Presence: My First Ride

Posted by Jerry on Friday, September 18th, 2009

“Don’t saddle the the young horses in the barn because someone saddled Presence in here and she started bucking and about jumped through the plate glass window into the office” was one of the first comments I heard about Presence even before I knew her name. Little did I know that she would end up being mine.

The second time I heard her mentioned was when Pat asked if there were any problems with the horses that he needed to know about. One of the externs spoke up and said that Presence bucked every time you saddled her. The reason I remembered her name this time was because just minutes earlier I had looked on the board and realized she had been assigned to me for the week.

After the meeting I went out to do my assigned chores and when I came back to start my horsemanship time an extern told me she had groomed Presence for me but she bucked like a fiend when she saddled her. I thought to myself “What have I got myself into here” and then told the extern, “Don’t saddle her, just groom her and let me saddle her so that I can help her through this.” I knew I needed to take it slow and see what was going on inside the mind of this little horse.

My first play session with her I took it slow but at the same time I pushed her a little to see how she would react. On the ground she did great and she seemed to have gotten past the bucks.

When I went to get on her all the comments came flooding in. “She’s really sensitive”, “she bucks when you saddle her”, “has she bucked yet” all just comments but enough to make you think twice about putting your leg over her. Needless to say, I took a little extra time with my pre-ride check before getting on. She seemed good and it was now or never and I got on.

The first thing I noticed was she didn’t argue with me. If I asked her to go right she went right, no muss, no fuss. I brought the life down in my body she slowed with no hesitation. No pushing or pulling and she seemed to want to obey, what a pleasure. From that first ride I was hooked. I never had a problem from that point on or had a second thought about riding her.

Anyway Presence is now mine. She was part of the Parelli Dream Horse Program and now she is in my Dream Horse Program.

I’ll share more about her in later posts so keep tuned in…

Tags: horse training, natural horsemanship, Parelli Horses, Parelli Instructor

Filed in My Parelli World,Parelli Horses | 19 responses so far

19 Responses to “Presence: My First Ride”

Ingrid henigaron 19 Sep 2009 at 1:48 am 1

She is simply beautiful.
Jessica Adamson 19 Sep 2009 at 2:12 am 2

She is gorgeous!! How wonderful!
Jerry, can you tell us more about the “Dream Horse Program”??
Can’t wait to hear more!
~Jessica
Kathy Craigon 19 Sep 2009 at 2:26 am 3

Hi Jerry!

Presence is a beautiful girl and you two look great together! Is she coming back to Florida with you?
Laurie Putthoffon 19 Sep 2009 at 2:33 am 4

Jerry, how exciting to have a new horse, much less a Parelli Dream Horse! I think Presence is lucky to have connected with you. I am very interested to hear how you helped Presence so she would not feel like bucking with you. One of my two horses still has bucking issues and bucked like crazy with just the bareback pad on a couple of days ago (I was on the ground). I look forward to talking with you when you get to Kansas. Hope to see and Presence soon.

Laurie Putthoff
Tonganoxie
Jerryon 19 Sep 2009 at 2:34 am 5

Kathy

Yes, she is coming to Florida. I pick her up tomorrow and we will leave Colorado on Tuesday. I have big plans for her which I will be sharing over the next couple of weeks.
Jerryon 19 Sep 2009 at 2:44 am 6

Jessica

The Parelli Dream Horse Program is a program where horses spend time at Pat’s barn and are developed by the protgee’s, interns and visiting instructors with the idea to sell them. The money that is raised is then put into the Parelli foundation scholarship fund.

Many of these horses have either come from the Atwood Ranch or were born on the Parelli Ranch.

Presence is by Liberty Major and out of Varmit one of Pat’s older brood mares that was by Salty Doc.
Jerryon 19 Sep 2009 at 2:45 am 7

Ingrid

I think so too!
Nancy Nesson 19 Sep 2009 at 3:08 am 8

Dear Jerry… Presence is one very lucky horse to have you. I can’t wait to hear more about her and how your relationship developes.
Have you determined what her horsenality is?
I’m intrigued. Will you be using the new horsenality/personality program that is being developed?
Congratulations! She’s a wonderful addition to your herd.

Yours, Nancy Ness, smiling
Peggy Finnertyon 19 Sep 2009 at 3:09 am 9

Hi Jerry!

Thanks for the email and all the news. I congratulate you on your new partnership with Presence. I look forward to seeing you and Bonnie this winter.
Peggy
Normaon 19 Sep 2009 at 9:52 am 10

Jerry!

Congrats on your partner!

Thanks for sharing your story about Presence. Its great that we can all relate to one another as we share our journeys, triumphs and experiences.

Norma
Marilyn Ganahlon 19 Sep 2009 at 11:33 am 11

Hi Jer,
Congrats on the new girl in your barn. I am sure Roget will be excited to meet her! Looking forward to seeing you guys soon in Florida…will be down the 15th for a few days.
Marilyn
ann keesleron 19 Sep 2009 at 11:48 am 12

Hello Jerry,
Yes congratulations on your new horse! Shes beautiful!! Count and I look forward to seeing you and Bonnie back in fl! Thanks Ann keesler
Ellen Byerson 19 Sep 2009 at 12:40 pm 13

Jerry, she’s lovely and you two look perfect together. Can’t wait to hear your plans for her. Ellen
Sueon 19 Sep 2009 at 11:15 pm 14

Way to go Jerry ! I saw Presence go bucking out of the barn (and nearly through the glass door!)that day… Wow.. I am so happy you have her, congratulations she is a lovely mare I wish you many happy hours with her. Looking forward to seeing you and Bonnie upon your return to Florida.
Lynn Turckon 20 Sep 2009 at 10:23 am 15

Hi Jerry, She is lovely as so many have said. How old is she? Are you going to use her in your lessons? My 3 year old arab is doing well, I haven’t been on him yet, so I’m interested in how you are progressing with your girl.

ZZ is doing better and better, still miles from the “perfect” horse, but now, fun rather than terrifying to ride!!!

see you soon, Lynn & ZZ [what about meeeeeeeeeee, STARMAN]
Tammy Websteron 21 Sep 2009 at 12:26 pm 16

Wow Jerry…You look like you have slimmed down. Your new horse is beautiful! Good match.
Kathy Eddyon 21 Sep 2009 at 7:15 pm 17

Thanks for sharing with us, I am looking forward to hearing about your progress with this beautiful mare, she is so fortunate to be with you. I hope we can do another clinic in Colorado next summer, take care and enjoy our wonderful journey. Sincerely Kathy Eddy
Jenelle and Kaytlinon 21 Sep 2009 at 11:26 pm 18

Presence is sooooo lucky to have you in her life. (as you are with her.. all the things you will teach each other!) Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and journey with us… it is so great to hear success stories that start out so confusing and end up so “clear”… Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures…
Sueon 24 Sep 2009 at 11:45 am 19

Hi Jerry.
It would be great if you could blog about Presence’s progress and what you are working on, I am sure everyone would love to hear from you! and it would be a help for others with young horses to get an idea on how you can move on with a young horse and not get stuck in playing the same thing over and over!…..you have some great ideas!