Anything like the TRT method, but written down?

[danhelm441]

I have this problem with all these online training resources where I watch video after video — thinking I have absorbed SO much knowledge — and then I get out there with my horse and just absolutely bomb. Mind blank, can’t remember the steps I was supposed to follow, definitely can’t get the results.

I feel like it’s because so few of these videos just straight up tell you “do this, don’t do that.” Don’t get me wrong, I know timing and feel are essential … but definitely not as essential as the actual steps for what to do. For example, in a recent free TRT webinar with a mare with a rearing problem, he spent a lot of time just standing in a round pen staring at her. When she would get that far-off anxious look in her eyes, he would crouch down toward her haunches and flick the rope and basically get her to disengage her hind. But at no point was he SAYING any of this. He was talking about having “useful information” to help her “in her body” and find calmness in herself, etc, etc. all nice thoughts, and again I appreciate that training isn’t strictly formulaic, but sometimes you just need a formula — or at least a template.

And if you look REALLY closely at these trainers and read between the lines, you can see what they are actually, physically doing. But it’s hard to ever get the condensed, step-by-step explanation. And somehow I only remember bits and pieces (like how Warwick Schiller emphasizes getting the ear flick, or Clinton Anderson does quick direction changes to get their feet moving, or the Featherlight Horsemanship chick runs next to her horses and gets them to mirror her energy/pace in kind of an evolved join up). I’m curious if anyone has found a written resource that states some of these principles in clear, step-by-step fashion. A good example is a book like common sense horsemanship by Vladimir littauer. I really liked that book, but it doesn’t have much content re: problem behaviors and groundwork.

[Scribbler]

I think it’s hard because that kind of groundwork is largely intuitive, like dancing in couples. Obviously you need a large repertoire of tools and moves, but in the instance you just need to be in the moment with your horse and not overthinking it.

Practice getting into the zone on little things

[Heinz_57]

There actually used to be a PDF summary type document you could download at the end of each TRT method module… but I haven’t seen them since they restructured and revamped the whole system a while back. Poking around, I can still find one at the end of the ‘Tools’ module - plus a transcript of the whole thing - but not for any of the others.

[danhelm441]

What! I’ll take it Can you kink it or is it behind a pay wall?

[Heinz_57]

Access is behind the pay wall, of course. It is a downloadable document but I wouldn’t be comfortable putting it out there in the free world, personally. They do offer a 7 day free trial, the website says it doesn’t involve entering payment info and cancels automatically so it seems to be pretty risk-free.

[Djones]

I’m reminded of what Ray Hunt wrote on my ballcap that he autographed:

“Think!”

[danhelm441]

Yes, totally fair. I’ve done the free trial before, so it’s on me I didn’t take advantage and download materials while I could.

[lenapesadie]

Warwick Schiller has a flowchart. I’m not sure if it’s part of the free materials or not

[danhelm441]

@lenapesadie

Warwick Schiller has a flowchart. I’m not sure if it’s part of the free materials or not

Oh yes, I have that one tattooed on my forearm. Just kidding. But yes, I know that flow chart and that’s definitely the sort of thing I’m looking for.

[Pezanos]

I find Katy Negranti has the most systematic course and clearest explanations for this type of things. She’s a colleague of Warwick Schiller so says much of the same stuff, just more clearly imo. I found it much easier to follow and things are broken down into steps.
https://katynegranti.thinkific.com/

[Casey09]

I really need to read things and then watch the video of the theory in practice. Watching a video alone just doesn’t get me as far as taking notes.

[danhelm441]

@Casey09

I really need to read things and then watch the video of the theory in practice. Watching a video alone just doesn’t get me as far as taking notes.

Same! Also I’m usually multi-tasking when I watch these videos, so if they aren’t narrating what they are doing, I tend to miss it. It’s rare I can just sit down for 30 continuous min and watch something. But the talk track tends to be unrelated to what they are actually physically doing.

[PaddockWood]

I’m just the opposite. I prefer video - to hear and see the ideas in action. Break what you want to go “do” down into smaller steps. Just like training horses. Do that for yourself.

Video the video you are watching. Start small. Tristan moves the shoulders where they step behind. Just watch that small bit and work on that. Know you will suck at it the first 10 times. It takes time. Be easy on yourself…just like we are with our horses. You and your horse get it - do it a couple times and call it a day. Celebrate it and big praise to both of you.

Get a video of the next thing you want to master. The hind legs stepping under, him using his hand on their side to move them.

Whatever it is. Capture a small bit on video, go out to the barn. Play it. Do it. Play it again. Do it again. Really watch the detail of Tristan’s body movement, the horse. Then do it.

I did that recently with the Dressage Rider Training stretches that show up on Facebook. I video’d the small set she posted. Get on the floor and play two seconds. Do that stretch. Suck at it. It hurts. Move on and do all the stretches. Do it every day and in a week - voila! it doesn’t hurt and I’m getting the technique down. And I feel better!

Let me know if this resonates with you and if it works, ok?

I love love love TRT and Featherlight and their approaches and you’ve just got to be easy on yourself. You are learning - just like your horse.

[PaddockWood]

The other thing I’d point out that you probably already notice about them is SUPER zen. They are kinda slo mo ya know? Get into that mindset. I think of Yvet slowly using her flag when asking a horse to back up. And the horse doesn’t move their feet.

[dr5627]

Warwick Schiller has a book, I haven’t read it but you may find it useful

[Gardenhorse]

Clinton Anderson has a book also. And of course John Lyons has multiple books.

[Casey09]

I agree completely!
I tend to think I can multitask during a video, especially if there’s a slow moment. When I get interested in reading a theory, I tend to highlight and jot down notes and stay more engaged, and then watching a video helps me see that theory applied.

[Guyot]

OP where are you located?

[danhelm441]

X cX.