Leslie Nichols Horsemanship - Recently Updated Pages

Leslie Nichols- Co-Founder of Evolve

LNH — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:20:55 CDT

Leslie Nichols is co-founder of Evolve, a company that services the equine industry. Evolve is intent on "evolving" the industry by bringing products and horsemanship principles and programs to the market that represent leading edge ideas.

Leslie Nichols is also the founder of The Connection Principle, which puts forth the philosophy that people and their horses are connected on many levels: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. The products, the ideas, and the services offered by Evolve reflect any one or a combination of these levels.

EQUICART- EVOLVE'S FIRST AND TRULY GROUND-BREAKING PRODUCT.

Spring of 2008, Evolve brought the incredible Equicart to the equine market, and the response has been nothing short of spectacular, exceeding even Evolve's admittedly high expectations. Equicart represents a brand new product category in the industry's effort to improve the health of the horse's joints and bones. Equicart's main differentiating ingredient is pure shark cartilage from Japan. Shark Cartilage halts inflammation to the joint immediately and the calcium in shark cartilage works to rebuild the joint. Equicart also features: Glucosamine Sulfate, Chondroitin Sulfate, Boswellia, Hyaluronic Acid, mixed chondroitins, glycosaminoglycans, antiangiogenic protein, trace minerals (manganese, magnesium, zinc, etc. with natural, marine variability in residual ash content.) and Organic Wheat grass for taste.

ALTERNATIVE TO "BUTE" WITHOUT DIGESTIVE SYSTEM UPSET

Perhaps the most exciting news of all: For the horses that require long-term help with controlling inflammation in the joints, Equicart offers a viable alternative to "bute" therapies. Equicart does not upset the digestive tract and can be used over the lifetime of individual horses.

PURE, POTENT HUMAN GRADE INGREDIENTS

Users of Equicart are surprised at how small the dosages are, and the reason is simple: Equicart is manufactured with human grade ingredients- a first for the industry. A small amount of Equicart delivers a large punch. Additionally, Equicart is ground into a very fine powder which is absorbed almost entirely into the horse's blood stream through the saliva in the mouth.

MESSAGE FROM LESLIE NICHOLS RIGHT ON THE LABEL

Turn the Equicart label to the back, and you will see this photograph of Leslie and the following quote: "When we help our horses, we help ourselves. When we help ourselves, we help our horses. And together, we.... evolve."

MORE REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCTS FROM EVOLVE

Look for Evolve's next product Equicalm in the winter of 2009 This incredible product will calm your horse's nervous system using all natural ingredients with the same human grade potency.

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship Home

LNH — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:56:57 CDT

Discover. Experience. Connect with the Passion.

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship is an original fusion of the spirit of natural horsemanship, the practices of classical horsemanship, and the constant influx of Leslie's innovative ideas.

Leslie Nichols looks at all methods... and questions all methods. She asks "Is there a better way?" a lot. And in asking, she gets better answers, better ideas, sometimes completely brand new ideas, to common challenges that arise between people and their horses.

Leslie Nichols is an innovator. She is an instructor. She is an ardent friend and teacher to the horse.

Leslie Nichols' passion is infectious, igniting a spark in everyone who works with her.

Leslie Nichols Relaxation Clinics

LNH — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:41:29 CDT

"Even the most anxious, stressed, and moody horse can become calm, quickly, and... on cue." -Leslie Nichols

Leslie Nichols is bringing her Relaxation Program in 1-day and 2-day Events to the industry through Evolve, a company of which she is also a co-founder. (For contact information for Evolve, see below)

The Leslie Nichols Relaxation Clinic is created specifically for the owners and trainers of anxious/flighty horses, challenging or traumatized horses, moody horses, green horses, nervous trail horses, stressed performance horses, injured horses, and much, much more.

The Leslie Nichols Relaxation Clinic is also created specifically for the handler/rider that is nervous around horses, situationally stressed (horse shows), highly emotional, intimidated by horses, suffered recent accident or event that undermines confidence, and much, much more.

In the Leslie Nichols Relaxation Clinics, participants will learn:

- The Relaxation Response, which drops the horse's adrenaline immediately.

- How to quiet the horse's nervous system and create deep and permanent changes to their nervous system over time in the Yoga for Exercises.

- The Quiet Presence with Horses leadership behaviors which position the handler/rider as "the esteemed one" using non-confrontational techniques, knowledge, calm, and creativity.

- A holistic and interconnected approach to riding using balance, posture, focus, grace of movement, and energy to produce relaxation in both the horse and the rider.

-How to apply The Relaxation Response in real life stressful situations.

- And much, much, more!

Check out these links to YouTube sitings and instructional videos posted on You Tube.

Leslie Nichols Relaxation Event, WestWorld September 14, 2008

TO BOOK A LESLIE NICHOLS RELAXATION CLINIC, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE CLINCIS, CALL EVOLVE AT: 1-562-889-3893

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: A New Persepctive on Fear

LNH — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:10:21 CDT

Fear is the cause of almost ALL erosion in the partnership between people and their horses. Our passion for horses amplifies these fears considerably because there's so much at stake to the individual emotionally.

People feel the need to dominate horses because they want to manage these fears and control outcomes. It is not possible to control another animal (or another person for that matter)- all animals are guided by their own wills.

While there is a very real (and rational) fear of physical injury or even death when we are with our horses, for most people, the most prevalent and the most difficult fears are ego-based fears.

Ego-based fears rise from the idea that ones sense of self is directly tied into our work with horses. There is anxiety, even anxiety unknown to us, that something should be occurring to satisfy our sense of self that is not occurring. This idea creates self-imposed expectations.

The outward expression of these expectations comes in language that uses words such as "should" (such as I "should" be cantering by now), and language that blames the horse for not meeting our expectations.

The outward expression of these expectations comes in doing activities with our horses that do not give us JOY.

Common Ego-Based Fears:

• Fear of loss of control and power
• Fear of looking less than our image of ourselves
• Fear of an animal getting the best of us (or of being more clever than we are)
• Fear of not knowing what to do in situations
• Fear of peers thinking less of us
• Fear of not being able to manage our bodies
• Fear of not being able to manage our emotions
• Fear of being on a learning curve
• Fear of not being a master of horses
• Fear of acknowledging that we need help; fear of asking for that help
• Fear of unrealized dreams and expectations
• Fear of passion; fear of the intensity of emotions that we we have with horses
• Fear of the commitment to the well-being of an animal
• Fear of not having special talents (fear of being ordinary)
• Fear of letting go of ideas that are not working
• Fear of falling in love with an animal
• Fear of discovering that horses are not as important to us as we thought they were

Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program

LNH — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:56:15 CDT

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship encompasses a broad philosophical and practical spectrum of ideas and methods for working with horses, but the foundation principle that underlies ALL of her horsemanship is that of relaxation of both the horse and handler/rider.

Leslie Nichols has developed a comprehensive and highly successful relaxation program for both the horse and handler/rider. The program goes beyond massage, touch, and breathing exercises by combining: in-hand exercises for the horse and handler in the tradition of classical horsemanship; relationship building groundwork with an emphasis on relaxation; and inter-connective riding exercises that transform both the rider and horse into a harmonious unit hallmarked by quiet communication and a fluid style of travel.

In her work with horses, Leslie developed these exercises, now called The Relaxation Response and Yoga for Horses, to calm horses: some traumatized, some angry; some highly nervous; so that she may reach them with her ideas more readily and more safely. Leslie went on to develop a relaxation program for the handler/rider to complement the changes that were occurring in their horses.

Leslie realized that while there are many philosophies and techniques for training, across all disciplines, there was a significant piece missing and that was relaxation. Leslie Nichols realized that she had developed a methodology that was not only powerful and transformational... but virtually overlooked from many modern training and horsemanship programs.

Be sure to read the attachments below on articles that Leslie Nichols has written on her Relaxation Program!

Be sure to read the "Studies" posted on this website on the Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program. Click on this wiki page to get to the "Studies" pages!

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: Intent on Innovation

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:53:57 CDT

COPY COMING!!

Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program Study: The Friesian

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:53:17 CDT

THE FRIESIAN: BUILDING THEIR BODY FOR WORK THROUGH RELAXATION

CHALLENGE The Friesian is world-renowned for their tractable temperament, and in most circumstances, relaxation of the nervous system, especially where flight is concerned, is not a significant challenge with these incredible animals. However, their statuesque conformation presents many interesting challenges to the handler and rider that are readily overcome or improved with the Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program.

PROGRAM The head up, alert position of the Freisian is a sight to behold, but this position strengthens the lower neck muscles and locks the jaw and poll. Leslie Nichols' relaxation exercises relax the neck muscles, which in turn allows the jaw and poll to release. The program teaches the Friesian to move in this released position, allowing the crest of the neck and the top of the shoulder to lift their neck and head while maintaining softness in the jaw.

The Friesian naturally wants to use its powerful shoulders and neck muscles, but it is necessary to teach this horse how to use their entire bodies to reduce the possibility of strain or injury. To prepare the Friesian for driving or riding, the Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program softens the Friesian's body by helping them move in a long and low frame so that they may strengthen their back and learn to carry the rider or pull a cart using their entire bodies.

Additionally, the Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program overrides this breed's tendency to clench their jaw and allow them to reach down into the bit for soft communication.

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: A Modern Perspective on Horses

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:44:09 CDT

-Horses are a cooperative species. When horses are resistant, they are not expressing their preferred state.

-Horses think in terms of "agreement" or "cooperation" not obedience.

-Horses will work to avoid something undesirable, but it is avoidance not cooperation. Brilliance only comes from cooperation and partnership.

-All of your horse's behavior is an expression of what the horse is feeling and thinking in that particular moment (especially about you and what you are doing). Observe it with the fascination that a scientist has for his subject.

-Horses make associations about what is happening around them and how it ties into their survival- every moment of their lives. They learn from these associations and remember the most important ones.

-Every moment we are with our horses is creating an association in our horse's minds between what is happening and how they feel about it. These associations, frightening or pleasant, make an indelible impression in their minds.

-Horses are "one-time learners," this ability allows them to learn a new idea in a very short session and remember it for the rest of their lives.

-When horses learn new ideas, this is a cognitive(thinking) process. It takes hundreds and thousands of repetitions for a learned idea to become a conditioned (neurological) response. A conditioned response must then be maintained for it to be 100% reliable.

-Teaching new ideas to the horse is a cognitive process. "Training" is the creation of a conditioned response. These are 2 separate activities.

-Horses need to both relax and expend energy/express their spirit. Learn to create each mode by understanding the physiology as well as drivers (which are tied into survival) of each mode and you will be able to call up relaxation as well as their spirit at will... and you will be able to shut either down at will.

-Show horses that you can help them, make them feel better, safer, and more relaxed, and they will give you their heart.

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: Riding with Incredible Lightness

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:39:19 CDT

COPY COMING SOON!!!

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: QUIET PRESENCE WITH HORSES Leadership Style and Techniques

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:17:48 CDT

COPY COMING SOON!

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship:Transformational Horsemanship

LNH — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:06:39 CDT

COPY COMING SOON!!!

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship: New Ideas about Teaching the Horse

LNH — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:42:21 CDT

-Inspire horses; don't ever tell.

-Teach horses to go TOWARDS what you want, not away from what you don't want.

-Doing nothing can be the single most powerful activity you do with your horse. (Doing nothing can be the single most difficult thing for humans to do with their horse.)

-The horse must be able to physically do the things that we ask of them. It is our responsibility to develop their strength, stamina, coordination, flexibility and improve their overall health. Like any athlete, this development takes years, not weeks or months.

-Develop your horse's body to perform certain movements and in time your horse will begin to offer these movements... on his own.

-5 minutes of positive and clear learning is far superior to 30 minutes of "fuzzy" learning.

-Be sure that your horse learns or improves 1 thing every time you work with him. A constant and endless series of "1-things" leads to great teaching and an incredible partnership.

-The amount of time you spend teaching your horse is not nearly as important as to what percentage of that time is real learning occurring. 90% of 10 minutes of positive learning is far superior to 20% of 60 minutes of the same. Why? Time spent working your horse in non-learning or "fuzzy" learning creates a habit of disharmony and a relationship based upon disconnection and miscommunication.

-Set things up to go well in small increments, and build on positive learning. Think less, not more. When a strong foundation for positive learning is set, you can then build on things in larger and broader steps.

-Do not "turn up the volume" with ideas and tools that are not causing the desired response to occur easily. Use more effective tools or ideas, quietly and creatively to cause the desired response with little effort from you, and without stressing your horse. Think "effective," not "big."

-The emotions of love and appreciation automatically lighten your presentation to your horse.

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship Principles

LNH — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:38:47 CDT

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship is grounded in intelligence, innovation, and inspiration. In a field of traditional techniques and modern philosophies, she is a "voice of reason." She is a "voice of innovation." Leslie Nichols' personal passion is the never-ending pursuit of: "There MUST be a better way to do EVERYTHING with horses!"

Leslie Nichols: "Too many times, I've experienced the marvel of instant learning with horses when an idea is presented a little differently, or sometimes in a totally new way. ANYTHING in our work with horses that gets in the way of this PHENOMENON must be improved. It is my passion to discover or create these improvements."

Leslie Nichols Horsemanship is an original fusion of Iberian Horsemanship, Vacquero Horsemanship, Natural Horsemanship and the constant experimentation and innovation of Leslie Nichols' new ideas.

Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program Study: "Ellie"

LNH — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:47:19 CDT

ELLIE, THE "SOMETIME" HORSE

HORSE Ellie, a nervous, 10-year old Arabian mare.

OWNER Very dedicated first time horse owner whose dream was to hop on her horse and ride in the desert.

CHALLENGE "Whenever I used to reach for her ears, she'd jump," says Ellie's owner. Just about everything else made this mare jump too. The Leslie Nichols Relaxation Program was needed to quiet Ellie's nervous generally, as well as manage her flight response in frightening situations.

PROGRAM Leslie Nichols taught Ellie The Relaxation Response on the ground and under saddle. For weeks and into months, Ellie and her owner practiced The Relaxation Response and the Yoga for Horses exercises over and over again. It was 3 steps forward, 1 step backward for this challenging mare, but they got there.

Over time, Ellie started to look different, her energy actually changed. She'd fall asleep standing tied, getting her feet trimmed didn't scare her anymore. The owner sums it up perfectly: "I used to say that Ellie was my 'sometime horse,' sometimes I could ride her and sometimes not. Now Ellie is myevery time horse. She's relaxed or I can use Leslie ideas to relax her every time I rider her. My dream to jump on her anytime has come true."