Peralli Horsenality™

Horsenality™ is something that Pat and Linda Parelli developed to help you better understand your horse’s individual behavior and temperament characteristics. Usually I don't say I train this certain style or that certain style. I generally borrow from whatever seems to work the best for the particular situation. I did find this chart neat to look at and fun though.

To identify your horse's "horsenality," consider every trait listed on the chart and make a dot on the specific ring that best corresponds to your horse. For example, if your horse is extremely playful, you would put a dot on the outer "extreme" ring under this trait. If he is non-responsive, but only some of the time, you would put a dot on the middle "moderate" ring by this trait. Some of the traits may not apply to your horse at all. You can have dots in different quadrants, but the vast majority of horses will end up with most of their dots in one quadrant, which reveals that horse's Horsenality.  Basically there is four categories.

The Right Brain Extrovert needs safety. Never push him past the threshold until he's calm. You will need to retreat and to interrupt the pattern. You must have a strong focus and must match the horse's high energy level. Give him a job to accomplish to replace his fear with something positive. He must think of you as his "safe place."

The Right Brain Introvert needs comfort. The worst thing you can do is push this horse before he's confident. You'll ruin his trust in you if you push him before he's ready. Taking your time is important because you'll need to wait on this horse to process things. He needs to believe in you.

The Left Brain Extrovert needs play. He craves creative, imaginative tasks and can't stand to be forced into anything. Because he hates to be bored, you'll need to speed things up, be enthusiastic and come up with variety in your lessons. Allegro falls into the Left Brain Extrovert category.



The Left Brain Introvert needs incentive. There are plenty of ways to offer incentive without "bribing" him. (Think rest, grazing, treats, scratches.) This horse needs to have a purpose and wants to go somewhere. Riding circles in an area with this horse will lead to resistance and defiance. Use reverse psychology for best results.


For more information about Horsenalities, visit www.parelli.com

Rachel Ward 2010 Extreme Mustang Makeover

Rachel did pretty well in this makeover even with an exceedingly difficult horse. She placed 1st in the obstacle course, 2nd in showmanship (where she had a lovely pull turn), and 3rd overall. In the freestyles she placed 4th. She also won the stall decorating contest. XD!


Rachel's freestyle video:


Here's the youtube link to the video as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe4batYLDDw&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=jPym2tU_o_A


Honestly though I think I would have been happier if she had won the EMM yearling freestyle and I had placed fourth in longe line. -_- But you know if she had Allegro and I had Big Mak that very likely would have been the case. The horse you draw nearly determines 50% of how you do in these competitions. Not all horses are equally talented, athletic, and willing.

Mustang Furturity long line: Diane Ward and Doc's Golden Allegro

The first futurity for 2 yr old mustangs was held Friday, 22 for the yearlings who competed in the 2009 yearling Extreme Mustang Makeover. I believe there were 7 entries who signed for the class out of the 30 who were eligible. The mustangs really filled out as 2 yr olds, although it was obvious, for most, that unlike many domestic horses they would likely continuing to significantly grow until they are about 6 yrs old.



Allegro and I had a blast at the show! It was great to see all the horses and trainers again! I always feel really inspired after these events and seeing the amazing things that everyone else is doing. It really gives me something to look forward to keep working towards. I also met a lot of new people who were utterly wonderful.

Video of me competing in the class:

There's a saying in performing that say " you'll have half of what you have in practice in the usual performance". So far this has not really been true for me until the lunge line event. Allegro was off the wall crazy going in to this because I didn't have the time I needed to burn off the crazy energy before hand. He goes a lot slower in practice, and the lope to walk transition was supposed to have a small sliding stop in between. But oh well! It still went great! I'll have to post a video of us practicing some time so you can see what I mean. (also I know nutcase tried to poop. -_-)

Some pictures of practicing the day before at the arena:

Allegro lunging in the warm up arena outside.

I just got done rinsing him off so he's wet here. You can see why he's called Golden Allegro.

Pictures from the actual show:

I think I forgot to mention we won. It seems to me the horse should wear the ribbon. After all it is a horse show.

 I am still extremely lucky to have a horse like Allegro. It kills me I got him for free! Not to mention he's now registered as a palomino. I think he was the only registered mustang up there. I keep hearing that some horses teach you things and not the other way around. He's definitely one of these horses. Because of his athleticism, intelligence, and willingness it allows me to train easily without complications so that I get the end result so much quicker than I do with most horses. It lets me know if what I'm doing is effective or flawed before I try it with a subject that I may have more difficulty with.

The entire longe line class.

Hopefully the other contestants won't feel the need to kill me if I put all of them up... -_O

I have to say the horse closest was pretty good looking. Very well developed muscles, good movement. Honestly I didn't get to see the others... I only saw slap jack and his owner Helena because they happened to be in the warm up pen with me.


I really hope they continue doing the Futurities. They allow a preparation to teach the two year old how to move correctly so that when they're under saddle they already are "good movers" also it's a chance for the adopters to get involved, and allow the people who weren't able to haul up for the actual yearling challenge a second chance to show their horse. Also I fear that sometimes the horse's don't continue their training after the challenges because their is no incentive. This is incentive! I know they're planning on for 2011!


Thank you to everyone tht helped me get to this point most literally the Livingstons who did the literal getting there since they hauled Allegro! (I am so funny-_-). My parents my, mom for pulling the car into he horse pasture because I wanted to work Allegro when it was dark and there was no other lights. Christine nd Rachel (my sisters) for being very supportive and helping me figue out what was wrong with my own technque.

The Livinstons again for letting me use their show halter! XD


And everyone else who gave me advice or helped in some way!

Mustang adoption!

At the end of each Extreme Mustang makeover the horses in the competition are normally auctioned off making on of the main goals of this event to raise awareness for mustang adoption. Naturally I adopted the horse I competed with and I can vouch first hand for their sheer awesomeness of the breed. I look forward to seeing what everyone drew this year and the adoptions that take place! Here is some information on adopting:

October 22-24: Extreme Mustang Makeover, Murfreesboro, TN The second annual Extreme Mustang Makeover returns to Murfreesboro, TN. Over 100 gentled mustangs available for adoption. 100 trainers (18 and over) and 25 youth trainers (8-18). $25,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.
Tennessee Miller Coliseum: 304 West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, TN (615) 494-8961.

For more information: http://www.extrememustangmakeover.com/emmtennessee.php




Upcoming In-Person Adoptions:


Lorton, VA: Oct 22-23
Murfreesboro, TN: Oct 22-24
Archdale, NC: Nov 12-13
Oneonta, AL: Nov 19-20
Martin, TN: Dec 3-4
Lake Charles, LA: Dec 10-11




Here are some examples of mustangs up for adoption and their information:

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years Height (in hands): 14.1

Necktag #: 9560 Date Captured: 11/22/09
Color: Palomino Captured: South Steens (OR)
Notes:

#9560 - 1 yr old palomino gelding, captured Nov 2009 in the South Steens Herd, OR.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541/573-4424 or email Patti_Wilson@blm.gov.
Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Martin, TN (12/3); Lake Charles, LA (12/10).

Bidding has not yet begun.

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years Height (in hands): 14.0

Necktag #: 9493 Date Captured: 11/18/09
Color: Pinto Captured: South Steens (OR)


Notes:

#9493 - 1 yr old pinto gelding, captured Nov 2009 in the South Steens Herd, OR.
Calm personality.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541/573-4424 or email Patti_Wilson@blm.gov.
Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Martin, TN (12/3); Lake Charles, LA (12/10).


Bidding has not yet begun.



 

Sex: Gelding Age: 1 Years Height (in hands): 14.1

Necktag #: 0010 Date Captured: 07/13/10
Color: Bay Captured: Cold Springs (OR)
Notes:

#0010 - 1 yr old bay gelding, captured July 2010 in the Cold Springs Herd, OR.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541/573-4424 or email Patti_Wilson@blm.gov.
Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Martin, TN (12/3); Lake Charles, LA (12/10).
Bidding has not yet begun.
 

Sex: Mare Age: 4 Years Height (in hands): 14.3

Necktag #: 9614 Date Captured: 12/15/09
Color: Pinto Captured: Paisley Desert (OR)
Notes:

#9614 - 4 yr old pinto mare, captured Dec 2009 in the Paisley Desert Herd, OR.
This horse is currently located at the Corral Facility in Hines, Oregon. For more information, contact Patti Wilson at 541/573-4424 or email Patti_Wilson@blm.gov.
Pick up options (by appt): Burns, OR; Elm Creek, NE; Pauls Valley, OK; Piney Woods, MS.
Other pick up options: Martin, TN (12/3); Lake Charles, LA (12/10).
Bidding has not yet begun.

thoughts on the Mustang Longe Line Futurity

That is one long title!

As I've posted before, the lunge line futurity is going to be held alongside the normal EMM event in Murfreesboro TN for the 2009 yearlings adopted out last year from the previous youth competition.

Allegro and I have been working pretty hard! I won't deny it's been frustrating. The first few months he kept getting sullied up, because he was not at all used to being asked to lung at a circle for any length of time. This was not what I had trained him to do before. Whenever we did lunge before it was with mostly half circles and turnbacks and the idea of walking in a longe line was the least used word of his vocabulary. He's made a lot of progress even though this isn't his foremost talent. Some horses have a natural inclination to move the way that longe line asks for (not that this will be judged exactly on tradition rules) but Allegro's mustangs roots seemed to have a different idea of how to move.

Just recently we had Allegro shod because he had bruised his front foot. It's very frustrating that it was the front foot on his good side because now his former good side had become his weaker side and his former weaker side his stronger side now. He's not much a fan of the shoes. He's been picking his knees up more because of the new feeling (we also have booties on to protect the shoes). I know I'm may be being a bit picky. Just because he's picking his knees up is not a reason to obsess; it'll will probably fix itself once he gets used to them.

I think I learned most of what I know about lungeline from watching YouTube videos. :] It makes good sense

I feel I've really learned a lot from this. For one thing it's good that I was able to work with Allegro entirely on my own for this especially since longe line was something a genuinely had no knowledge on; it was like taking a crash course on how to train and perform lungeline. I doubt I know half the things a profession would tell me about lungeline but no doubt I've learned a lot since working on it. If you work over a 100 days on something every day you are going to have to work not to learn something.


Here's my check list for things I look for in longe line:

1. Consistent and acurate gaits
2. An even circle
3. The handler not "traveling" (having to chase the horse, or having to walk a large circle)
4. Smooth transitions
5. Ease of movement
6. Attentiveness to handler
7. Style, and overall presentation (longe line isn't riveting exactly so it pays to make it look like more than it is; give it some stage presence!)
8. Ease of moving into the circle, changing directions, and coming out of the circle.
9. headset and technically correct gaits (correct lead, not cross firing)