Have you been caught up in the whirlwind of thinking that much of riding is about impressing your fellow riders, your instructor, trainer, the judges at the show, all the other competitors, your students and clients, and perhaps non-horsey spectators?
What about impressing your horse?
I am reminded of a time in my own life when it seems that I took on the duty of trying to be something to everyone, trying to impress them with some feat, talent, quality that I possessed with riding and training horses. And with it I began failing even the basic talents that I once held. My horses’ training deteriorated, I found myself frustrated and my horses equally or more-so.
It seemed like every day was a challenge not to overcome, but a challenge to fail at every turn. But the days that I went out and explored, that I was curious and inquisitive. The days that I listened to my horses instead of what I thought everyone else wanted… those were the days that I flew high with my horses. Those were the days that new things were created. Our relationship expanded and my horses offered freely new talents of their own, and in turn supported the development of my own unique gifts.
Ever wonder why they say that horses are the greatest teachers? It is because they listen without criticism. They encourage your questioning mind. If you make an honest mistake they are freely forgiving. Like the best of mentors they will let you go on and on doing the wrong thing without beating you over the head until you are ready to listen, and then their silent words resonate so deep that you are amazed at the lesson you learn.
Today, I challenge you to strip away all the outside motivators from your relationship with the horse. Go ride, go interact, go listen, go whisper in your horse’s ears. Be a child again, get curious, ask questions, discover new worlds. Leave the critics and judges outside for today.