NEC Blog

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT US!!

Taking the reins is a great little story written ABOUT US!!! for the MSU student newspaper The State News.  Read all about us at the above link :)

posted by NEC at 3:14 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Notes from the Feb. Sue Hughes Clinic

The main theme from Feb.'s clinic with Sue was straightness....once you achieve straightness you can then achieve throughness and contact. Each rider was given various drills and tips to help them straighten thier horse and themselves. Here are some of my personal notes from observing and riding with Sue:

  • Riding is the one place you do NOT want buns of steel, soft buttery buns are much better.
  • I do not need to dig a hole to China with my heels, in fact FORGET about the heels completely, while I am at it forget about the lower leg too until I need to ask for more tempo.
  • BE FORWARD over your hips, leaning back is not “open”. By staying OVER the hips then the center of my abs will stop collapsing and we will have a much easier time going forward and carrying ourselves. When you lean back you get behind, which causes her to slow down to catch you, which then makes you push making you further behind, and the vicious cycle continues.
  • When I get tense or start to push her, stop posting, go into half seat, and ask for forward with the whip only, no legs, and leave her face alone. When I relax then we can get back to work. The harder I push and work the less work she does.
  • Sitting trot is more about moving your hips individually not one big push forward after one big push. But only if I stay OVER my thighs and stop sitting back on my “pockets”.
  • Being straight will make being through MUCH easier, practically effortless really.
  • There can be too much bend/flexion on a circle……think straight first THEN ask for  flexion if you need it. To get to straight I may have to undo the too much bend by counter flexing and shifting her weight THEN go for straight.
  • If her head goes up so do your hands, NEVER lose the contact until you decide to. If she lowers her head and leans on me apply more thigh to encourage her up onto the bit. But that wouldn’t be a problem in the first place if she was straight J

posted by NEC at 9:23 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The T-Team Clinic ~ Feb. 1, 2009

On a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the high 30's the T-team clinic began at noon in the observation room. T-team touch benefits:
  1. Lowers stress hormones and promotes relaxation.
  2. Indicates physical soreness before lameness occurs.
  3. Activates the "thinking" Beta brain waves in both hemispheres of the brain.
  4. Releases fear at the cellular level.
  5. Improves the horses perception of his limbs in relation to his body.
  6. Enhances the horses willingness and ability to adapt to new situations.
  7. Can help to change the 5 instinctive behaviors:
  • flight
  • fight
  • freeze
  • faint
  • fidget or fool around
These instinctive responses are due to a lack of understanding, fear, or anger. After practicing some of the basic Tteam touches on each other the participants then learned 12 out of the 40 Ttouches. The touches for trust are at the core of forming a relationship and bond between the horse and rider based on mutual trust. With these touches the horse becomes a better partner as fear gives way to confidence. The 6 touches for trust that we learned were:
  • Abalone touch
  • Ear touch
  • Coiled Python lift
  • Front and hind leg circles
  • Lying Leopard
  • Tail pull
The touches for awareness enhance a horses sense of body awareness in space (proprioception). Touches for awareness also prevent or release stressful responses in normal or new situations and environments. The 6 Ttouches for awareness that we learned were:
  • Back lift
  • Chimp touch
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Inchworm
  • Neck rocking
  • Noah's March
As the participants began the T-team Ttouches on thier own horses it was amazing to watch both people and horses relax and develop a more open communication. By giving T-team and working with one another in this way one can feel the positive and loving energy filling the aisle. By the end of the clinic both horses and people were happy and peaceful. During the weeks and months ahead these students and boarders will continue to T-team their horses in order to promote both communication and relaxation in their partnership together.

The Book containing all the Ttouches and great pictures and illustrations for those looking for more in depth information is The Ultimate Horse Behavior and Training Book; Linda Tellington-Jones.
Available at the above link at Amazon.com :)

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posted by NEC at 6:29 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Thoughts from Cheryl ~ February

 As we begin a new year of historical change I look forward to the time ahead of us. Although there are many challenges to be met, I believe we can succeed when we work together. Quite often, it is in the face of adversity that we are able to find out greatest creative solutions. During times of hardship we discover our greatest strength in the bonds we have with our family, friends, co-workers and community members. It is in these relationships that the web of our life is strengthened. During times of loss and scarcity we realize that simple pleasures in each day are our greatest riches.  

I am fortunate to have been a part of Nottingham for 25 years. Over this time we have seen our share of hardships and adversity, and yet we are able to grow stronger from these experiences.  The people and horses that have enriched this barn are many and I look forward to the many more to come in the future. The main philosophy of Nottingham is to teach and encourage mutual love and respect for all animals, as well as teach good horsemanship.

The students, workers, and boarders of Nottingham came together as a family to support one another in our growth and development in all aspects of our lives.  I am confident that the coming year will bring us more opportunities for continued growth, prosperity, and wisdom.

posted by NEC at 10:34 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Thank you NEC workers!

Just wanted to say "Thank You" to all the wonderful ladies working at NEC.  Cheryl and I really appreciate you coming to the meeting this weekend, and remember to let us know if you have any issues at all :)

posted by NEC at 10:32 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Monday, January 26, 2009

With the New Year comes New Changes!

Hello Nottingham family!

Hopefully as you find this you will also be noticing all of the changes and updates made to the NEC website!! We are hoping this makes it easier for everyone to find what they are looking for and to stay updated on anything and everything NEC. If you see something that needs changed or have a suggestion for the website please e-mail the webmaster (the link is at the bottom of every page).

We will do our best to "be good about Blogging" it's our New Years resolution so check back often! You can even add us to your favorites list on Blogger.com! Where you can start your own blog....be sure to let us know if you do :)

Also keep tabs on the calander on the Home Page....anything and everything NEC will be posted there ASAIKAI (as soon as I know about it!)

posted by NEC at 5:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Monday, June 2, 2008

June 2008 Updates

Summer is here! Pony camp will be starting in about two weeks! Have you sent in your application yet? The first week is already full, so get going!

Come on out and join us this summer for fun in the sun. What better way to spend a warm summer afternoon than with your horse or pony? Watch the site for results from shows we will be attending. You can even come out and watch us then!

posted by NEC at 11:32 AM 2 Comments Links to this post