NOTE FROM FORMER PPT101 STUDENT:  "It made the world of difference in how I was reacting to M G because once I understood how horses think I was able to change how I was acting and thinking. As an example, before I started the class M would rear up with me on the ground. It scared me, as it should have, and I'd give up and go away. Once I began to understand what it was all about - horse mind games - I was able to change how I reacted. Another thing is that, due to Gwen's class, I took up clicker training over the winter and that itself made a tremendous difference.

I've been riding Merry bareback around the turnout for the last couple of weeks. I really didn't think I'd be able to get on her so soon, but, again, the stuff I learned in Gwen's class helped me that much.

As far as I'm concerned the classes are far more valuable than what I've learned from a trainer who has been coming here for a year, at $45 a pop."
--Sharon Z., Vermont
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A Couple of Journal Entries from another Student of PPT101:

May 25, 2006 - I had my first Progressive Partnership class tonight. Learned a lot. Can't wait until next week. Can't wait till tomorrow so I can start applying what I learned to the boys. I know it's going to be a challenge with Pride because he's so set in his ways and likes to dominate everyone and everything - and with me allowing him to do so has put him in a higher rank than myself. It'll be interesting to see how he reacts to this way of teaching. (see, Gwen - I think I'm catching on - I used teaching instead of training.)  --Morrighainne, Blackstone, MA 

August 15, 2006 - The Start of Something New

This could be the start of something new. I think Pride might actually be coming around. A few days ago, I asked him to back up because he had walked into my space, but he had other plans and decided to push past me, bumping into me with his shoulder as if he was saying, "yeah, right lady, you're not my leader, give me one good reason why I should listen to you."

So I did.

It just so happened that I had a lead rope in my hand, so I drove him out immediately. After a couple bucks and head tosses, he started to blink and drop his head slightly, so I began to release some of the pressure and switched to herding instead of driving. He slowed down to a walk and looked at me so I stopped and turned around to wait for him to come to me. When he did, I asked him to give me his right side, which he did willingly (and recieved a click and a morsel of grain - - whenever I'm out with the boys, I try to keep the clicker on my belt loop and a handful of grain in my pocket at all times.) But, when I asked for his left side, instead of moving his butt away from me, he pushed into the pressure and stepped his hind end toward me. That was a major no-no, so I drove him off again.

This is where the good part begins. He only galloped back and forth hard-eyed and tight-lipped twice. Then, something drastic happened . . . he suddenly slammed on the brakes in the middle of the corral and stood there, licking, chewing, blinking, lowering his head and looking at me. Instantly, I turned around, inviting him to join me. I didn't have to wait long, his head was next to my right shoulder in a matter of seconds.

I almost cried because I was so happy. There's no other feeling in the world like the one you get when a horse places his trust in you and chooses you to be his leader. There are no words to describe the pure ecstasy and joy that fill your heart and soul when a 1,000 pound animal, ten times faster, ten times stronger and bred perfectly over thousands of years to flee or fight walks up beside you and says,

" I will follow you, not because I'm afraid of you and not because I feel like I have to, but because I want to. Because I want to be your friend, your partner. I want to work with you, not for you or against you. I have complete faith that you will always have my best interest at heart and you will protect me, care for me, and provide me with food, shelter and love."

I was almost afraid to move because I didn't want to lose the connection with Pride. I slowly looked to see that he was still waiting there patiently, waiting for me to make the next move and give him an instruction. I closed my eyes and thought "follow me." I took one step forward, and at the same exact moment my new partner did the same thing and stopped after just that one step, again waiting for me to do something. I tried 2 steps, again I got the same result. I took one step back and so did he.

I wanted to try something that I had never been able to do before. I crossed my left foot over my right and without looking at him or touching him, I asked him to do the same and move his shoulders away from me. He did it. It was just one small tiny step, but he did it. I moved forward again, asking him to come with me and soon we were walking around the corral together, just the two of us, no halter no lead rope, just love and trust. He gave me both sides when I asked for them without hesitation or protest.

I know this isn't going to happen perfectly and consistently every time, at least not for a while, but it was a huge leap to achieving that magical bond between horse and human.

--Morrighainne, Blackstone, MA 

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                                                            "Men try to fix problems with duct tape. God did it with nails."