Horse-man-ship Mentality - Forward Motion is Your Best Friend
Thoughts from the saddle with Dennis;
Forward motion is your best friend, how is that? Willing forward motion can be a valuable tool to communicate more effectively with your horse. The word "can be" needs to be qualified with the words "willing" and it needs to have a definite "purpose" on your part and it must be present in conjunction with a soft feel.
Forward motion that is not fulfilling your purpose brings brace in the horse's body. So the right kind of forward motion is what I am talking about here.
I utilize forward motion to enhance direction, left and right, I use forward motion and rhythm to help settle the horse's mind, I use forward motion in the development of good stops, I use it to overcome resistance. So that is why I say, forward motion is your best friend.
When it is completely understood by the horse, most of them become light as a feather in your hands and respond to the signals from your body in agreement.
Forward motion is one of those things that requires you as a rider to stay mindful of how it is working. In other words, you don't want to get the horse to think they need to hurry and rush when you are on them for no reason. That kind of forward motion produces anxiety in the mind of the horse and will be counterproductive.
But good forward motion with rhythm tied to a definite purpose which is your "Clear Mental Picture '' is a polishing refinement type tool that will go a long way in getting your horse's feet to become connected to your thoughts.
That is a joyful experience for both you and your horse when that comes to be.
Mindful Riding,
Dennis Cappel - Master Horseman
Cappel Training and Shoeing
D/C
Be empowered with:
Events Coming Up:
Pre-Spring Clinic March 9-10th
April 20th
Amen to that 🙏 great article