I could see their shimmering coats far away in the distance. The green field and the blazing sun gave them an ethereal appearance, glossy sheen blending in with the vivid colours of nature. The two horses lazily munched left and right in tandem, dancing to an unheard life rhythm, the sun glistening over their backs as they moved.
My eyes took in their powerful, muscled bodies which revealed their health and vitality. I wanted to reach out and feel the silky smooth coats of the horses, running my hands over the rises and falls over their backs. The smell of the foliage and trees overwhelmed my senses, sending my mind reeling with nature's own aromatherapy.
This moment of beauty burned deep into my psyche, contrasting sharply with the tension and anxiety I was harboring deep within. It washed out all negativity and beckoned me to release my life's woes even just briefly. Unknowing, the horses kept munching away, oblivious to my must-dos and must-haves, responsibilities and resentments. The simplicity of this life was a welcome alternate to the other reality. If only I could take lessons learned from here and transpose them there.
A deep sigh escaped my lips. Knowing I had barn chores left to complete, I tore my eyes away from the scene and grabbed for the wheelbarrow handles.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
If you’d like a structured, but personal tool to set goals, take a look at the new Goal Setting for the Equestrian: A Personal Workbook. The pages are designed for you to set and keep track of your progress over the course of a year.
Included in the book:
design your overarching goals
long- and short-term planning,
debrief your special events such as clinics or shows
reflect on, plan and evaluate your goals
sample goals and pages
The Workbook is available for instant digital download so you can print the pages right off your computer. There is also the option of a paperback version if you’d rather have a professionally bound book to hold in your hands.
... I posted my first blog article on Horse Listening (thanks to the encouragement of an ever-supportive close friend). It took me a whole year after signing on to WordPress to finally publish that first post and I haven't been able to stop since! A lot has happened over the year, so I thought I'd do a summary for you here.
Some Stats For Those of You Who Like Numbers
At the time of this post, 74 posts have been published and 230 comments written thanks to over 58,000 views, with 12,800 views on the best day (April 12, 2012). Over 266 people subscribed to the blog itself and 1,260 Twitter accounts followed @HorseListening. We are currently just short of 500 "likes" on Facebook - with a constant stream of interactions going on there in the form of likes and comments to the various status updates.
The most read article was Ten Habits of Competent Riders which has received almost 25,000 hits to date, and keeps getting more views every day. This article was picked up by the Facebook page of Chronicle of the Horse and received an incredible number of likes, shares and comments spanning the entire globe! Second place, with over 1,300 views, goes to Top Ten Annoying Riding Habits, likely thanks to its sarcastic tone!
Magazine Articles
I had the good luck of having my work published two times this past year - one in a local horse newspaper, and the other in a national horse magazine. Those successes were very much possible due to my development as a writer right here on the blog.
Feedback
The overall positive feedback has been beyond my wildest expectations, and the encouragement I've been receiving is motivating me to sets my sights higher and establish new goals.
I've always been a fan of all things "computer", and then happily adopted the "World Wide Web" when it first appeared. However, it wasn't until I started this blog that I could fully appreciate the true power of the Internet. People are reading from over 100 countries across the world. This little blog is reaching all the continents and even some of the most remote places on Earth. I am humbled that my words are reaching people from such diverse backgrounds, and can only begin to understand the place of the horse in humanity's consciousness.
To You - The Whole Point
When I first started this blog, my interest wasn't necessarily in just writing my thoughts out. Although all writing endeavours have an undeniable need to be heard, my intention was to get beyond just my "self", and open the floor to discussion and deliberation. The idea was to use the platform of the Internet to provide a ("virtual") space for us to connect. The topics of the post were just starters and I've been delighted to read your thoughtful comments and additions, providing us all with a variety of perspectives about the world of horses.
And THAT is the whole point.
I know this sounds cliché and matter-of-fact, but I do sincerely thank you for your readership. If you've also commented,"shared", "liked", "retweeted", or "favourited" the articles on WordPress, Facebook or Twitter, I thank you for that too.
Here's to one whole year passed, and many more ahead, as we travel along our own personal Horse Listening journeys!
Here is another writing "practice". Again, I know that there is no real set-up for the story; it's meant to be just one scene. Those of you who know me personally know that although fictionalized, "some" of the scene is also quite autobiographical! Does it ring true for you too??
She walked into the tack room, finding herself bombarded with long-ago smells and textures that had faded into her distant memory. The musty smell of leather coming from the saddle over there on the wall brought her past rushing back to the forefront of her mind.
The golden glint of the browband on the bridle caught her eye, and then she spotted her horse's name engraved in the brass name plate which was still hanging over the bridle rack. In fancy calligraphy, the embossed letters spelled out his name: "King".
Then she saw it again, for the first time in years. In the far corner was the framed picture of her riding King. The scene came rushing back to her as if it had happened yesterday....
She was leaning forward, grabbing for whatever mane her fingers could grasp. She felt the horse round his back into a ball of energy, about to explode any second. She couldn't tell which way he was going to go. She held her breath while she did everything in her power to calm her body, anticipating the moment of explosion that was surely coming.
Then they were both in the air, front end high, gravity pulling on her backward with all its might. Time slowed as they hovered mid-air in a seemingly weightless bubble. King's front legs flailed wildly as he went even higher, feeling absolutely vertical, momentarily teetering on the edge of no return.
She had been here before. The next moment might end in searing pain, whiplashed neck and a long stay in hospital flat on her back, unmovable and incapacitated.
Not. This. Time.
With renewed motivation, she fought against that insistent gravity, climbing up toward the horse's head and grabbing now with both arms around his neck. Looking down, she found one spot and planted her gaze on that speck of sand.
"Down there!" It was all she could think. Still holding tightly to the neck, she leaned in the direction of the sand - sideways and down, and in another blink, she felt a light thud as King's feet hit the sand. He snorted.
She slid off his side, knees weak and wobbly. Her eyes were wide open but she could not see anything in particular. With an audible gasp, she sucked in a lungful of air and gratefully felt the flat ground as it supported her weight underfoot.
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New! Horse Listening – Book 2: Forward and Round to Training Success
Traditionally, I've always felt a strong affiliation with the idea of the Olympics and Paralympics, mostly because of my love for sports in general, and especially for the determination and perseverance that I know athletes must have to pursue in order to be at the top of the world in their skill area.
I am also fully aware of the business that IS Olympics, the political repercussions, the expenditures that could be so needed in other areas and the big business behind it all that is interested only in the bottom line (as evidenced by the Duracell "sponsorship" in the videos below).
Having said all that, the allure of the Games is nevertheless attractive and appealing. The simple fact that venues such as the Olympics and Paralypmics feed the dreams and aspirations of athletes to push themselves to the limit, not only physically - but mentally, emotionally, financially and probably in many other ways that we, the audience, can only begin to understand - is what draws me to take the events so seriously.
We see the moments of the main event, but there is so much more that goes into the day-to-day, year-to-year path.
Having ridden (literally!) side-by-side with some of the top riders in my area, I have seen the regular effort, persistence, and sometimes downright stubborness that is essential to get back on the horse (pun intended) - all to culminate in this Olympic "dream" that they are now a part of.
I watch and marvel at the perseverance of people who touch me at the core of my being because of their:
- tenacity.
- determination.
- and probably most importantly, because of the disciplined raw energy they put into their chosen field of endeavour.
It makes you think, what would the world be like if everyone put just a percentage of that intensity and devotion into something we feel equally attracted to?
Don’t miss a single issue of Horse Listening! If you like what you are reading, become a subscriber and receive updates when new Horse Listening articles are published! Your email address will not be used on any other distribution list. Subscribe to Horse Listening by Email
If you enjoyed the above post, you might also like:
Softly Determined – A Poem: I found this one on the Internet long ago, with no indication of the author. However, it has stayed with me, blending intensity with passion, being so eloquent and yet knowledgeable about the “path”.
Starting to Breathe Again: Written before Hickstead’s untimely passing, this post described what it felt like to watch his $1 million CN International winning round.
I've been working on my writing the past few days. The following short piece was inspired by a writing "practice" (find it here) - basically, the idea is to write about anything for fifteen minutes. So that is what I did. I wrote just whatever came to mind. Of course, you will notice there is a horse theme to it, but the result is very different from what I usually write on this blog.
I know the ideas are not developed at all, but I thought I'd post it here and see what you think of it. I'd be interested in your comments!
________
Looking deeply into her eyes, I could see the trail of contentment that led into her innermost being. She looked intently at me, piercing gaze drifting deep within my soul, challenging me with new thoughts and ideas that weren’t my own.
“Why can’t we all get along?” was her first question.
I looked at her blankly, unsure of what to say.
Should I tell her about the separation of ideologies, the drifting apart of social norms that cast their members into straight jackets bent on stifling thought and action and connection?
Should I elaborate on the division of countries, of conflict, strife and ultimately, war?
Need I discuss the value of the dollar – the ultimate currency that slowly has transformed into a symbol of the very life we cherish, admire and grasp tightly to our chest?
Or should I mention the angst-ridden routine of everyday life, waking, working, watching television, sleeping, then waking to resume once again?
She shook her head and snorted, her gaze leaving mine.
My answers were left to ruminate over for another day.
Turning away, idling along, she took one last sideways look at me, and slowly headed off to the green grass of the pasture. .
Special things you get to experience only when you ride
Many horse riders will tell you about this feeling of "freedom" that you gain from the top of a horse's back.
There must be hundreds of reasons why people enjoy horses and horseback riding. Here are a few experiences you will be privy to once you step into that stirrup for the first time:
14. Really, truly "interact" with the great outdoors. Feel the air, smell the foliage, see nature's beauty, AND get to travel through it all with your favourite four-legged friend.
13. Develop your sense of body awareness. Can you feel your arms/legs/core/SEAT in any other endeavor the way you can when you're on a horse's back? There is no other situation quite like being on a 1000-pound animal progressing through space and time, while you are considering what your various appendages are doing. THEN there is the rider's "seat" to keep in line...!
12. Become fitter and more athletic. It will happen organically and by necessity. There is no way around it - ride regularly, and you will find your body becoming more agile, able and yes, even fitter. Ride several times a week and discover all the glamorous physical by-products!
11. Discover "balance" in more ways than one. Of course your sense of balance will develop while you struggle with the power of gravity five feet above the ground. However, you will also discover the other balance truths- such as balance in feeding versus not (!), rest versus activity, shelter versus the great outdoors, and following versus resisting.
10. Develop new "nerve endings". Regular riding will begin to point out to you areas in your body that you might not have been particularly aware of before. Feel your fingers develop an alertness that will allow you to distinguish between "give" and "release" - even while you keep your fists closed.
Discover the nuances between lower legs that "wrap" around the horse versus the legs that grip and clench. Most incredibly, wait for the day that your seat can essentially communicate your very thoughts - with minimal use of the hands and legs - to your majestic beauty as he glides over the ground beneath you.
9. Be a witness to physical "power" like never before. The movement of a horse can at times be exhilarating, or at times downright nerve-wrecking, but the power cannot be contested!
8. Enjoy gracefulconnection with a horse. There is simply no other feeling like it. A horse is not the same as a dog, cat, or other domesticated animal. Try it one day - you'll understand what I mean.
7. Have something to talk about that most people don't relate to! Unfortunately, you will notice that most people in your life will "turn off" within the first five minutes of your description of that fantastic new feeling you discovered the other day while riding. Accept this as a normal side-effect and enjoy the few who relate to your descriptions even if they have never experienced it themselves.
6. Find parts of your character that needed to be improved. Invariably, you will discover characteristic traits in yourself that you never knew existed. Then, you will realize all the reasons why you must develop these qualities and continue your self-development toward becoming a better human being.
5. Opportunities to go places you wouldn't go otherwise, and meet people you would never have met. These days, horses and horseback riding can lead you far and wide and connect you to people from all over. Make new friends, travel to distant locations, and enjoy the most beautiful spaces on earth simply because you follow horses to new and unknown places.
4. Make new friends who share your passion. The love for horses spans across countries, personalities and cultures. Other people who are passionate about horses can be found almost anywhere you go - and the bond that connects is universal.
3. Move your body in a way that promotes health and well-being. From grooming and tacking, to walking around in the fields, to the physical movements your body "receives" while riding - these are all specific to the sport and otherwise not always accessible.
2. Learn important life "truths" for your equine friend. Listen to horses to find out all about relationships, leadership, social skills, communication. This list is endless and if you can "hear" clearly enough, you will find many facts that transcend from the equine to the human.
1. Borrow a sense of freedom otherwise not available to mere humans. Many horse riders will tell you about this feeling of "freedom" that you gain from the top of a horse's back. Challenges, whether physical, mental, emotional or social are almost literally dropped to the ground the moment your seat is placed into the saddle that graces that horse's back. There is nothing else like it in this world.
Why do you love horseback riding?
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the Horse Listening Practice Sessions.
This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.
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From the first book in the Horse Listening Collection: Horse Listening, The Book
"There are many reasons why we enjoy riding horses. Maybe one of the most appealing facets of riding is the sense of freedom: freedom from our own limitations, freedom from gravity, freedom to (literally) roam the Earth. Time stands still while we have the privilege of feeling movement from the back of our four-legged friend.
Riding gives us the place to just be.
Of course, there are other purposes too. Some of us revel in the challenge of learning the skills required to becoming a good team member of this unlikely duo. Riding is like no other sport or recreational pursuit simply because of the equine partner that must not only carry us, but also do so effortlessly and gracefully. As we develop our specific skill sets, we also grow as human beings in character, emotional maturity and mental acuity.
But there is one other motivation that drives some of us to persevere in the never-ending learning process that is horseback riding: improving the horse. As your own skills develop, you begin to realize that not only can you meet your own needs through riding, but also that you can even become an instrument of benefit for the horse."
And so begins the book that reflects the most important learning I have had in all of my riding years: that I want to be the best rider I can be for the sake of my horses.
This book is geared toward the rider:
- the rider's motivations
- the essential skills for the rider
- some specific strategies
- solutions to common problems
- and the results: the great horsey moments we get to experience
Along the way, you will find chapters that discuss everything from the seat to the leg aids to the reins, discussions on half-halts, imbalance, halts, straightness and more!
Special in this book are the "In The Ring" sections that give specific suggestions based on the preceding chapters. Take these to the barn to try with your own horse!
* Disclaimer: It is possible that this post may offend some readers. Please be advised that this list reflects solely my opinions and may not match yours! Read at your own discretion (peril?).
These riders are being respectful of each other on the trail.
Looks like based on the last post, we're in a "Top Ten" roll. This time, we will consider actual riding skills rather than character traits and maturity (although those also play a factor in every pet peeve below). Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek list coming from the opposite perspective - things NOT to do while riding!
10. Smack the horse as a reward. Your horse's skin is sensitive enough to feel a fly. There is no need to smack a horse to communicate your approval - instead, give it a soft, long rub with flat fingers. The message is much more comfortably conveyed and as effectively understood by the horse.
9. Loud vocalizations - either in reprimand or reward. First off, the horse can hear voice cues given in a normal tone level - or even calm and low, almost under your breath. Secondly, riders that must announce their appreciation/disapproval appear to be doing it for the sake of others around them rather than the horse. Why else speak so loudly?
8. Ignore the hollow back. It truly is difficult to identify when you are riding a horse with a hollow back, but seeing the hollow back is not brain surgery. Riders must spend time watching other horses as they move. With an educated mentor, notice when a horse is hollow. Then, take the (sometimes difficult) steps to change the riding in order to correct the horse's movement.
7. Create excuses for stumbling horses. Although correct trimming and shoeing is important, and some tripping can be caused by lamenesses/uneven footing, please do look at the balance of the horse while being ridden. Is he on the forehand and if so, what is the rider doing to help prevent any further damage to the horse's body and joints?
6. Blame the saddle/bridle/pads/farrier for the problem. Absolutely check out the equipment, but please don't stop there! Next, check out the rider - the horse is always only a mirror of the rider!
5. Avoid correcting obvious rider faults. Be one of those riders that rides THE SAME WAY for twenty years! Better than that, because of their many years in the saddle, they are confident enough to criticize others while turning a blind eye to themselves, even if their horses are sending them loud and clear messages.
4. Am I a magnet? Some riders cut off/trail behind/run into other horses on a regular basis. In fact, the harder you try to steer clear, the more determined they seem to be to interfere with your riding space. They don't seem to know the dimensions of their own horse, nor have an outside rein to discourage fading to the outside to prevent near-misses.
3. Stopped riders. When riding in the ring, please keep moving. A halt is different from a stop in that it is a movement. However, if you are going to stop your horse, even in the middle of the ring, please dismount and leave! Let the other riders keep a flow in their riding and not have to dodge you. To take it one step further, move with the flow of the other riders rather than against it.
2. Trail riders who take off in front of you. That is clearly a safety no-no but so many people still do it without thought to the poor soul behind who has the herd-bound or not so trained horse that feels left behind. ALWAYS check with your riding partners before heading into a faster pace.
Don’t miss a single issue of Horse Listening! If you like what you are reading, become a subscriber and receive updates when new Horse Listening articles are published! Your email address will not be used on any other distribution list. Subscribe to Horse Listening by Email
Other articles you might want to read:
Why People Are Stupid: Reblogged from SnarkyRider. Warning: the video may be upsetting to some.
Enjoys Being Brushed! Also from SnarkyRider, on how a sale horse is being presented.
When I first heard this song by Marie-Lynn Hammond, I found there was so many things I could relate to that I contacted her to let her know how much I enjoyed the song. I have had my very own chestnut mare for 13 years now - and enjoyed every minute of it.
I would say that some of the myths about chestnut mares do hold true for Annahi. She is sensitive-skinned like they say. In fact, she is sensitive all around, and you can probably identify that through the fine muzzle and face that she has. But once I recognized that she is a "princess" in every sense of the term, and requires the dues that all dignitaries receive, we've been on the right track and never looked back. Over the years, she has taught me so much, and has given as much as any horse should and even more!
Other "chestnut mare" myths did not match any of my experiences with Annahi. She isn't "marish" like they say chestnut mares are. Although she did challenge me to improve myself fairly quickly over the first two years, she settled into becoming the horse that you can trust your life to. This is the horse that can go bridleless at all gaits including canter to halt, or for a full-out gallop (WITH bridle this time!) in the "back 40" among a herd of loose running horses without a thought to your own safety.
In any conversation that disrespects chestnut horses (mare or otherwise), you will find me bristle at the suggestion that they are unworthy. My experience dictates otherwise - it's up to the horse owner/rider to reach out to that sensitivity and learn to listen!
So here is the song. I was excited to find out that Marie-Lynn kindly used one of my photos for the music video - we are at the very, very end. Enjoy!
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