It's all in your Mind

Before setting into any real exercise workout with your horse, try the relaxation exercise first as you are warming up. Of course, if you don't have a partner to lunge you or lead you, keep your eyes open but keep them soft. Do not focus on any one thing in particularly but take in your peripheral vision with a soft focus. Grow yourself tall and let your legs grow down to the ground. Feel your seat deeply relaxed in the saddle and mentally feel the energy flowing freely through your body. Want to turn to the right? Turn your head softly to look where you are going. Your horse will follow your look. Want to change rein? Look where you are going with the soft eye again ... softly close your fingers on the reins, no harder than the pressure you would use to hold a baby bird.

Remember ... if your horse does not respond the way you'd like, take a look at yourself first before berating the horse. The horse is only mirroring you.Is your horse relaxed and moving forward willingly? Or is he tense and resistant? Are you breathing and using a soft eye? Or are you holding your breath and using a hard focus with furrowed brow?

There is a scripture in Job, Chapter 12 that reads, "But ask the animals and they will teach you ..." Horses are wonderful teachers. What kind of student are you?

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