7/12/2009

Quote for the week


Used correctly, our hands can relay flawlessly timed cues for advanced manners and offer reward to the horse for accurate responses. Used incorrectly, our hands can be like weapons to the horse's mouth, with even the least severe of bits in place.
The DOR has always been very conscious of her hands and the pressure she uses. In fact sometimes I wonder if she is holding the reins at all. She has had to learn how to balance her desire to not attack my mouth with my need for her guidance. She equates it to a dance...we need to have enough contact to know where the other is moving or thinking, but enough freedom that we don't interfere with our partners ability to execute the steps or motion.
DORs also need to remember that a look, the tone of their voice, the way their body is positioned, and the energy they project when they move also has the same kind of power as their hands. So be careful when we are dancing together that we remain in balance as a team.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

7 comments:

restoration42 said...

Thank goodness for your post Jack. My mom does pretty good with her hands, which is a good thing cuz she stuck a dang bit back in my mouth. Something about not heeding her on the trail with our Dr. Cook's bitless. Dang oh Dang. I was only a little unheeding and now I have a new Richard Shrake full cheek snaffle. Yech.

Sandy said...

What's a DOR? I enjoy looking at the photo's on your blog, but not being a horsey person sometimes don't understand the terms.

Watching the old Westerns, the cowboys always made it look easy to ride and hunt, shoot, do tricks etc. Somehow I think it's not all that easy. lol

Sandy

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Sandy,
DOR is short for "Dope on a Rope", my pet name for my rider

MudMapImages said...

I must admit I have heavy hands but Cisco always will let me know quick smart to loosen my reins.

That Janie Girl said...

I love your teaching posts...makes me nostalgic for the time when I had my horses. I miss them.

I take all my horse knowledge gained and use it on my dogs..

(Well, except, I wouldn't be letting any horses wrestle on my couch.)

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Good thing too Janie-that would leave a really big shiner

The Silver Age Sara said...

I loved the post and you brought up one of the most important aspects of riding to me and that is to stay out of the horse's mouth. It is as you described a fine dance between rider and horse and requires us to take responsibility for our balance, our seat and our cues.
Just absolutely lovely.

 

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