A wide range of completely different aspects get together in riding a horse
and, when you think about it, the only binding and determining factor is
the perception of the horse.
How does the horse perceive the saddle, the bridling, the circumstances,
the rider: what is the verdict of the hórse?! The horse decides but
the only one who can influence all factors is the rider.
This brings us back to the animal
that evolved on the vast planes, back to the 'open door' and ‘you get
what you reward'.
The model to deal with your horse built on these two principles is simple:
a. ensure that your horse perceives freedom of choice
b. make it worthwhile to choose for your leadership
Ready!
Everything the world can put on your path can be dealt with by you two. 'Yes
but, what if my horse is frightened by....?' Well, with you is the safest place
to be isn’t it!
The rider himself is the weakest link.
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Photo: Capricho after a long and tough cross country ride, no sweat and no stress
Right, that is solved then, but how
to bring a & b into practice is quite
another thing.
All individual horses are different, but luckily they are all relatively simple
to fathom as they are all programmed by evolution with the same program, being
'horse'.
We have our brainpower as our most outstanding quality, our creativity, our
fantasy, our empathy. Use that brainpower! You only need to prove to the horse
to be the best leader. Since you control food, water, all living conditions,
have the most insight, have a superior concept of time, can plan to name a
few advantages, you have a full hand of aces.
Nowadays, in our western society, we can add positive motivation for the horse
from our luxury position not knowing the need to use the horse for our survival
and thus without paying any price ourselves.
That is what I hope to add with this site; to enable the rider to find a way
to work with the horse, that the horse willingly chooses to do what you ask,
wants what you want.
Man is the specialist in adaptation by using his brainpower. The task to find
the successful, positively reinforcing (rewarding) formula tailored for the
individual horse rests solely with the rider.
This makes the rider the weak link: better your horse, start with yourself.
To put things in perspective: conditions and aids