My Perspective

Everything I do with my horse is focussed on three things:

i) I want my horse to feel mentally, physically and emotionally relaxed no matter what we're doing together;

ii) I want my horse to feel physically balanced which allows him to remain mentally, physically asnd emotionally relaxed no matter what we're doing together; and

iii) I want my horse to feel enthusiastic, willing and energetic (spirited) about what we're doing together.

So when I'm with my horse, I'm always checking in with him, "How are you feeling about this? Is there anything I can do for you to make you feel better about this?"

In order to help my horse:

i) I have to be able to understand horse psychology and be able to read and feel his body language and his emotional state in order to know what he's likely thinking and feeling about things, i.e., to have empathy for him;

ii) I have to be able to communicate to him in a perfectly clear and certain horse-like manner that he fully understands and is comfortable with;

iii) I have to be able to earn and keep i) his respect as his leader; ii) his trust as his friend that has his best interests at heart at all times; and iii) his full attention while we're together.

iv) I have to be able to project to my horse that I have a definite and decisive plan and purpose but am able to adjust this plan and purpose to respond to how he is thinking and feeling about things, i.e., to be able to come up with a new plan that helps him relax, or feel balanced or feel enthusiastic and thus demonstrate to him that I respect how he is feeling, am listening and responding to him. Our communication is two-ways.

v) I have to be able to build my horse's confidence in me and in himself. I have to always properly prepare him so that he is ready mentally, physically and is emotionally willing to do something for me. I use small incremental steps and lots of praise to make it easy for my horse to feel successful and good about himself.

vi) I have to be able to correctly choose and execute from a set of tried and true principles and exercises that can help my horse with any mental, physical, or emotional problem I diagnose he is having.

For me, it's all about how my horse is feeling and what he needs at any given point in time in order for him to make progress in his mental, physical and emotional abilities. My job is help him become the best horse he can become. And once this becomes clear to my horse, he looks forward to being with me. We become partners with a common purpose.

I don't give riding lessons per se. I do help people develop clear and precise body language on the ground and in the saddle for the sole purpose of developing a two-way communication system with their horse. I'm interested in form only as it relates to its function, not its fashion. Assuming an independant seat, I'm interested in finding a riding position where both the rider and the horse are loose, relaxed and comfortable. Then I may have to make small adjustments to this basic position to i) help facilitate more precise communication with your horse, and ii) help balance (and not unbalance) your horse. I concentrate on feel and timing since these two elements when practiced with a high degree of skill and proficiency lead to an extremely light and attentive horse that requires no uncomfortable aids in order to communincate with him. Thus he stays relaxed. I concentrate on smooth rhythm (cadence) and balance since these two elements when practiced with a high degree of skill and proficiency are naturally hypnotic and reassuring to a horse and thus also keeps him relaxed.

All of this is covered in detail in my clinics and private lessons if this perspective interests you.