Huh?

Not to get all woo- woo on you but as a trainer I have the ability to sum up some of the key features in your real life, off-the-horse persona by how you ride and handle your horse. And your horse gives away those secrets.

Think about it...

Does your horse respect your space and boundaries? Or does he push you around? What are your human boundaries like? Can you say no easily?

- Do you like to control things? Dressage riders take note. :) Do you have tendency to think black or white?

- Do you get nervous of what your horse might do? Or are you nervous because of what he has done in the past? And/or are you living in a future event that hasn't even happened? Are you fearful?

– Are you so invested in your and/or your horse’s story that, perhaps,  it hasn’t even occurred to you that there may be a different way of approaching training challenges and/or life?

- Which side of you body is your stronger/ weaker side? This correlates with what side of the brain you use the most. When was the last time you tapped into your creativity?

- Do you have limiting beliefs? Do you believe that there is a certain way to train your horse? Is your horse reflecting back your belief and going in balance, with ease, and in harmony? Or do you keep trying the same thing with different trainers while expecting different results? Keep in mind, that a belief is just a thought that you keep thinking over and over.

- Does your horse get blamed for many training problems? He's being bad? He's too heavy on the forehand? He needs stronger bits, harsher training  methods...

There is a lot to think about here and the list is mighty, and this is just a sampling. I have seen clients transform their riding, as well as their lives off of the horse, by becoming curious and changing core beliefs about themselves and horses.

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got~

Indeed....

Becoming present when you work with your horse is the first step. Leave your problems at home and *BE* with your horse.

Then get curious about how what your are doing/thinking/feeling is affecting your horse. What is going on here? Asking questions is a great way to start.

Your horse is falling on the forehand. If making your aids harsher/stronger or drilling your horse until he submits to you is your regular style then you need to consider asking better questions.  Go back to basics.

First, look at yourself. Are you relaxed? Are you frustrated? Angry? Impatient? Yes?Then you need to change your state or get off that horse. Tomorrow is another day.

If you're in a good place then check in with your horse.. Is your horse relaxed? No? Then start there.. no learning can take place without a relaxed mind.

Then start working your way up the training scale. Is your horse forward and light off your leg? Etc...

(Don't know what the Dressage training scale is? Then you've come to the right place.)

In other words when something is not working stop doing more of what you've always done and try something different- but that's another blog post.

Sports is pretty much a metaphor for life and our horses are a reflection of both our inner and outer selves.

We can literally transform our lives, and our relationship with ourselves and our horses by taking a good look at what the horse is reflecting back to and get curious about it.

"To be a good student of the horse, we must become a good student of yourself."

This isn't about judgement, or being self critical. It is about noticing, being curious and growing. It's about empowering yourself.

What has your horse taught you about yourself? Do ever you see things being reflected back to you that that were aha moments for you?  Post in the comments below.

Ride on!

Deborah

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