Last night, whilst I was hanging up my washing, I ended up staring at this sock for a fair while. No, I haven't finally lost my marbles, I was remembering who gave these socks to me, and why. During my time in Portugal some 7 years ago, the show jumper I was based with gave me these socks one day. I was baffled as usually he'd hand me tack or a shavings fork, not clothing! He explained the reason he was giving me these particular socks was because of the colours and how they reflect how we train horses and riders. We always need to keep our methods black and white, easy to understand and simple to follow. Over complicated things will never help anyone, least of all the mental state of both horse and rider. The black and white work together without conflicting, hence the pattern of the socks. |
Yes, this show jumper was a bit nuts, but he made perfect sense. In the space of a month he had whittled me down, made me an emotional wreck, made me doubt any riding ability I thought I possessed and never once apologised for it. But, once I was at my all time low, he built me back up again, keeping everything simple and not letting me overthink things. If I asked a horse to do something and it didn't happen, I'd ask again and again in exactly the same way until they got it. This could have been asking a young horse for canter under saddle for the first time, to improving half pass in a Lusitano. If I'd changed how I was asking, how were they supposed to know which aids mean what? | "You need to ride with your mind, and smile whilst you do so!" |
At the time I hated him for it, but without realising it not only had he moulded me into a better rider, he'd improved my horsemanship and understanding of their training.
I learnt a lot during my time abroad. One of the most important lessons I walked away with was this - horses aren't the smartest of animals, we have to keep things black and white. Don't wait for them to react to something and then having to tell them not to do it, prevent it from happening in the first place. Be in charge without being a bully. Be sympathetic without being a pushover. Be black and white whilst avoiding the grey.
I learnt a lot during my time abroad. One of the most important lessons I walked away with was this - horses aren't the smartest of animals, we have to keep things black and white. Don't wait for them to react to something and then having to tell them not to do it, prevent it from happening in the first place. Be in charge without being a bully. Be sympathetic without being a pushover. Be black and white whilst avoiding the grey.