Part of learning about horses and horsemanship is reading what the Old Masters and current master horsemen have had to say about the challenges inherent in understanding the nature, psychological makeup, and physical attributes of two entirely different species in their quest to meld the horse and human into a complementary harmonious relationship...
The information presented in this article is well within the reach of everyone to achieve. All one needs is a little study, commitment, effort and time. It will be well worth it in the long run...
To ride a circle, which is different than just going around and around, is difficult but it can be done with diligent practice...
The FIRST thing you need, if the horse is to be your student, is: HIS ATTENTION (first, last, and always)...
OBSERVE, REFLECT, AND COMPARE, MAKE THE RIGHT THING EASY AND THE WRONG THINGS DIFFICULT...
ALWAYS STOP FIRST BEFORE YOU TURN (do not make rounded turns), STOP STRAIGHT...
Think about your back being connected to the reins while maintaining your upper body erect in the shape of a “D” rather than a “C” with your Ischia bones centered over the 14th/15th thoracic vertebrae...
FOREMOST, YOU MUST GET AND HOLD THE HORSE’S ATTENTION. IF IT WANDERS YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY GET IT BACK, BECAUSE WHERE THE HORSE LOOKS IS WHERE HIS MIND IS AND HE WANTS TO HAVE HIS FEET CATCH UP TO HIS MIND...
HORSES ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE ALERT FOR REAL OR IMAGINED DANGER AND THEIR NATURAL INSTINCT IS TO ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO FLEE THAT DANGER IN AN INSTANT...
RESPECT FOR THE HORSE UNEQUIVOCALLY – NOT FOR WHAT YOU WISH HIM TO BE BUT FOR WHAT HE IS...