Comments for Betty Staley's Blog | Betty Staley's Blog http://bettystaley.com/blog Art, Horses, Politics and Religion - Oh, my! Sun, 06 May 2012 17:26:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Hunting for the Hindquarters by Mary Wood http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589&cpage=1#comment-3051 Mary Wood Sun, 06 May 2012 17:26:34 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589#comment-3051 WOW! Solo is one big fella! Cannot wait to meet him. This series of still photos is excellent! Tell your photographer/video person, he is doing a great job! WOW! Solo is one big fella! Cannot wait to meet him. This series of still photos is excellent! Tell your photographer/video person, he is doing a great job!

]]> Comment on Emulating Ray (part two) by admin http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539&cpage=1#comment-2952 admin Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:24:40 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539#comment-2952 Karen, I enjoy hearing about other instructors (in this case Karl Mikolka) and their similarities. We are all riding the same creature. It makes sense that riders have commonality. Counting cadence is an amazing tool. -Betty Karen,
I enjoy hearing about other instructors (in this case Karl Mikolka) and their similarities. We are all riding the same creature. It makes sense that riders have commonality. Counting cadence is an amazing tool.
-Betty

]]> Comment on Buck and Sundance by admin http://bettystaley.com/blog/?page_id=194&cpage=1#comment-2951 admin Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:21:27 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?page_id=194#comment-2951 Hello DeeDee, As an educator and equine benefactor, you have front line understanding of the issues! Of course, I'm prejudiced, but I have to say, both the movie and the person Buck are extraordinary. Director Cindy Meehl captured so many layers, within the story. It is a complex and intrigueing film. Buck is and has been "in demand" for his educational skills. Over the years, he's done benefits and been generous with his time. Unfortunately, like most of us, his time is valuable. He supports his family and works for a living. Thank you for what you do, Betty Hello DeeDee,
As an educator and equine benefactor, you have front line understanding of the issues! Of course, I’m prejudiced, but I have to say, both the movie and the person Buck are extraordinary. Director Cindy Meehl captured so many layers, within the story. It is a complex and intrigueing film.

Buck is and has been “in demand” for his educational skills. Over the years, he’s done benefits and been generous with his time. Unfortunately, like most of us, his time is valuable. He supports his family and works for a living.

Thank you for what you do,
Betty

]]> Comment on Emulating Ray (part two) by admin http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539&cpage=1#comment-2950 admin Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:10:30 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539#comment-2950 Judith, Please forgive me. I missed your post. Belatedly, I'll try to answer. The horse can learn to come off the leg and/or to a releasing rein. I don't "squeeze" at all. If I need more energy from the horse, I'm more inclined to bump with my calf. Actually, that request for energy starts at the rider's hip and moves down the rider's leg, thigh, to the calf and heel. Stepping along with the horse, Ray described the horse's legs as "his legs." I try to ride as though my legs, through the horse's hind legs, go all the way to the ground. If I'm on my own two feet and I want to cover more ground, I put more energy into my steps by pushing off the ground. Riding, I try to do the same thing. Does that make sense? As far as the timing of the footfall. The walk is a four beat gait, with both a lateral and a diagonal phase. That seems to be what creates the rolling (or wave-like) sensation in the movement. Don't quote me on this, but waves can have a cross current; a sense of forward and sideways. At least, that's how it feels to me. The amount of wave-like sensation also depends on the horse's stride length (a longer stride feels more distinct). Horses can also have quick, short strides. Obviously, a quicker stride requires closer timing. In the walk, I don't watch the horse's shoulders. Maybe its just me, but that is more confusing to me and makes my timing late. Over the years, I've concentrated on the "feel" of each gait. Riding the walk, there is a high and low point in the rider's hips, each hip rolls along independent and opposite of the other hip. When the rider's left hip is starting to rise (the right hip has dropped) and that means the left hind leg is just leaving the ground. If you have a mirror, a good shadow, (or a good ground person), feel your hips and then say out loud, "left... left... left..." (or, "right, right, right...") in time with your own hips. After a while it becomes automatic. It's useful to know. I'm glad you asked. All the best to you, Betty Judith,
Please forgive me. I missed your post. Belatedly, I’ll try to answer. The horse can learn to come off the leg and/or to a releasing rein. I don’t “squeeze” at all. If I need more energy from the horse, I’m more inclined to bump with my calf. Actually, that request for energy starts at the rider’s hip and moves down the rider’s leg, thigh, to the calf and heel. Stepping along with the horse, Ray described the horse’s legs as “his legs.” I try to ride as though my legs, through the horse’s hind legs, go all the way to the ground. If I’m on my own two feet and I want to cover more ground, I put more energy into my steps by pushing off the ground. Riding, I try to do the same thing. Does that make sense?

As far as the timing of the footfall. The walk is a four beat gait, with both a lateral and a diagonal phase. That seems to be what creates the rolling (or wave-like) sensation in the movement. Don’t quote me on this, but waves can have a cross current; a sense of forward and sideways. At least, that’s how it feels to me. The amount of wave-like sensation also depends on the horse’s stride length (a longer stride feels more distinct). Horses can also have quick, short strides. Obviously, a quicker stride requires closer timing. In the walk, I don’t watch the horse’s shoulders. Maybe its just me, but that is more confusing to me and makes my timing late. Over the years, I’ve concentrated on the “feel” of each gait. Riding the walk, there is a high and low point in the rider’s hips, each hip rolls along independent and opposite of the other hip. When the rider’s left hip is starting to rise (the right hip has dropped) and that means the left hind leg is just leaving the ground. If you have a mirror, a good shadow, (or a good ground person), feel your hips and then say out loud, “left… left… left…” (or, “right, right, right…”) in time with your own hips. After a while it becomes automatic. It’s useful to know. I’m glad you asked. All the best to you, Betty

]]> Comment on Buck and Sundance by DeeDee Golberg http://bettystaley.com/blog/?page_id=194&cpage=1#comment-2782 DeeDee Golberg Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:54:07 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?page_id=194#comment-2782 As a former school teacher and now the founder and director of an equine rescue, it's hard to say just how many ways "Buck" hits the mark. I would expand on Mary's remark and insist that this film be shown to ALL middle school age students - and more than once. An entire unit of study about the issues in the film could be designed. It should also be required viewing for all 4-H horse project kids (and their leaders!)- to help them understand how cruel the traditional training methods and equipment are. Now if we can just get Buck to come and do a clinic to benefit our rescue!!! As a former school teacher and now the founder and director of an equine rescue, it’s hard to say just how many ways “Buck” hits the mark.
I would expand on Mary’s remark and insist that this film be shown to ALL middle school age students – and more than once. An entire unit of study about the issues in the film could be designed.
It should also be required viewing for all 4-H horse project kids (and their leaders!)- to help them understand how cruel the traditional training methods and equipment are.
Now if we can just get Buck to come and do a clinic to benefit our rescue!!!

]]> Comment on Emulating Ray (part two) by judith tor http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539&cpage=1#comment-2780 judith tor Sun, 15 Apr 2012 12:52:21 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539#comment-2780 At the walk, when trying to get the left hind to reach forward, I should be squeezing the left leg when I see the front left forward, because that is when the left hind is getting ready to leave the ground. Is this correct thinking? At the walk, when trying to get the left hind to reach forward, I should be squeezing the left leg when I see the front left forward, because that is when the left hind is getting ready to leave the ground. Is this correct thinking?

]]> Comment on Hunting for the Hindquarters by admin http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589&cpage=1#comment-2662 admin Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:18:07 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589#comment-2662 Hi, Brian. I've got to hear things over and over, too. That's why I keep going to clinics (30 plus years with Ray and I continue to ride with Buck). Sounds like you have an excellent "ground person" for a wife! My husband Craig and I ride together, too. It's nice to have the immediate feedback. Glad this was useful for you. -Betty Hi, Brian. I’ve got to hear things over and over, too. That’s why I keep going to clinics (30 plus years with Ray and I continue to ride with Buck). Sounds like you have an excellent “ground person” for a wife! My husband Craig and I ride together, too. It’s nice to have the immediate feedback. Glad this was useful for you.
-Betty

]]> Comment on Hunting for the Hindquarters by Brian http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589&cpage=1#comment-2650 Brian Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:35:21 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589#comment-2650 Thanks, Betty. The changes in the photos are remarkable. I was just re-reading Bill's _True Horsemanship Through Feel_, and I love how this is illustrated in Buck's forward. But I cannot hear this message too much. I was even having trouble a few rides ago with my horse drifting forward during the trot, yet I couldn't figure out what the issue was. Thankfully my wife was able to point out I wasn't keeping him on his hindquarters. Hindquarterss. Hindquarters. Hindquarters. Maybe now I will fully get the message. It only took hearing it from three different people in three different ways. Thanks, Betty. The changes in the photos are remarkable.

I was just re-reading Bill’s _True Horsemanship Through Feel_, and I love how this is illustrated in Buck’s forward.

But I cannot hear this message too much. I was even having trouble a few rides ago with my horse drifting forward during the trot, yet I couldn’t figure out what the issue was. Thankfully my wife was able to point out I wasn’t keeping him on his hindquarters.

Hindquarterss. Hindquarters. Hindquarters. Maybe now I will fully get the message. It only took hearing it from three different people in three different ways.

]]> Comment on Hunting for the Hindquarters by Amy http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589&cpage=1#comment-2333 Amy Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:15:54 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=589#comment-2333 Betty, I love your blog! I am anxiously awaiting your next post. I can't wait to hear more. Betty, I love your blog! I am anxiously awaiting your next post. I can’t wait to hear more.

]]> Comment on Emulating Ray (part two) by judith tor http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539&cpage=1#comment-2266 judith tor Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:50:38 +0000 http://bettystaley.com/blog/?p=539#comment-2266 I loved the clinic with Buck. He inspires me to be better. It was an honor to ride with him. Thank you for your advice about the whip and bit. I did not find it until now however. ( I was looking in the wrong place all this time.) I rode with spurs in the clinic but am back to my dressage whip now. On Monday, your book/dvd arrived at my gate. I am very excited to work through the "deceptively easy exercises". Today I gave Exercise 1 a try. I think it went well. Does it matter which leg moves first? I can see that the outside hind needs to move out so the inside hind can move under. But it seems that the inside hind has to step alittle to take the weight so the outside hind can step out. What do you consider the ideal sequence? I loved the clinic with Buck. He inspires me to be better. It was an honor to ride with him. Thank you for your advice about the whip and bit. I did not find it until now however. ( I was looking in the wrong place all this time.) I rode with spurs in the clinic but am back to my dressage whip now.

On Monday, your book/dvd arrived at my gate. I am very excited to work through the “deceptively easy exercises”. Today I gave Exercise 1 a try. I think it went well. Does it matter which leg moves first? I can see that the outside hind needs to move out so the inside hind can move under. But it seems that the inside hind has to step alittle to take the weight so the outside hind can step out. What do you consider the ideal sequence?

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