Forward In Awareness, Involving Horses

      FORWARD in Awareness, involving Horses


Awareness is an elusive quality that we all have in varying degrees...It is a goal to aspire, tho it is always with us from birth...Although it is hard to be aware of all that is going on, we pick parts of awareness that are important to us, depending on our open-ness...


A lot of us choose teachers, or a trainer, to guide us thru this process...Sometimes we need several teachers in our lives so we can get an over-all awareness...Replacing others rules, withinb our guidelines allows us to have more options on our journey...


Awareness involving horses  together with people, can cover spatial awareness, postural awareness, and emotional awareness...Different teachers use different techniques and styles to teach their version of awareness...In time , you come to feel your own style and technique...Your individuality finds its equilibrium as your voice finds its rythyms...


There are three ultimates regarding awareness that fit all of us at some time in our lives...you are, of course, welcome to add more, or even change the word ultimate,,,remeber there are no rules here, only guidelins...


The first ultimate is to have a goal...Keep your mind on your goal, pay attention to where the horse is at today, and plan on how to bridge the gap, and , of course, be willing to make adjustments...


The second ultimate is decision making...The responsibility lies with in us to be able to make a quick decision regarding the safety of the horse and person...If you are riding your horse, its imperative that the horses focus is with you...Reacting and yelling at the horse happens in frustration, tho it isn't a decision, its a reaction...Decision means taking leadership, taking the initiative in the moment...In this moment the horse is looking for a leader, not a boss... looking for guidance...If you are unable to show the horse leadership, then the horse will take over, because in nature, with herd animals, if theres a gap in leadership, then somebody has to lead, This is the survival impulse...Awareness helps you learn the skills needed to feel your way thru a decision to a successful outcome...


The third ultimate is being aware that our attitude influences the outcome...If we think the horse is stupid , then we'll look for stupid things the horse may do...If we think the horse is intelligent, we'll set up situationswhere they can be successful at using the mind they were born with, that gets the message to their feet.....

All living things are intelligent according to their nature, circumstances, and experiences...we can easily honor that and also allow them the dignity that is theirs...





(c) Sol Spitz