Part I: Quiet Harmony - Become Mindful When You Ride
By getting rid of all the extra "noise" we make in the saddle, we can communicate with our partners more clearly.
About 10 years ago, sally swift, the founder of centered riding™, said something that had a profound effect on just about all of my work with horses. She said that we must focus 75% of our energy on ourselves and only give our horses 25%.
Because horses are prey animals and we are, for the most part, predators, their senses allow them to be much more perceptive than we could ever be. They have an amazing understanding of our emotional, mental, and physical state. They "read" us the entire time we are with them. Therefore, we need to be very aware of what kind of messages we're sending. Our natural tendency is to be too active and "noisy" with our minds and bodies. Especially when working with horses, we should strive to slow things down, and practice just being "in the moment."
We can begin by developing greater self-awareness, by becoming "mindful" of our body language, our intonation when we speak, our touch, and our overall demeanor while working with our horses. Actually becoming mindful takes practice, so I'll share some ideas that you can apply to simple maneuvers with your horse. It's a first step in the journey to create a more positive, relaxing, and pleasant experience for both of you.
We'll begin by taking a look at how we cue our horses for specific movements. Then we will see if there might be an easier, less-intrusive way to get the same-or better-results.
I challenge each of you to go out and try these exercises on your own and see what happens. I believe that you will learn, as I have, that these sensitive creatures need so much less cuing than we're used to doing. If we can be ever more mindful and lighten up our way of asking, we will create a more content and willing partner. And remember that the release and the timing of that release (from any form of pressure) are as critical as the actual cue itself.
Creating Harmony
- Learn to locate your center, from which all your riding cues emanate.
- Practice breathing as though you are filling and emptying a glass.
- Concentrate on removing the "noise" of an unbalanced seat.
- Keep your nose in alignment with your shirt buttons and turn from your center.
- Remember that less is more!
Centering & Breathing
Let's spend a moment on locating your center and learning about proper breathing. I feel that these two Centered Riding basics are the essence of attaining true mindfulness.
Let's spend a moment on locating your center and learning about proper breathing. I feel that these two Centered Riding basics are the essence of attaining true mindfulness.
The center is considered the core of your body, your center of energy and control. It is from here that you should initiate every cue to your horse, ensuring mindful communication. This is true whether you're working from the ground or in the saddle. We know that our thoughts are generated first in our brain. But once you have the thought, you must run it through your center before delivering it to your horse. It is a way of being sure that your body is most clearly relaying your intentions.
With a picture and words, I can describe where and how to use your center for these tasks. However, being able to proficiently access your center and use it to its full potential takes a great deal of practice and possibly a lifetime to master. Training in traditional martial arts, yoga, Pilates, meditation, and other forms of self-awareness will greatly help you understand the power and usefulness of your center.
To be most successful with these tasks, you must also understand correct breathing. To help you visualize the flow of breath, think about filling a drinking glass. When you pour the liquid into the glass, it will fill from the bottom up. Now take a slow (very slow) breath in through your nose and imagine that you are filling your diaphragm first with your breath, just like the liquid filling the glass. When you breathe in, watch your lower stomach expand and begin to fill. Keep it slow and rhythmic. It doesn't have to be excessively deep. Visualize the glass being emptied as you exhale. It would empty from the top down like your breath emptying from your chest first and then down to the bottom of your stomach. When you see your body responding correctly, you will know that you've got it.
Then tie centering and breathing together. Take a deep breath in and feel it reaching down and filling your center. On the inhale, you should feel your body getting a little taller, your shoulders relaxing and your chest slightly opening. When you exhale, you should feel your spine lengthen, the small of your back softly filling and your tailbone dropping slightly under your seat. Now you're ready to roll!
Loretta
the natural horseman
clear communication/visible results
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