Post by Calaminty Jane on Apr 11, 2009 9:25:25 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
Now that spring is here and we are all excited about getting out on the trails, I thought I would share some of my thoughts about safety. I want my horse to look to me for direction whenever we ride and particularly whenever there is adversity. Remember, these are just my thoughts.
I believe we all need to develop the muscle memory to ride every second we are on our horse. Folks often say, "I don't want it to be a job. I just want to ride and relax. You can do that ...... eventually. But first............
I give the analogy of driving a car. You can visit with a friend that is in the car with you and you can be driving relaxed and enjoying the scenery at the same time. However, because of the muscle memory you have developed by being conscious in the beginning of how careful you drive and over time, unconsciously careful, you, without thinking about it, never take your eyes of the road, you focus ahead, you never stop steering, you keep your foot on the gas and use it with feel and you are at the ready for any emergency to go to the gas, break or steering wheel. You are directing your car every second and never stop driving.
Just as you should be directing your horse every second and ... never stop riding with your energy and body. This just means that you are learning and practicing to use your body and energy whenever you are with your horse.. on the ground or under saddle…consciously .. As you develop the muscle memory, you can be with your horse in that same way.....unconsciously. If you do this, your horse will never feel lost and be guessing what to do.... or worse yet ..... believe he is driving.
Carol
Now that spring is here and we are all excited about getting out on the trails, I thought I would share some of my thoughts about safety. I want my horse to look to me for direction whenever we ride and particularly whenever there is adversity. Remember, these are just my thoughts.
I believe we all need to develop the muscle memory to ride every second we are on our horse. Folks often say, "I don't want it to be a job. I just want to ride and relax. You can do that ...... eventually. But first............
I give the analogy of driving a car. You can visit with a friend that is in the car with you and you can be driving relaxed and enjoying the scenery at the same time. However, because of the muscle memory you have developed by being conscious in the beginning of how careful you drive and over time, unconsciously careful, you, without thinking about it, never take your eyes of the road, you focus ahead, you never stop steering, you keep your foot on the gas and use it with feel and you are at the ready for any emergency to go to the gas, break or steering wheel. You are directing your car every second and never stop driving.
Just as you should be directing your horse every second and ... never stop riding with your energy and body. This just means that you are learning and practicing to use your body and energy whenever you are with your horse.. on the ground or under saddle…consciously .. As you develop the muscle memory, you can be with your horse in that same way.....unconsciously. If you do this, your horse will never feel lost and be guessing what to do.... or worse yet ..... believe he is driving.
Carol