Worthington Coaching And Mentoring

Hi Marion

Since my last newsletter I have been to visit my daughter in North Carolina, USA. This picture shows horses that live out on the dunes and beach at Corolla, Outer Banks. This is now a protected area and the horses have been proved to be descedents of the first Spanish Mustangs to land on these Eastern shores. You are allowed to drive along the beach and get to 50ft of them. One group had a foal with them - which was very cute! Lovely to see how relaxed they were with the Atlantic rolling in on one side and the dunes on the other.


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Relaxation is the key to a happy ride

What is the key to enjoying your horse, your riding, your competing?

I beleive it is relaxation.

Relaxation for you and relaxation for your horse. This has to come first. To get a relaxed horse you need a relaxed rider. To get your horse to relax you have to have awareness, understand what is going on for him/her in the moment and act appropriately to help the horse reach a relaxed, calm state.

There are many reasons why your horse may not be relaxed. For example it may be the environment - you know how it is - you go to a new place and you have a different horse! It may be that your horse is unconfident - in the situation, in what you are asking, in the environment. It may be that your horse is tense, is dominant or many more things that get in the way of relaxation.

Your job is to recognise what is going on and help your horse by showing leadership and communicating your intentions to help find the relaxation you are looking for. So - be aware - ask questions - take a deep breath - relax yourself and work it out!

www.worthingtoncoaching.co.uk

I get an email from Christine Worthington once in a while with intressting thoughts. Christine is also a Parelli student and just published a book about confident riding.
I really like her writing and think it´s very inspiring!