Finding Success

While exercising and training the horses it is our goal to end each session with a positive successful task. We observe progression so we are able to build on the success.

Each horse has its different personality, but also different skill sets. We first need to be sure we are communicating with the equine in a way we get the best
response.  One horse may be able to do something that the other is just learning. Flexibility is a must while working with the horses.

Because of the instant response from the horse we are not able to daydream or plan our grocery shopping list while we are training. I often hear myself reminding our participants to be riding a stride ahead of the horse in their mind. It's
similar to driving a car, in the way we must be aware of what's going on in
front of us, we can't stare at the steering wheel, we must look where
we're driving.

This morning we had Axel in the arena for a training session. We have already identified he responds well while moving in a direction to the left, better than to the right. We have determined this is not due to a behavior issue but to a need for
suppleness while bending through a turn. Horses sometimes seem to have a
certain side that needs more attention than the other. Axel has been working on
correctly tracking to the right. He's still young and learning. He has such a
large stride and covers a lot of ground while trotting, that the rider has to
be really focused in order to stay ahead of him in their mind. I enjoy
instructing in the arena, and from the ground I can see things differently than
from in the saddle.

We set up the arena with cones to provide a visual for the rider, this establishes
boundaries.  If we break the task down, we realize we need to start to work on softening and bending while moving forward in the direction we're having the most difficulty with.

This is directly related to a lesson for myself to soften and bend in relationships when needed, while still moving forward. What is happening in your life that is related to a lesson you are learning?