Horsemanship is more than just horse riding. ---------- Blog tips are short, interesting, quick and easy !!! Thanks for reading - the Little Darlings would sure love to have you here !
Showing posts with label horse riding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse riding. Show all posts
2/3/14
Tip #107 Your Self-image & the Little Darlings
Many horse folks really beat themselves up and they are merciless with themselves. I receive bunches of emails and letters stating how they love horses and yet can't train their horses or ride the darlings.
The majority of people that come here actually have the fear thing but they keep it a secret. Often they don't mention it until later on the first day once they get comfortable with us. Some never even say it out loud until the very last ride of the last day. People don't want to talk about it because they are so embarrassed about it.
The person has no confidence in himself and calls himself a loser, a fool, an old fool, a gutless wonder, stupid, worthless, spineless - you just can't believe the adjectives they use on themselves. I think it is really sad that something, ie the little darlings, that is supposed to give you so much happiness, instead ends up giving you sorrow and negativity.
Your self image is incredibly important. Just because you are terrified of riding your horse does not mean you are a worthless fool and shouldn't be fit to live. Honest, that is really true - get that into your noggin. It is not a character flaw.
It simply is what it is. Period. End of statement. You don't even have to know why or what it is you are so afraid. of. It just is. It is okay to be afraid. Being terrified of riding though you love your horse does not mean you are bad or immoral person.
You have no idea how many horse folks are out there that are scared to death of the animal that they love so much. I would not be surprised if there were more folks out there that are scared than are not. I don't know but it wouldn't surprise me one iota.
The fear thing is a bitch - an absolute bitch. I know about it. It can immobilize you. I've been there. And, once you get it, you will never get rid of it - it is in the very core of your being. Very famous Olympic snow boarder and X games winner Shawn White is struggling over fear and confidence big time - like this entire summer and he has to perform in Sochi. He was so afraid that he almost didn't even make it to the trials as a finalist... It has just about brought him to his knees like it brings you to your knees and it has brought me to my knees..
You simply learn how to handle it - sometimes you handle it quite well and other times you do a lousy job of it and just let that fear get the better of you. You know what though - you are just fine and your little darling is just fine and you are both incredibly lucky to have each other. And, you will get through this - it is simply going to take as long as it takes because, really, except in your little noggin, there is no big rush. Is there ?
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
6/17/12
#73 More Time
#73 MORE TIME !!!
If you want that darling of yours to learn something in a specified amount of time - forget it - you have a goal and that horse can read you like a book.
I've had write-in's about the time blog -so here is a run-down for you - and you will see it depends on each horse, his owner, and/or the behavior you are asking for.
We measure everything by hours - not by days, or rides, etc.
GINGER - to stand still for her bridle 90 hours, to stand still for her saddling 106 hours - she is now perfect - it just took her quite a bit longer to "get it".
JOSE - to walk, not jig, back to barn - 125 hours and huge patience - he is perfect now, to sidepass 5 hours, to be the perfect horse that he is now- 250 hours (most difficult horse ever but just superb now), spanish march 10 hours
MISSY - not to bolt 30 hours, to stay behind calmly 10 hours, to go out alone 15 minutes, to stay in control in her gaits 10 hours, to go into the side door of the horse trailer 15 min, to come toward me sideways 30 minutes
HENRY - to walk, not jump, thru mud 20 hours, to walk and not run downhill - 2 hours, to go out alone 1/2 hour, to stand still for mounting 1 hour, to ground tie 1/2 hour, to stay behind the herd and not go crazy - 10 minutes to send to the left and right 9 hours
DAKOTA - to not run downhill - 4 to 5 hours, to not eat grass on the trail and have a temper tantrum when asked to quit 30 hours !!! To run in the lead - still working on it - several years now !, to not take shortcuts for home 3 hours, to send to the left and to the right 2 hours
BLESSED JOY - pretty much perfect at the git-go in everything -really easy and laid back.
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| Jose, Blessed Joy, Dusty, Pozo |
These are just a very few examples - the purpose of this is to simply show how the time varies with each horse. It does not mean the darling is slow or stupid or smart and quick -
it is just what he is and how you are able to communicate.
So, PATIENCE is the key here - you just are not going to rush anything until your horse is confident enough and just plain ready.
Take the time it takes, and it will take less time...
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
3/25/12
#62 Little Darlings Going Solo
#62 Little Darlings Going Solo
I just put together a video - on helping your darling and you get to where you can ride alone.
Going solo does not have to be done in one session or in a day.
Just, when you have had enough, or your time is short,or whatever, END ON A GOOD NOTE where he is at least as far as he has gone before or a tad farther. Let him rest there a few seconds.
At that point, you can ALWAYS call it quits til the next time.
And the next time, to get him to where he had left off previously, will take a bit less time.
Just keep working it - in no time, really and truly, you'll both be successful, safe and happy.
You are really going to love riding alone.
This is just so worth it.
Adventure Horse Riding in NYS Smilla13@gmail.com (Mary Dixon) www.RideNYS.com
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