Holistic Horse Riding - the Next Level Riding for Compassionate Horse Owners
Are you prepared to take a leap into the world of Holistic Horse Riding?
In a recent (ok, a few months ago) episode of the First Do No Harm Podcast , we delved into the captivating domain of dressage and the remarkable connection that can be established between a rider and their equine companion - and you loved it. So today, we are diving into the critical aspects that contribute to fostering emotional resilience in your horse.
That art of dressage can get lost to percentages and marks, ribbons and rosettes and the opinions of some excellent judges and sometimes, some not so good judges. At its core it is about maintaining the horses versatility and usability as a ridden horse. “Training for dressage” should improve the overall mental, physical and emotional soundness of the horse. When we focus on the pressure of our goals, this foundation can get lost in the opinions of peers, trainers, coaches and judges (however well meaning they can be).
Dressage, often described as "the art of horse training," is an intricate discipline demanding precision, patience, and a profound comprehension of equine psychology. It's not merely about instructing your horse to execute a sequence of graceful movements; it's about crafting a harmonious partnership that gives permission to the horse to express itself through movement. When your horse is not enjoying the experience of being ridden and its movement we end up trying to control their self expression to avoid bucking, rearing, bolting and jacking up. So even though you may be getting comments like more forward, more frame, more bend, more impulsion, what the judge is really saying is how can you increase your horses willingness and enjoyment for being ridden.
Let's delve into the fundamental principles that will make your dressage journey smoother and more fulfilling.
Trust is the cornerstone of dressage. Without trust, the bond between you and your horse cannot evolve. Instead of trying to unlock your horse's potential, focus on nurturing a trusting rapport. This involves spending quality time with your horse, comprehending their distinct personality, and providing a secure and safe atmosphere. All of us have permission to stop and relax if they don’t know how to respond correctly to the aid or the rider loses balance or overuses the bit pressure. Where this is commonly seen as resistance, we see this as our horses asking us to work on this particular skill set before they ask for more.
Successful communication is the linchpin of dressage. Often we are twisting and contorting our bodies into weird positions trying to get our horse to bend or leg yield etc. Only serving to further disrupt the horse's balance. This is why in our holistic horse riding program we teach you how to layer those cues on top of each other to create language from a balanced, centred, independent seat. Your horse will be able to reciprocate the with more expression in their movement
Dressage is a voyage, not a destination.
It mandates steadfast training and unwavering patience. Approach your interactions with horses as an ongoing process of refinement, akin to a master craftsperson honing their artistry. Your horse will discern your dedication, which, in turn, aids in fostering their emotional resilience.
Emotional resilience in horses derives from a robust and trusting alliance with their rider. Instead of plunging into training techniques, cultivate emotional resilience by ensuring that your horse feels secure, supported, and understood. This approach will lead to your horse being more amenable to collaboration, making dressage less of a daunting endeavour.
Holistic Horse Riding acknowledges not only the horse's physical soundness but also the competitive edge of the horse comes first from their emotional and mental soundness. The emotional resilience to maintain relaxation through changing comp environments as well as the foundations of competition quality movement is in the horses mental state of relaxation. This also sets us up for horses that can potentially stay sound for a lifetime and not break down by the time they are 10.
As Holistic Horse Riders, we notice that movement is medicine and we want our horses in that sweet flow state. Knowing how sensitive our horses' nervous system is to ours, when we are engaging in the art of dance with our horses we need to find that place in ourselves as well. We can communicate movement to our horses by engaging them in conversation and dance with our body.
To deepen your expertise and proficiency in holistic horse riding, join us in our say yes masterclass. In our masterclass, we'll dig into the nuances of congruence and connection based training and provide pragmatic insights for honing your dressage skills.
Dressage is more than the mere act of riding a horse; it's about nurturing a profound connection and understanding with your equine partner and expressing it through an integration of movement. Instead of making it sound like unlocking a hidden secret, prioritise the establishment of trust, nurturing a felt sense of safety, and striking a harmonious balance. Together, we can make the journey of dressage not just smoother but also more gratifying for both you and your horse.
Ready to become a Holistic Horse Rider? We introduced a new riding segment into our Holistic Horse HAndling Program - taking Relaxation, Compassionate Leadership and Communication into the saddle!