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It has taken me a while to get my thoughts to where I could express them regarding my experience at the Mark Rashid clinic in Rogersville, TN. I have a 17 year old QH mare that I’ve had for 3 years. Due to an unpleasant clinic experience that I had a while back (I had to end my mare’s session and did not return for the 2nd day), I was very nervous about attending another clinic. However, Linda and I had talked about the upcoming clinic format and Mark’s methods and I felt assured that I was doing the right thing (thanks again, Linda). The, on the day before we were scheduled to leave, things started getting really stressful ....
Let me say that this clinic was the most moving experience I’ve ever had in my relationship with my horse. In fact, I was moved to the point of tears. But, they were tears of enlightenment and understanding. Linda was right when she said there were many tears at this clinic. This was a safe place for Maggie and me to learn - and learn we did. The truth is -- IT’S ME, NOT HER!!! It’s us, folks, not the horses. WE ARE THE ONES WHO NEED TO CHANGE - NOT THE HORSE. While I knew this intellectually, I couldn’t really comprehend it until I experienced it - felt it. Then the truth of it released a flood of emotions. With all of this said, let me share my experience with you as follows.
The problems we wanted to work on were leading too closely, standing still, and not stopping under saddle. Maggie entered the round pen, sniffed around, and then got excited, started trotting around and then went to Mark. Someone in the audience asked why she went to him instead of me and he answered that she just wanted to talk on the microphone. By the way, his sense of humor is delightful and kept us all “lightened up”. Mark talked about how important it is to lead on a long line with the horse about an arm’s length behind you - the horse should stop when you stop and remain that arm’s length behind you. With Maggie, she was right on top of you while leading and if you stopped, she would just keep walking. Bottom line - I had never taught her to lead. In fact, I had let her practically drag me from the barn to the round pen for my session and I had a sore arm! Whose fault was this? MINE! He began with Maggie by making himself “bigger”, raising his hands and making a hissing sound while facing her until she backed away from him. Then, he would turn and start to walk again. If she got too close, he would turn and be “bigger” again. Soon, she was staying behind him with a long lead line. Then, he would turn and face her and ask her to stop. If she stopped, he would take a step back. If she didn’t stop, he would ask her to back up as many steps as she had taken or if necessary, make himself “bigger: again. Soon, she was leading on a long line and stopping when I turned to face her. He stated the next step would be teaching her to stop when you turn halfway. Then, it was my turn. It took some practice, but within a short period, we were leading on a long line and she was stopping when I turned to face her. (We now go everywhere that way. I’ve even extended it to going into her stall. I ask her to stop an arm’s length behind me while I open the stall door. Then I ask her to follow me in at an arm’s length.) We also discussed her diet which included a lot of grain which she probably doesn’t need and the use of Vitamin B1. Mark stressed the importance of catching each little step or it builds up and that you have to be very quick in catching it.
We then proceeded to under saddle work. Maggie like to walk off when mounting. Folks, this was so easy to see after Mark showed me - she was off balance! by simply pulling on her stirrup, I could see that her feet were not set and she was having to walk off to keep her balance. (Not to mention that I am not a graceful gazelle getting in the saddle. Such is the fate of short people.) He taught me to square her up by pulling on the stirrup until she doesn’t move anymore. Even if I lose my balance (ahem), she can stand still if her feet are squared up. A simple check of her balance before mounting - and voila’ - she stands still.
From there we went to under saddle work (once I was able to actually get on!). When I would ask her to stop for a second and, then, off we’d go again. Mark asked if she knew how to back and I said no. So, we’re off to backing! He emphasized asking hew quietly and giving her the opportunity to back. He worked with me on setting my hands, keeping her head straight, and waiting for an indication to back. He stressed to not fight with her, but to just set my hands and wait and to keep her head straight no matter where her hind end was. Then, release immediately when she backs. he instructed to keep my heels off of her and to keep releasing immediately. By the end of the session, we pointed her head towards someone in the audience and I was told to keep her head pointed at that person when her body started to wiggle. I did this, and asked her to back and she backed halfway across the arena! This was day one.
Day two. Maggie went in the round pen and rolled a few times, then got excited and had a run around for a few minutes. She had been confined in her stall all night and morning and had some excess energy. Mark’s philosophy is if they need to do that, let them do it. After a short while, he started cutting her off to reduce the circle in half - caused them to break their rhythm and helps them find a way to stop. We saddled up and began working on the stopping and backing again he taught me to keep the left rein up a little when mounting so that if she goes to walk off, I can ask her to stop. Today, we began asking for stops and backing up a couple of steps. Began circling her head with one rein when she went to walk off without being asked. When backing, should keep the horse’s head straight no matter where their back end goes. When she would move off without begin asked, circle her very tight, then ask to halt, then back a couple of steps. I had to make sure I wasn’t thinking of moving off, but that I was thinking “stop” and “back”. Circles should be alternating - go both ways. He stressed letting her walk a little so that I was not constantly correcting her and making her antsy.
After lunch we went into the big arena. We worked on making sure I didn’t ask her to stand still too long. Asked her to move off before she had a chance to want to do it on he own. I had to stop putting leg on her when I asked her to stop. I was doing this unconsciously as in my English saddle, my legs are automatically there. Had to make a conscious effort to take my legs off her. He stressed being consistent everywhere I rider her. Mark stressed the importance of not getting frustrated - to find a place where my horse feels comfortable. he talked about how this was probably ingrained due to her age and it was hard for her to stop. Not to mention, that I had been reinforcing her moving off - even telling her to move off - even though I didn’t realize it was me that was doing it. At the end of the session, we were getting some nice stops and backing up.
This ended my sessions at the clinic. I want to say that while Maggie and I both struggled at times to understand each other, at no time was there anything but consideration for the horse by Mark and at no time did I feel stressed or pressured in any way. In fact, it was the opposite - things were quiet, assured, calm, confident. Mark Rashid is a gifted person with impeccable timing who quietly shares his gift with those who are willing to receive it.
I’ve included a few quotes of his taken from the clinic to close out this report:
“Don’t make the horse do anything -- ask them.”
“If you make the horse do something - you have already lost.”
“It’s the little things that turn into big things.”
“Don’t get yourself in a position where you become angry at your horse. it’s time to quit when you become angry.”
“Horses remember everything that’s important to them.”
“It’s only a big deal if you make it a big deal.”
“Think.”
“I’m trying to tell the horse that things are harder for you when you’re out there by yourself. If you try, I’ll be right there with you. If you don’t at least try, things will get difficult.”
“If we don’t do it now, we’re going to pay for it later.”
“All it is, is patience.”
“If you don’t listen to your horse, you’re in for a big storm.”
“Stay quiet and small and give your horse some direction.”
“Anytime your horse isn’t doing what you want him to be doing - look at what you’re doing.”
“You can’t get on and go fast if you can’t walk.”
“His head is not going to fall off -- don’t look at his head. Look at where you are going. this gives them direction.”
“Don’t ask your horse to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.”
“Redirect energy and attention.”
“You’ve got to be able to think differently.”
“Don’t make her do anything -- find a way to make a connection.”
Karen Ungar
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