QS WestVic

What a fantastic day we all had . . . . and it was so lovely to see the sun

Thank you to those who came along to have some fun . . . . and it was great to welcome Nathan who came over to see what we were all doing.  Hopefully we will see him back again with Matilda next time.

It's interesting to see how being outdoors can change our horses focus . . . . yes, it was lovely in the sun, but the breeze was a bit stiff (and cool :|).

There were some interesting challenges awaiting all . . . . . can I squeeze my horse over the barrels, between the blue containers and the fence, over a small jump, walk him over a billowing blue tarp (Max actually jumped that one :lol:) . . . . hoops, big bouncy balls . . . . a straddle pole !

Everyone had a go at everything and I'm sure learned lots . . . . about their horses, and even about themselves.

Looking forward to heading down to Warrnambool for their play day on Sunday, 11 September at High View (check out the events section for details) . . . . and then I'm off to Queensland to do the instructor course !

Thanks again to all who came . . . . it really was a great day

Cheers,

Vicki

Well, what a fantastic four days was had by all Superb venue, not so superb weather the first 2 days, but then the sun came out, the birds were singing and everyone was making amazing progress

Here's some tah dahs . . . . .

• I need to focus on the front end of my horse as much as the bank end
• Ask for feel on my rope and give Clancy a chance to opt to comfort BEFORE I use my stick with rhythmic pressure and send him from discomfort
• Every time you pick up the rope you are having a conversation with your horse
• Believe in the "feel" of the rope and have a connection and offer = backwards step from phase 1
• Focus and believe! Look up and smile
• Absolutely loved the private lessons

And I saw . . . . .

• Some special connections between horse and owners
• Lindy got Rocky to straddle the pole
• Helen and Scarlett getting some lovely soft circles and cantered
• Sue and Bailey getting sideways
• Matthew and Phoenix finding "feel" on the rope
• Jen and Clancy sorting out where his attention should be
• And then they all got on bareback in their portable rounds . . . . in the perfect afternoon

Thanks Mel for your sharing your time, expertise and friendship so willingly . . . . it's greatly appreciated

It was a great four days . . . . in all ways  

The next Quantum Weekend with Mel will be in November and likely to be in the Gisborne area.  Keep an eye on the QS Forum site for details.

PS . . . . photos coming

Fantastic news . . . . Sue and Phoebe have passed their Level 1   A very well deserved red string is winging it's way to her now.

Welcome to Level 2 Sue . . . . or Level 1 again with Bailey ?

Congratulations !!!

I am very pleased to announce that the practise group in Warrnambool is now official

The Warrnambool Whispers had their first official play day on Saturday, 15 July and it was great to see familiar faces and some new ones come along to have fun with their horses, learning more about how to sart building that special relationship with our horses by developing understanding and learning how to "speak horse".

The Warrnambool Whispers will be meeting regularly on the second Sunday of the month (except October when it will be the third Sunday). 

Congratulations to Group Organiser Sue Wright . . . . . Sue has started a Facebook page QS Warrnambool Whisperers so you can check and see when, times and what's happening.

Cheers . . . . . Vicki 

Well, lots been happening since the Come & Try Day in Warrnambool . . . . 

• Following the success of the Come & Try Day in Warrnambool, we had a successful Come & Try Day at the South West Equine Centre, Naroghid (Camperdown), hosted by WestVic Riders Practise Group
• June saw a play day at Highview in Warrnambool with another great turn out.  It was great to see people from May event coming to find out more about Quantum Savvy and what it has to offer both horses and their owners . . . . it was obvious that some had been ptting into practise what they learnt at the Come & Try Day and there was some positive improvement in their horses.
• The Camperdown play day was horseless one . . . . the venue as been booked by another group and so we had a non-horsey social get together over a bowl of hot soup and a sausage in bread, watching some DVDs and just having a great chat about our horses and wht we would like to achieve with them.
• July . . . . another great day in Warrnambool where we started off the day having a look at the QS Foundation Training Program, how to use/follow the program and utilise the great support network that Quantum Savvy has . . . . the practise groups, the Forum (website), the Quantum Weekends and clinics. 
  
• WestVic Riders will be getting together at the end of the month for another play day at SWEC so I look forward to seeing familiar faces and perhaps welcome some new ones.

So . . . . watch this space for what's happening, check out the calendar for what's coming up and if you have any queries, don't hesitate to give me a call.

Cheers for now . . . . . .  Vicki

What a fantastic day we had last Saturday !!!  18 people turned up at Highview in Warrnambool to have fun with their horses . . . . and find out a bit about Quantum Savvy and what it has to offer.

With the awesome support of Adele, Sue and Phoebe, and Lindy we had 18 people turn up at Highview with 10 horses (not including Max and Phoebe) for an introduction to Quantum Savvy and just having a great time with our horses.

It was amazing to see how the horses changed when they were given a "purpose" . . . . we had seven "stations" around the arena for everyone to have a go at something.

As there were some who hadn't brought horses, I had the TV on showing the 100 Things DVD . . . . and we finished of the day with some sausages in bread (cooked by hubby . . . thanks Gary )

It was a great morning and everyone appeared to have a great time and asking when the next one would be . . . . yes, there will be a next time . . . and a next time . . . . I think a new group in the making

Here's a taste of what we got up to:

Everyone had such a fantastic time, we are having another play day at Highview on Sunday, 13 June, so come along and join us for some fun with our horses.

Any queries, contact Vicki on 0408 244 416 or email qswestvic@westvic.com.au

What at totally AWESOME four days . . . . .

Where to begin . . . . . why not back to the beginning !!!

RFT . . . .

• Let's start with short range circles . . . . well you might say, we can all do those (well, those who have passed this task and perhaps Level 1 or further). How does your send look? Is my horse invading my personal space? What happens when I put the halter around his neck . . . . ?????
• Sideways on the circle . . . . what does this do for my horse? Is my horse up off the forehand?
• How does the on-line apply to the ridden?
• What are we looking for ? . . . . . softness . . . . how do we achieve it? . . . . RELEASE!!!

And that was just Day 1 !!!!!

Day 2 . . . .

• Recap of Day 1, but on a longer line (22' rope) . . . . again watching my personal space.
• Change of direction and "falling leaf" but watching personal space . . . it can be invaded even at distance!
• An interesting exercise . . . . driving from behind in a figure 8.
• 
  

Harmony in Motion . . . . . well, what can I say, where to begin . . . .

Well, it's just one of those times you need to be there to experience it!!!

• I had Max soft, willing, wanting to be with me . . . . what more could I want !
• Circles at liberty . . . . at trot . . . . with a jump . . . . and distractions (other horses chosing to "leave"!) . . . and he chose to stay with me

Thank you to all who participated . . . with and wthout horses . . . . it was an amazing experience!!!

March 2012 . . . . look forward to a Harmony in Motion 5-day camp !!!! AWESOME !!!!!

Another amazing four days with Mel with lots of chatting, laughsand licking and chewing for both two and four leggeds!

We had three in the Level 1 Primary Lesson and 3 in the L2 Secondary and here of some of the tah dahs to share with you all:

• Maintain the distance/personal space, ie watch that shoulder
• It's okay to push at the shoulder when asking for spirals in - helps to maintain gait and softness
• Being able to walk Lewis through the two sheds without him rushing and spinning!
• Being able to comprehend and implement the rebound exerciseSoft feel for the first time!
• Watch the shoulder so it doesn't invate your personal space. They can be very subtle movements.
• Three circles at canter (each way) . . . no discussion, pigroot or ears back! . . . and spiral in!
• Rory did ligh and soft spiralt in at trot.
• A few steps at liberty with connection with Bailey and four feet across the trailer ramp!
• Saw the light!!! for a few seconds of hor to get my horse over barels.
• Rory gave me canter cicles in the bridle even though it was very claustrophobic for her!
• I think I finally felt true "effective phases" . . . . and it really works!
• Ridden spirals - felt soft and Max picked himself up properly . . . even had a couple of spiral steps at canter!
• We survived a canter passenger lesson in the rain on slippery ground
• I understand the posting and how to feel for them.Clarity and consistency!
• Remember to start with phase 1.
• Protect my personal space!
• Rebound exercise - to address claustrophobia.
• Body rubs and contact to address personal space invasion and desentisation.
• Getting phases right . . . phase 1, 2, 3, 4 . . and their respective pressures.

Understanding the importance of the saddling procedure!

There seems to be common thread through these tah dahs/comments/BFOs . . . the importance of protecting your personal space and to recognise when your horse is doing this . . . and how subtle they can be at doing it! And, of course, phases . . . . we need to be so particular and clear and not be afraid to go to phase 4 (and make it effective) if we have to . . . makes a huge difference.    Here's some photos

As always, a huge thank you to Mel for being so patient with us and pushing us when we need pushing, giving us a slap around the head (literally, not physically of course) when needed, helping us to see/feel things more clearly. We are so fortunate to have her share her time and expertise with us all and willingly as she does. She is just getting better and better as an instructor.

Quantum Savvy has one of the best support networks of any program I have ever come across, and these QWs are part of that network. We have the lesson packs (home study), Forum (24/7 advice/coaching), assignments (feedback), QWs (hand's on coaching/instruction) and, of course, clinics and camps. What more could a student ask for!

Last, but by no means least, thank you to Lindy for making her lovely property available. You are a wonderful host and we all had a ball !

Dates for the next QW will be 14 - 17 August and lessons on offer will be L1 Primary and L2 Secondary so put those dates in your diaries and start saving now!

Click here for more details.

Mel Peacock (endorsed QS Instructor) was down here for another visit in February and six riders had the most incredible four dayf lessons, revelations, BFOs and progress.  Here's a clip of some of what we got up to and check out the Photo Gallery for some great photos.

The lessons were Level 2 Secondary and Advanced and I would like to share with everyone some of our tah dahs and BFOs:

• Contact on-line leads to contact while riding
• Straight horses can't trot - they need to have bend in their bodies. Horses with bend don't pace!
• Rode 1 rein canter circle in the open (wide open space!)
• Protect personal space from the "shoulder"
• Got a correct canter lead today!
• I must remember to offer then spank, not drive him with my seat
• Having contact is more than just "feel" on the rope
• Don't pull!! It makes her heavy . . . . hold and bump instead.
• I attempted the gallop pattern. I lived and can't wait to do it again tomorrow!
• We did sideways and a square!
• Release is dropping the reins
• Think Level 2!!!
• We did a flying change! YAAAYYYY!!! (and that was all 3 in the L2 Advanced lesson)
• Blue's lightness is returning BUT don't forget to reward. "Just one more" will turn it sour
• Bareback trot RTR
• Your horse CANNOT learn if you aren't CLEAR and CONSISTANT!!!
• Look up and sit back!! (may have heard that before!)
• Face your fears . . . . they may not be as bad as you think!
• I have grown as a horseman . . . . and my horse certainly appreciates it and the results are amazing!!!

What a way to finish off the year . . . . a Building Rapport Clinic with Meredith Ransley!

Last weekend (December 12 & 13), 7 riders and some auditors were privileged to have Meredith share with them some insights into developing a true connection with our horses.

Building rapport is something that is very close to Meredith's heart and she spared nothing in sharing her knowledge and experience, and was very open with her feelings of how special ihis relationship we are trying to build with our horses is . . . . it is to be earned and cherished.

What is rapport?  It's . . . . .

• communication
• understanding
• being on the same wave length
• having "brownie points" in the bankand much, much more

Questions we need to think about . . . .

• How "attractive" am I to my horse?
• Are we communicating or am I being bossy?
• How interesting am I to my horse?
• How many opportunities have I had to make a connection with my horse?
• What's in it for my hores?

So much to think about . . . . . so much to learn!  Lots of licking and chewing !!!

We started off the weekend with all the horses loose in the arena . . . . it was so interesting watching them interact with each other (the humans out of the road!).  We were back at square 1 . . . how do we approach our horse . . . what's he thinking . . . . does he want to be caught . . . . if not, why not and what do we do about it!

By the end of the weekend, we were riding bareback and bridless (at snail's pace mind you) . . . . what an experience!

Lots to think about over the Christmas break . . . . a whole new start for the New Year.