If you’re into pony shows, take careful note of the way that the riders coordinate with their horses the next time you go to one. If you are into motorcycle races, watch the way that the riders ease their bikes through tight turns. If you see a professional in action, consider his economy of action. The true professional almost seems to think his way thru. When he believes his bike is going round that U-turn, it does. If he believes his horse is going to take that obstacle, it will. There is no exaggerated motion, there isn’t any loud remonstration. Forget exaggerated motion, there does not even appear to be the minimum normal motion required. The rider chooses and the horse or bike responds.
I’ve seen croupiers at casinos deal cards with such skill their hands appear to be stationary and the cards appear to fly out of their own free will. They travel precisely the same path to exactly the same spot in front of each player at the table at precisely the same speed.
So what is all this leading up to?
What do all of these specialists and professionals share in common? They have the soft touch. They appear to exercise their will more and their physical faculties less when they are getting their horses and motorbikes and playing cards to do what they desire. The reality is, naturally, that they are physically doing these things, but with such beautiful understanding and coordination with their horses, bikes or cards that you simply can’t quite see what exactly the physical action was.
Top class horsemen appear to ride and guide their horses with invisible and inaudible cues and commands. The pony appears but a physical extension of the rider, or most likely it is the other way around. Aesthetically talking, this class of horseman makes an image of perfect joy with his horse.
When you are ‘breaking in’ your horse, you need to do it with the firmest of resolve, but the softest of touch. You want your pony to be absolutely clear on who is the leader, but you also desire your horse to respond to your cues virtually before they transform from thought to physical action.
You cannot achieve perfect coordination with him with the whip. You will achieve unwilling, grudging obedience, and you’ll never make a pretty sight with your horse. To achieve perfect coordination with your horse of the ‘two bodies and one mind’ class, you need to earn his trust. And a corporal approach will never earn that trust.
It may be hard work, but it is far away from impossible. Your horse is bright enough to respond well if you are clever enough to teach well, and all it desires is total patience and persistence from you.
I have heard folk say that you can train the perfect horse only when you get the right pony. Unless you’re talking about horses with incurable physical inabilities, I personally believe every pony can be trained right. You cause the right attitude when you show the right approach.
Horses are Heather Tomspassion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers go here
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