by Linda Parelli on June 13, 2012
I don’t know what it is, but for some reason there are a lot of Left-Brain Extroverts in my life at the moment. Must be something I really have to study! The good news is that as I get better at explaining what it is they need, I’m a better teacher.
Recently, at the Horse and Soul tour stop in City of Industry, I was teaching the session on Horsenality™, and there were four horses that depict each of the quadrants. Susan Nelson‘s warmblood mare, Ellie, had been quite a challenge. They’ve made super progress over the past 18 months – good enough to be in the show, which is saying a lot actually. Susan sent me this update and I thought I would share it with you. At the tour stop, I was saying how you need to “rush” the Left-Brain Extrovert, give them lots to do, and then you’ll get their attention and they’ll want to do what you want. This is a beautiful demonstration of just that. Take it away, Susan: [click to continue…]
by Linda Parelli on May 9, 2012
The reason for this blog is that I keep hearing this comment: “People are using Horsenality™ as an excuse!” We’ve all heard people say “I can’t ask my horse to do this; he’s an introvert” or “She’ll always be crabby and bitchy because she’s a Left-Brain Extrovert!’”
Let’s be clear – knowing your horse’s Horsenality is not about being able to make excuses. It’s about bringing your full attention to this question: are you bringing out the worst or the best in your horse? Knowing about Horsenality means you have the inside scoop as to what it is your horse trusts and respects in a leadership style that would bring out the most positive behaviors. And when you know just how to approach your horse, it will help you make faster progress and get better results.
Let’s talk about introverts:
Introverts take time to process your request, either because they can’t do it or they don’t want to do it right away. Guess which is which!
Right-Brain Introvert – can’t do it. That’s because their emotions get in the way so their first reaction is stress, and stress makes them clam up and shut down until they trust you and can feel completely confident around you. Putting it in human terms, this is the Right-Brain Introvert mother who is both caring and effective with her children. She can think on her feet and do the right thing in the moment. But in another setting, she is tentative and easily intimidated. The more extroverted the situation, the more introverted the Right-Brain Introvert becomes. These horses are often called unpredictable, aloof, tense, and oversensitive.
Left-Brain Introvert – won’t do it. That’s because their opinion of you gets in the way – they think you are lower than them in the pecking order! These horses are often called stubborn, lazy, and arrogant.
When a horse is acting tense, over-reactive, stubborn, lazy, etc., that’s because the rider is bringing out those behaviors. Rushing an introvert will do this – not giving them time to think, and in the case of the Left-Brain Introvert, not being provocative enough at the same time. Note that “provocative” does not necessarily mean to do it faster! [click to continue…]
by Linda Parelli on April 4, 2012
Sometimes it’s really hard. It’s hard to watch horses being smacked and jerked around, being pulled in the mouth. It’s hard to witness their emotional confusion, stress and pain. It’s hard not to blame the human, to refrain from saying “you’re doing it wrong!”
But sometimes I am there and I just have to know that somehow I am part of this. Part of the problem and yet part of the solution. That book Zero Limits by Joe Vitale really puts it into words.
These past few weeks, I’ve seen more than I care to, and having that exposure presents a choice – criticize and condemn, or understand and educate. I choose the latter.
Sure, it’s hard at times. I get sad and mad, but somehow I collect myself and stop the judgment. Somehow it is perfect. I am renewed with motivation and am more passionate about our cause than ever.
