I'm sure we have all heard before that "Bits are Used for Communications", and probably very often, but unfortunately even those who advocate this philosophy seem to be a bit confused about the difference between Communications and Control.  For example, I was in a clinic some years ago that was conducted by someone whom I will call a "Born-again Natural Horseman", and during a question and answer session he was asked if he felt riders should use a bit during events such as trail rides.  His answer was "Yes, and folks who don't use a bit are just asking for trouble!"  Now I ask you this, was he advocating the use of a bit to facilitate Communications or Control?  
 
I guess I am one of those who is "just asking for trouble", because I seldom use a bit on a trail ride.  Does this mean that I am forgoing Control in emergency situations when riding the trails?  No, because Control should be achieved long before you ever embark on your first trail ride, and it should be achieved in a safe environment like a round pen or arena!  But how you might ask? 
 
As I said, Control should be achieved in a safe environment, both on the ground and in the saddle.  Control is a process by which the rider gains the horse's respect and builds a relationship in which the horse is willing to trust his rider, no matter what may occur.  We do this by convincing the horse that we are their leader, and by gaining their respect and willingness to trust our judgment.  Once they begin to ask us if something scary is worth being scared about, then we will find that the horse will listen to us in these situations, and follow our lead.  However, along with this leadership come grave responsibilities!   
 
As a leader, we must ensure that we know and understand our responsibilities!  For Control, our most important responsibilities are to "think like a horse" and to "not act like a predator!"  But what does this mean?  It means that we must put ourselves in the horse's position and understand what can cause the horse to get scared, which can result in losing control.  Additionally, we must learn not to act scared in these situations or let the emotions of the horse elevate our emotions, and thus help our equine partner understand that these scary situations are under control in our mind, and thus he has nothing to worry about.   
 
I know this is easy to say, and can be very difficult to put into practice!  But, by finding opportunities in a controlled environment, and taking ourselves and our horse to the edge, we can practice for these emergencies long before we reach the trail!  There is never any guarantee of safety when dealing with horses, but by being prepared and by practicing for emergencies, we place ourselves in a much better position when these situations occur!  

If you're a Parelli student like me, I'm sure you are aware of Pat Parelli's International Study Centers (ISC), located in Colorado and Florida, and dream of visiting one of them for an in-depth class in Natural Horsemanship, or envy those who have attended or soon will!  These facilities are beautiful, and the classes are well worth attending and really move your Natural Horsemanship skill forward!  However, if you are also like me, you may never be able to fulfill you dream, because of the distance to these facilities, or possibly the costs of attending, or more importantly your inability to spend this much time away from home and family?    
 
Well...  Many of you may not be aware of Aaron England's International Learning Center (ILC), located in the Texas Hill Country near Goldthwaite, Texas, a mere four hour drive from Houston?  Aaron and his wife Riva live on a 250 acre ranch, where they train future Cutting horses, board and start young horses, conduct Natural Horsemanship and Cow Working clinics, and provide individual or group lessons to folks like you and me in Natural Horsemanship and/or Cow Working.
 
For the purposes of this comparison, I'd like to concentrate on the individual lessons (contact Aaron or Riva for group lesson rates).  For example, Aaron offers a 10-lesson package for $500, which allows you to take two 1-hour lessons each day for five days.  During your off time, you can use his ranch facilities to practice what you learned in your lessons, take a trail ride around the ranch (which includes a full Eventing Course), help Aaron manage the cows in his cutting training (skill level permitting), or just hang out and enjoy the scenery! 
 
Boarding and trailer hookups are available for only $10/day each, and shower/bathroom facilities are available!  Or, motel accommodations are available in Goldthwaite or Hamilton, which are only about 20 to 30 minutes from the ranch.  Food is obviously your responsibility (except for larger clinics), but again it is less than a 20 or 30 minute drive into town.
 
For me this is a perfect alternative to visiting one of Pat's ISCs, because I can get to Aaron's ranch (ILC) on a Sunday, and leave on Friday afternoon, and still get a week's private instruction and play in for a very reasonable cost!!!  Oh yes, my wife still has to feed the horses for 5 or 6 days, but at least I have one or two with me!
 
For additional information about Aaron's International Learning Center, please visit Aaron's website at www.AaronEngland.com, or give Aaron or Riva a call at 877-484-9718.

I am constantly asked what the Parelli Natural Horsemanship (PNH) Savvy's are and how they relate to the Levels Program of PNH.  Very simply each Savvy is directly related to how you are working or playing with your horse.  For example, if you are playing On Line, this simply means that you have a line on your horse, and are thus playing with your horse on the ground On Line...  However, depending on your level you may have a 12', a 22', or a 45' line on your horse, and obviously the higher your level the longer the line you use, and thus the more difficult it becomes to ask your horse to do things!  
 
So what are the Four Savvy's?  Well, obviously there is On Line, which we covered above, additionally there are Freestyle, Liberty, and Finesse.  Following is a brief description of each Savvy:

So what Savvy's are in each Level?  The simple answer is that there are tasks to be performed in each Savvy in all Four Levels.  However, to pass a given Level, you are not required to demonstrate proficiency in each Savvy (assessment or performing a graded Audition).  Following are the Savvy's that one must show proficiency in at each Level in order to pass any given Level:

So, if someone indicates that they have passed Level 2 then they have passed their On Line and Freestyle Audition for Level 2.  However, if they have passed only their On Line Audition for Level 2, they are not considered to have passed all of Level 2 unless they also pass their Level 2 Freestyle Audition. 
 
I know this may sound a bit convoluted, but...  Anyway, if you want more information about the Four Savvy's or the Parelli Levels Program, you may visit the Parelli website at:

 

       http://www.ParelliNaturalHorseTraining.com/

Folks,
 
As always, I hope you enjoyed this newsletter!  And again, please feel free to send it to anyone who might be interested!  Also, if someone wants to sign up for the monthly newsletter you may do so on my website at www.MickeyBeddingfield.com.
 
Also, if anyone is interested in help with their Natural Horsemanship studies, please feel free to contact me at Mickey@MickeyBeddingfield.com!!!
 

Sincerely,
 
Mickey & Donna