"Discussions are always better than arguments, because an argument is to find out who is right and a discussion is to find out what is right"
It may be because it's the middle of winter and everyone is getting stir crazy but I have found myself repeating one version or another of this idea over and over to my students:
BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE.
Being proactive with a red mare may mean noticing the weather change that will make her back tight, making sure you wont shock her when taking her blanket off, or noticing a potential spooky thing and redirecting her attention before she sees it. Whatever it may be, it will work much better than reacting to her reaction. Belle is the queen of anticipation. She reacts to things that she as come across before, when I didn't notice it was a "thing" then she over reacts next time around. So I have learned to pay attention and know what's coming before it comes. Diffusing the bomb is much easier (and less stressful for her) than cleaning up the mess after the explosion.
BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE.
Being proactive with a red mare may mean noticing the weather change that will make her back tight, making sure you wont shock her when taking her blanket off, or noticing a potential spooky thing and redirecting her attention before she sees it. Whatever it may be, it will work much better than reacting to her reaction. Belle is the queen of anticipation. She reacts to things that she as come across before, when I didn't notice it was a "thing" then she over reacts next time around. So I have learned to pay attention and know what's coming before it comes. Diffusing the bomb is much easier (and less stressful for her) than cleaning up the mess after the explosion.
We have a horse here who is incredibly busy with his mouth. He puts the lead rope, reins, your arm, and whatever else he can find in it. Now, many of my girls who ride with me are incredibly high functioning, high achieving and high strung ladies. They are still learning how to diffuse the bombs ticking inside of themselves, and when you add an annoying little mouthy boy on top of all of that it can get tricky. Now, I love this horse because he is probably the most honest, most transparent (and super talented) guy I've ever met but that means that if you enter the partnership with a lot of baggage from the day or anxiety about life, then he won't know which way is up and he will react outwardly how his person is reacting inwardly. The girls get annoyed, defensive, etc. with him and the snowball builds from there. So, when you're heading out to fetch him from the paddock, be proactive and leave the baggage in the car. Don't force him or yourself to be reactive when he tries to nip you or runs away. Be proactive when leading him to the mounting block and keep those reins out of his mouth. Don't be reactive when YOU KNOW he's going to suck them up like spaghetti. And be proactive while riding him and be clear with your aids. Don't be reactive when he is going sideways down the long side because you're accidentally
in the position for traverse.
"Leaders think and talk about the solution.
Followers think and talk about the problem"
- Brian Tracy
All animals react either positively or negatively to all input in their lives. We are lucky that horses are generally so tolerant of us making super confusing mistakes, but doesn't that mean that we should work tirelessly to be clearer and clearer for them? Many of the "naughty" things that horses do are actually just reactions to our reactions. For a while it was like flying a bucking kite when bringing Belle in from the paddock. I couldn't understand why she was doing this Every. Single. Day. but then I realized that she was just remembering me getting annoyed with her and backing her up each day and reacting to that memory. Once I became proactive and promised her that I'd be quiet so that she could be quiet... she walked in like a lamb.
I am increasingly learning, mostly through watching my students learn it, how much you are a self fulfilling prophecy when it comes to your ride. So next time you zip your half chaps up, start the proactive thoughts then. Take a little more time so that in the end you wont create a reactive environment for you or your horse.
in the position for traverse.
"Leaders think and talk about the solution.
Followers think and talk about the problem"
- Brian Tracy
All animals react either positively or negatively to all input in their lives. We are lucky that horses are generally so tolerant of us making super confusing mistakes, but doesn't that mean that we should work tirelessly to be clearer and clearer for them? Many of the "naughty" things that horses do are actually just reactions to our reactions. For a while it was like flying a bucking kite when bringing Belle in from the paddock. I couldn't understand why she was doing this Every. Single. Day. but then I realized that she was just remembering me getting annoyed with her and backing her up each day and reacting to that memory. Once I became proactive and promised her that I'd be quiet so that she could be quiet... she walked in like a lamb.
I am increasingly learning, mostly through watching my students learn it, how much you are a self fulfilling prophecy when it comes to your ride. So next time you zip your half chaps up, start the proactive thoughts then. Take a little more time so that in the end you wont create a reactive environment for you or your horse.
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