05/20/2025
I didn’t post yesterday because I had to have
a day of rest and recovery
after the weekend Youth/horse/art camp.
One of the main themes that kept popping up
was focus and aim accurately.
We talked about how David had to aim accurately
to hit Goliath in just the right spot.
Having a strong focus or an object to aim at
while riding is very powerful.
Getting people to actually look where they want the horse to go,
and with a certain amount of energy, speed, straightness, relaxation, balance and rhythm
is one of the most challenging things to teach.
This goes along with keeping the horse
between your legs and reins.
If you don’t have a line of direction to travel on,
then most people do not even realize
the horse is no longer between their legs and reins.
Too many people ride aimlessly without a deliberate strategy.
The girls learned they need to take aim at the right targets.
Too many times we forget the old saying “Ready, aim, fire”,
Instead we favor a hasty unfocused “Fire and aim”.
Completely ignoring the “get ready” part.
It always better to do less sooner instead of more later.
The girls learned how important it is to prepare for a transition.
(which could be speed, direction, gait, stride, etc.)
The good riders is like a sharpshooter: selecting targets wisely,
prepares in advance, then aims with accuracy
before pulling the trigger.
They also pursue the target diligently rather than just
expending lots of random energy that is not focused.
When you take this approach you won’t be so reactive to the horse.
Instead you learn to respond to each situation and movement
before or as it happens, not after it is out of control.
Wise and observant horsemen are proactive.
They take the initiative, rather than adopting a passive attitude,
in handling and riding the horse.
Aim for perfection but don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes.
Be thankful for the level you are at.
Live up to that level and don’t fall back.
But don’t stop.
Aim for your best and your horse will too!
That is just a small portion of what the girls learned.
I hope there was a good reminder in this post for you too.
