A Day with Fred Cloninger, Healthy Stride Endorsed Farrier

Mr. Cloninger and Doug Davis came to our stables on October 24, 2009, at 9 AM, and did not leave until 11 hours later!

We had a blast assessing, trimming, firing, gluing, play-doughing, shimming and shoeing. We took our time and learned from each other, laughed and  worked on our "social skills" (ha ha) for hours, we wished we had more time!

 

Here are a few pictures of the day...

 

 

 

Lesson with Jesse Peters and a day with Fred Cloninger

 

I took my  annual 3 hour private lesson with Jesse Peters on October 22, 2009 at Whitt's End Farm.  We had a BLAST!

http://www.JesseRPeters.com/

Here is a slide show, and some pictures that my father took...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some important points Jesse presented me with...

Sparkle!

Have FUN!

There are no wrong answers.

You are wonderful! Stop being so hard on yourself!

Visualize the outcome, know what you want.

Expect the best, assume the best outcome.

 

There are a lot more specifics, but these should do for now!

 

I will post on my 12 hour day in the barn with Fred Cloninger, Healthy Stride Farrier, soon... we've got some great pictures! A lot was learned, I had SO much fun.

http://www.brother-fred.webs.com/

On the Road Again...

Leaving for a 3 hour private lesson with Jesse Peters!

Reina the Rescue Horse and Natural Stride Farriery

I constructed a blog for Miss Reina, you can take a look at it here - http://www.reinatherescuehorse.blogspot.com/.

I have some new things going on here at the barn, so there are new things to blog! I will be blogging about the new barn schedule and horse/student development ideas SOON! Hopefully some ideas you can use to help move your personal progress along even faster.

Fred Clonninger, our wonderful Healthy Stride endorsed farrier, will be here at the farm next Saturday. He will have the day to dedicate to teaching my students and I, which is VERY exciting! Be looking for another post on this, there are sure to be pictures and videos also.

To those of you that have questions on the methods these farriers use...

I would be more than glad to answer these questions, but I know that by talking to one of the assistors or farriers themselves, they will be able to give you the information you need in order to progress and learn properly. Please visit http://www.healthy-stride.com/ and/or email info@healthy-stride.com with ANY questions, and I am SURE they will be more than glad to answer any questions you have! Thank you for your interest in learning, you will not regret it.

Be sure to check out an all NEW website by clicking HERE!

Yours Naturally,

Mariah Helms

Patch of Heaven Stables

http://www.mariahhelms.com

Lakeland, FL Parelli Celebration

 

Playing before show starts...

Playing Friday night in preparation for Saturdays performance...

Waiting to Perform...

Huddle time with Pat, Vinnie and Crew...

Just waiting...

My top students setting up for me, THANK YOU!...

Let's PLAY...

Question Box

Pedestal

Sideways over cones in square...

All four feet...

The ultimate SQUEEZE game...

Peek-a-boo!...

Finale...

Note, Level 4 ribbon on back! Taking lesson on Focus and Rails with Pat...

Hmm... licking and chewing!

Playing with Reina, the Rescue horse...

Saying goodbye to Hannah and Kevin... (And yes, Kevin, see... You are jealous you cannot pull off that hat!)

Taking Reina to Pat's ranch...

After this, we went to Pat's barn and dropped Reina off. I got some quality time with Pat, discussing our goals, which was very nice. We will be going back in a couple of weeks to pick up Reina, after they get done developing her farther and finishing what Pat started. We should stay a couple of days there, I look forward to learning more.

I  learned a lot about developing horses, organizing and progressing students by just being in Pat's barn. He does a lot of what we do here at Patch of Heaven Stables, and I am taking some of his habits and starting them here at the barn. I see a lot of progression going on here in North Carolina, and a lot of changes.

Once again my life has changed through a Parelli event, I was blessed enough to talk to some mentors that changed my view on a lot of things... including my view on myself. Life is not the same, and will never be the same! Two worlds collided, lives are being changed, and futures are brighter than ever before.

 

Here are some important points I learned this weekend...

Have fun!

Do simple things with excellence.

When you start to put yourself down, just STOP IT!

Breathe deeply and often.

Listen to the butterflies wings flap.

You are exactly where you need to be, you are perfect the way you are.

DO SIMPLE THINGS WITH EXCELLENCE!!!

There is a ton more, but I can't quite remember right now. I hope you soak them in, and learn from them, just as I did.

 

I enjoyed meeting everyone there, all of you were amazing! You spotlight-ers, well, you blew my socks of for SURE! And to Mr. Walter Zettl, you are a precious man, thank you for your kindness. Thanks dancing Pete for the dance, it was blast!!!! To all that made it possible, thank you! Everyone did a fantastic job of making this the best celebration ever. I am looking forward to next year!

XOXO

Mariah Helms

Getting Excited - Lakeland, FL

Sundance and I have our choreography together. Sundance is doing fabulously, I am so proud of him... leaps and bounds. We are all VERY busy getting ready for the Celebration, my clientele has also picked up... so my weeks are much fuller, I am very thankful!

Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts, we are ecstatic!

 

Surprise, Surprise!

I want to THANK all of you for praying and sending your positive vibes and thoughts for so long now. IT HAS PAYED OFF!

FABIO AND I ARE GOING TO LAKELAND! We got the email this morning, we were picked to do Freestyle...

I am so excited,  I could implode. The ride will be 8-10 hours long, we will leave Wednesday night around 10 PM to 12 AM to get there on time to check in... I am trying my best to get him prepared for the trip, physically and mentally.

We have 22 days before we leave,  got to get our Freestyle where we want it. He did wonderful Monday when we did some, he is great. I am sure we will do wonderful if I prepare in correctly and keep calm, confident and positive.

I've got some good ideas for our routine, but still need more ideas! Any ideas Friends?

Please continue to pray and send positive thoughts on our behalf for favor, confidence, inspiration and safety.

 

Here's some eye candy for you, I am studying equine physiology, and did a sketch of Bebe yesterday. It's not done, but here's the start!...

 

Thanks again Family! You are WONDERFUL!

 

XOXO

 

Mariah

Farrier time with Fred - Healthy Stride Endorsed Farrier

 

I cannot begin to explain all I learned within that time frame I had with Fred. I am truly blessed to have met Fred and Macs, what phenomenal teachers! This will be one of the things I will teach when I am a professional, I am inspired to become a Healthy Stride farrier now also. He has given me the tools to move forward and learn more... I can't wait to get my hands on those ponies. We'll all be at the Lakeland, FL Celebration together, and will have time to be together and pick out my own tools (since I need smaller equipment.) I can't wait to learn more and spend more time with him, and learning from him...

http://www.brother-fred.webs.com/

http://www.healthy-stride.com/

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Looking at Bert's alignment...

Testing the straightness of the trim with laser leveler...

Heating Starsky's foot with fire, softening the hoof...

How beautiful! From lame club footed horse, to a sound and happy hoof!...

 

How do I look in Fred's chaps?...

 

Looking Glass - Ray Hunt

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf,

And the world makes you King for a day,

Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that guy has to say.

 

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,

Who judgement upon you must pass.

The feller whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the guy staring back from the glass.

 

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,

For he's with you clear up to the end,

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test

If the guy in the glass is your friend.

 

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

 

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the guy in the glass.

WOW! Back to REAL life!

Life is back on track full blast! Sundance and I are having the time of our life, we are having so much fun getting ready for the Celebration in October.

We are playing with this every day... progression, progression, PROGRESSION!

Advanced Stick 2 Me at Liberty

Cantering draw at Liberty

Cutting Spins at Liberty

Trotting sideways towards me Online

Long line driving serpentines at canter, close to FLYING CHANGES

Backing and turning by tail, GOT IT DONE! Yes!

We've got the rearing on command down pat, (no pun intended) and the bowing on both sides are GREAT, perfect actually... Thanks Jesse for some suggestions on the flying changes! http://www.jesserpeters.com/

I found some pictures from this springs play day! Have a lookie, I LOVE these! Totally forgot about them!

 

We went to the mountains today and saw a museum with old trains and vehicles, it was VERY cool to see all the old things and thinking about how it was back then... I love heritage and tradition, I wish I could get a glimpse of what it was like back then...

Progress Updates and Course Registration

It is official! I just talked with Parelli and sent in my info through fax. I will be attending Fast Track #4 in Florida, that starts November 1, 2010. I am very happy with the timing, that will give me a just a short couple months to relax and prepare after graduating high school. I am excited about this school year, there is a lot to learn and it is going to be a wonderful year. I'm even designing and making my own graduation dress! I've got an 18th birthday party to plan too.

                        

Sundance and I are getting psyched about the Lakeland, FL Parelli Celebration, it is coming up quick, only about 1 month away. I wonder which class we will be picked for? I signed up for 3 savvies - Online, Liberty and Freestyle. My family, students and I will be going down together, it will be a blast. I think this is a great preparation ride for Sundance, as we will be traveling right near the Parelli Centers where he will be staying. So if he has any problems with such a long drive (8 plus hours), we can sort it out before the we start the courses... "Prior and Proper Preparation Prevents P-Poor Performance!"

As to Sundance's progress, we are doing very well! He can bow on both sides well now, and that seems to have helped a TON with our flying lead changes. We haven't  done much long line driving at the canter, I've just been testing his flying changes on the 22 foot line... which have been surprisingly much better. I've been doing a lot of stretching  with him lately too, to even out his sides. I think today I will start his long line driving program, really get him built up there. He is now rearing by mirroring on the ground well too, he's really starting to get it. Turning by the tail has been a little hard for him, but he is getting it... he is very good at turning his zone 4 to the right, now today we will start turning to the left.

In the latest Parelli Savvy Times, there is a VERY helpful article by Linda Parelli... "Bribe VS. Bonus"

                                                                   

I love this article, I need to read over it ten million more times, and then maybe I will get all I need out of it! Linda did a wonderful job of explaining the do's and don't's of using treats, and how the use of psychology is much more useful in most cases... but how treats are a wonderful bonus. It really helped me look at the world from a horses point of view. I decided to stop with the treats at the moment, and take on the character of an alpha-mare. My first horse, that I have had for almost 7 years now, is a mare and the alpha of the group. I have watched her manipulate and lead our herd for quite a while now, but never took on the role myself. Reading this article awoke my inner alpha mare! I am so glad I found her too. Now, I am digging at my horses mind... he is asking my so many more questions now, and I have gained a lot of respect from him.  I am paying a lot of attention to...

1. Act like a leader

2. Pay attention to thresholds, block them, allow him to ask for permission

3. Use LOW phases, real low, tiny mouse type low... then QUICK 234! BAM!

4. Keep a lower energy than him, cause him to keep his energy down until he feels he's about to burst with energy.

Those are all I can think of at the moment... just a couple of points I have picked up on. I really do feel like this is one of the "big stepping stone" moments in our progression, because you know... It's always our fault! My Fabio has just been waiting for me to  step it up. I look forward to going out everyday and seeing what we can accomplish now, I do believe I am out of the little rut I have been in. Life is much better from a queens point of view!

Be sure to take a peek at my NEW updated goals on the "My Life, My Dreams" page >>> http://moreonmariah.blogspot.com/

Take a look at my website also, if you have not visited it >>> http://www.mariahhelms.com/

Keep up with me on Twitter too! It's free >>> http://www.twitter.com/MariahHelms

Let's Get to It!

Hey family!

I just got back from the beach, and am very excited! Life is coming back on full throttle.

School, horses, choir and dance are really all picking back up next week, I'm even finally getting my drivers license this Wednesday! Please be sending positive thoughts and prayers towards that. I have also been picked as a chairwoman for our 80+ member high school choir, I will be coordinating all the social events. I signed up for this, as I think it will be a great way to learn to coordinate events and get used to a role in leadership, I believe it will be a great help for future professionalism. And dance, well, I took it up so I could be better for the horses... and it looks like it is almost as much of a passion of mine as the horses itself. Of course, the horses will always come first though. I've got a showcase and competition coming up soon, very excited about that. My last year of school, 12th grade, is coming up, and I am in the process of picking out all I want to do. I am home schooled, so even my time doing Parelli and teaching counts as school... Hmm, I'm going to make my science this year, about equine psychology or physiology....

Sundance is doing fabulous, I have written down all we are doing in our sessions at the moment... I needed to write down a plan, as we were getting sticky. I have always been spoiled with Parelli writing a plan down for me, detail for detail, and now I don't have anything much but those patterns... which are great! But there are OTHER things that need to be done and approved on whilst doing those patterns.

Our sessions this week look like...

Bowing on both sides - Sundance knows how to bow on his left side, YIPPEE! Well, that means his right side is all stretched out and nice, right? Well, we can't have a one sided horse can we? That means he can't pick up both leads correctly, doesn't it? Now, I am doing an exercise to stretch out the other side, so now he will bow on BOTH sides.... it was fabulous last night, we will put it in concrete this week.

Turning while backing with tail - Fabs already knows how to back up with the tail, matter of fact, I don't even have to touch his tail, I just have to lower my energy and he will back up... now we need to refine it... let's turn too! We've already been working on it, we are going to try and finish it up within the next few sessions.

Cantering on Long lines - (In Horseman's halter, and two 22 ft lines) I think this will really help him stretch his sides and gain control at the canter, I'm almost doing a "Hill Therapy" type program with this. I believe this will really help him become more balanced... this will be a bit boring for him, so I am going to have to really get good at my TIMING... Which quality is that in the "10 Qualities of a Horseman"? Who ever gets the answer, gets a cookie! No cheating either, don't go look it up!

Fine tune FREESTYLE - Haven't done carrot stick riding in a while, we both need to get back to that and refine our skills... will be playing with a million transitions and his lightness to my raising and lowering my energy. Want to get to where I don't need the carrot stick, just the savvy string for safety.

I'm glad I am writing these down, keeping MYSELF, in check... when I get all of these tasks where I think we are ready to move on, (which should be very soon!) I will inform all of you on how they went and what we learned and write down our next building block onto these tasks... let's see how far we can go? Let's get to it!

XOXO

Mariah & Fabio

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An Evening in Paradise

Pictures fresh from yesterday afternoon!

If you click, they should enlarge.

These are of my Grandad, on Bebe. Me on Fabio and some of the babies...

My baby, Mocha!..

My favorite, cantering with contact...

Just for You!

I haven't taken a video in a while, and decided to take a little one of us just fooling around at Liberty.

In this video...

Circling game with attempt to flying change
Backing by tail with turns - Just learning
Kick the Ball and Sideways over Ball - Sundance's spark of excellence, he decided his soccer beating skills should be shown! I think he did a good job of adding his own spice.
Mirroring - Legs
High five - Legs
Stick to Me

There's no dash or flash, just having fun together in the arena... working on some little things. No editing, no music... just true blue us in a regular daily session.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqfqnUMppHY

I hope you enjoyed it!

XOXO

Mariah & Fabio

The Blueprint is Laid

Okay, we've got a concrete plan here with my courses, et cetera.

I will be taking Fast Track #4 in Florida, starting November 1, 2010 and ending 16 days before my 19th birthday.

There are quite a few things I want to do before then, and I want to enjoy every minute...

Graduate Level 4 - If I were to take the fast tracks in the spring, I would go with my green string. I want to hit all this head on very well prepared, with a black string on my side. Besides, I will still be a young 18 years old when I take! My goal was to take when I turned 18.

I am going to finish up high school, at a normal rate. No rushing, I am going to enjoy my last year here! I will graduate April - May 2010.

Get my license and become well accustomed to driving and traveling... I need to be well prepared for that, since I will be traveling a lot to get there.

If I wait a little longer too, I will have more time to save up money.

I also want to pursue some of my dancing goals, do a couple of competitions before I do this Professional task head on.

I want to get some more savvy in all areas under my belt before I leave to pursue this head on, and I know that I won't be pushed for time. The timing is coming a long perfectly, and I can't wait to see how far it takes me.

I was reminded by a song by Trace Adkins, "Your Going to Miss This"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG9XfJxMY8A

I am still young, and I won't get these next few months back... ever again! My whole life will be spent as a professional, and a wife, maybe a mom and so on and so forth. I need to step back and enjoy it, accomplish as much as I can. I still have my goals being accomplished at the right times, taking the courses at 18 and becoming a professional between 19 -21 years of age. I will take the 12 week extern program in the spring of 2011 in Florida, and go ahead and get my two stars!

So, now everything is in place and going just as planned. Just a little better though! Now I have time to enjoy my last year of high school, and get my black string without stressing and aggravating Sundance with that goal. I am taking the time it takes with this, and it has always been rewarding! Are you ready for this friends? It's going to be a bumpy, yet rewarding ride.