04/28/2018
We have all heard the saying “work the horse from where he is”- mentally, emotionally & physically. It’s a statement that is almost always received with instant acceptance. Which is good and bad. Good because it’s true and fair to the horse. Bad because when people instantly agree there is a lack thought which reduces this revolutionary philosophy to just another “coined term.”
A few weeks back I shared this thought with a client who loved the idea and two minutes later was haltering her high-headed, jaw clinched horse. I asked if she noticed and she said “Oh, he has always been that way.” That horse stayed tense through the grooming, saddling, bridling and groundwork.
I was at her place because her horse rears and runs off and she needed help working through that. I’m fairly sure it was disappointing but no riding happened that day. We unsaddled and started at the beginning.
Friends, the first step to working horses from where they are is being able to read horses accurately and be ing honest about what we see. The second step involves knowledge and experience to correct and teach horses to be and do what we need them to.
I just wanted to write this as an encouragement and reminder that it is not the quantity of what we get done with the horse but rather the quality.
Please reconsider and re-think “working the horse from where he is”
then rethink it again and again...
If you’re in need some guidance give me call. I offer private and group sessions in the privacy of your own place. Matt 928.821.5438