I had an opportunity yesterday to sit in on a lesson being given to beginner 
rider and a wonderful horse. The lesson was based on Sally Swift's "Centered 
Riding". Not only did I LEARN from just listening to the lesson, I was given a 
few insights into daily "living". I thought I'd share these with fellow horse 
lovers ...

Centered Riding is as much of a lesson/reward for the horse as well as the 
rider. While the rider is learning to "find his/her center", the Horse is 
responding equally. How amazing it is to see the results of a centered, 
balanced seat; to see the physical difference in the way the horse moved when 
the rider is relaxed and focused. How many times do we, as riders, jump on our 
horses and expect THE HORSE to do all the work while we just merrily follow 
along? Whether we are roping calves, riding a test, jumping a course or merely 
out for a leisurely stroll, the horse and rider need to be in tune (harmony) with 
one another for the ultimate results. "Harmony" blends perfect notes with others 
to make beautiful sounds. Those sounds can evoke emotions from anger, 
restlessness to total relaxation. What is it that we, as horsemen, seek? If we 
are seeking nothing more than ribbons then the blue combination MUST be two 
perfectly disciplined athletes working TOGETHER. In all honesty, if it IS the 
ribbon we are seeking and not a fulfilling communication with our horse, then we 
expect the horse to do its share while we "ride". However, the horse doesn't 
KNOW that it's looking for a blue. The horse is looking to its rider for signals 
as to what the RIDER wants. Two separate goals; RIDER/RIBBON and HORSE/RIDER. 
How much further we can go if we seek UNITY with the horse as the horse is 
seeking from us? Then we'd have HORSE/RIDER and RIDER/HORSE.

It was amazing to actually see the horse relax as soon as the rider was relaxed. 
I sensed a "unity" ... instead of a "dischord". As the rider focused on 
centering herself, found her center, found her balance and relaxation, the horse 
responded equally. The WHOLE body relaxed and was able to move freely. The horse 
became "freer" and the sense of willingness was more than evident. The horse 
stepped out and under. The back of the horse relaxed and swung nicely. The tail 
gently swung back and forth instead of arched to the side. The eyes softened. 
The ears softened. The rhythm of the gaits became smooth. Most of all, rider and
horse were working TOGETHER in harmony.

How much "noise" do we actually send forth if, when we get into the saddle, we
carry the full day with us with all its concerns, worries, tensions, conflicts
and just, plain busyness? All these signals are sent to the horse from the
rider. How, when this happens, is the horse able to differentiate what are
signals for him and what are noises from us? They have no way of telling. Just
imagine ... you are at a show. You are in the ring with 10 other horse and
riders. You are tense, sweating, breathing shallowly, not even aware that your
leg is like a vice on the sides of your horse. Your eyes are darting all around
to see what others are doing. What is going through your thoughts? How on earth,
is your horse going to sort out all this noise? We communicate to the horse with
our WHOLE body. Yes, the seat, mouth, hands, legs and eyes are our primary
sources of signaling/communicating with our horse. But these features all work
together as our WHOLE body. Doesn't it make sense that if we are able to soften
our bodies and minds that our horse would soften as well? As we relax and focus,
our horse relaxes and focuses also?

I would think that those who wish to win a blue ribbon, would wish to work as a
unit, a team, a WHOLE, with the horse. If we carry aboard a bunch of baggage
from the day, we place too much of a burden on our horse. If we learn to dump
the baggage before we ask our horse to carry us, then we are freed to focus on
the "partnership" at hand. We can 'soften' ... our horse can 'soften' ... and
together, as a WHOLE, we can dance to the music.