Name that Movement?

[JRW]

I write out training plans for my critters and there is always something on it that says "Brad Cameroning" It makes me feel self conscious to write it. But it's a great exercise and I have all my animals practice it and if they get me nervous when I am riding them, I jump off and we do a little "Cameroning"

I call it that because Brad Camerons Mulemanship I video has him training it in detail. I suspect it is very common. Yr buddy, Mr. Brannaman does it too.

http://www.teamroper.com/Education/Default.asp?Action=View&SubAction=EdArticle&ID=246

So..... what should it be called? Frank Bell does something similar (but not quite identical) that he calls The Dance. Well, being Brannaman fans, you probably do it and have a name for it.

What do you call it? I need a name for it that is better than Cameroning.

Yrs,
JRW

[FrancaV]

Um, groundwork? OK, how about ... hindquarters/forequarters on a circle?

Maybe I should let somebody else put names to groundwork exercises because when it comes to groundwork I just do what it seems like my horse and I need at the time. Maybe it's putting my horse on a circle, but maybe it's something else entirely; I've never thought to name any of the different things I do with my horse on the ground because ultimately they all have the same purpose. What I'd like is my "partner" in the dance listening to me and following my lead, without resistance because resistance spoils the dance.

The link you posted is great, obviously, since it originally came from Eclectic Horseman. :)

I'd like to highlight one of many great tidbits from it:

• When working your horse around you, be aware that you are not stepping back. This would encourage a horse to crowd you.

[reata]

THUD!!!!!
Reata picks herself up from the ground!!! Are we finally starting to get through to our mate JRW??? Gosh I hope so!!!
I have to go out and feed up now but .. stay tuned folks I will be back..
I just had to reward the try!! :)
BTW I call it following a feel!!! Directing the feet!! or just plain old ground work!!. There is a lot more going on than on there than just getting the horse to move around you on the rope.. I will be back!!!

[reata]

"By working on driving your horse past you and changing directions, you will establish influence over your horse’s feet. If you can gain some control from the end of the halter rope when you are on the ground, then you’ve got a good chance of controlling your horse when you get on their back. But if you can’t lead them with any kind of accuracy, you won’t have much luck riding them.”
"These maneuvers are helpful for young colts and seasoned saddle horses alike as is the foundation upon which you build all communication with your horse."
"Groundwork is preparation for riding, so be vigilant in keeping your horse’s feet moving lively and accurately."
“I want the horse to be able to walk around me in a circle with an arc in his body, one that follows the contour of the circle. His nose should be tipped slightly to me.”
"You are looking for the hindquarters to step over to the outside of the circle that he was traveling on by asking his inside hind leg to track under and in front of his outside hind foot."
"Your leading hand directs your horse. You will lift it to show him where you want him to go before you drive him forward."

I picked those points out of the article.. to me they are some of the most important points..

This is the DANCE!!! This is where it all starts.. You can never get too good at this. NEVER!!! There is always room for improvement..
You can't force the horse to get better at this.. You can't force the dance.. You have to give of yourself, become one mind and one body .. the horse gives of himself to you.. It is that moment when the dance makes sense to him and to you .. there is no drag .. you can pick up and place every foot.
Your both in the zone!!! your both of one mind and soul.
Its think harmony with horses.. Its true unity. Its a willing communication between horse and human .. its life !!!

[reata]

JRW said "I write out training plans for my critters"
JRW drop the training plans.. That is MAKING the horse/mule fit into your Ideas..Work WITH your horse and let him tell you what HE needs.. Have a plan but let it be flexible ..
JRW said "I have all my animals practice it and if they get me nervous when I am riding them, I jump off and we do a little".
Do you know WHY it helps the animal?? Because it feels good to them ..
They can move their feet.. They are flight animals and they need to move their feet...
JRW said. "I suspect it is very common."
Its plain and simple halter breaking.. Plain and simple groundwork.. Plain and simple following a feel.. Plain and simple separating the hind and the front.. Plain and simple directing the feet.. Plain and simple the most important thing you can do with your critters.. Its the building block for everything.. even collection ..
"Control the life in the body through the legs to the feet" RH
"Your arms and body are working in rhythm with his feet and legs" RH
"You are with him every stride" RH
"Your not working on the horse your working on yourself" RH
"The feet are in your hands" RH
"You have got to be one mind and one body" RH

[Weebonilass]

I practice this move a lot with my gelding, I've always referred to it as Hindquarters over, forehand through. Worked for me :)