๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐: ๐๐ผ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐?
Have you ever noticed a sense of hurry in your steps as you approach your horse?
That hurried pace can resonate more deeply than you might think. Horses are sensitive creatures, finely tuned to our emotions and rhythmsโ๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฒ ๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐, ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐ถ๐โ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
๐๐ฒ๐'๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ง๐ผ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ:
Do you find yourself in a hurry when you approach your horse?
When saddling up or grooming?
Each hurried moment is a missed opportunity for connection.
๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ,
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ป๐ผ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ?
๐ฆ๐น๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ป, ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ,
๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ.
Next time you head out to the paddock, ask yourself: "๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐บ๐ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐?"
๐๐ฒ๐โs ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ต๐๐๐ต๐บ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐โs๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ.
Please share your thoughts below ๐ me with your experiences and insights.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ slow down and sync with your horse's natural rhythm?
๐๐ฒ๐'๐ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฒ๐ฎ
Do you have a sensitive horse? I get told "my horse is very sensitive " all of the time, Which I think yep they are horses, they have reactions faster than cats, and they have so much meaning in our lives because of their horseness.
Ever notice how a small adjustment can make a big difference? ๐ค
Today, I want to share a little tip that can profoundly impact your riding: Dropping your wrist.
Ever notice how a small adjustment can make a big difference? ๐ค
Today, I want to share a little tip that can profoundly impact your riding: Dropping your wrist.
๐ฆ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐!
* ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ด๐ด๐น๐ฒ with keeping balanced when your horse spooks?
* ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ and feet seem to have a mind of their own?
Here is a snippet from a video from the course. We delve deep into these common riding challenges, explore what actually happens, and ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
Embark on a transformative journey to find comfort and confidence in the saddle. Enrol in our online course today to access a wealth of resources, including videos, PDFs, twice-weekly Zoom calls, and various insights and exercises designed to elevate your riding experience. By enrolling, you'll work on the skills and confidence to improve your horse riding experience.
The profound awareness of the participants in this morning's Zoom call is awesome, and we have just started.
I love it!!
They are feeling this already; imagine how our horses will feel!
Type 'saddle' in the comments, and I will send you the link to start your journey to becoming a better rider today!
๐ฆ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐!
* ๐๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ด๐ด๐น๐ฒ with keeping your ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ป ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด?
* Do you find ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ in the stirrups?
* ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ when you push into your stirrups?
* Do you notice yourself popping or lifting out of the saddle?
Here is a snippet from a video from the course. We delve deep into these common riding challenges, explore what actually happens, and ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ.
Embark on a transformative journey to find comfort and confidence in the saddle. Enrol in our online course today to access a wealth of resources, including videos, PDFs, twice-weekly Zoom calls, and various insights and exercises designed to elevate your riding experience.
Type saddle in the comments, and I will send you the link
Meditation in Movement ๐
A little bit of Rhythm for the day, G.
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐: ๐๐ผ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐?
Have you ever noticed a sense of hurry in your steps as you approach your horse?
That hurried pace can resonate more deeply than you might think. Horses are sensitive creatures, finely tuned to our emotions and rhythmsโ๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฒ ๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐, ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น ๐ถ๐โ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป.
๐๐ฒ๐'๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ณ๐น๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ง๐ผ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ:
Do you find yourself in a hurry when you approach your horse?
When saddling up or grooming?
Each hurried moment is a missed opportunity for connection.
Do you carry hurry in your stride,
When you approach your noble ride?
Slow down, take time to make time,
Your horse deserves the pause, sublime.
Next time you head out to the paddock, ask yourself: "๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ต๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐บ๐ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐?"
๐๐ฒ๐โs ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ต๐๐๐ต๐บ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐โs๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ.
Please share your thoughts below or DM me with your experiences and insights.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐ slow down and sync with your horse's natural rhythm?
Let's learn from each other and deepen our bonds with our beloved horses.
๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ ๐๐น๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐พ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ
Have you ever thought of horse training as climbing an ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐น๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ ๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฝ?
Regardless of how you visualise it, the ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒโ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐โ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ with your horse, whether on the ground or under saddle.
Today, as I observed my horses, particularly Allure who arrived quite unbalancedโphysically, mentally, emotionally, and spirituallyโI was reminded of the ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐๐. Starting with ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, ๐ถ๐ป-๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, and even ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, we tackle each challenge step by step. Allure's journey, from a state of imbalance to a flourishing equine, is a ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ผ ๐ฎ๐น๐น.
We worked the square. By keeping turns gentle and straight paths
The Clinic Dojo
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ท๐ผ: ๐ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐บ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Ever found yourself ๐ณ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ, maybe even getting it ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ? I know I've been there! Itโs not just a little awkward; itโs a moment when you really feel for your horse. Imagine that halter twisting uncomfortably, even into their eyes, as they flinch away, anxious and unsure.
Iโve seen this happen too often, and itโs why I created our ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ท๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐. These arenโt just any training sessions; they are a ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ and practice without your horse looking on. Here, you can make all the mistakes, learn from them, and grow without any stress on your equine friend.
By practicing horse-free, youโll not only refine your techniques but also ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐'๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด. As we like to say,
"๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ฏ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ธ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ ๐ฒ๐ป๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐, ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ฟ๐ป ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐น."
This philosophy has transformed many of our participants, who share things like, "๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป
๐๐๐ธ ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ด
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ
A question from Kelly.
"I have a mare who is nine years old and still hates having her back legs handled. I can rub her with a stick, string, lunging whip, etc, and she's fine. It's when my hands shift on her legs that she seems to get alarmed and jerks her leg. She is the same with the farrier, and I'm always super conscious of her hurting him (which she has done a couple of times). When I see her expression, it looks to me like fear. She sometimes shakes, gets very tense and holds her breath. If I give her treats for the "tries" that helps but it's still really hard for her. Any tips would be appreciated."
Thank you for your question and for your dedication to understanding and helping your mare with her discomfort around having her back legs handled. I know you're already doing a great job observing her reactions and trying to make the experience positive with reassurance and treats.
Your mare's behaviour suggests that she may have had past experiences that left her feeling fearful or anxious about her legs being touched. It's crucial to address these fears gently and gradually to help her build trust and confidence.
She could have had an experience in a swamp or maybe crossing water as a youngster, where her legs were taken out from under her. She may have felt caught while crossing a swamp or boggy area. This in itself takes away their balance and, in that, the feeling of safety.
I will tell you a couple of stories that might explain this a little from the horse's perspective.
๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด. She had been very lightly handled, just enough to halter and lead slightly to load on my horse Float to bring her home. Right from the start, she was uncomfortable with her legs being handled. I could gently rub her all over until my hand was approaching her knees. It was then
Meditation in Movement ๐
Meditation in Movement ๐
A little bit of Rhythm for the day, G.
Have you ever considered your relationship to resemble a tranquil lake?
The calm water reflecting the beauty of nature around it, mirroring the banks and trees on its shores.
But what happens when a stone skips across its surface?
How do those ripples affect you?
How do they affect your horse?
Sometimes, it's not the stone causing the ripple. Sometimes, it's a feeling within, quietly simmering below the surface.
Do you prefer your horse to be still and follow your lead, even when they might be struggling inside?
Recognising those ripples just below the surface before they become choppy or turn into waves is crucial.
Let's talk about those hidden ripples.
Your thoughts and experiences are valuable, so please share them below!
We're all on this journey of understanding together.
I had a question this morning regarding registering for a clinic. For one of the clinics, you will text the host to register, as this is her preferred method, and for the others, you will fill out the registration page.
I have taken a short video to run you through the hows!
Notes from between the ears โMake Time to Take Timeโ.
Notes from between the ears โMake Time to Take Timeโ.
Ever wondered where to start each day with your horse? It's all about the habits you cultivate and the consistency you bring to each interaction.
Each morning, I begin by grounding myself. It's about being present, centred, and fully engaged with my horse. We're in this together, but each day brings its own journey, challenges, and joys.
I walk to the paddock, halter in hand, and take a moment to connect. This time is sacredโit's just me, my horse, and the present moment. I observe her, I listen to her, and I acknowledge where she's at today.
Haltering isn't just a mundane task; it's the cornerstone of our relationship. It's where the foundation is laid, where a connection is forged. And I approach it with fresh eyes every single day, no matter how far we've come.
Starting at the beginning never gets old. The basicsโthe so-called "simple" stuffโare the building blocks of something greater. Each day, I strive for better basics, for a stronger foundation that will carry us forward.
But progress isn't about pushing relentlessly forward. It's about asking for more, yes, but also about listening, observing, about understanding. It's about refining our communication, honing our skills, and deepening our connection.
Consistency is key. It's the thread that weaves our days together, the glue that holds our progress in place. And through consistency comes observationโthe ability to truly see and hear each other, horse and human alike.
So, take the time it takes. โMake Time to Take Timeโ. Because in this dance between horse and human, every moment counts.
**Notes from Between the Ears** "Finding That Balance Is Key"
**Notes from Between the Ears**
Finding That Balance Is Key.
Let's dive into some thought-provoking insights today.
Where do you begin each day with your horse?
What are your habits?
Are you consistent?
Consistency is key.
It's about observation, habits, emotions, and energy.
Let's explore:
**Observation** Take a moment to truly see and hear your horse. They have a lot to say if we're willing to listen.
**Consistency** Are your actions predictable? Do you approach your horse with the same energy every day?
**Emotions** What emotional state are you in when you're with your horse? Remember, they can sense it, too.
**Being Enough** Reflect on times when you felt you weren't enough. Let's not project those feelings onto our horses. They can only be themselves, just like we can only be us.
We all strive for improvement, but let's also acknowledge when we and our horses are enough. Share your thoughts below or send a PM. Let's support each other on this journey of growth and understanding.
Remember, it is a fine line between pushing too hard and not pushing enough.
Finding That Balance Is Key.
Herd Update Alert! Just rolled in from the Hamilton Work In-Hand Clinic. No time wasted โ the first order of business: checking on my crew!
Had to unite the two small herds of boys due to some water issues with the drought. Been plotting this merger since the start of the year, and it's finally go-time. These boys have been neighbours, not besties. Centauri, not the biggest horse fan, took his sweet time warming up, but now? He's the muscle, the protector, the tough uncle for the yearlings.
Evo's been hanging around, but Centauri's not yet handing out friend cards. Two months in, and Evo's still on the outskirts.
Combining herds ain't a walk in the park; it's a time game. Check out the pics โ what do you spy with your horse-savvy eye?
Notes from Between the Ears
Everything from the foundation grows
This morning, I spoke with Lockie from โEmotional Horsemanship. " If you're unfamiliar with him, I recommend checking him out - he's a very cool guy with much to offer.
Our conversation inspired me to get out from under the rock I've been hiding under. It might take some effort to push myself out, and I might even roll the rock back on top of me a few times, but that's okay.
We talked about fear during our conversation, though we touched upon many other topics. Fear is a significant issue, and I recall being at a clinic with Dr Deb Bennett, where she discussed it. She mentioned that there is a hormone associated with courage, โThe Courage Hormoneโ, that can sometimes leave us, though this isn't always the case. Many women, and perhaps men too, experience fear without any prior accidents or injuries that would explain it. This is distressing for them, and we discussed it in detail. Personally, I haven't experienced this fear yet, but I know it's a possibility.
I feel confident and comfortable when I'm on a horse. Comfort and confidence are essential when riding. You can also gain a lot of confidence by riding from the ground up. I do a lot of groundwork with my horses to ensure that they are strong enough to ride with me. Giving them the time they need and building a strong foundation is crucial.
Confidence is key and something we can build, both in the saddle and on the ground.
Taking the time for foundational work, both for ourselves and our horses, is crucial. Whether it's riding from the ground or focusing on building strong fundamentals, it all contributes to that unshakeable confidence we crave.
So, next time you're feeling stuck or scared, remember โ it's all about those foundations. Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep riding toward your dreams! Who's with me?