Equilibrado Equestrian

One of the keys to developing softness and self carriage

Let them Fail

Yes, you read that right. Failing is part of learning. Are you a rider? Trainer? Student?
If you want to do justice to the horse you sit on, there is so much to learn, so much to know, so much knowledge , understanding, and feel,to acquire. Especially if fair to the horse horsemanship, is your goal . Believe me it takes a lifetime. Even if you are really trying.
These next words are for you. You will fail as you learn. That is a fact. Your horse will fail in either understanding or interpreting your signals as you embark on your journey together. All of that failing is normal and fine…part of the process.

Think of it this way. You are developing an interpretive language with another being. That is hard just by definition. Work at the speed and gait you feel most physically and mentally comfortable learning how to communicate in, and one which your horse can relax and focus on your signals. Step by step, interaction by interaction, build your language. I often start in walk…and then on to small doses of trot and canter as you progress, to check your skillset. Here are some truths.
You CANNOT let a horse lean on you. Balance on you, or get behind you. So… what is the option?
Let them fail…
Yes…….
LET THEM FAIL!!!!! Don’t hold them together. Even at walk you and your horses cannot balance on each other. Your horse needs to balance himself over his own feet and under your seat and you… need to balance yourself on his back as he moves. No gripping or holding yourself on by any sort of rein, seat,or leg pressure.
You need to be able to relax and neutralize anything that your horse might interpret as an aid, or a signal, easily and fluidly.
Then you need to hone the ability to isolate your parts so you speak to the horse with only the part of you that he needs to listen to. Yup… super hard. But certainly possible.

I like to think of all my pieces and parts having individual volume control. Until it becomes easy and automatic for you to be aware of all of the parts you could communicate with you will have to relax and learn to control the volume or dosage of any individual aid or part and make sure that the volume is turned down, “neutralized” on any part you do not want to speak with.

Then choose the aid you want to speak with. Use it the way you would if your horse was the best he could be and gauge your horses specific response closely.
Was there a reaction? Was it the correct reaction? If so relax the aid, which will then become the reward. Was there no response?
Then you must repeat the aid a bit quicker or louder with increasing dosage until you get your response… or close to it. Then relax the part that asked immediately.
From these small actions and reactions, you build your language, the vocabulary between you and your horse that both of you can rely on.

Be consistent. Be fair. Be happy with small progress. The basics truly are the most important thing. All of that starts with conversations with your horse where you are willing to let them fail as part of learning.
Cheers folks,
Yvonne

A horse cannot go to the hand if the hand comes to the horse.

The rider’s goal should be to maintain a soft, following contact—a feeling that is forward and slightly giving. In order for the horse to reach into the contact, there must be something for them to reach toward. If you ride on the buckle all the time (though it certainly has its place), there’s no consistent point of connection for the horse to seek.

The reins should be just short enough to allow connection when the horse is moving forward, pushing from the hindquarters, and moving through their body correctly. As the horse begins to engage from behind, the neck will naturally lengthen, and that energy will carry forward into the rider’s soft, receptive hands.

This process takes time, repetition, and feel—and it’s one of the most common and challenging concepts riders face.

Always remember: good hands come from a good seat. Without stability and balance in the saddle, true softness in the hand is impossible.