tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716048807398679258.post2387072405810304732..comments2024-03-13T10:57:11.820-04:00Comments on works in progress : Tommye McClure Scanlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09816922767294739515noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716048807398679258.post-22983158253313320402008-01-29T11:46:00.000-05:002008-01-29T11:46:00.000-05:00Every Friday I hear Leslie, my riding teacher say,...Every Friday I hear Leslie, my riding teacher say, "Soften, soften...." This happens when the rider is tensing up and the horse is going faster to try to get away from all the sensory input from the rider. What is amazing is how long it took for me to even believe I could affect a horse that profoundly. Now, if I'm tense (most of the darn time!!!) on a horse, as soon as I soften, the horse immediately comes back under me, relaxes and goes with more control and support. Horses either read human minds, or they read our bodies so well they don't have to read our minds. They will even go slower at the trot if you post slower than they are going. <BR/><BR/>The thing is, now that I know, I'm even more sorry if I can't support with my balance what the horse needs in order to go well. The children just get it, and the adults just struggle if they did not get to ride as children. And I am at the bottom, still trying to learn how to support the cantering horse in the ring. But the attitude at the stable is so positive, and the horses so mysterious, that I keep trying. <BR/><BR/>Wow- I'm like a shook-up bottle of soda and the cap just came off. What were people putting in soda for awhile- Mentos? John kept wanting to try it. Of course he also likes to blow up Easter Peeps in the microwave.AliceKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15231681463491656808noreply@blogger.com