Horseback riding requires your complete focus. There is no room in the saddle for fear, anger or worry. Whatever has happened in your day prior to your ride must be put aside as soon as you get your horse out of the stall. If your mind is wandering during your ride…….Why did that person say that to me? Why did I get that bad grade? I can’t believe that jerk cut me off on 435! Will I have time to complete the assignment on time? What am I cooking for dinner?…… you will quickly realize your horse is wandering too.
However; the day’s concerns can still spill into our ride. That’s when we have to learn to sit up straight, take a breath or two, release the tension in our shoulders and start the process over, be it working on canter departures, leads, diagonals, patterns. Your horse needs you to be the strong and patient leader.
“You don’t get results by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on the actions that produce results.”
Mike Hawkins