Happy Mindful Monday!
When I first picked up Ray’s book “Think Harmony with Horses”, this quote jumped out to me on the first page. How important is this to remember? Especially for those who compete in the show ring. Growing up in a competitive show environment, I can certainly attest to how hard it is to keep this in mind. We all like to win. We wouldn’t compete if we didn’t; but I cannot stress enough that your horse needs to come first. At the end of the day, it’s not about the ribbon. That one judge’s opinion really doesn’t matter. What matters is the improvement of the relationship between you and your horse. How you feel to your horse and how he feels in return is far superior to any points or ribbons accumulated.
It’s very important to be aware of how we feel to our horses through our aids. Horsemanship is a lifestyle centered around self-awareness. You are only as effective as you are mindful.
Mindful of the pressure your horse feels from your hand to the bit or your hand to the rope. Mindful of the activity or inactivity of your leg. Mindful of the fluidity through your seat. Mindful of your horses reaction to your energy and your body language when it’s directed towards them and even when it’s not. Mindful of your timing, most importantly.
None of these things come easy and they get better with time. It is important not to rush the process because nothing with horses is a “quick fix.” Your best today won’t be the same as your best yesterday or your best tomorrow and neither will your horse’s. Get in the habit of taking what you learned from your experiences yesterday and apply it to today. Always strive to be softer, to be wiser and to be exceptional for your horse. ————————————————————————— #mindfulness #MindfulMonday #horsemanship #rayhunt #beyourbest #patiencepaysoff #unity
Photos Carissa Lynn Photography Video Hilary Murphy
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