Ronda
OK let's see your horse! I am so glad that your have decided to video tape your work. It is a great learning tool. Even when you think you have it perfect, if you wait a few weeks and look at the video again you will start to see the very subtle things that you can work on. It may be your hand position is almost correct and if feels correct at the time. All of a sudden a week later you will see it. I continue to look at my show videos to help me be a better performer. Could you load your video to YouTube and give use the link???? I can't believe the progress that your learning and knowledge has taken. Ain't it fun!

Cheers

Hi Dennis,
I'd love to do that but I can't figure it out right now.
My husband has to download the videos onto my computer and then I have to download them onto youtube.
As soon as I figure it out I'll be doing that.
May had also asked me to do this.
I see subtle things each time I watch them and as I said it's not Star it's me and that builds my confidence in her.
You'll be surprised at how beautiful she is and tall!!!
Ronda

Hi Ronda,

This is great!!!
You can be proud of yourself as well, because of you, you can understand Star and the other way around.
The other day my husband took pictures of me working with a "new" horse, doing join-up and even on pictures I could see what I was doing. I looked very concentrated and after Grytje was coming to me I was smiling.
With the video it is more worth, because you can see every detail. Going back and forward and see it again.
I agree also with you, comparsion films and Dennis that if you watch the video in a few weeks again, you see more details and how you and My Star made progress in what you are doing after that filming.
Ha, my husband will be very busy this coming time (he doesn't know it yet, hihi...) but when I am so far I will put it also on you tube if you like to see.
I am going to England in a week to see Monty. I want to video his demo if that is possible or parts of it. Is anybody interested if I put it on you tube?
I am looking forward to see how beautifull you both are as a team, Ronda and learn from it as well.
Have a nice day,
May

Oh May I envy you so much, to see Monty, wow!!!!
I now have a youtube account and my husband is going to download a video onto my computer today and I will post.
Don't expect too much guys.
She is young and I am stupid. But I hope you are impressed by her, she's lovely.
I look forward to seeing you on video and hope to see others as well.
It's raining here, as usual, but I will still wish you all a happy day,
Ronda

OK, I did it. I have the videos on youtube.
What I did was go to youtube and type in the following:
JOIN-UP WITH MY STAR MAJESTIC
MY STAR MAJESTIC BEING LEAD
MY STAR MAJESTIC'S OVERSTRIDE
I was pretty tired when I did this so you can see I misspelled her name, next time I won't be so tired.
You will also see how much damage was done to our property by the ice and snow we had in the winter.
And her tempory round pen because her indoor one collapsed from the storm.
I hope you are able to view these.
Have a good day,
Ronda

I just went to youtube now and typed in MY STAR MAJESTIC an clicked on one of the videos, the bottom part and all three came up together, cool.
Ronda

Sorry I'm new to this and have never put anything on youtube before.
When you get to youtube and type in My Star Majestic a group will come up, find one of the above like Join-up with my star majestic and at the bottom of the printing it will say by mystarmejestic and click on that and they all come up and you can click view all and you will be able to see them.
If you want to, OK
Ronda

Thanks Ronda! I just watched - she is lovely. It's very cute - in the walking video she is so relaxed she's licking and chewing as you lead her along! Thanks so much for posting. It's nice to see you as opposed to just seeing the words you type too!

Ronda
Love your round pen. Great idea for those on a limited budget or who just want to put up a temporary round pen. I hope your videos encourages others to do the same. Great way to share knowledge. All my videos are on YouTube as well. Just enter peruvianstallion1 to go to my videos or to my website at
http://peruvianstallion.com/Photos_ZXWC.php scroll to the bottom of the page for the list of videos
Thanks for being the first one to show what they are doing

Cheers

Just watched the vids....great!! She is a beautiful horse Ronda! Home vids are a wonderful tool hey :-) I plan to do that with my brumby when i begin his training.

Janelle

Just watched the vids....great!! She is a beautiful horse Ronda! Home vids are a wonderful tool hey :-) I plan to do that with my brumby when i begin his training.

Janelle

Hi Ronda,

What a great job!!! It is so good to see how you are a team together. And it gave me tears in my eyes to see how My Star is coming to you.
My Star is a beauty (you to) and what an positive energy comes from her to you and also the other way around.
I saw, for me, new things, what you were doing in the Join-Up, so I have to go back to the lesson to see what I missed.
Like putting your hand up in the air. I don't know why you are doing this.
The overstride was for a week ago something new for me. I watched the lessons and didn't relise that this was so important. I can see how My Star is relaxed and how she puts her feet when she is walking.
Thank you so much for putting the vids on you tube, brave girl!!! I can learn from it as well.
This is what I meant by putting your vids on you tube and let us see what we all are doing and we all can learn from it. Also when a question is coming up on the forum it would be wonderfull to see what is happening.
Hope I can put some of my beginner actions on you tube in the nearest future.
Have a nice weekend Ronda,
Cheers, May.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement.
When I look at the videos I see all the things I'm doing wrong.
For instance when I raise my right arm, I can only do it in one way because I cannot lift my left arm up as far and I don't want her to get into unbalanced habits.
I want her to slow down in both directions.
Thank you for complementing Star, she is beautiful and my little sweetheart.
Someone emailed me and said her overstride was wrong, I guess so, and suggested I walk at a quicker pace.
I would love to do that for her but since the accident and me having to learn to walk again that's about as fast as I can go.
If you look closely you will see she wants to go much faster and that is why I question whether I should keep her because she has such potential and I'm about at my limit with my physical abilities.
She does lead well though, eh.
You may have noticed also how much damage was done to our property during the winter. Her barns colapsed because of the amount of snow we had, the reason for temporary just about everthing.
But that's OK, it gets the job done and once we can afford a bull dozer to come in, tear everything down and then rebuild what she needs this operation will have to do.
It happened during the morning and I'm very thankfull she and I were not in there when it occured.
Again thank you,
Ronda

Nice to see you "in person", Ronda!
Thank you for sharing the vids with us! :) My Star looks like a beautiful girl.

Ronda
I looked at the round pen video again and watched MyStars stride. Boy can she cover ground!
It is easier to watch her stride at a walk but since she covers a lot of ground in the round pen and is not cantering you can see she as a very good overstrike.
Quit thinking that you are not enough for MyStar. You are doing her more of a favor taking it slow rather that intensifying her work. It is obvious that you both have a good connection and that is the most important part of training I was not sure why you were raising your hand in the air. I thought that maybe you were giving MyStar the cat claw that Monty does when he wants the horse to continue even though the horse wants to slow down. If that is what you want to do, don't raise your hand so high but rather lift it and put it towards your horse. If you want he to slow down step slowly closer to his head but not so far as to cause him to change directions. I loved it when you put your arm across your body and the horse started to slow and look towards you as if to say. "Can I come over?"

Thanks again for putting yourself out for all of us to see.

Cheers

My husband just did the funniest thing with MY STAR. He went into a pasture with a bicycle and was riding it around STAR and she was running like crazy.
Then she got used to it and stood there watching him.
It was funny and I got it on tape.
I'll post it with the others.
See you ,
Ronda

Hi Ronda,

LISTEN!!!!! If you ever think again that you are not able to do everything in the right way with or for My Star, then I am coming to Canada personaly, even if I have to swim. And I will tell you that this is the most silly thing you can think of!!!
My Star choose you!!!! So....????
What you are doing is amazing, Ronda and let it be for what it is. My Star understands this.
She is healing you and she loves to be with you!!!
You take care of her and you give all what you have, in your possibilities, to her.(DOT!!)

I can immagine how funny it was to see what My Star was doing as a reaction on the bike? I think we will hear you laughing on this videotape, ha.... I am looking forward to see this to.
Bye, May

Hi May,
The new video is posted. The title is; My Star Majestic and the bicycle.
Yes I am laughing.
I love to watch her run, her tail goes straight up.
I would love anyone out their to suggest her breed by her movements, after watching this video.
It's very interesting.
Some professionals have made suggestions and I am mulling them over in my mind.
You know me and horse information, I love it.
Ronda

Hi Ronda,
Never stop being creative with Star, you're doing a great job!
Is she a Tennesee Walker? Just a guess....
Watching your Join-up with Star, I realised how she addepted to your condition, what a treasure!
If you want to, I could post some suggestions on the process of your Join-up, let me know.
Keep the good work going, you'll have a wonderful ride when Star has reached the age.
Miriam

Hi Ronda,

That was funny. She was realy looking and thinking; hm... I know this man, but why is he now on wheels touring around then instead on legs?
She is quit alert and after a while she stands still to consider what to do....
It is so good that you are doing this Ronda and share us in this.
Have a nice weekend, May.

Hi Miriam,
Oh I'm so nervous. Everytime I look at the video's I see all of my mistakes.
And then when I compare them to Monty, what a mess. I realize my arms were all in the wrong place but that dear little horse came to me in spite of my terrible mistakes, what a gal!!!
I was totally confusing her when I put my arm up too far, she wanted to turn, of course, she is so smart.
I will keep praticising.
As Monty says, " A amature practises until he gets it right, a professional keeps practises until he cannot get it wrong".
Definetly a amature, that's me.
I will welcome any input from you. It is so difficult for me to just watch the videos and then compare them to Monty, I see my mistakes but if someone like you were to say to me, no no Ronda do this, it would be so appreciated.
And I would be so thankful.
I wish I had enough money to go to Monty and learn as you have done, what a priveledge.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Ronda
PS: you can post on my youtube sight if you like or you can do it here so all will benefit, whichever is convenient for you.

Hi Ronda,
As soon as I find a moment to sit with your video, I'll post my suggestions here.
You're right, it is a real privilege to have been at Flag is up Farms and having seen Monty work, learning from the instructors and those who study hard to become instructors.
There are so many different ways of reaching our mutual goal of leaving this world a better place for horses and people too. Yours is a beautiful way and I want you to know that you deserve our respect.
I'll be back!
Miriam

Hi Ronda,
In your orientation of the horse in the roundpen, try to stay as close to the centre as possible, this is where the horse stays with you, on the circumference is the work-part of the game, away from you. The 4 directions can become a smooth flow if you turn always in the same way, clockwise and stop to stand in front of your horse and stroke the forehead with your right hand. This prepares you for the follow-up later, stroking and drawing the horse with you in a small circle to the right. All little parts build up to a bigger whole.
When you release the horse at 2 o'clock ( the door being 6 o'clock ), step back out of the kickzone, and then look the horse in the eye and send her away. Keep walking at an even pace, signalating that you agree with her going away.
Use your longline to drive the horse, ask for a canter in both directions, always having in mind that in the 3rd direction you have to lower your energy to slow the whole process down. So you ask for more in the first 2 direction.
To change direction step in front of the horse's balancepoint, then towards her eye to encourage her to turn outwards. Using your hand to block and turn her seems like a conditioning to me, not a bodylanguageconversation. When you want to use your hand, do so to speed her up, only to have the opportunity to let her come down after that. You see Monty do this, pushing the air in front of the horse's head and after that taking his hand across his bodyaxes. Raising the level, to lower it afterwards.
After turning the horse back in the original direction, you can slow down your whole movement, let the horse feel the difference, so she can start the comunication.
Remember the ear locked on you, the smaller circle, lowering of the head, licking and chewing.
She seems conditioned at trotting around the pen, so she picks up her pace whenever she feels you having the same tension. If you coil up your line and breathe out, let your eye slide towards her shoulder, even her tail, she might find a slower pace way sooner.
To invite her, step in front of her balancepoint, turn away and draw her with you.
She came with you in a nice way, happy you let her in.
Stand in front of her, stroke her forehead with your right hand and take her with you for the follow-up, turning to the right, then serpentines to the left.
You seem to have a great feeling with Star, you'll work your way to a real partnership.
Miriam

Hi Miriam,
Thank you very much and I will try to remember all of this and take notes, too.
I remember in Monty's videos he says some horses really like to move and that there is no magic number as to the number of times they will go around the pen, and believe me she really likes to move.
I also made notes that Monty says they may not give you all four gestures, she licks and chews, comes away from the fence and nods her head up and down, as usual I'll keep working on it.
Keeping her at a pace is something, she would prefer a full out run, tail flying.
It has taken a lot of control to get her to keep it at that pace and we are working on her slowing down, so I will review the video's and book and use your advice to see if that works.
I can't move around the pen too much because my balance goes off right away so I have to compromise and keep myself close, I used a cane when I first started but I thought that would make her nervous, so I just slowed down and I don't move too much. I just keep eyes on eyes until I want her to join-up.
We don't do too bad do we?
And about her breed, I'm suprised you guessed so quickly.
What gave it away for you?
A trainer, her vet and her ferrier all told me that.
They said it was her conformation, foot size, tail carriage and her way of moving, like a walkiing trot, it's beautiful.
And her cute little round back end.
I'm just very happy she is not a Lipizzan.
Again thank you,
Ronda

Hi Ronda,
I'm glad you can do something with my suggestions, I'm aware your condition limites the way you can move. Still you could try to have a more "businesslike" stance in the first 2 directions and the relax in the 3rd. It'll help her and you to feel the difference.
Really, I'm in awe about her breed, her trot and the tail up gave me the thought!
She's lovely and I'm sure you'll have a great life together.
Thank you for the trust and your courage to do this in the forum, brave woman!
Miriam

Hi Ronda and Miriam,

Do you mind that I watched your video again, Ronda and learned from your advices, Miriam?
When I watch Monty's lessons it is all shaped and it looks soooo easy, ha....
But when I see your video, Ronda, I can see now how hard it could be to do the right things, because there are so many things you have to think of when you do Join-Up. It's a whole list, pffft...
I belief when we all practice on this, it will be in the future a second nature.
Thank you both to give me the possibility to learn from this as well.
Bye, May.

You know Miriam,
I think what kind of people would we be if we are not open to constructive critisium.
It's one thing to be mean, it's another to be kind and critique in a positive way.
Monty is tuff but always kind and asks us to take these teachings into our life, not just with horses but our everday dealings in life.
If we all do this our world will be a better place not just for horses but for everyone.
I enjoy constructive critisium, it makes me better at whatever task I approach.
I just ignore meannees, it's destructive and does not benefit anyone, right.
So thank you again, I will post more as we move along.
Ronda

Hi May,
You can watch my videos as much as you like and each time you do and compare them with Montys you will see how much further I have to go.
If this helps in anyway I'm glad.
You have a wonderful time this week with Monty, Ok.
Be sure to share with us all you learn and I will live vicariously through you, Ok.
Ronda

Hi Ronda,

Yes, I will tell you all about my experiences as soon as I am back in Holland. I am coming back on the 5th Nov.
Hopefully I can video some parts of the demo and take pictures, what I will put on you tube.
Can you imagine how exited I am? I can't wait....
I am a member/student of Kelly Marks Horse Intelligent so.... one of the possibilities/priveliges is that I am going to meet Monty before he starts his demo's!!!!

I am looking on Kelly Marks Horseintelligent.co.uk facebook and she gives a lot of funny stories what Monty is doing.
Also the English students who went to a demo already, last few weeks, in Great Britain, are full of positive messages.
So..... wednesday I am flying to Exeter (Devon) and on the 2nd Nov. (10 nights to sleep) I will be like a little girl who is going to the circus hihi... I will "send" some messages to you, Ronda if you understand what I mean.

You will hear all my stories soon.
Cheers, May