Quote for the week

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."

~Albert Einstein

Einstein was on to something. If you want to have peace with your horse it is achieved through understanding, not force. It is found in the soft dance of fingers on the reins, shifts in the leg and seat, light pressure at a key moment. Sawing on the reins, kicking, and whipping the horse will never build a peaceful relationship.

I know the picture is blurry, but I wanted to share how the DOR holds her reins. Here she is queuing her horse to turn left by simply rotating her left hand flat to put a bit of pressure on the bit. On a more sensitive horse, like me, she often just uses her pinky finger to maneuver her horse. When she and I are really clicking all she does is look where she wants to go and there I head.

Some times when she rides she tries to see how subtle a que she can give and have her horse respond. She often tries just thinking the action first, alrighty then one day she may have a horse who is a mind reader. Oh wait I read her mind when the thought "buck" went through her head and I followed directions, it isn't my fault I didn't hear the entire thought because I was so eager to please.

So here is a bit of homework for the week: see how light and subtle you can be with the creatures around you and still get the response you want. Keep the peace...

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!