Why are you doing "that"?...
Catching the horse that way...
Grooming the horse in that place...
Mounting on that side...
Leading on that side...
Starting the ride in that direction...
Working on that specific movement...
Alternative Horsemanship™ with Samantha Harvey the Remote Horse Coach teaches horse behavior, horse training, and coaches horseback riders of all experience levels. Offering horsemanship clinics worldwide, distance horse coaching instruction, horse video learning catalog, equine consultations, equine re-education and rehabilitation, colt starting, and lessons. Follow her #alternativehorsemanship on all social media platforms.
Why are you doing "that"?...
Catching the horse that way...
Grooming the horse in that place...
Mounting on that side...
Leading on that side...
Starting the ride in that direction...
Working on that specific movement...
Dear Sam: Horse Help Horsemanship Series
Horse Tack Tips : Cinch or Girth Tension
Discussing cinch or girth tension, tack fit, horses with past or current pain issues, types of tack, etc that affect the tightening and stability of the saddle.
Click the link to watch on the Alternative Horsemanship YouTube Channel.
"Following a Feel"
Those words had no value to me in my initial years of riding (groundwork was nonexistent.) I interacted with the horse offering unintentional, continuous tension- on the lead rope, on the rein, in my leg, etc. There was never a pause, time for mental processing, recognizing separating directing the thought from movement, adaptability in my aids or any conscious release of pressure towards the horse (other than during a jump.)
Tips for Resetting your Breathing and Releasing Tension at the Halt
Without realizing it, many riders hold their breath quite frequently when interacting with or riding the horse.
This unintentional simple act creates continuous containment of the horse due to the rigidity the human then carries in their body causing constant chaotic, miscommunication with the horse.