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[RC] traci Falcone article - Jasmine Cave

This is the article from Savvy Times.
Jasmine Cave

I am lost inside the mind and body of my horse. My
brain is telling me this can't be so, but we are bound
together in a way I cannot describe. We communicate in
silence. I see the course ahead and Prince willingly
takes me there. This is freedom and joy beyond
imagination.
How am I lucky enough to become so lost and so alive?
I became acquainted with Parelli Natural Horsemanship
in 1992. I had a horse I could not clip, deworm or
load in a trailer. I heard about a PNH instructor who
specialized in difficult horses and I sent my horse to
her. After a few weeks, and some personal instruction,
I could not only clip, deworm, and load my horse, I
could ride him on the trail in a halter. My PNH
journey was over (I thought). What else could I
possibly want?! This was beyond my wildest dreams.
Then, 3yrs ago, I bought a very spoiled, almost 4yo
arabian gelding named CCR Viking Prince. I could'nt
lead him down a trail without getting run over. I knew
I needed help or I was going to get hurt. I again
loooked to PNH for help. Lucky for Prince and me, I
was able to have a private lesson with 5 star premeir
instructor David Lichman. My eyes were opining. I
could see a path unfolding before us.
And now, after several PNH courses and lessons, and
meeting every Monday night at a community arena with a
supportive PNH study group members, I have learned the
importance of prior and proper preperation; of love,
language, and leadership. I have learned to think like
my horse-to be his partner, his leader. My attitude
changed. We are teaching each other. I am willing to
let go.
Now it was time to put our principles to a purpose. In
august 2003, we traveled to Bridgeport, CA to
participate in our second 50 mile endurace ride
together.
The afternoon before the ride, I lead Prince, at
liberty, to the area where he will be examined by a
veterinarian. He stands quietly in a long line of
horses while we wait our turn. The vet examines him
and then asks us to trot out and back. Prince stays
with me, and the vet comments, "very nice to see!"
Early the next morning, Prince and I start out the
ride with just a saddle and Savvy String between us.
We travel 50 miles together over steep, rugged,
mountain trails and glorious green pastures. We are a
team, listening to each other, trotting down the trail
with one mind, one body; time standing still. I am
exhilarated-overwhelmed with pride, respect,
gratitude, and love.


(Sidebar) About Traci and Prince
I haven't known Traci Falcone for very long, but when
I first heardher talk about her PNH experiences, and
watched the spark in her bright blue eyes, I knew that
her tale was worthwhile. She tells her stories
quietly, with gratitude.
What Traci dosen't write in her lovely prose is when
she first got Prince, he would occasionally lunge at
herwith teeth barred when playing the circling game,
and kick at her feet with his hind legs when she rode
him. Prince was far from being a docile pussycat. Over
time, PNH has transformed the horse, and PNH has
transformed the woman.
Since Traci wrote this story, she and Prince have
ridden 4 other 50 mile fides(2 bridleless)- calmly,
with complete joy. Her passive persistance in first
ridding Prince with the PNH hackamore, then a Savvy
String, then bridleless at a walk- all of that
foundation paid off, resulting in an eligant
cmmunication between horse and rider.
What Traci also dosen't tell you is that on her first
bridleless 50, she dropped her water bottle 2X and her
chapstick once. For those of us who have ridden
endurance it is always tempting to leave the item
there, blidly ignoring tham, because dismounting and
holding a horse while others go rushing by is rarely
fun, and trying to get back on a hopping four-legged
creature is even less fun. And then it's the
inevitable out-of-control gallop to catch up with the
others.
Because of the relationship Traci has developed with
Prince through PNH, she dismounted each time to pick
retrieve her articles, While Prince merely stood
quietly by her side, waiting patiently as horses
whizzed past. (remember- no lead rope, no reins)
What's equally amazing is that Traci told her riding
partners to go on while she retrieved her stuff. As
Traci mentioned, she even presented Prince
bridleless(liberty) at the Vet checks along the way.
Prince trotted when Traci trotted, turned when Traci
turned, and stopped when Traci stopped. The
veterinarians, I've been told by others, were amazed.
Traci's journey with Prince is captivating and
inspiring. The more I talk to people, it seems as
though every parelli story is a remarkable journey.
And , as with all journeys, it begins with just one
step....
Kate Riordan

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