Day Four of our Immersion Week was about taking what was going well in the arena out to other locations. I teach this as a progression, meaning setting yourself and your horse up for success and being comfortable with what is success for you and your horse. So often people tell me they have no trouble with their horse, they are able to ride down the trail, all seems well and out of nowhere, their horse just looses it. I say if that happens, chances are you missed it. It being the subtle signs of change, like a slight change in gait, or a tightening of the mouth, back or neck. In today’s work, it was great to see this group of people looking for and responding to these subtle changes. As they noticed these changes and went to work with their horses, the horses stayed calmer, connected and developed confidence in the leadership ability of their rider. It was really neat to see!
The AHA of the day: “A trainer told me my horse was dull in the mouth. As we have been doing this work, I see when my horse gets worried, he gets very tight in the mouth and jaw. I think my trainer mistook tightness and worry for dullness. I see if I can get my horse more relaxed and emotionally fit, he will feel and be softer and more responsive in the mouth.” Great awareness!