HOME              CONTENTS             CONTACT              COTTAGES Levels #2-5 Setting Priorities! Level #2.  Relaxation -the KEY to riding -at the highest levels. This group designed to help the rider to find the 'feelings' of the horse, and the horses 'mouth'.  A Continuance of Level #1, moving at a trot.  Body/Mind/ & Emotional Confidence, and Control must be maintained.  This Level is a delicate weaving of all we have learned, to experience all we can, while the inner-workings of the group, and teamwork, begin to resemble family and work relationships.  Goal setting, and Boundaries are to be set, and adhered to, as we set up challenging situations to test the beginnings of habit.  The LINE is drawn, when we over-extend ourselves, or interfere with others, or are inconsiderate.  We SLOW the fuels of  wann-a-bees, and SHOW them, by program set-up, or trickery, to NOT take chances for foolish fun, as this COULD get someone else hurt!  Compassion, and Consideration are 'rooted'!  Appreciation -MULTIPLIES!  Many times.                    Trying too hard!  -->         Level #2 stresses the shifting of the body weight -to the lower, thigh, knee, and also -the upper calf muscles. This area of 'occasional' pressures, -will help you, with added 'support' while trotting. Remember, Level #1 encourages 'upper' body balance, -and NOW, --that balance moves down the leg. Level #2 gives you new awareness of how the muscles of the leg are 'weak' and time is allowed (needed) for those muscles to strengthen. You will have the opportunity to work on your coordination at this level, and be given 'different' horses, to expand your knowledge and abilities. ALL MUST be learned, -by the BODY, -in it's own time, and can NOT (shouldn't) be rushed. To gain this level of control, we work 'with you', for a short time only. You are given exercises, and GOALS. You will do lots of turning, and trotting, as you will try to remain 'in CONTROL' of your SELF, and the horse, with your new 'balance'. You will learn to rise at every other stride, while trotting, eliminating the unwanted 'bounce' and softening the ride. (posting) This is a great relief, and will be appreciated, while riding with English or Western saddle. -end of Level #2. Level #2 is very rewarding. It can be invigorating, and you will 'feel better' through your entire week, -after each of 4 riding sessions!   'Level' #3.     'BODY CHECK' --for Safety & Survival. The next goal --of the 'rider' --is to go faster! To Canter. In my years of experience, I've seen that falling at a faster pace --can definitely get you HURT. Our goal is to SHOW YOU, --that you NEED to get better at riding, --and your Body Balance, -BEFORE going faster!    SOOO, ---We put obstacles in front of you. You trot through and around them.  You discover what a `course' is. You'll find this can become very difficult, and challenging. Riding has its risks, and we want you to -know them, -BEFORE getting too frisky, or aggressive. We PROVE that you have lots to learn. In addition, we will make it FUN.  We will keep you mentally, and physically, -ON YOUR TOES!  You gain a healthy respect for the sport and pastime. Next, -the JUMPS.  We will PROTECT the Rider, with educational, 'learning experiences', ---and UNDERSTANDING!  We want you to have as much fun as possible, without the ';threat' of being hurt!  The change of pace, and stride, while trotting over poles (cavaletti) on the ground can be a little 'upsetting' at first, (that's 'our' strategy, to learn early 'respect') -Then, -it's fun! Work becomes play! When you start getting good at this, -I may sneak my foot to a pole and push it back, to give you a surprising awkward 'jump' (which is what we want for you). This will give you a quick BODY CHECK, -and you will learn to regulate the horse's speed and direction through these obstacles. This is called 'rating' the horse's speed. Then, we may raise a pole for another surprise, (not over a foot high) to the horse, who may tap the pole. He will remember it the next time. This makes the horse 'raise up' to clear the pole the next time, causing another surprise to the rider, who may become gently shaken, or unseated! This can be a rather intimidating situation, and is a WAKE-UP-CALL to what could 'really happen' if on a difficult horse, or with a little too much FOLLY. 'Working' a horse through a jump course can be very challenging, and should be fun. Remember to take the time to keep your body relaxed, (flexible) and the horse must stay relaxed also. This takes skill. It MUST BE LEARNED, and insisted on. The GOOD TIME teases you, ---and GOOD (HORSE) SENSE keeps you invigorated, Conscious of what is going on, -and SAFE.  PS. IF you have more experience, we may take your saddle from you for this session, -----End of Level #3.   LEVEL #4 --ONENESS' & UNDERSTANDING between TWO BEINGS 'ONLY' -after a few 'relaxed' sessions, of -'letting down'. When you are ready, you will experience 'extension' of stride, while riding at a trot, -in physical 'sympathy', NOT in opposition to the horses movement . Erratic riding is 'eliminated' in this session, and new, --controlled (learned) 'impulses' take over, -as directions, heights, -and obstacles are approached (in compassion). It starts to come together.   LEVEL #5 --TOTAL-NESS. Complete PURPOSE. Elongation of stride with obstacles, in even and steady readiness. Relaxation of Body, Limb, Spine, and Mind -'Flexibility' -encourage a `fluid-like' or 'elastic' (however, in control) movement for the horse and rider, as they are now moving together, -as one! We do NOT punch a time clock with these sessions, however, with the work that goes into them, they usually last about one and one half,-to-two hours. We work to eliminate rigid or plastic 'form' riding. This takes time! 'Soft Touch' and our Original 'Fresh Start' Program --are BASIC programs for working with horses and riding. Experienced Riders also appreciate the 'Fresh Start' Program -to get back to the basics. There may be things you may have forgotten. or we will just be showing you another way, perhaps you haven't thought of, and, the extended study is eye-opening!  RM Foreman After our sessions, and strategy oriented programs, we look at the human PHASE of your life --as a parallel. You should now be able to figure out what you want and need for we have given you the tools to do this yourself, however we are still here for you to help you when you hit a glitch. We will not just correct your issues, we will help you think through your needs so you CAN do it alone. We TEACH to loose students! We do not aim to have 'lesson students' --for years. We take pride in helping you to do it yourself! 'Rose at the Barn' Photo is Level #1 'Class' 3-'Safety/Survival'. (also, -for totally inexperienced riders). The rider in the photo is doing quite well, however has 'tension' through her body. Can you 'see' it?  This is ONLY her third time on a horse, and she is bareback.