Tag Archives: Horse Training

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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I was watching someone work with a frightened young pony today. The pony had never been handled before and was terrified. The person was using a clicker and treats to help him get over his fear, and was teaching him how to think before he reacted out of his natural fight or flight instincts. The scared little pony learned fast and made a great deal of progress in just one day! The trainer was training the pony how to learn and helped build his desire to be with people.

Jane’s friend, Shawna Karrasch, teaches how to do this with her clicker training programs (www.On-Target-Training.com). She learned this method at Sea World in San Diego while training seals and killer whales (also known as Orcas). When Shawna got into horses, people told her clicker training wouldn’t work with her equine friends because we’re not “food oriented.” Shawna not only proved them wrong, she created a whole industry around horse clicker training! She found that we horses are actually much easier to clicker train than the wild sea creatures she was used to. Her work has made a huge difference for many people, dogs, and horses. It’s a good thing she didn’t listen to the neigh-sayers (lol), or Jane might never have learned this terrific way to communicate with her four-legged friends!

Jane made a decision long ago to always keep an open mind. While she has decades of horse experience and is viewed as an accomplished trainer and rider, it’s her continual desire to learn that’s helped her stay at the top of her game. She expects the same from me. Even though we’ve reached Grand Prix in our dressage training, there’s still a lot I can improve on and learn.

How about you? Are you still a student? What would you like to learn today? Grab a book or a DVD, and feed your mind today. It’s as important as feeding your body.

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Benefits, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Double H Farm and Quentin Judge Host Clinic for a Cause to Benefit JDRF

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Photo: Elaine Wessel/ Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, Fla. – Jan. 8, 2020 – Double H Farm opened its Wellington facility to the local community on Friday, Jan. 3, to host a clinic to benefit JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research. Taught by Double H Farm’s head trainer Quentin Judge, the clinic featured various horse-and-rider pairs, each of whom were able to benefit from the international athlete’s experience while also contributing to the cause thanks to their participation. Additionally, proceeds from a raffle and silent auction were also donated to further add to the day’s generosity. The organizers of the day and Double H Farm’s close friends and vets, Dr. Leah Patipa and Dr. Axel Beccar Varela, orchestrated the day to support an organization that is close to their heart as their son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes one year ago at only three years old.

“My son was diagnosed almost one year ago, January 22, 2019, with type 1 diabetes,” Dr. Patipa explained. “Obviously my area of connection is in the horse world, but I wanted to figure out what I could do on my own to try and raise money towards research for a cure. Money shouldn’t be an inhibiting factor in having access to new technology. Two or three months ago, I called Quentin and asked him what he thought about doing a clinic to raise money for JDRF, and he said, ‘That’s a great idea, let’s do it.'”

Founded in 1970, JDRF is a non-profit organization focused on gaining funding for type 1 diabetes research in an effort to help eradicate the disease. This funding allows JDRF to not only conduct research, but also help advocate for government advancement for their research and new therapies. To date, JDRF has funded more than $2 billion in research projects. With these efforts, JDRF is working to help improve the lives of people living with type 1 diabetes, with a mission centered on finding a way to cure, prevent and treat the disease and its complications. By accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications, JDRF is improving lives today and tomorrow.

Dr. Patipa added, “I was very impressed with the event and we raised a ton of money in just a few hours. Everyone thought that Quentin was an amazing clinician and I received compliment after compliment. All of the vendors donated a percentage of their proceeds to JDRF as well, and we also hosted an online auction. We want to make it an annual event and make it even better next year! I cannot thank everyone enough that came together in support of the clinic, especially Quentin and Cayce. My son is only four years old, and I hope that in his lifetime they have some advancements that make his life as normal as possible.”

Judge’s clinic was divided into two different sessions based on height preferences. The morning session jumped .90m-1.0m in height, while the afternoon session jumped 1.10m-1.20m in height. For both groups, Judge catered to each horse and rider’s individual needs. Concepts like connecting with the horse for better control as well as the importance of straightness and rhythm were emphasized to each pair. With a keen eye for each horse-and-rider pair’s personal strength and weaknesses, Judge was able to provide useful advice and feedback to each rider to help better their skill sets. Emphasizing that the mastery of foundations is key to success, Judge implemented cavaletti, trot pole, and crossrail exercises before advancing to jump courses that challenged the participants to incorporate everything they had practiced.

“I have to thank everyone that contributed to our successful clinic, whether they rode, audited, or worked it. The day was a huge success and we had such a great time for a wonderful cause,” commented Judge. “JDRF is an organization that means a lot to my family, so we were proud to be able to help raise funds in our own way to further their mission and support their important work. I hope that the riders gained a lot from their experience and I looked forward to seeing each of them continue to progress in their abilities!”

For more information about JDRF, visit www.jdrf.org.

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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All those things make you feel good right? I used to think so. I used to compliment all the other horses in the barn, thinking I would be helping their self-esteem by reminding them how great they are. But new studies indicate that this may not be the case.

An article by Po Bronson, posted in New York Magazine, states that certain types of praise can have a negative effect on the behavior of people. (For the entire article, go here: http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/.)

A study was done that indicated that if children are constantly told they are “smart” or “talented” or “the best,” it can create a situation in their minds that makes them “risk averse.” They become so sensitive to any task that isn’t immediately easy, that they stop trying. They won’t take risks that might prove to their parents or teachers that they don’t have the natural talent or brains with which they’ve been labeled. In equestrian terms, it takes away their “try.”

So, what should you do instead? Acknowledgement is important and you still want to acknowledge success and effort. However, you can change the way you “praise” by simply stating (with a positive tone in your voice) what action was actually completed, without the qualitative words like “good,” “best,” “smart,” or “talented.”

What’s the difference? Instead of saying something like “You’re really good at lead changes,” you simply state with a happy voice, “You did three lead changes!” It may sound like the same thing, but it’s NOT! To say “good lead changes” makes the statement qualitative and about YOU, the observer, and what the observer has just observed… indicating that the action has now been judged as “good.” But to say “you did three lead changes” acknowledges a FACT about what the person (or horse) factually DID. It’s only about the person who just completed the task. There is no judgement, no opinion, just the facts about what was done. And such a statement will automatically cause the subject to look back at his or herself, and say inside with pride, “Yes! I did three lead changes!” It feels so good to acknowledge the self without first seeing it through the observer’s point of view, that the behavior will most likely be repeated!

This subtle difference is very powerful. And it’s a bit confusing at first. Practice acknowledging your students, children (if you have them), and friends (both two and four legged), and see if you can just state the FACTS in a happy, appreciative voice. Then watch how they react. You may be able to see their attention switching to their inner self with a smile and a straightening of their posture. It’s very interesting to observe.

It is important that you acknowledge yourself this way, too. Rather than saying “I rode well today,” say “I rode my horse today, and we ran through First Level, test two, four times.” Or, “I went to the barn and brushed my horse today.” State what you DID, without a qualifying or judgment word. Notice how acknowledging the FACTS about what you did, changes how you feel inside.

I completed eleven one tempis in a row today! I practiced pirouettes for ten minutes today. I slept in the sun for two hours this afternoon. I dictated this message to you today. Acknowledging these facts gives me a great sense of accomplishment!

What have YOU done today? Just the facts, ma’am. Just the FACTS….

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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A friend of mine in Australia wrote to me this week, expressing her excitement about learning dressage after a career on the race track. She had been a bit discouraged at her progress because she was used to being successful on the track mostly by her strong will and a strong hand. Neither are very conducive to an artful picture of riding. Once she realized that she could break dressage down into small, understandable pieces that fit together like an elegant puzzle, her sense of self-worth soared. She didn’t have to force her way into success; she could gently finesse her way to success!

The level of worthiness we feel makes a huge difference in how we live our lives. It’s true that we can never rise above nor outperform our own self-image. So if you want to improve your life, the first order of business is to improve your view of yourself.

This is easy to say, but is much harder to do. Are you open to a suggestion? Find a couple of friends you trust and feel safe with, and ask them to write down all the things about you that they LIKE. No negatives here – just the things they LIKE about you. Then do the same about yourself. Write down all the things about you that YOU like. Read these lists three times a day for 21 days. Then watch what shows up in your life!

I like my long flowing mane and tail, my shiny black coat, and my ability to do terrific pirouettes. Jane said she is most proud of my one tempis and my strong work ethic. I’m going to concentrate on these things for the next 21 days and see what happens!

In the meantime, I’m going to help the young mare who just moved into the barn with her confidence. She’s a diamond in the rough, and I want to be there with the polish! How about you? Is there someone you could help today?

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Focus. It’s the most driving force in anyone’s success. Oh sure, occasionally there are successes that just fall into your lap. But that is incredibly rare. Focus is one of those things that creates opportunity. It creates a vibration of success. The energy of the Universe aligns with your vision, and you become unstoppable.

I decided I wanted to beat Indy in a race. He’d already beat me once, so I had some history to overcome. I could have wallowed in my failure, I could have given up and just accepted that he’s the faster fellow, or I could focus on a goal and not stop until I reached it. My desire to win wasn’t about Indy at all, it was about proving that I could change my experience though my own focus and will.

So I started dreaming. That’s right: dreaming. I imagined Indy and myself running the circle around my turnout with me in the lead the entire time. I imagined “that winning feeling” of joy I was going to feel when I reached the finish line first. I did the physical work of challenging myself each time I was turned out or ridden, pushing myself a little bit farther than I thought I could go, but always added the mental emotions of joy in success and winning with each workout.

And yes, the next time Indy and I raced, I was the winner! Indy was a good sport about it, but he informed me that he’s going to work on it and beat ME next time. We’ll see!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Jim Masterson Travels across New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa Teaching Seminars

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Photo courtesy of the Masterson Method.

Fairfield, Iowa – Nov. 21, 2019 – Jim Masterson, founder of the Masterson Method®, is traveling thousands of miles across New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa teaching integrative equine performance bodywork techniques and principles.

Masterson spent October in the United Kingdom before heading to Australia. He made a quick trip back to the United States presenting to standing-room-only crowds as a featured presenter at Equine Affaire in West Springfield, Massachusetts. While in Australia, Masterson held a weekend seminar at his old home base at the New South Wales Mounted Police Troop in Sydney.

A highlight of this international trip is Masterson’s featured presenter clinics at Equitana Auckland held at ASB Showgrounds in Epsom, New Zealand, Nov. 21-23.

“We will be doing Equitana and a Weekend Seminar in New Zealand for the first time,” Masterson said. “In total, we will be certifying nine new Masterson Method Certified Practitioners (MMCPs) in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa this trip.”

Equitana Auckland is the most comprehensive equine educational program in New Zealand. The four-day event features New Zealand’s best equine professionals and global superstars in eventing, show jumping, dressage, and natural horsemanship.

About the Masterson Method

The Masterson Method was developed by Jim Masterson after many years as a professional equine bodyworker. It is an interactive approach to equine massage in which the horse is an active participant. The practitioner learns to recognize and use the responses of the horse to their touch. Through the horse’s response the practitioner is able to locate and relieve tension in key junctions of the horse’s body that most affect performance. It is something done with the horse, rather than to the horse.

Anyone can learn The Masterson Method. For horse owners, horse care givers, and equestrians, the Masterson Method can deepen the bond between horse and human.  It is a significant way to improve performance, open new levels of communication, and develop the horse’s trust.

Countless testimonials tell the stories of horses and humans that have been forever transformed for the better by the Masterson Method. Read Masterson Method participants’ testimonials here.

EQ Media LLC
info@EQmedia.agency

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you think they will. The disappointment can be tough to deal with. When I first heard I was moving to America, I thought I’d be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade someday. But instead I’m headed to another dressage show. I could be upset, but it wouldn’t help. I just have to find a way to let go of my previous expectations, and find my joy in where I am right now.

Have you ever spent a lot of time and effort working on something that didn’t pan out the way you thought it would? Hurts, doesn’t it? But that’s just part of life. We can plan, direct, effort, and push, and still not end up where we thought we should. So what do you do about it?

There is a time for wallowing in the disappointment and allowing yourself to feel the feelings. Let them be. No matter how much it hurts, let the feelings come. Don’t resist. Give the feelings a chance to be expressed and released. But also, don’t stay there. Look at the elements of what you were trying to achieve, and then make a new plan.

What are the basic elements of what you wanted? For me it was the excitement of the big crowds of people watching me march down the street. I wanted to feel the appreciation of the public as I strutted between the tall buildings showing off my high step and shiny coat. I wanted to feel adored. I wanted to be famous. I wanted my family in Holland to see me on TV so they would be proud of me.

Getting down to the most basic element, I realized that I truly wanted was to be loved and appreciated. I get that from Jane, Rhett, and Indy every day. So, while I may be appreciated as a competitor in the show ring and not the public streets of New York, I do get appreciated. So my deepest desire has actually been fulfilled! Acknowledging that made me feel so much better.

What deep desires do you have that have already been fulfilled? Can you appreciate those today? Let yourself be grateful for what you’ve already received, and make a new plan from that place. Starting from a place of gratitude, your next goal will have a running start!

Say, will you come to the dressage show and cheer for me? I just love an adoring crowd!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Honesty is an interesting concept. Most of us horses are truly honest. We don’t know how to be any other way. But people, well, not so much.

Most people believe they are honest. But often humans are simply justifying their behavior and calling it honesty. If they really looked at what was going on, they’d probably realize they were either manipulating a situation to their advantage, or ignoring the truth of their behavior.

Are you honest? I’ll bet you are, at least most of the time. Sometimes not being honest is the kindest thing… like when your grandmother asks if you like her mince pie, but you really don’t. You don’t want to hurt feelings. So, when is honesty the best policy and when is it a matter of violating values and honor? That’s a tough question that I don’t have an answer to. But perhaps just asking the question will stir the kind of thought that’s helpful.

Do you appreciate honesty? Are you a good example for your children, friends, co-workers? A reputation is an easy thing to damage, so use your good sense of honesty well.

I’m honestly hungry! Will you bring me a carrot or two? Jane’s out of town and I want my treat!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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Responsibility. It’s a big part of life. Jane tells her students that their horses should be responsible for their own gaits. They shouldn’t repeatedly ask or nag at their horses, or they’ll just get tuned out and ignored. She says your horse should respond to the first request, and should maintain his or her gait until asked to do something else.

It’s pretty easy for me to get lazy about being responsible for my job. How about you? Have you ever avoided doing those things you know you should be doing? Perhaps it was because you became lazy, or because no one seemed to care one way or another if you got it done? This tendency is why we have leaders or bosses. We often need someone to keep us on track.

A good leader or boss is someone who inspires you to do your best without nagging or shaming. Good leaders find ways to help their subordinates feel important and valued. A poor leader uses punishment or embarrassment to force compliance. A good leader creates a desire to do well. A poor leader makes people unhappy, and is often looking for replacements when subordinates leave or quit.

Which kind of leader are you for your horse? Do you intentionally create desire to be good, or do you inspire fear of doing poorly? What kind of leader are you with other people? Are you an uplifter or a tear downer?

I’m so glad my person is an uplifter! Jane makes me want to be the best I can be. She makes me feel good about myself. There’s nothing more important than that. I’d do anything for Jane because it feels so good to please her. She makes me feel good about ME.

How about you? Do people feel good when they’re around you? Remember, molasses horse cookies catch more flies than vinegar!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

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I had trouble sleeping last night. I’m about to start the new show season, and I started fretting about being ready. Now that I’m showing at Grand Prix, I’m worried that I won’t be able to keep up with the up and coming younger horses. Then I realized that I had put my negative musings into a future that’s not here yet. I always pride myself at being in the present, and realized I was not doing that. I was projecting negative thoughts into my own future. I had to stop!

Awareness is the first step to changing something. Once I became aware that I was projecting negative thinking, I could stop and change where I put my intention. I decided to visualize a better future. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and created a movie in my mind of the perfect Grand Prix test with Jane. I went through the whole thing, with perfect pirouettes and perfect one-tempis, and with a satisfying pat on the neck from Jane at the end. I saw the judge write down lots of sevens and eights, and even a few nines on the test sheet. In my mind I saw the final score being written by the judge, and felt the excitement of receiving the best scores of my life!

Changing your mental focus is not hard, but you have to decide to do it. You have to put the mental energy into changing what you’re thinking about. You have to create the images you WANT, not ponder on what you don’t want. That takes some focus and discipline.

What would be your best outcome for today? What could you focus on to give energy to that? Give it a try, and see what happens! You may be in for a surprise!

Once I gave a little bit of mental time to what I do want, I went right to sleep. Now I’m rested and ready to go! When is the first show? I want to earn that terrific score!

Love, Moshi

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com