The Project:
One Mustang directly off the range
One trainer
No tools
Just body language
The Goal:
To discover how far Equestrian Art can be developed solely using body language.
The Challenge:
Without the common tools (bridle, saddle, whip, spurs), or the simple tools (halter, stick, flag) or even the simplest of tools (a rope) What can horse and human develop together?
Using only body language: Can we ride together? Can we move in harmony through all the different gaits? Can we jump? Can we travel together through a simple dressage pattern? Can we navigate a trail class? Can we ride in harmony among other horses and riders? Can we trail ride? Can we perform and inspire others?
There have been many brilliant trainers throughout history who have done all this. However, I don’t know of any, who have done so without the use of tools to dominate at some stage of the process. It is time someone took the challenge.
This Blog is building up to the challenge. For the next year, I Elsa Sinclair, will be posting once a week on the development of ideas. In 2012 the real work begins. One mustang, one trainer, one year.
As I travel through 2011, I have an amazing community of friends, family, and horses, who are going to be developing me for the challenge. Life is an unbelievable teacher. Causing me to think, allowing me to test out processes, discussing, debating, and creating new ideas.
So I invite you to follow along, read the blog, laugh at the meandering path of inspiration, and share with me your thoughts.
This is only the beginning. So to get started, I invite you to head over to the “About” page. Get to know me, the trainer side of the project, and let me know what you think of the challenge 😉
For more pictures and information visit www.equineclarity.com
12 Comments
Elsa,
This is a beautiful project, I belive in you completely.
xo
P.
Thankyou Pasha, this project needs all the belief we can collectively pour into it. It is beautiful and daunting all wrapped up together.
Elsa! This is going to be fun to read, I’m putting it in my folder of blogs to read for Parelli Central 🙂 can’t wait!
~Gina Chianello
Parelli Central
Yay for Parelli Central and all of us inspired every day! Just wait, you may find yourself mentioned in my blog one of these days. My students are usually my best teachers, and this blog is all about that. Thanks for being part of my process Gina 😉
Elsa,
I am hooked too! It is a fantastic challenge and one that I will watch carefully. I think that the training will be easier than the weekly updates for you! Ha.
Love, Brett
Yup, you are absolutely right Brett. I cannot believe how quickly a week goes by now! I have a million and one ideas that beg to be written about as I play with horses and students all week. Then at the end of the week I struggle to choose words… It’s an amazing challenge. Hope you enjoy the evolution. 😉 e.
I LOVE LOVE my lessons with you. And now I get to read your blog. Looking foward to that.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE our lessons too Peggy.Building on a few simple ideas we share in a lesson,you are a constant inspiration to me with how much you can accomplish from week to week. Thank you Peggy.
As a young girl I read The Black Stallion and the dream of that kind of relationship with a horse has always been with me. It will be so awesome to enjoy this real life experience through you. I will be a faithful blog reader! Thank you for never ceasing to amaze me!
Tina, now you have set the bar incredibly high for me. Are you saying I not only have to train this horse using only body language, I also have to have amazing cinematography and galloping on the beach! I will do my best, though this may be a more quiet and meditative experience than it is expansive and racing 😉
What an awesome project – in the true sense of the word awe.
The woman who made the documentary film The Path of the Horse lives in my county. You might drop her a line and see if she is interested in taking on the video side of things. Or maybe Parelli could be convinced to place an extern with you, to hone their media skills. It is important that the filmmaker understand enough about horses to capture the truth of your journey – often the most incredible moments don’t look so, to laypeople, who can’t yet tell a relaxed horse and soft eye from right-brain introvert freeze. 🙂
Thank you Regina, good ideas… I am starting to think I may need to do the video work myself, it is a long project to convince someone else to commit to… I just need to find a mentor now who is willing to answer questions and help me learn the video process details as I go….