, July 10: Many firsts on today's ride: first time cantering with a rider: first trip over the bridge with a rider: and first "field" trip. He took both canter leads without explosions! Zameel boldly chose to be the "field" trip leader while Jennifer followed on her Arabian mare with the video camera. See week 10 video. Sunday, July 11: A great conclusion to a very productive week. Today Zameel took his first trail ride through the woods; trotted and cantered with a rider; learned how to lower his head and neck and soften onto the bit; and took his first steps of rein back with a rider's cues alone. Week 9 - June 28 through July 4
Tuesday, June 29: Another successful session. Dan rode Zameel for the first time in the large outdoor arena without a lunge line. Dan's been applying leg and voice to encourage forwardness. Wednesday, June 30: Another successful ride! We are working Zameel actively forward in his walk with lots of changes of direction, circles, turns, halts and making our way to trot without any surprises. Thursday, July 1: Video (Zameel week 9) records a portion of Dan's ride in the large outdoor on a windy summer evening. He's carrying a dressage whip and using leg and voice cues. Friday, July 2: Dan and Jennifer traded off riding Zameel in the large outdoor arena. Dan asked for a very forward walk to the point of trot. Zameel took a few steps of trot on his own and came back to the walk. Then Dan asked for a few steps of trot. Zameel became very excited and took off at a gallop, so Dan regained his composure by spending the remaining time bringing Zameel back to a forward and relaxed walk. Jennifer joined them on her Walking horse. We will resume the trot tomorrow on a lunge line.
After a couple circles of lunging, Jennifer rode Zameel first. Then Dan rode Zameel around the large outdoor on a windy summer day without any explosions. Hurrah! Then we placed Zameel on a lunge line and had him walk as forward as possible until he broke into a trot on his own with Dan aboard. After a couple steps, we halted and praised him, maintaining his relaxation. We did this several times going both directions without any galloping off. Hurrah! Then Dan asked for trot and Zameel worked up to about six calm trot strides before we stopped and praised him. Hurrah! Zameel has made great progress today. I am so happy! Sunday, July 4: Worked on dragging objects in the round pen. Zameel was either up for the challenge or too hot to care. Happy 4th of July everyone! Week 8 - June 21 through June 27
Tuesday, June 22: The ups and downs of breaking a horse. Zameel picked up from yesterday and was wonderfully relaxed until something alarmed him and unseated Dan. Zameel stopped, looked down at Dan as if to say, "What are you doing down there?" and quietly stood as Dan remounted. Thankfully Dan had a soft landing. He will keep working with Zameel as long as it doesn't affect his golf game! After Dan fell off Zameel, I reminded him of what he said to me the day I fell off; "If breaking a horse were easy, everyone would do it." How true.
We ended on a good note by working in-hand exercises that relaxed him with a rider. Thursday, June 24: We had a great time working with Zameel in the large outdoor on a lunge line with a rider.
I've always been one to schedule in a ride and hope to accomplish an agenda in an hour. I've never really spent the time with a horse to desensitize, work in hand, and make it fun. I've never had this much fun with plastic bags, tarps, pails, pallets and poles, flower pots, and a kiddie swimming pool as I have with Zameel. I hope to be riding him in a walk, trot, and canter by the Trainer's Challenge, but that's not really my agenda.
But really, agenda or not, set backs are part of the journey. Conflict is part of life. The question is how will I face it? Will I quit or persevere? I opt for the latter. Will I keep doing what isn't working or seek insights from others who have been there and can help us along. Again, I opt for the latter. In any case, Dan and I have had more ups than downs with Zameel and the downs have led us to seeking better approaches. And I love the transformation I'm seeing in all of us. Saturday, June 26: Before the day heated up with humidity, we took Zameel to the round pen for free lunging before Dan got on. Dan rode more circles and turns and shoulder in. It was a successful session for both, and Dan was happy because nothing happened today that will mess up his golf game! Sunday, July 27: Zameel had lots of company this weekend: my parents and two sets of friends. Dan showed them how well Zameel free lunges in the round pen and the subtle cues he responds to, to change direction, speed up, slow down, and stop. Everyone enjoyed watching him jump at will. Zameel is slowly gaining weight now that he is on pasture and 3 lbs. of watered down Safe Choice twice a day. Week 7 - June 14 through June 20
Tuesday, June 15: Zameel meets our grandchildren from Arizona. Kaden says, "Grandpa, can I ride that one?" Grandpa says, "Are you sure? This one is younger than you!" Suddenly four-year-old Kaden feels old after meeting three-year-old Zameel. Wednesday, June 16: Wow, what an eventful day! On the farm with our grandchildren and Jennifer back in the saddle again! Thursday, June 17: Before the storms hit, I worked briefly with Zameel to step up and onto a make-shift bridge. He did it without any hesitation. What a good boy! Friday, June 18: Just for kicks, I set up cavellettis and a jump to see what Zameel would do. This horse amazes me! Check out Zameel's Week 7 photo album. Saturday, June 19: No time to work with Zameel today. Jennifer took her Walking Horse to a show and took home four blues and a red in English Trail Pleasure and Western Trail Pleasure.
We worked him back to relaxation and walking forward before ending. Only 8 weeks left before the Challenge. We'll do our best to bring him along as far as he is able and to the best of our abilities. Week 6 - June 7 through June 13 Monday, June 7: Last day in Duluth for the BLESS Clinic. I've added a few more "tools for my training toolbox" that will help me with Zameel.
We moved on to flexing, lowering the poll, disengagement, lunging with respect 1 and 2, working in-hand with shoulder in, walk, halt, and back. He remembered all of these exercises well and is nicely working with his bit and lowering his head. Before we finished, we returned to desensitization with the bag. He was better, but still not lowering his poll and relaxing when the bag made noise outside of his field of vision. We'll work with him tomorrow on this. Wednesday, June 9: We began our session today with that plastic bag attached to the lunge line. Zameel was calmer about it today than yesterday, but he still didn't relax when it was within hearing distance and out of his field of vision. We worked with the bag for about 20 minutes until he stood still and lowered his poll. We spent about 15 minutes lunging with respect 1 and 2.
He did his work in hand wonderfully. He steps forward, halts, and rein backs in a round frame. When my husband willingly showed up with his riding helmet, I knew it was time to get back in the saddle after a week off. Zameel didn't want to stand for mounting at first, so we did a bunch of flexing and then followed him around with the mounting block until he stood still. When he did move, we encouraged his inside hind leg to step under his body and forward. We repeated the standing in one stirrup, waiting for him to relax by lowering his head and chewing before dismounting. We did this two times before my husband got into the saddle. Zameel stood still nicely and walked off without getting excited. I continued to work him in-hand on a 20-meter circle while my husband sat quietly. Zameel was relaxed and nicely on the bit. He stepped under his body in balance. Then we did several walk, halt, walk transitions. He was very calm and relaxed and stopped in the same round frame. We switched directions and did the same thing. Zameel did wonderfully, so we figured, let's reward him by getting off. Unfortunately, Zameel grew anxious about dismounting. So we had to spend another 45 minutes getting on, walking off, halting, flexing, and dismounting. We ended on a good note when he was fairly relaxed. He seems to have an issue with this western saddle. I don't know if it is the noise it makes when a rider is in the saddle or if it doesn't fit him correctly. He's a very narrow, young horse, and we've been riding him in an Arab-cut round skirt, Circle Y saddle with three thick pads. Thursday, June 10: More desensitizing with the plastic bag and Zameel was more relaxed about it. Did some lunging with respect 1 and 2, flexing, yielding the hindquarter, work in-hand: shoulder in, halt, rein back, to a forward depart, and ended with mounting. Today Zameel stood still while Dan got on and off several times without Zameel getting excited. We ended on this very good note.
Saturday, June 12: Today Zameel walked over the tarp like it wasn’t even there. No hesitation. What a good boy! Zameel did exceedingly better with the tarp than my Walking Horse did. It took her two hours to step on the tarp; that’s something Zameel did in less than five minutes. We did a lot of work regaining relaxation while mounting and standing at the mounting block. Then while Dan was mounted, he had Zameel step under with his hind leg going both directions and flexed him each time his head popped up. This was big first step for Zameel, because it was the first time the rider was instructing his movement using the reins instead of the ground handler. Then Dan made the saddle squeak and every time Zameel’s head popped up, Dan flexed him to relaxation. After about 15 minutes, Zameel didn’t react to the saddle squeak and Dan dismounted without Zameel getting excited. Yeah! Sunday, June 13: Our week ended on a high. I had tears of joy watching my husband ride Zameel for the first time without any help from me on the ground. We began with Dan getting on and off several times until it didn’t faze Zameel at all. Then Dan flexed him and had him step under his body with the hind leg. Then he flexed Zameel to move the shoulder over. Zameel did all of this so calmly and caught on quickly. Then Dan walked Zameel around the round pen both directions with numerous halts and calmly dismounted. I can’t wait to begin riding him myself next week. I haven’t ridden Zameel since remounting after being bucked off three weeks ago. All of the desensitization and in-hand work with the bridle have prepared Zameel well, and my husband’s success has helped me regain my confidence. Week 5 - May 31 through June 6 Monday, May 31: Wow! A month has passed with 2-1/2 months remaining before the Trainer’s Challenge. Zameel is up to 19 fans on facebook and he has recently become the horse that “tweets” on Twitter. To follow Zameel, visit http://twitter.com/Zameel_MNrescue. Today, I worked Zameel in hand. He is really getting the hang of shoulder in, walk, halt, and rein back with little resistance. After a few minutes of lunging, my saint of a husband Dan (who didn’t know that he was going to help me train a horse for the Challenge), placed his full weight in the stirrup while I worked with him in hand. I helped Zameel relax and lower his head and neck; then Dan swung his leg over for Zameel’s sixth ride. Zameel was still tense at first but didn’t explode like yesterday. I think that Zameel is seeking to find his balance with the rider’s weight. We walked large circles and halt transitions in both directions. Zameel’s walk is more forward and onto the bit. I have been keeping my fingers closed through the snaffle and rope halter. I haven’t been pulling. Zameel had several steps in a row that were beautifully balanced and round. We will continue working in hand with a rider’s weight until Zameel is more consistent in his relaxation and balance before working on the lunge line with the rider’s weight. Tuesday, June 1: Horses that “tweet” and saddles that “squeak.” I think we figured out what is making Zameel so jumpy when a rider is in the saddle; it’s the squeaking saddle! Desensitization to sights (and sounds) is now in order. Today makes the seventh ride on Zameel. Jennifer got quite the workout keeping up with Zameel’s forward walk along the rail with St. Dan (my husband) aboard. In fact, today my boss asked me if I had lost weight. Yes, indeed, this working in hand stuff has an added bonus for those, like me, who can stand to lose a few pounds. Zameel is working his bit very nicely and he is carrying his head and neck down and round most of the time. Wednesday, June 2: No time left in the day to horse around. Thursday-Sunday, June 3-6: I've been in Duluth with my Walking Horse for a gaited dressage clinic with Bucky Sparks. I’ve been learning lots more "tools for my tool box" as Bucky says, that will help me with Zameel. In the meantime, I'm hoping that he's been spending the last few days reflecting on his dressage! Week 4 - May 24 through May 30 Monday, May 24: Two weeks ago it was snowing and today the heat index is over 100 degrees; the global warming debate continues in our household. I broke Zameel’s training into two small sessions: early AM and later in the evening. He is such a smart horse. He is learning to carry the bit, relax while going forward into a light contact both in hand and on the lunge line. I’ve been lunging in large 20 meter circles, because it’s easier on a young horse’s developing joints. I’ve been applying lots of transitions from walk to trot to walk to halt. Zameel understands the verbal commands of walk, trot, whoa without pulling on the lunge line. He has learned to stop by turning towards me and halting on the circle instead of coming up to me and standing on my toes. He is becoming quite the gentleman. One thing Larry Whitesell explained was that teaching disengagement of the hindquarters, teaches the horse to step sideways across the body to unbalance a horse for the rider’s safety. Larry said he would rather teach a horse to step deeper under its belly to produce proper bend and balance. He believes a horse is safest when it is in balance, relaxed, and listening to the rider’s aids. He said he would rather reward a horse for being in balance and encourage a horse to stay in balance and relaxed than to punish a horse with disengagement and throw the horse out of balance. In fact, Larry said that when horse’s learn to trust a rider to keep him relaxed and in balance, the horse reacts with few evasions as bucking, rearing, taking off, explosive spooking, etc. At Larry’s clinic, the more I applied these means, the more relaxed, round, and responsive my horse became without spooking and worrying about all of the mysterious objects and smells were lurking on the other side of the fence. I share all of this so that I can remember it in days to come as well as to share it with you in the event it helps you with your horse(s) or if you’re interested in Zameel as a future riding partner.
Wednesday, May 26: Worked with Zameel in the large arena in hand and on the lunge line with side reins attached to the bit. He is progressing well. He took a couple steps of shoulder in while working in hand, and he understands his verbal cues: walk, trot, and whoa. Thursday, May 27: What a gorgeous day! Zameel took about three consecutive steps of shoulder in while working in hand before rewarding him. He is lowering his head and relaxing nicely and is flexing at the poll and mid-neck more consistently. After we lunged in side reins both directions, we took a walk through the woods. He has an occasional spontaneous reaction but settles down quickly. He is overall a calm and sensible horse. On another note, Zameel has recovered well from his choking incident. We have him on Nutrena SafeChoice pellets and grass hay.
Saturday, May 29: Took Zameel on a walk through the woods again, then back to the round pen for more work in hand and lunging before remounting. Zameel is getting the hang of walk departs, halts, and reinback in a rounder and more balanced frame without popping his head up between transitions. We did several lateral flexes before placing stepping in the stirrup and placing full weight on him. He seemed a bit anxious so we asked him to lower his poll, head and neck. As soon as Zameel took a deep breath and chewed the bit, then we dismounted and repeated the exercise. Tomorrow we plan to be doing the work in hand exercises with a rider in the saddle.
Week 3 - May 17 through May 23 Monday, May 17: Lunged Zameel with a side rein attached to the bit for the first time. Once he figured it out, he lowered his head and neck and rounded nicely. He traveled more connected. What a good boy! (I can't say that enough.) I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Breaking a horse can't be this easy, can it? (I must have a lot of people praying for me!) After lunging Zameel for about 15 minutes, I got on and my husband stood in the center of the round pen with the lunge line, and I rode in a circle around him. We applied a one-rein stop before changing directions. Our rides so far have only been at a walk. My goal is to ride him at a trot by the end of the week. On a side note, Zameel has recovered well from his choking episode. The vet said that we can give him grain beginning tomorrow. I've done some reading about choking and will add water to his feed and place a few large rocks in his feed pail. This way it will slow down his eating and the water will expand the food before it gets into his esophagus. Amazing the things we learn through trials! Tuesday, May 18: Zameel earned a day off. Wednesday, May 19: Zameel worked with side reins attached to the bit for the first time. After a few minutes trying to figure it out, he settled into a nice, round frame and a rhythic tempo at the trot. What a smart boy! I lunged him for about 15 minutes. Then I removed the side reins and reattached the lunge line to the rope halter and got on him with my husband standing in the center of the round pen with the lunge line. Zameel was quiet and moving nicely at a walk. I patted him in front and behind the saddle and this startled him and he bucked. I shouldn't be surprised that this could have happened but I was and so was my husband. My shouting didn't help matters and Zameel bucked repeatedly until the other shoe fell. I was surprised that he bucked because I have not witnessed him buck at play, while free lunging or lunging. He doesn't have a mean-spirited bone in his body and he's been so sensible, willing, and quiet. Something startled him and that's how he reacted. I think my shouting out of surprise scared him more. Thankfully I'm not hurt; just humbled. I guess I'll have to step up my prayers and not just rely on everyone elses! My husband got on and we were ready for him to repeat the stunt. We shut him down with one rein stops before he continued. My husband and I worked him for a half hour by getting on, walking around, one rein stop, dismount, remount and repeat. We did this three time before I got on Zameel again. He thought about bucking twice while I was on him, and we immediately shut him down with the one-rein stop. I was very disappointed to have fallen off, but am pleased that we faced the confrontation head on and worked through it. This will likely happen again for the next couple weeks, so we need to be prepared and be safe. We ALWAYS ride with a good helmet and gloves. (A protective vest wouldn't hurt). Thursday, May 20: I dusted off a day’s discouragement empowered with new knowledge. I searched for information online about starting a young horse and realized that I may have been progressing too quickly with Zameel. In one week’s time, we had introduced the saddle, bridle, and rider. From what I have gleaned from other trainers, is that days and even weeks separate these introductions. So I will be working with Zameel in hand and in the round pen with a saddle, bridle and side reins for two weeks until he is stable in this before getting back on to ride him. Today, Zameel and I had a wonderful time working in hand and lunging in the round pen. He is trying to figure out how to carry a snaffle bit and be driven forward into the light contact. Our lunge work is mainly at a trot. He occasionally breaks into a canter, but I’ve been encouraging a round, long and low, forward and relaxed trot going both directions. Friday, May 21: I took my Walking horse to a Larry Whitesell gaited dressage clinic. He is an amazing horseman of classical dressage, and I’ve learned so much that will apply to Zameel’s training. He starts all of the young horses in a snaffle bit, works them in hand to eliminate braces in the poll, neck, and shoulder through teaching a horse how to relax through pressure and release. Then he works a young horse in side reins for two weeks before getting on. He does three days of desensitization, introduces one-rein stop and disengagement of the hindquarters but doesn’t stop there. He moves into teaching a horse to move forward into the bit in a relaxed and balanced frame. What he teaches from the ground translates to the rider’s aids. I placed Zameel in the cross ties, groomed, saddled and bridled him and then introduced him to some of Larry’s techniques. I applied an ounce of pressure by pulling down on the rope halter. As soon as Zameel lowered his head, I released the pressure. I repeated this several times on both sides of the horse. Zameel relaxed by keeping his head and neck down and softening his eye and chewing. The next exercise is teaching the horse to unlock at the poll. I placed one hand gently behind Zameel’s jaw and gently moved his nose towards me to bend at the poll. As soon as he moved his head towards me by turning at the apex, I released. His head and neck also lowered. These are great exercises for Zameel because he likes to carry his head and neck up high, as many Arabians do. Then I stood at Zameel’s shoulder with a finger looped at the snaffle ring and I encouraged a couple steps forward. I didn’t pull the bit; I merely kept a light contact as I moved forward with him. I stopped and praised him. Then we repeated this exercise and while moving forward, I touched Zameel behind the jaw and at the middle of his neck. When Zameel relaxed these areas, he lowered his head and neck and relaxed. I immediately stopped and praised him. Relaxation is what we are after. We worked on this exercise both directions before progressing to lunging in the round pen. I lunged Zameel both directions for a few minutes before attaching the side reins. Zameel is learning to move forward into the bit. This will also strengthen his back for a rider. Saturday, May 22: I took my Walking horse to the second day of a three day clinic with Larry Whitesell. He has a marvelous training theory: pressure and release to teach relaxation, balance and forwardness to the bit. His methods model that of classical French dressage and he continually takes lessons with FEI level dressage instructors. In all my years of taking dressage lessons and attending clinics, I have never heard it taught as practical and effective from the horse’s perspective. Larry becomes the best rider he can be to meet the horse’s needs vs. training the horse to do what he wants and meet his agenda. He uses every moment with the horse to build trust and relaxation through balance. The better this is communicated the more the horse relies on the rider as the trusted leader to keep him safe vs. the horse taking matters into its own hands through fight, flight and evasions. Each ride becomes a beautiful dance. Larry’s training methods are a true inspiration and I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned to working with Zameel. I repeated yesterday’s exercises. Zameel is really getting the hang of traveling forward into the bit. He is taking more steps in a row with a lower head and neck and he is figuring out how to carry the bit. Zameel is a very intelligent horse. Sunday, May 23: This was the final day of a three-day gaited dressage clinic with Larry Whitesell. I learned so much that will help me with every horse I ride and work with including Zameel. I worked Zameel in hand with the snaffle bit, relaxing him at the poll to lower his head and neck. I also introduced him to the concept of shoulder in from the ground. I lunged him for 15 minutes in the large outdoor arena with side reins attached to the bit, and a lunge line attached to the rope halter. This way he doesn’t depend on the walls of the round pen for balance, rather the side reins and a loose contact with the lunge line. We did a lot of transitions from walk to trot to walk and halt going both directions. I am working on helping Zameel step deeper under his body with his hind leg to strengthen his top line and forward into the bridle. Once he’s consistent in this concept, I will get back on. Larry said that he doesn’t get a horse until this has been established. As a result, he has never had a horse buck because they understand the concept of moving in to the snaffle, relaxed, and in balance. He teaches concepts from the ground that translates to when the rider is one its back. Week 2 - May 10 through May 16 Monday, May 10: Will it ever stop raining! (At least it stopped SNOWING!) Tuesday, May 11: Zameel wore a dressage saddle for the very first time and accepted it well. We worked in the round pen: desensitizing, flexing, yielding the hindquarters, backing, lunging with respect 1 and 2. He is doing much better with respecting personal space. Since he is a young horse, I am working him in large circles and not asking for abrupt transitions to protect his joints and ligaments. Wednesday, May 12: Between rain showers, I worked Zameel in the round pen: desensitizing, flexing, yielding the hindquarters, backing, lunging with respect 1 and 2. Zameel yields well, turns toward me, stops and stands square. Thursday, May 13: Cold temperatures and non-stop rain for days, so Zameel has spent a better portion of his week in a stall. He amazes me at how calm and sensible he is. While he has spontaneous bursts of enthusiasm, he settles quickly. He learns quickly and retains what he has learned. Today I placed Zameel in the cross ties and saddled him with a 40-lb. western saddle with a back cinch. He accepted this well as he did the dressage saddle. We had the opportunity to walk through large and deep puddles. After a couple minutes of hesitation, he lowered his head, took a step, and walked through the puddle. After lunging and working in hand for 20 minutes, I placed weight in the saddle. My goal is to be in the saddle by Sunday.
Zameel learns and retains what he learns. We repeated all of the previous exercises. During his lunging work, he is beginning to bring his head and neck down for a couple strides. I'll keep encouraging this as it will strengthen his topline. Zameel has wonderful scopey gaits. We ended with flexing his nose to the saddle and standing still while I placed weight in the iron. I hope to be in the saddle for the first time on Sunday. After a perfect day, it ended with an emergency call to the vet after Zameel choked on his dinner. The little guy hadn't been on grain since wintertime. He's a bit on the thin side and with the added work, he needs to increase his groceries. So in addition to unlimited hay, we've been giving him alfalfa cubes and adding grain gradually up to two handfuls twice a day. He's a light eater with his hay and doesn't seem to like the alfalfa cubes, so we introduced him to a complete feed. Last night was the first he ate it, and that's what the vet thought was the likely cause. The vet has seen beet pulp, an ingredient in complete feed, be the culprit in other choke cases. Zameel will be on bute for the swelling of his esophagus and preventative antibiotics for a few days. I felt so bad for the little guy, and thankful that the choke was cleared.
Sunday, May 16: Second ride! Introduced leg and seat aids to move Zameel outward and forward. What a good boy! Observations: Zameel's trot has marvelous rhythm and cadence with a lot of suspension and he tracks up nicely. He is very friendly and always meets you at the gate. He learns quickly and willingly. For a 3-year-old horse, he has a good attention span. He is more interested in learning than being distracted with what is around him. My husband warned me not to get too attached to Zameel. It is very hard not to love this sweet guy! Week 1 - May 3 through May 9 Monday, May 3: The last time Zameel was trailered was when he was a weanling, about 2-1/2 years ago. After a little working in hand, giving him time to sniff the trailer, we calmly worked him into the trailer. It took about 45 minutes and Zameel loaded calmly and willingly within 45 minutes of handling. He trailered quietly and unloaded like an old pro. He was very excited to meet his new friends. Tuesday, May 4: Establishing communication, trust, leadership, and boundaries by working Zameel in hand for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. He backs willingly and is learning about yielding the hindquarters and the shoulder. He relaxes well by lowering his head and neck, breathing, and chewing. Wednesday, May 5: Establishing communication, trust, leadership, and boundaries by working Zameel in hand for 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Introduced lateral flexion with a halter and lead rope. After ten minutes, he stood calmly and brought his nose to his side willingly in both directions. Thursday, May 6: Establishing communication, trust, leadership, and boundaries by working Zameel in hand and in the round pen for 30 minutes. Zameel learns quickly. He understand yielding the hindquarters both directions now. He is learning lateral flexion with a halter and lead rope. Today he learned to go both directions on a lunge line at a walk and trot. Friday, May 7: Between rain (and SNOW) showers, Zameel and I worked in hand for 30 minutes on lateral flexion, yielding the hindquarter, turn on the haunches, backing, and as Clinton Anderson calls it, "lunging with respect, part I and part II." The main issue I've been addressing is personal space. If Zameel were a dog, he'd be sitting on my lap! So I've been teaching him to stay a hula hoop distance away while I work with him in hand. Zameel catches on quickly, cheerfully, and willingly.
Sunday, May 9: I placed Zameel in the cross ties for the first time and he managed well. He enjoyed being groomed, and I picked his feet with no troubles. He wore a saddle for the first time while we worked in the round pen. He's remembered everything we've worked on this week. What a smart and willing little man! Observations: Zameel seems very willing, friendly, and intelligent. He has been coming up to me when called and halters easily. He is very calm considering that he is only three years old and a pure bred Egyptian Arabian. He has breathtaking gaits: His walk has a clear over track of 2-3 hoof prints, and his trot has a lot of hang time and he tracks up. His canter covers a lot of ground for a 14.2 hand horse. It's going to be tough not to fall in love with this sweet boy!
> Back to the Trainers and Students
About Jennifer Klitzke: Two years ago I watched the first annual Trainer's Challenge of the Unwanted Horse and was literally blown away with the transformation these trainers had accomplished with unbroke, unwanted horses in only 100 days. I couldn't believe most of the horses actually walked over bubble wrap and over the wooden bridge in the trail class! Then I was deeply inspired when the trainers showed each horse according to their suitability. One trainer (please forgive me for not remembering his name) rode a quarter horse mare named Hope without a bridle in patterns both directions in all three gaits. That memory brings goosebumps every time I think of it! Last year I was deeply inspired while watching the Trainer's Challenge of the Unwanted Horse because many of the trainers were amateur trainers like me. And all of the trainers, both professional and amateur, did a marvelous job showing each horse in a variety of classes: horsemanship, showmanship, trail class, freestyle, trailer loading, and vet/farrier handling. Last year's Trainer's Challenge inspired me to consider taking on the challenge for myself. I'm a recent graduate of Metropolitan State University and I'm 46 years old. This will be the first horse I have ever broke. So maybe you're wondering? Didn't college make her smarter? Why would she want to break a horse at her age? Well, one thing college taught me is that you never stop learning and if you don't face your fears, you stop growing. Life is an ongoing journey of learning. And while I have been riding and training horses since 1988, I have yet to break one. So maybe this will be more of a quest about who's breaking who? I'm confident that once we get beyond the first month of riding, that's when my skills and experience will kick in. So when I received the call from Drew Fitzpatrick that I was one of 16 trainers accepted, I was thrilled! I will be working with Zameel, a three-year-old purebred Egyptian Arabian gelding. MN Hooved Animal Rescue I became volunteer for the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue in 2005 where we fostered and placed several horses and adopted Louise (Pine County #1 ). My greatest joy is training horses and helping people become more educated riders and care givers. Background My riding background is predominantly dressage. I've been an avid dressage student since 1989 and have trained with local instructors, Sue Vikstrom and Judy Conger. I have participated in many clinics with national and international dressage trainers who are of both German and French training styles, such as Jean Philippe Giacomini, Dominique Barbier, Axel Steiner, and David de Wispelaere. I competed through 2nd level dressage with SeilTanzer, a Trakhaner/Thoroughbred gelding. He has long since retired from the show circuit and is doing well at the age of 26. I have also trained my Egyptian Arabian mare who has become a very versatile horse: dressage, western pleasure, jumping, cross country, and trail riding. I've worked with thoroughbreds, arabians, Tennessee walking horses, draft-crosses, saddlebreds, and quarter horses.
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Monday, August 2: We're closing in on the last two weeks of training before the big event on Saturday, August 14. Jennifer had a wonderful ride with Zameel in the large outdoor. Began with long reining and finished with riding. Zameel's steering is much improved, and the gas pedal and brake are in working order; now we're focusing on staying on course. 
Thursday, August 5: Dan rode Zameel over the bridge, over the litter-filled tarp, around the umbrella, over the cavellettis, weaved through balloons, backed through cavellettis, got acquainted with a raincoat (see video), and dragged a tire. We ended with a relaxing trail ride through the woods. Another "gold star" day! For more photos, see Zameel's Facebook page: "Week 14: Dan and Zameel."
Monday, July 26: Today we rode in the large outdoor, Zameel followed Makana at a walk through turns and transitions to help him with his steering. Then we trotted and cantered Zameel without a line leader, and he's doing well on a 20-meter circle with his steering. He took several breathtaking upward transitions to canter that were round and on-the-bit. 
Zameel is also making progress with his steering wheel. The trickiest spot is whenever he is facing the gate. It's like the gate has a strong magnetic pull on him, so we've been holding him together with the outside rein and leg while directing his nose to the inside bend. 
Thursday, July 22: Zameel was getting frustrated with learning his gaits and steering at the same time, so we've separated the two with a new steering strategy: We are using the round pen for trot and canter work to allow the fence to steer him and using the large outdoor for establishing the steering at a walk before we progress to trot and canter. 
Friday, July 16: Did some desensitization in the round pen for free lunging. Set up several plastic bags on posts, a tarp with plastic bottles, plastic pails, and plastic plant pots, and cavellettis. While I was setting up the cavelletti, I heard an unusual noise. I turned to look and my scary tarp with plastic objects was more like a play mat with play toys. Zameel was standing on it and pawing at the plastic bottles. He's hilarious! 
Saturday, July 17: I rode Zameel while Dan golfed, my first time riding with no spotter in sight. We had a calm ride and worked mainly on establishing a steering wheel. He's getting better with moving off the leg cues and softening with gentle hand vibrations. Zameel took several steps of shoulder-in and reinback while maintaining softness. 
Wednesday, July 7: Dan rode Zameel and I rode my Arabian mare in the large outdoor over a cavelletti pattern. It turned interesting when Dan had unexpected guests drop by, so I ponied Zameel over the cavellettis. All went well and then I put my mare away and rode Zameel myself. My first solo ride. Hurrah! 
Larry Whitesell is also a huge advocate for transitions in direction and in speed. John Lyons talks about the difference between being an "active" rider and a "reactive" rider. An active rider is thinking ahead to best prepare the horse for the moment. A reactive rider is continually scolding the horse for what it did wrong and is reacting to the horse's behavior vs. directing and preparing the horse for the moment to come. I know from experience that after a few falls, it's easy become a reactive rider, but I've learned that to overcome fear with pro activity is the safest choice because it minimizes explosions and empowers the rider. 
Friday, July 9: The neighbors were baling the hay field and Zameel was getting excited, so I saddled up my Arabian mare. He chilled out after seeing that my mare didn't get upset. This was the first time trotting Zameel without a lunge line, and he did very well without any explosions, even with the neighbors baling hay next door. Both of the horses worked over cavellettis, then Dan and Jennifer switched horses. Zameel is responding well to both a man and a woman rider. 
Monday, June 28: A successful session. After ten minutes of lunging in the large outdoor, Dan got on and Jennifer lunged them both. Our goal this week is to get Zameel working safely at a trot with the rider.
Saturday, July 3: Yesterday's exciting ride actually improved Dan's golf game today! He shot a 78 and is in first place in the men's league. 
Monday, June 21: Dan had a nice and relaxed ride on Zameel and Jennifer and her Walking Horse joined them. Zameel did a nice job being directed by the rider: walking forward, turning, halting, and being introduced to the leg aids and voice to cue him forward.
Wednesday, June 23: We worked with more desensitizing with a tarp on Zameel and dragging a plastic bucket. Zameel was a saint and took everything in stride until the very end when something alarmed him and he took off running around and around and around the round pen for about three minutes with the pail chasing him, then he stopped. In hindsight, we should have had Zameel attached to a lunge line. It would have been easier to shut him down from running off. We will have to work more on this another day. 
Friday, June 25: I never imagined that this training project would have evolved into what it has become. What began as my summer training project has become our marriage project. Neither of us gets in the saddle without the coaching of the other. And from my perspective, Dan is enjoying his time with Zameel as much as I am. Zameel has taught us that horses have far more capacity to learn and willingness to be team partners than we've given them credit for. Neither of us have ever spent this much time with a horse as we have with Zameel. 
With Zameel, we have a goal in mind: to start him well in relaxation. Personally, I think it's a big goal to break and show a three year old in three months, and I commend the trainers of previous years who have accomplished this. I hope to be one of them. But it seems that every time we try to rush Zameel along to meet an agenda, we have a setback which takes time to work through. 
Monday, June 14: Dan rode Zameel in the round pen and applied lots of turns from the hip and shoulder and lots of changes of direction. I enjoyed watching from the outside. I am so proud of them both!
Sunday, June 20: Dan and Jennifer took turns riding Zameel. It became a bit eventful when Zameel took his first trot steps with a rider. Dan did a marvelous job riding through his explosion and calming him down quickly. 
Tuesday, June 8: Between rain showers, I worked with Zameel for the first time in a week. After saddling and bridling him, we went to the round pen for some sound desensitization. I tied a plastic bag to the end of the lunge line and did the same desensitization exercise as shown in the video. He was calm about the plastic bag until it was over his head and outside of his field of vision. We worked a good 15 minutes with the bag on both sides. He became less reactive but still wasn't relaxed. 
While lunging, I saw for the first time how Zameel could also become a wonderful western pleasure horse. Initially he struck me as a fine English horse, but today, he lowered his poll, relaxed, and took a few circles of a nice western jog. I think Zameel would be great at anything. He's got the gaits and mind for dressage, the endurance for cross country, the jog and head set for western pleasure, and we'll have to see about his movement over fences and his sensibility as a trail horse. 
Friday, June 11: A wash-out of a day. I worked on more desensitizing with a plastic tarp. You’ll have to watch it for yourself on Zameel’s facebook page! Click on the video tab and watch “Zameel meets the plastic tarp.”
Tuesday, May 25: Worked with Zameel in the large arena in hand and on the lunge line with side reins. He continues to increase his steps with a lower head set and is accepting the bit well.
Friday, May 28: Took a walk through the woods with Zameel again and seemed to enjoy it even more than yesterday. Maybe trail riding, competitive long distance riding cross-country or eventing are in his future? Worked on ground driving with side reins and walking forward, halt, and rein back in hand. Zameel is learning all of these transitions while keeping his head and neck low on his own without me pulling. Hurrah!
Sunday, May 30: An exciting close to week 4. We’re back in the saddle again. We progressed from placing full weigh over Zameel’s back, to sitting in the saddle and then working in hand with the weight of the rider. His initial first few steps were filled with adrenalin. He raised his head and took off, but I turned him in a small circle asked him to “whoa” and relax. After that, Zameel did very well. He is getting more consistent at walking with a lowered head set. I loosely held the snaffle and rope halter in one hand and the lead line in the other while my husband Dan sat quietly. We guided him around in large circles, halted, rewarded him, and repeated this exercise for about 20 minutes.
Friday, May 14: A beautiful and sunny day at last! Zameel stood quietly in the cross ties for me to take a few photos, and he's getting better about picking up his feet to clean. Today Zameel wore a snaffle bit for the first time. I held a treat in my hand and placed the bit over it and he opened his mouth and accepted the bit without a second thought. He had an ear injury some time ago that has since healed and he had no issues with the bridle going over that ear. I saddled him with the dressage saddle. Wow, what a handsome young lad! I attached the lunge line to the halter instead of the bit since he's new to wearing it. 
Saturday, May 15: Beautiful weather at last! After working through all of the exercises, Zameel was ridden for the first time with help from my better half! Zameel was very calm. 
Saturday, May 8: Zameel had a day off while I took my Walking Horse to a show.