intouch
08-07-2009, 11:37 PM
Just back from auditing the Silversand (www.silversand.com.au) Clinic in North Dublin, 2 days of pure enjoyment and learning with Steve Halfpenny and his wife Irena.
I had watched Steve's videos a few years ago, he is Parelli trained, with Ray Hunt influence, but has taken the training in a different direction.
While the principles are similar to several other trainers I have seen, I think he is possibly the closest to what I have been trying to achieve over the years.
It is just SO different to "BHS" style - over the 2 days he demonstrated how much the riding depended upon the movements being understood and practiced by both horse & handler, how problems can be prevented before the horse even thinks of them, and how the basic ground training is at the heart of a good relationship between horse & rider.
He expects the horse to be able to work off a "feel" on the reins - barely a touch, let alone a pull, and uses the reins alone for a lot of lateral work, he is able to understand and influence each individual foot movement the horse makes, and teach how important this is. He doesn't use his legs for forward movement, expecting the horse to know that is his job, he creates the energy and uses it for the movement.
Once the horse understands, it makes his life, and the rider's, so much more pleasant and exciting.
If you get a chance at all, BE THERE when he comes back next year!!!
He showed the video of Cowboy Dressage, http://www.cowboydressage.com/video/DWC/video-4/trigger.html which is mouthwatering! In my dreams!
I had watched Steve's videos a few years ago, he is Parelli trained, with Ray Hunt influence, but has taken the training in a different direction.
While the principles are similar to several other trainers I have seen, I think he is possibly the closest to what I have been trying to achieve over the years.
It is just SO different to "BHS" style - over the 2 days he demonstrated how much the riding depended upon the movements being understood and practiced by both horse & handler, how problems can be prevented before the horse even thinks of them, and how the basic ground training is at the heart of a good relationship between horse & rider.
He expects the horse to be able to work off a "feel" on the reins - barely a touch, let alone a pull, and uses the reins alone for a lot of lateral work, he is able to understand and influence each individual foot movement the horse makes, and teach how important this is. He doesn't use his legs for forward movement, expecting the horse to know that is his job, he creates the energy and uses it for the movement.
Once the horse understands, it makes his life, and the rider's, so much more pleasant and exciting.
If you get a chance at all, BE THERE when he comes back next year!!!
He showed the video of Cowboy Dressage, http://www.cowboydressage.com/video/DWC/video-4/trigger.html which is mouthwatering! In my dreams!