08/16/2025
he desire for control often arises from a need for safety and stability. It's a way of hoping to prevent mistakes and maintain a sense of stability. However, life is unpredictable, and despite our efforts, we can't control everything. Mistakes are inevitable, and unexpected changes are a part of life's fabric.
While we can't control every external factor, we do have control over our responses. It's crucial to react thoughtfully rather than impulsively. Reactive behavior tends to be laden with emotions like anger, frustration, and fear. Thoughtful responses come from sitting with our emotions, then calmly devising solutions. This approach fosters learning from mistakes and challenges, leading to growth in riding skills and feel.
A rider focused on control tends to become demanding and rigid. This often leads to a breakdown in communication with the horse and a lack of sensitivity. Despite one's best efforts, things can still go awry. When this occurs, a controlling person can quickly become agitated, stressed, and anxious.
Shifting perspective from rigid control to an open, accepting mindset acknowledges that bumps in the road are inevitable. This shift brings a sense of freedom and ease. Thoughtful responses replace knee-jerk reactions. With this mindset, riders become receptive to learning from mistakes and attuned to their horse's signals. Flexibility, freedom, and enhanced feel replace stress and anxiety. Imagine the improvement in your rides!
Start noticing instances when you're grasping for control. Change won't happen overnight, so take small steps and celebrate progress. The results will undoubtedly be rewarding!
