Training Philosophy

Wow... 4995 reads on my little blog!  That may not be a lot to some, but to me it's really touching that people actually look at this stuff.  Hopefully it's been helpful to some and maybe even a little entertaining at times ;-)

So in an attempt to break the 5000 mark by New Years, here's something that's been on my mind.

Day in day out.  Training is what I do.  And when I'm not on the horse training it, I'm teaching, and thinking about how to help the rider better train the horse.  And when I'm not doing either of those, I'm probably obsessing about one of my rides today, what I could have done better, where I should go next, or just enjoying how happy one great ride can make me feel.

In thinking about it, I  think about the obstacles as well.  Many can recognize that feeling when attempting an exercise for the first time or even the fifth, that "wow...this horse isn't ever going to get it......".  You go home frustrated, and worry.  Is he sound?  Does he have some type of  mental or physical deficiency?  Am I doing it wrong?  Does my saddle fit?  I think I might need to go bitless....or the newest supplement...do you think the fat is high enough in his grain?  Or maybe the trainer has to ride him through this....barefoot shoeing?....ACK!!!!

I can't tell you how many times I've been there, sitting in a pool of doubt.  Wondering what "I'm" doing wrong, or I'm missing, or what's wrong with my precious horse.  Recently I've been helping a friend go through a step like this too with his ones. A  month ago, the horse would melt down at only two.  It was frustrating for my friend, and I totally commiserate remembering going through the same frustrations once with Kriter.   Today he got six beautiful straight and calm ones  :-)))  It just took the right exercises, a little more strength on the horses part, and a little better timing on the riders part.  I fully expect any day now they'll be banging out 15.  But it's a process for sure.  And the prerequisite is patience.

Side note;  Ruby on the other hand does everything right the first time of course.  At least he thinks so!  But we won't go there today.   Bugger....

So the one thing I can share with you from my experience is that when having one of those days where you're trying something new, like a turn on the haunches, and your horse insists on swinging his haunches out rather than stepping around the circle, don't go juicing up the electromagnetic blanket, scheduling a nuke scan, and calling the psychic.  Don't focus on the failure but what actually happened with respect to your horses basics.  Step away from the emotions, analyze the situation in black and white, and think about which exercises that might help the horse develop better strength and understanding over the coming days to perform the movement you're looking for. Yep it's all about patience and time.   And remember, these obstacles aren't failures, they're just another step in the development of what's hopefully a long and successful career for you and your partner.

On that note, best wishes for a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead, with many wonderful rides!

And thank you for reading me!

Cindi