15/12/2019
An Assumption Of Obligingness
"There is an underlying assumption of obligingness. Horses have been domesticated and bred to work for us for centuries. That's where the assumption comes from. The idea that horses should work for us or that aids should work is often the root of disappointments, frustrations, (and abuse) that we see many horses enduring. My belief is just the opposite. I think: None of this should work."
Many of you know I started my life as a horse rider and trainer - sometimes it helps to remember how amazing it is we can teach another species how to communicate with us, and that we can communicate with them, to teach them(and ourselves) to do things together.
Many riders don't enjoy the process of training or learning to ride dressage. Many problems come from riders demanding performance instead of appreciating effort. Learn how to enjoy learning and doing dressage by believing that it shouldn't work!
