sylvia stanier

a good day yesterday - for an 82 year old, she's very sharp, knew what the horses were doing behind her without looking....which considering she's a bit hard of hearing as well...

anyway, my brief thoughts/notes/report (this is getting pasted all over...)

firstly, no pics as whilst it was indoor in full sunlight, the light was behind the horses and very bright, plus it wasn't a photo opp sort of thing. secondly, didn't take hods of notes (i know some people did, though)

first session was just about muscle & nerve sites and where to touch the horse to have it move on /move sideways (clarified a lot for me!) - particularly that move sideways is leg a few degrees behind where it would be for forward. one horses with lines painted on it to illustrate.

second session was about reins (not tight, people!) and how to get e.g. turns with minimal aiding ...interestingly, turn on the forehand = outside hand ACROSS the wither

third session was q & a - what would Ms Stanier advise for x, y or z situation...

most important things, probably, basics should be right, minimal aiding, once your horse is doing what you asked don't aid until you want him to do something different (or he stops doing); learn your horses language; keep it short and sweet when teaching new.