When the rider builds confidence, it shows up in the horse.
This past year a rider and her horse joined our barn. The rider was timid and the horse was sweet, but powerful. The first time I gave the rider a lesson on her horse, she was scared to walk without me walking right beside her. For many lessons I kept her on the lunge line, teaching her how to speak to her horse through all of her natural aids (voice, weight, legs, and hands), instead of just her hands. We worked on perfecting the upward transitions to the walk and the trot so that the downward transitions became easier. We worked on rider and horse being a team instead of individuals. However most of all we worked on the rider’s confidence in her ability to handle any situation her horse gives her. How can we bring the horse to a slower gait without constantly pulling on her face? How do we stop a runaway horse? How does our position affect the horse’s speed and stride? Why do we keep our heels down and eyes up? Why does achieving timely upward transitions help us to achieve timely downward transitions?
The months went on and the rider and horse began having their lessons in a small paddock and eventually in the large arena. The rider progressed from elementary control to intermediate control and began giving her horse smaller signals for better results. As the rider worked hard to perfect every exercise she was given, her horse began to understand what her rider wanted to achieve.
Horse and rider began understanding each other and communication was taking place, instead of blindly trying to do what the other wanted. They have been a truly rewarding pair to teach and learn with. As an instructor, I have learned how to better teach the language of the horse to young riders by working with this horse. Where it was once this rider’s goal to walk her horse around the arena by herself, she is now working towards going into a walk/trot class at a horse show.
Yesterday, I rode this horse for the first time in months. The last time I rode the horse, she was nervous and wanted to go faster and faster. Yesterday, it was as if a brand new horse was on the farm! I began my ride with a slow western jog around the arena on the buckle. Not once did the horse try to slip into a canter. On the trail she was relaxed and at no point during the ride was she nervous. This horse had confidence! Confidence in her ability and mine as I asked her to complete different patterns. I realized that as this horse’s rider has gained confidence, so has the horse. Confidence comes with lots of practice and perseverance doing the HARD things. We do not always realize the changes that are occurring, but like yesterday, after months of putting in the work, I saw it firsthand. This life journey is all about changes, building confidence and encouraging each person and horse that crosses our paths to be the very best he or she can be. Let’s keep building confidence in each other and our horses!
Categories: Barn News
