“All we have to use, when we sit on a horse and guide it, is our own body from the top of our head to the soles of our feet, and the volition that drives it.
Before we can expect to control the horse we need a high degree of control of ourselves. Gaining this is our first responsibility.”
Richard Weis and Susanne Miesner (32)
Riding involves our whole self. To do it well we need to use our body and our mind. So we have to learn about ourselves, about our body and mind to use them more effectively and efficiently.
Mind and Body
An effective mind is characterised by the following: strength (ability to think deeply); suppleness (ability to think broadly); calmness (clarity, consistency); confidence (trusts ability to make sound judgements); and awareness (ability to feel). Note that this is the same for all minds – our own and our horses! Our minds may have different potentials but in my experience few beings exploit the full potential of their mind. And of course the way we develop the mind will differ from the human to the horse…but the qualities we aim to develop are exactly the same!
Mind: research, stimulation, Systems Thinking
Body: Pilates, yard work
Mind: concentration
Body: riding, swimming, walking/running, interval training
Mind: studying different subjects
Body: bending, stretching
All these activities use energy. Our mind and body need quality fuel in the form of a well balanced diet and self control to ensure that this fuel is well utilised.