Just like my confusion and uncertainty of where to begin with these posts, where to begin with your horse can be just as overwhelming.
I watch some of my clients at the beginning of their journeys, and I can see how frustrating it is to want to have all the answers. I remember myself in that same space of not understanding why I needed to learn this particular exercise. What did it all mean. How does it connect to the that. And WHERE TO BEGIN??? The important thing is to make a start and make it SMALL. Something achievable that you can put action to your intent immediately. Keep it clear and simple for you and your horse.
How to get started when you're learning on your own…
In this case you will have to be clear on your goal. ie I want to be able to ride my horse on a trail, or I want to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Then clarify the steps that you need to take to reach your goal. Once you have your steps, start with the easiest one. If it's not easy enough, make another one, that's easier again! Try and let go of making mistakes and understand that you will make them. And this is the best part. Mistakes guide you on your path to achieving your goal. If you are not making mistakes, then you’re probably stuck in a rut not making any attempts in life or with your horse. Lastly REWARD! Reward your horse and reward yourself! Rewarding builds confidence. Confidence your horse has for you and your own confidence in yourself and abilities.
Lesson for horse: Lowering your horses head as the exercise.
1. The goal: Get your horse to drop his/her head when you put downward pressure on the lead rope.
2. The action: Stand next to your horses head (either side). Take the lead rope right up the top just under the buckle/clip and hold it in your hand with your thumb facing the ground. Don’t pull yet, just set your hand. Slowly add a little bit of downward pressure and hold. If the horse pulls or reacts , don’t change the question, just keep the same amount of pressure. DO your best to hold on even if the horse moves sideways, backwards, up etc. Remain calm and in the moment, don’t let your preconceived notions get in the way, wait on the horse to figure out that nothing will work other than something in the right direction of the answer, which is head down. If you get no response, add a little more pressure and wait. If nothing add a little more pressure and wait. If still nothing is happening, just remain at that pressure and wait. Trust that the horse will try eventually as he/she will feel the urge to figure out how to get away from the pressure.
3. Once the horse drops his/her head even if it's only half a millimetre, let go! Take the pressure off immediately. Reward your horse. Give them a pat. Go back and try again. Every time the horse drops its head, you take the pressure off immediately. If you make a mistake, that's okay, try again. But remember to keep it SIMPLE. Break it down, take your time, go slow. When you feel like you’ve got an improvement from where you started. Stop, bank it, don’t over do it. Take the success and revel in it. Come back tomorrow and try again. If you’ve done it right, your horse will be better the next day. This exercise teaches the horse that if I try to figure it out, I’ll get left alone (ie rewarded). This builds one little step of confidence in your horse. You learn that if I trust the outcome and give it a go, I will see results. This in turn gives you a little bit more confidence. And appreciate the tiny tiny improvements and steps in the right direction.
Lesson for human: It is the same for your own personal achievements, goals and getting started with anything.
1. Get clear on a goal. (Simpler the better to start with)
2. Write out the steps (actions) you need to take to reach that goal. Pick the most simple minuscule step that is in the right direction of your goal. Ie writing a step by step guide, make a phone call, getting your horse out of the paddock etc. For me it’s writing this post! Make sure you pick a step that you know you can complete. Keep it easy.
3. REWARD. Reward yourself for achieving the task you set out to do, no matter how small! REVEL IN IT! It’s the exact same concept for your horse. Reward yourself for every tiny little try. Build your confidence in yourself one tiny step at a time. These add up really quickly.
Please comment if you have any questions regarding these exercises!
Leah x
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