This book is about understanding the dynamics of riding. Literally, what is happening when we ride. If we can understand the dynamics of riding we can make better riding choices, and improve the effectiveness of our riding. I believe that riding is an activity of the whole self – the mind and the body. So to improve our riding we have to develop our whole self, both our mind and our body.
Ultimately we are what we think. We can have the best body and riding skills but unless we believe this we have nothing. Riding develops and tests our self control. Each moment we ride brings a new test. To ride really well we must learn to rise above all tests. We have to “know” riding in our mind and really trust ourselves to achieve our full riding potential.
To “know” we have to learn. We never stop learning. It is a lifetime’s task. We are constantly refining and improving our knowledge. This book aims to develop the concept of a "Learning Rider" and to help the reader to become one. A Learning Rider is a rider who is driven to perpetually deepen her understanding of the horse/rider interaction and to use that understanding for the benefit of all riders and horses.
We are all individuals, and unique. Our horses are all individuals, and unique. This means that we have to understand our self and our horse. What works for me may not work for you. We have to seek out and find what works for us and create our own recipe for riding success. This news is either exciting and liberating, or daunting, depending which way you look at it. But it is the truth.
Nowadays we see riders focussing too much on what I call the “outside” of themselves (their position/appearance) and of their horse (outline). Corrections which only influence the outside will never succeed in the longer term. They will not last. Sustainable improvement comes from the inside. When the rider develops the inside of themselves; their mind (understanding) and their body (balance, strength, flexibility), and the inside of their horse, the improvements are lasting. Then and only then will the outside be as it should be and sustainably so.
Fortunately there are tools and techniques to help us in our quest. Read on to discover more.