Glowing With Self Responsibility

What helps to build your confidence?

Each day we invest in our feelings, we fight them or we accept them, either way requires effort. When I work with the horses I watch and wait as they decide whether to accept the directed exercise and training, or fight it. They eventually realize being willing can lead to release. It's easier to work with me, than against me. Now if only my family would get that idea! Actually I could use the reminder myself, go with the flow.

The horses have different personalities and that shows in their individual training. Just being around them out in the fields their differences are easily seen. Babe conserves her energy, Roosevelt has to get rid of a little extra energy!

Knowing each horse and giving them time to settle into the training mindset is actually more conducive to a positive session than trying to challenge them. Learning to wait can be powerful. Hhmm kind of reminds me of certain stages of human development. There are ages when we generally see a little more resistance, if you're a parent reading this, maybe it strikes a chord?

Building skills in the horses helps them also find confidence. As they gain confidence they can trust me. As a student gains confidence and trusts me their own trust for themselves grows. This is what we strive to see generalized from day to day living. Knowing the magic that happens while with the horses can encourage self responsibility. We like making a positive change, not just for a day but for a lifetime.  

Our participants can share in real work with our instructors and volunteers, having the experience of mastering a rewarding skill through nurturing and grooming the horse. Receiving satisfaction of being a care giver rather then being solely a care receiver, in a calm pleasurable environment, thus increasing social competence! The horses address the varied learning styles we come in contact with, encouraging self confidence, social confidence and improving our overall quality of life. In time with continued exposure to the horses we begin to see some skill progression towards more independence, physical increased flexibility, walking balance, gross motor coordination, just a few of the target performances we aim for. The sequenced activities, preparing, grooming and tacking the horse help enhance long term memory, and natural behavior control is impacted as a result of positive responses from our equines.

So, what I learned this week: accept the lesson life is teaching me, don't fight it, my own willingness will lead me to better things.

I challenge you to accept the lesson life is teaching you!