04/28/2024
When problems arise with our horses, it’s so easy to get pulled out of the moment. We can so easily get pulled into judgement of what’s happening (“this shouldn’t be happening”), judgement of ourselves (“I’m messing everything up!”), judgement of the horse (“he’s being stubborn”), and a million other directions. We have all been there- riding well is HARD.
But the truth is that these thoughts all pull us out of the moment and take away the only thing that matters in that moment - responding appropriately, without emotion. When we get wrapped up in judgement, emotions, and other messy but normal human habits, we stop guiding and being there for the horse.
Good riding and handling is all about being there to guide the horse, in the good moments and the bad, and to develop our awareness of ourselves, the environment and the horse all at once.
If it were easy, everyone would be doing it!