How riding can teach you to be better at_____________(fill in the blank) Example - compare some of these riding dilemas to life issues. You are working on a circle. As you come around your horse breaks down to a walk from the nice cadenced trot or nice jog you have had. You let them walk for several steps instead of quickly asking the horse to keep moving. Your coach has told you repeatedly to either kick, keep your leg on the horses side through out the entire circle - all of which you chose Not to do. You start again and - surprise - at the Same spot the horse breaks. Again , you stop riding. Now lets rewind... What caused the break down? As you came around the circle, you stopped riding, lost focus and took your leg off the horse. What did your horse do? Exactly... He quit, because he knew you quit. So, now while you are on your 5th try at getting a full circle of a trot, where is your horse going to break every time? Yes, in the same spot. Why, because now it is a game and learned. They won and they also know that you are Not in charge. Respect is gone. Now you have to work harder to earn it back. So, now after 5 more circles, while your coach has just decided to let you figure this out and tells you when You decide to take charge, sit up, focus and Ride, the horse will do what?? Yes - The horse will be happy to follow Your directions. Why - Because you have finally decided to give the Proper/correct cues for the Entire Ride. Form a Plan, Be Positive, Focus, Be Positive, Follow Thru , Success. My Students all know that when I put my foot in a stirrup to step up on one of their horses, I already have a plan. What is my plan? I know already what I expect in my ride. What I expect the horse to do. I sit down in the saddle, I have in my mind where I want to go and how I plan to set about getting there and at what speed I expect the horse to travel. When I move off to do a pattern, I know the pattern in my mind and have ridden it in my mind. There fore, I expect the horse to follow along as I guide them thru it. If the horse waffles, I quietly correct and put the horse back on course and go back to what I expect. Too many riders panic, grab a handful of rein and get themselves and the horse all riled up. Just quietly pick them up and put them back. You have to know which foot you want where, how to put it there and how to quietly put it back if its not where you expect it. Was the cue clear? Does the horse know this cue? Did you execute it correctly? How far before a cone or marker do you need to plan to get a stop or change in transition? Think. Think, Know, Execute. With a Clear Plan and thought process. Focus. Think. I will ask if they are on the correct lead or correct diagonal. Sometimes they are correct, but I ask anyway. Why - Because they need to be positive in whether they are or not. Our horses Tattle Every Day. Listen and they will tell you why they are responding in a certain way. If you are unsure, find someone who can interpret for you. But, you still have to Think, Have a Plan and have Follow Thru for Success. Now, how does any of this work in yrou every day life ??? Aha Moment......
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:56:37 +0000
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