HHHL Magazine Spring 2021 by happyhorsehappylife

HHHL ISSUE 01 / SPRING 2021

Quarterly

IT'S A TRAILERPALOOZA!

IS YOUR HORSE FIT?

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

By being able to work with multiple trailers in one session you are preparing your horse for any kind of trailer loading experience.

When we talk about your horse being fit, what you have to look at is his Mental, Emotional, and Physical fitness.

Check out this issue's featured Happy Horse Happy Life Instructor/Mentor Kristi Smith

p. 21

p. 28

p. 36

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CONTENTS

HHHL Quarterly

21 8

36 28

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

This vegetarian pad thai with spicy peanut sauce is easy to prepare and tastes better than take-out!

GUEST ARTICLE: THE GAME OF BALANCE Isn’t life all about balance? Work and family, horses and chores, you can list a bazillion ways we all seem to race through life from one end of the teetertotter to the other seeking balance.

MIND, BODY & SPIRIT

Linda talks with Master Natural Horsemanship Instructor Jesse Peters about parenting & teaching his two boys

46 BARN CONFIDENTIAL Linda sits down with her friend Elia and talks about the incredible challenges she's overcome with her horse.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

HOW TO TALK HORSE Linda Parelli details her brand new training program - The Ultimate Training Curriculum for a Happy Relationship with Your Horse!

HAPPY HORSE CHALLENGE: TRAILER PALOOZA By being able to work with multiple trailers in one session you are preparing your horse for any kind of trailer loading experience while having a great time!

FEATURE ARTICLE: IS YOUR HORSE FIT? What you have to look at is his Mental, Emotional, and Physical fitness, and decide how balanced or unbalanced he is in each.

36 HHHL INSTRUCTOR/MENTOR SPOTLIGHT This edition the spotlight is on Kristi Smith: The Horses Who Helped Me Heal

When people comment on my skin, my automatic reflex is still, “Really?” My own skin problems led me to launch my own skin care line and at 62 my skin has never looked better... and yours can too!

Linda Natural Skincare Made by hand, bottled, labeled, and packaged in Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Shop Online www.lindanaturalskincare.com

EDITOR'S NOTES

Welcome to the first edition of the Happy Horse Happy Life digital magazine. Each edition of the magazine will feature horse training articles and videos, "HHHL" Instructor profiles, personal growth and development, horse challenges, recipes for healthy eating, fashion and so much more. We hope you enjoy a this little look into Happy Horse Happy Life and hope that you'll consider joining our growing community of like-minded horse enthusiasts at www.happyhorsehappylife.com.

Patrick C. EDITOR

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

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HHHL Quarterly Vol. 1 Issue 1 April 2021 Cover Image Kathy Zeigler Editorial Andrew W. Editor Patrick C. Deputy Editor Contributors Linda Parelli, Janice Dulak, Courtney Crane, Kristi Smith Subscriptions Visit www.happyhorsehappylife.com or contact support@happyhorsehappylife.com Write to: 11 Beacon Buildings Yard 23, Stramongate, Kendal LA9 4BH, UK Phone: 1 352 266 2099

HHHL Quarterly 6

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

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HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

HOW TO TALK HORSE THE ULTIMATE TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR A HAPPY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HORSE! Some people wish their horse could talk. Although I’m not sure everyone would like to hear what their horse has to say If the genie from the bottle gave your horse three wishes what would he or she ask for?

1. 2. 3.

interesting question, right? After 30 years of traveling all over the world, working with tens of thousands of students and their horses I have the answer. I discovered the three things your horse wants more than anything else in the world...

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

It's for you to be a..

BETTER RIDER, BETTER LEADER, BETTER COMMUNICATOR These three things will totally change the relationship between you and your horse in the most wonderful of ways. You and you horse will be more confident together, more in tune with each other’s movement, and together you will form that special bond that lasts a lifetime. I have wanted to write this curriculum for a very long time. Fortunately thanks to the generosity of some close friends who have invested over $100,000 to help me film, edit and produce this program I am excited to launch a progressive new curriculum called “How to Talk Horse” In it I share my secrets on how to read horses, solve problems and bring out the best in them no matter what breeds and disciplines you enjoy,

or what level of rider you are, from recreational to advanced professional. Teaching is my passion, my talent my life. I’ll be sharing proven, powerful strategies and techniques with you, starting with a compassionate connection because even a good technique can be applied with a bad heart. At its core, this nine-module program gives you the keys for developing a happy horse and happy relationship starting with Connection, Relaxation and Responsiveness.

HOW TO TALK HORSE IS A COMPLETELY NEW APPROACH TO HORSE-EDUCATION: Study Modules are based on your horse training goals The modules focus on solving problems and achieving universal qualities, no matter what the discipline There’s the freedom to move around as needed, or follow the modules sequentially In-depth video instruction Detailed written guides Self-assessments And progress charts all help keep you on track

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

When it comes to establishing a connection with horses, with your horse, it is a two-way street. First you have to accept that it is your responsibility to give the horse the best deal possible. By that I mean you have to make it easy for the horse to succeed.

-Linda Parelli

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

HERE'S WHAT'S IN THE

training curriculum

Connection

Responsiveness

See the horse’s perspective (understanding)

Go/Stop

Fear - Dominance - Confusion (fix it)

3 ways to go… forwards, backwards, front

Manners

end, hind end.

Connection

Expect and require response (nicely!)

Work on ingredients, make it easy as

Train in lightness, train out dullness

possible for the horse. Horse should never

Confidence

know it is difficult - Walter Zettl.

Relaxation Retreat, release, frequent breaks Repetition Stand still (Parking Spot) Movers need to move in order to relax Stoppers need to slow or stop in order to relax

Expose and expand (new things, extreme confidence, small spaces, leg rope, flank rope, etc.) Jumping Water Trailer New environments Other horses / riding in company As a Learner In your Leadership Confidence, curiosity, = super learner. (Which is why you should always be developing this)

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

Impulsion

Agility

Balance forwards and backwards -

Multiple transitions - simple to extreme

transitions between gaits and by the numbers

Readiness to go, turn, stop, backwards,

(1-4).

sideways, fast, slow.

Flowing forward

Small turns and circles, big ones.

Downward transitions without reins

Flying Changes

Willing to go, ready to slow. (Strategies!)

Cavaletti, jumps

Sustain gait

Bending

Purpose

Flexibility - jaw, neck, ribcage, hindquarter.

Have a goal - for your horse. What do you

Lateral Flexion at walk/trot/canter

want him/her to become? Liberty, Trail,

Longitudinal

Dressage, Jumping, Reining, Team Penning /

Latitudinal

Sorting, Cowboy or Western Dressage,

One Rein Suppling

Dressage, Kids horse, etc.(Note: “Happy” is

Leg yield

not a purpose, that is about the quality of the

Shoulder In

relationship, no matter what you do.)

Haunches In

Purpose gives you motivation to progress,

Half Pass

improve and learn more. It helps guide your training plans.

Harmony I’m doing this, how about you?

Best of all, it gives you something to celebrate as you achieve milestones on the way! How to give everything a purpose Riding Lines & Patterns

Invisible aids Willing, soft, responsive, together, happy! Quality Subtlety Beauty

Power Strength and energy Performance level!

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

LINDA'S STUDENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A SNEAK PEEK

and the results are overwhelmingly positive

HOW YOU CAN MAKE SUCH COMPLEX PROBLEMS SO SIMPLE AND SO CLEAR IS JUST AMAZING!

- Sue R.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

SUE F.

RICHELLE M.

“This is game-changing. It's everything that was missing in every other program I ever took”

"Getting to put a little of this into practice, it is so easy to understand! It simplifies things for people, seeks out the root cause of their problems and gives them some simple solutions!"

MICHELLE S.

CLAUDIA P.

"New Beginnings - As a learner, Linda's new curriculum aligns concepts you are struggling with and pairs them with easy fix solutions!"

"Linda encourages riders to feel for their horses with empathy. The heart connection between horse and rider develops and you see that learning is empowering."

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

VEGETARIAN PAD THAI

with spicy peanut sauce

You can make this pad thai in less than 30 minutes and it tastes better than takeout! It's a great weekday meal when you're pressed for time. The edamame is optional for extra protein. You could swap it out for tofu or use chicken if you aren't a vegetarian. Ingredients 2 tablespoons light sesame oil 8 ounces brown rice noodles 1 red bell pepper 2 carrots 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup shelled edamame, cooked (optional) 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 1 lime, juiced 1/3 cup roasted peanuts, chopped (optional) Sauce: 1/4 cup Peanut Butter (can be replaced with almond butter or tahini for peanut free) 3 Tbsps Soy Sauce 1 Tbsp Mirin (can use sugar to substitute) 1 Tbsp coconut or brown sugar 2 Tbsp Rice Vinegar 2 tsp Sesame Oil 1 Tbsp Tamarind Concentrate 1 Tbsp chili garlic sauce (use less for less spice)

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

Preparation Add rice noodles to a large bowl and cover with just boiling water. Stir and cover and cook according to package instructions (usually about 5-6 minutes). While noodles are soaking, shake up the sauce ingredients in a jar or whisk in small bowl. If needed, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to create a creamier consistency. Drain noodles and toss with a little sesame oil to prevent sticking. Set aside. Slice red pepper and carrots into very small pieces. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium high heat. Add the veggies – stir fry for 4- 5 minutes or until tendercrisp. Add to the pan the noodles, edamame, Pad Thai sauce, green onions, and peanuts and cook over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally for about 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has coated everything and the dish is hot. Squeeze on lime and stir in cilantro. You can also add sesame seeds on top if you'd like!

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

Hi, I’m Linda Parelli and the two things I love most in life are horses and personal growth. Now that I can spread my own wings I can finally combine both my passions into one amazing new community. A community for like-minded people who talk horse and love to grow. Join me as I blaze my own trail. If you want: • A better relationship with your horse • A dramatic increase in your riding skills • Exclusive access to some of the world’s top equestrian, performance and motivational experts • To be a member of a community of people who share similar interests, dreams and goals • Plus, the motivation, life skills and support to reach your goals in any area of life, we can help! No matter what kind of horse you have or style of riding you do, I’d love you to join me.

Join now at www.happyhorsehappylife.com

TRAILER PALOOZA This is a super fun challenge that you can do with friends! By being able to work with multiple trailers in one session you are preparing your horse for any kind of trailer loading experience while having a great time! The goal is that your horse will confidently load into multiple trailers. SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

HOW DO I DO THIS? 1.This challenge is best with at least two trailers but the more the better. It’s great if you can get trailers of different sizes and styles. Park the trailers so you can go from one to the other easily. This could be in a straight line or big half circle. 2.The first thing people do when it comes to trailer loading is load their horse. This challenge is the opposite. Loading will be the last thing you do. In fact, at first you don’t want your horse to load. 3.Start by sending your horse to each trailer and asking them to touch it with their nose (Picture 1 on the right). 4.Once they have touched it, move on to the next trailer. As you move along see if your horse can touch multiple areas on the trailer. 5.The next step is asking your horse to put one foot on the trailer. Just one! Once they have done this, move on to the next trailer. 6.After one foot ask for two feet. 7. The last step is asking your horse to get in. Go from one trailer to the next until you can confidently load your horse into each one.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

COMMON MISTAKES 1. Letting your horse take over. If your horse is a confident loader or has traveled a lot they might just try and get in when you ask them to touch it or put a foot on it. Often because this is our end goal we are happy and let it happen. Be clear with what you want. If that is not what you asked for fix it. Your leadership and relationship will improve when you stick with your plan. Don’t worry; your horse will still get in the trailer. 2.Spending too much time at one trailer. If your horse is really struggling at a trailer move on and come back to it. It could be a different design, maybe your horse isn’t used to ramps but don’t make it a big deal. Keep going from trailer to trailer asking for your tasks until he can do it at all of them.

HELPFUL HINT Have fun with this! It is a Palooza after all! ;) Turn on some music and challenge your friends. Once you have all loaded your horses what else could you do? Back them into the trailer? Send them to it from a farther distance? The sky’s the limit!

STEP 3

STEP 5

STEP 7 STEP 6

HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT!

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

Want to see Trailer Palooza in action? Check out the video for this Happy Horse Challenge below!

Happy Horse Challenge is a weekly video segment on Happy Horse Happy Life featuring various riding & ground tips. Want to see more? Visit www.happyhorsehappylife.com for a free two week trial.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

WANT 51 MORE CHALLENGES JUST LIKE THIS? Have you ever felt stuck and not sure what to do with your horse? Are you tired of doing the same thing over and over and need some inspiration?

52 Challenges for You and Your Horse will not only give you lots of ideas but also a step-by step-guide on how to conquer each challenge, troubleshoot when things go wrong and provide helpful hints. It's also a great guide if you want a refresher on some of the basics. Upgrade your approach to training, have more fun with your horse and your friends and get ready to feel more successful and excited about training your horse!

Order your copy today at shop.happyhorsehappylife.com

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

THE GAME OF BALANCE By Janice Dulak

Isn’t life all about balance? Work and family, horses and chores, you can list a bazillion ways we all seem to race through life from one end of the teeter-totter to the other seeking balance. While musing on this a few years back, I happened to think about my friend Linda Parelli who chooses to attach the idea of a game when it comes to doing anything with a horse. I began to see how I could make a game out of balance, not just in my life but also while I ride. At that time I was riding my horse Rubaiyat who was 17.1 and although talented he was not necessarily coordinated. He was 8 years old at the time, was still a bit gangly, and could be quite unbalanced. Now put a rider on his back, namely me, and basically he had to not only carry himself, but he also had to carry a “backpack” while doing moves that require the talent of a ballet dancer. While we were stumbling around the dressage arena, it occurred to me that I was really not helping him balance, if I was too busy helping him balance! What I mean is this: If I am reacting to my horse’s lack of balance each time he loses connection, by trying to help him, say, with the reins, in reality, I moved around quite a bit in the saddle, even if I didn’t recognize that I was doing so. While I would do this unwitting movement, I realized that I was actually knocking him off balance more. Think about carrying a backpack. If it is full and nicely packed, you can snug it up to your withers and do just about anything with it on your back. But put a live monkey in it and see how easy it would be to perform ballet movements with it moving around on your back! So instead of helping him balance, what I have really been doing is writhing around like a monkey on his back.

SO HERE IS THE GAME OF BALANCE! When I ride, instead of worrying about my horse, I focus on my balance. In Pilates as in dance, one soon learns that balance is not just a position. Rather, it is a dynamic activity that you must focus on. One also must have the ability to adapt the body every microsecond in order to keep in balance. Knowing how to stabilize every part of my body in relation to movement in another part is essential to feel where I lose my balance: Whoops, there goes a shoulder up; whoops a rib stuck out; whoops, my left low back just hollowed for a moment, and darn, my forearm is too tense. Simply put, in order for me to stay balanced while riding, I must change and adjust my position on every stride. This is why I am so passionate that people know more about their bodies. The more training you have to exert control over your optimum strength and flexibility, the more you are going to be able to keep your balance each time your horse steps and knocks you off balance, as really, he does with every stride! With that realization, I began to focus on myself and then allowed Ruby to find his balance for himself. I liken my job to when I ride as to what a male dancer must-do for a ballerina when she performs multiple pirouettes. He is there to help her keep her balance as she spins around on one little point shoe. In order for her to stay balanced, he is behind her, standing like the Rock of Gibraltar, holding and steadying her lightly, allowing her all the freedom she needs to move within her own balance. That is the Game of Balance. Play and let me know how it goes! Janice Dulak is a USDF Bronze medalist and author of “Pilates for the Dressage Rider” books and DVD’s. Her groundbreaking rider trainer Pilates for Dressage® and Ridermanship® has helped riders from Linda Parelli to FEI rider Sarah Martin and every level in between.

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

IS YOUR HORSE FIT? by Linda Parelli When we talk about your horse being fit, what you have to look at is his Mental, Emotional, and Physical fitness, and decide how balanced or unbalanced he is in each. Back in 1989, my horse Regalo was physically very fit but an emotional wreck, and over the past 20 years of teaching all over the world, training horses, and developing my own horses, I continue to study the emotional nature of horses. I’m interested in what triggers them as well as how to help them become more emotionally fit. In this article, I’d like to help you become more conscious of your horse’s emotions and learn how to “exercise” them.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

Horses are Emotional It’s important to understand the inner workings of your horse. As a prey animal, horses live on the edge. They are programmed to be watchful and sensitive to danger and the slightest change in their environment will put them on high alert. Sudden noises and movements can be very alarming which is why, for example, horses can be more emotional on windy days. A horse’s number one emotion is fear but, around humans, they can also get irritated, annoyed, and frustrated. You don’t tend to see that in a natural herd environment and in a moment you’ll understand why.

Because horses don’t speak their communication is largely non-verbal. They use body language, which can sometimes be quite subtle, and so we miss what they’re trying to express. It’s important to learn to read these more subtle signs so you know what’s going on for your horse and can adjust your approach to help him be more confident, comfortable, and happy in their relationship with you. For the sake of this article, I’m going to focus on the main behaviors and body language associated with three main emotions: fear, tension, and frustration. Let’s learn to read the signs, find out what triggers them, know how to prevent or fix them, and help our horses to become more emotionally fit. Body Language Fear – shying, spooking, bolting, running away, wide eyes and nostrils, high head, flicking ears, sharply pricked ears, ears out to the side and tilted head, excessive sweating, clamped tail, rearing, explosive bucking. Tension – tight back, choppy stride, elevated head, tight tail, tight lips, tight ears, ears back, chomping mouth, sweating in odd places, braciness, prancing, ‘squeaky belly’ (the noise you often hear in geldings

IT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN TO READ THE MORE SUBTLE SIGNS SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON FOR YOUR HORSE & CAN ADJUST YOUR APPROACH. that is said to emanate from the sheath area but is produced by a tight belly), elevated heart rate, low tolerance. Frustration – head tossing, head shaking, grinding teeth, hanging tongue, frothy mouth, open mouth, swishing tail, ears back / pinned, bucking, refusing to go forward, low tolerance, weaving, lip-popping, and other stall ‘vices’. Of course, there can be some overlap in these behaviors, but if you find your horse displaying any of these it will still give you a good insight as to what might be going on for him and therefore inform your approach. Triggers Horses are incredibly adaptive which has ensured their survival and use by mankind for thousands of years… and for more than just meat. Horses evolved from SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

18 being a food source to transport, work, warfare, sport, and pleasure. They also have morphed into many different breeds as distinct from each other in size and shape and color pattern. What has not changed, however, is the fact that they are still prey animals and to this day it doesn’t take much to evoke the selfpreservation instincts in even the tamest horse. Although horses have lived in a human environment for thousands of years, they have not really adapted to it. They are still afraid of confinement, separation from the herd, get tangled and hurt in our fences, fear the girth, saddle, or rider, and fight restraint. Horses are naturally claustrophobic, they need to run in order to use up adrenaline, and are given to panic when trapped. I think it’s important to realize that even before we go to train and ride them, horses are already having trouble! And, it is our responsibility to help them adapt to this environment in order to live stress-free and happy lives in their relationship with us. Let’s look at what kinds of things trigger these emotions: Fear – The two main triggers are predatory behavior and feeling trapped. Predatory behavior comes from, well, predators! Dogs, wolves, lions, and us humans so horses are always on the lookout for signs of danger like sneaking or chasing; rustling or moving grasses, bushes, and leaves; sudden noises or movements; aggression and heightened energy. Horses are flight from fear animals so they avoid anything that feels like a trap. In the human environment, this can be in the form of stables, trailers, stocks, chutes, being tied, restraint from a halter, rope, bridle, (and of course draw reins, tight nosebands, martingales, etc.), and even the girth. Tension – Think of tension as the first stage of fear. Horses get tense when they are confused, pressured, forced, held back, or suppressed when training – both on the ground and riding. Frustration – Frustration arises in horses when they can’t find comfort. What’s important to horses is safety, comfort, and play, in that order. After a horse gets over its initial fear of humans, seeking comfort becomes a primary driver. For example, a horse in fear mode seems oblivious to pain or the annoyance of flies, but once they feel safe they will react more to a fly landing on them and causing them to feel uncomfortable. This is why pressure and release is an effective way to train a horse. You create a kind of discomfort by applying pressure with your leg, seat, or hand and removing the pressure when the horse responds in the desired way. Good trainers have a clear picture of what they are trying to get the horse to do and have excellent timing of the release in order to let the horse know he’s moving in the right direction. 30

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

DO'S AND DON'TS Fear Do - Disengage the hindquarters using one rein (get control); Get off; Give him a task (like put his foot on something); Diffuse the adrenaline with “You Better Run!” technique on the ground; Ride forwards in tiny circles until the horse slows down of his own accord. Don't - Pull back on both reins, get angry or emotional, punish the horse, jerk on the reins. Tension

Frustration Do - Give more release, use Zero Brace, improve your feel and timing, do away with restrictive equipment, be more creative in your training approach. Don't - Apply more pressure, boring training drills. Frustration will escalate into arguments, tantrums, and then fear. Exercising your horse’s emotions

Do - Slow down, make things easier for the horse, give frequent and/or longer breaks, be more patient and consistent. Make sure you ride ‘forwards’ instead of holding the horseback. Use the Relax Rein or Partial Disengagements in transitions to help relax the horse.

Rather than doing whatever it takes to avoid stirring your horse’s emotions, you need to exercise them! It’s important to think about what a horse needs in order to be more emotionally fit, more balanced, and a little ‘tougher’, and less reactive. Pent-up energy is the biggest enemy. The more we suppress horses the more reactive they become.

Don't - Continue training, ignore the horse’s tension. Tension will escalate into fear.

Put yourself in the horse’s position for a moment and you’ll start to understand what I mean.

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

MOST HORSES ARE... Kept in a stable, pen, or pasture. (The wild horse lives on 10,000+ acres) Kept by themselves, isolated from others. (Horses are herd animals and they have a strong need to pair-bond. They can bond with humans too, which is something to take advantage of) Held tight when they are afraid and need to escape. (Horses are flight from fear animals. Running is the primary way they remove adrenaline from their system) Restricted by artificial aids that tie their mouths shut or hold their heads down. (Horses are claustrophobic and only have body language with which to communicate. We need to allow them the freedom of opening their mouths or throwing their heads if our training is offensive). These are just a few examples that will help us understand how important it is to play with horses in a way that feels natural for them, enhances their ‘unnatural’ living environment, and fulfills their mental, emotional and physical needs. Here’s how… Ground Training. Training your horse on the ground and challenging him to feel more comfortable and connected will help you to give your horse the mental stimulation that he gets when playing with other horses. It also develops his brain. As the horse gets smarter and learns how to solve the puzzles you give him he also becomes more self-confident. Exercise his emotions - bring up your horse’s physical energy on purpose… and do it regularly! Many riders are afraid to gallop their horses or to trot and canter strongly forward on a loose rein, but horses need this. If you can’t do it in the saddle, you need to do it from the ground. Gradually play on a longer line so you can get your horse to really move out. If horses don’t get to run on a regular basis they become more emotionally fragile and cannot handle higher levels of energy – either in themselves, in you, or their surroundings. You want your horse to be able to use high energy and then calm down quickly and this can only happen when they get accustomed to that feeling. The more you handle your horse with kidgloves, the more emotionally unfit they become.

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

HERE'S A GOOD EXERCISE ON THE GROUND, PREFERABLY ON A LONGER LINE. Ask your horse to gallop for a lap and then wait for him to slow down into a canter or trot for a couple of laps, then ask him to gallop again. Repeat this three or four times in one session and then make sure you do this at least 2-3 times per week. At first, your horse might get really stirred up, but pretty soon he'll be able to gallop without getting scared. That's the goal. You'll be amazed at how this helps a horse become less spooky and

reactive, and mainly because they get the emotional exercise they need. When riding, use loose reins and get your horse to trot as fast as he can for several laps of the arena until he starts to stretch his neck and back and it is his idea to slow down. You should be able to make downward transitions on a loose rein. You can also do this at the canter, just do the same thing – nice and freely forward. Not only will this help your horse become more emotionally fit, but it will also encourage him to use his body better, loosen up his shoulders, hips, and back. Of course, this takes a lot of confidence from the rider, so make sure you are up to it and have done the ground exercises a few times before trying it when riding. Remember, as a prey animal the horse will tend to associate high energy with fear. By exercising your horse’s emotions on the ground and/or riding you will help develop a more mentally, emotionally, and physically fit partner. He or she will become less spooky, less impulsive, move more freely forward, and be more naturally fulfilled in their partnership with you. SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

Mind, Body, Spirit WITH LINDA PARELLI

Watch as Master Natural Horsemanship Instructor Jesse Peters sits down with Linda Parelli to discuss parenting and teaching his two boys.

Mind, Body, Spirit is a weekly video segment on Happy Horse Happy Life where Linda Parelli sits down to talk about life skills, personal growth, health, emotional fitness and much more! Want to see more? Visit www.happyhorsehappylife.com for a free two week trial. 34

HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM | SPRING 2021

Like what you've seen in this magazine? Join the Happy Horse Happy Life community FREE for two weeks to get even more horse, lifestyle, health, personal growth and more every single day.

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HHHL Instructor/Mentor Spotlight

SPRING 2021 | HAPPYHORSEHAPPYLIFE.COM

Kristi Smith

The horses who helped me heal I was one of those lucky kids that had the

In my early childhood I had to work pretty hard

opportunity to grow up with horses in my life. I

for my horse time. I lived with my dad in a

had horse lovers on both sides of my family.

small town in southeast Iowa. My dad’s sister,

My dad’s side of the family were super

Aunt Peggy was the relative with horses. It

enthusiastic recreational riders. My mother’s

was about a 5 mile bike ride to get to her

family were hard core into rodeo. I have 2

house and have the opportunity to ride horses.

aunts who qualified for and ran barrels at the

By the time I was 8 years old I was allowed to

high school National Finals Rodeo. So, the fact

get up early and ride my bike by myself to

that I was born with the horse gene did not

Aunt Peggy’s house where I would meet up

surprise anyone.

with cousins and ride literally all day. The only guideline was to be sure I was home before dark. I made this trek as often as I possibly could. My only focus in the summertime was horses and softball. By the time I was 12, my life circumstances had me living with my aunt. As a member of her household I was essentially given a horse to consider my own. His name was Mel. He was a whopping 2 years old and had only 30 days of training when I started riding him. It didn’t matter to me. I was the happiest kid on the planet. I had a horse of my own. I spent every spare moment with him. My home life was painful and confusing. The only place I felt like I belonged was when I was with Mel. He was often hard to catch, spooked frequently and did occasionally provide me with unscheduled dismounts. It didn’t matter. I loved him unconditionally and all he had to do for me to be happy was to

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keep existing in my life. He is likely the reason

Phoebe. She was donated to the college and

that I did not use my unhappy childhood to

was assigned to me as a project. I fell madly

justify making a string of bad choices

and instantly in love with her. She is the first

throughout puberty (although I did make a

horse to help me study how to become

few). Mel rescued me from days of misery

natural with horses. I put the first rides on her.

inside a home I felt that I didn’t belong. He

She is the first horse that I ever played with at

was the first horse to provide a space for joy

liberty or rode bridless. I showed her and rode

in my day to day life. He taught me what

her in many clinics and lessons over the 2

unconditional love was. What it meant to

years we were together.

work hard and sacrifice for someone I loved. If the chores that needed done were for the

She was a blessing to me and I was

sake of the horses, I would gladly oblige, rain,

extremely bonded with her. When my time

snow, sleet or shine. After I graduated high

was up at the college so was my time with

school and went off to college Mel went on to

Phoebe. The director of the Horse Science

provide the same joy for one of my cousins

program did offer to sell her to me, but I just

children. He was a magical being and I am so

could not swing the cost. I wanted to badly,

grateful for his influence on my life.

but it wasn’t in the cards for me. She was so important to me that I had her likeness tattooed on my shoulder. It broke my heart to leave her there. She went on to be a successful lesson horse for the Horse Science program. She was a remarkable teacher. My prince The next horse to come into my life was also two years old when we met. Rocky was a leopard appaloosa gelding. My then boyfriend helped me to purchase him and I fell hard and

Learning to be natural

deep for him right away. I put the first rides on him. We were extremely compatible. He was

I took a small break from horses the first two

the kind of horse that was eager to please

years I was in college. I had moved away from

and easy to motivate. Our learning pathway

my hometown and simply did not have the

was easy and fun. We were a natural fit.

resources to keep one. After my second year in a private college I discovered that a nearby

After a couple of years together Rocky had a

community college had a Horse Science

fencing accident. He laid down next to a wire

program. I transferred as soon as possible

fence on the property where I was boarding

and finally had horses back in my life.

him and got a hind leg wrapped up in it. By the time I found him he had pulled so hard to

It was at this community college that I was

get loose that he had cut groves into the

introduced to a beautiful Morgan mare named

cannon bone. I rushed him to the vet and we

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made heroic efforts to save him. He spent

purchased him to be my next partner, but his

months in solitary confinement and dealt with

human was not interested in selling him to

daily bandage changes that pulled his hair

me. So, I contacted the breeder she got the

out and made the wound bleed. He never

gelding from and asked if she had bred the

complained. He was my prince and I would

same mare back to the same stud. She said

have paid any price to get him back to 100%.

she had. I told her what I was looking for. I wanted a black and white filly with enough

He did get back to where I could ride him after

white to have regular paint papers, but not so

18 months of rehabilitation. Within months of

much white that I would have to worry about

being back in the saddle, however he

sunburns. The next June the breeder called me

developed pain in the opposite hind leg. Upon

and informed that my horse had been born.

further investigation, I discovered he had developed compensatory injuries and would

I met Maxi when she was no more than 12

never be strong enough for me to keep

hours old and it was love at first sight. She

progressing toward my horsemanship goals

was bold, sassy, and gorgeous! She was

with him. It was at this time I decided it was

everything that I asked for and more. I fell

time to start looking for another horse to keep

madly in love with her right away and we

advancing my horsemanship with.

have been together ever since.

My guide

Maxi is different. All the horses I had partnered with before her were agreeable

Sometime in that year, I got to play with a

and eager to please. Maxi is confident and

young gelding that I absolutely adored. He

self reliant. She does not easily bond with

was a black and white paint, super flashy,

other horses, let alone a biped. She is so

and really spunky. I would have gladly

independent that she literally weaned herself

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at 4 months old. I had made a plan with the

Personally, I think that all leaders in any capacity

breeder for a gradual weaning plan to help avoid

should have to develop a foundation on a horse like

some of the physical and behavioral scars that can

Maxi before they can apply for the position. You

come from a traumatizing weaning. Then, one day

cannot force Maxi to do anything. You have to find

while I was visiting Maxi the breeder informed me

ways to get her to want to do them. Any effort to

that I could take the filly any time I like. I didn’t

make her will be met with undying opposition. She

understand what she meant until she told me to go

will buck, rear, throw a tantrum, or just plain refuse

check out the mare. Her milk was dry. Even when

to move. What she forced me to learn was that

Maxi was still nursing, I rarely found her near the

partnerships are most beautiful when each of us is

mare when I went to visit her. She was most often

in service of the other. Before having Maxi in my life

off grazing by herself. She wasn’t even with the

I was a very self serving and egotistical person. I

other foals.

was rigid and forceful. Maxi helped me to realize that the huge chip on my shoulder was going to

Switching from my prince, Rocky to Maxi was a

prevent me from achieving the results with her that

difficult transition to make. It took me several years

I was dreaming of. I had plenty of people in my life

to stop wishing Maxi was more like Rocky. Maxi

tell me that my attitude towards others was

was stubborn and difficult to motivate, Rocky was

hurting me and that I needed to learn to let it go. I

always on board with my ideas. Maxi needed me to

understood what they were saying on an

convince her. I realize now that the growth and

intellectual level. It made sense, but I didn’t know

understanding I needed to gain to do great things

how to do that. Maxi helped me to realize all I had

with Maxi is much more valuable than an easy

to do is want to let it go bad enough and then I just

road with Rocky would have been.

could. Once I realized the cost of that chip was excellence with horses, I easily and instantly let it go. What I have learned from Maxi is that relationships are most satisfying when I can focus on being of service. Before Maxi I was guarded and self centered. The relationships in my life served a purpose, but I did not serve them. I was unhappy and convinced the only to get what I wanted out of life was to do things myself. What Maxi helped me to realize is that if I can switch my focus to my partners success, my success comes without much effort. Maxi has given me a life that I love and would not have without her. She has helped me to heal some deep wounds and become a better person. I am devoted to her in every way. She is my ultimate mentor and guide and I couldn’t be more proud to be her human.

-Kristi Smith www.thecoachkristi.com // (319) 430-2149

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BARN CONFIDENTIAL

Watch Linda Parelli sit down with her friend Elia as they talk about her incredible challenges with her horse and how she's worked to overcome them to become the rider she is today. Watch to see just how many times Elia estimates she's fallen in her life.

Barn Confidential is a weekly video segment on Happy Horse Happy Life with horse tips on video direct from Linda’s barn. Watch Linda and her protégés as she holds debriefs and comments on their day's training. Want to see more? Visit www.happyhorsehappylife.com for a free two week trial. 44

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HHHL INSTRUCTOR/MENTORS

Looking for lessons? We have instructors located worldwide! Australia

Europe

Rachel Clarkson Rutherglen, Australia rachelclarkson.com 0447 696 841

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United Kingdom

Janine Buckley Nottingham, UK janine@savvyhorsemanship.co.uk 07790 329685

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United States Diana Allwein Sammamish, WA dall0817@gmail.com 203-512-2847 Kerri April Fredericksburg, TX kerriannapril@gmail.com 512-922-9690 Courtney Crane Ocala, FL courtneycrane.com 949-338-8061 Erin Easley Gravette, AR apachee4@hotmail.com 479-619-7372 Ashley Forlie Lake Luzerne, NY ashleyhorsetraining.com 518-222-6490 Erin Fowle Etna, CA efowle96027@gmail.com 530-598-1131 Avery Gauthier Canterbury, CT avery@naturaldistinctions.net 401-418-0220

Olivia Gildea Palm City, FL olivia.gildea@yahoo.com 401-484-3621 Charlie Johnson Eagle Creek, OR goosecreekequine.com 503-577-0305 Jennie Jones Wartrace, TN savvydreams@gmail.com 931-580-4467 Kelly Sigler Patterson Wagener, SC kellysigler.com 803-522-4395 Jesse Peters Greenville, OH jesserpeters.com 513-659-8339 Elli Pospischil Pagosa Springs, CO soulutionsbyelli.com 916-806-0595 Nancy Richmond Alpine, CA nancysarkca@aol.com 305-393-1515 Kristi Smith Hamilton, IA thecoachkristi.com 305-393-1515

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101 Proven Tips for You and Your Horse by Linda Parelli & Happy Horse Happy Life Instructors There are so many ways for you to enhance your relationship and experiences with your horse, not to mention your results! I am so excited to collaborate with Happy Horse Happy Life Instructors and Advisors to bring you a cool collection of success tips for a variety of activities, from ground to riding, liberty to camping, recreation to competition, and from tack to techniques. Our common goal is to learn how be a better leader, better rider and better communicator in every situation and at every level. There are thousands of ways, but let’s just start with 101. Start with a chapter on better riding by Linda Parelli, then tap the wealth of knowledge and experience of ten other Happy Horse Happy Life Instructors with a wonderful potpourri of tips for you and your horse to enjoy. Over 340 oversized pages of sage advice, beautiful full-color pictures, diagrams and illustrations to increase your riding ability, enjoyment and make your horse happy. Enjoy detailed illustrations that make understanding key points a breeze and hundreds of photos for you to easily follow step-by-step. Flip through this manual to get good ideas for the things you like to do with your horse, but also check out the chapters you may not be interested to do. Why? Because there’s going to be something in there that gives you a solution to a nagging problem or that inspires you to try something new with your horse. The opportunity to collaborate with these wonderful instructors has resulted in this manual brimming with valuable tips and ideas to empower you in your happy horse life. Happy reading and happy learning leads to happy horses and a happy life with horses!

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW AT WWW.101PROVENHORSETIPS.COM

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HHHL

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