Calm, forward, and straight
We talk a lot about the importance for a horse to be calm, forward, and straight, and I personally am learning to look for that in every interaction. For me, forward doesn’t always relate to physically moving forward, it can also be a state of mind. A forward horse is ready, willing, and able to move together with us in any direction.
When we talk about helping a horse be calm, forward, and straight, we focus a lot on what we want the horse to do. We want them centered nose to tail, soft eye, and confident and ready to move with us in any direction.
What we don’t talk about as much is what the person needs to offer to the horse so that they can be calm, forward, and straight. I think it’s hard sometimes for us to look at ourselves; I know it’s that way for me.
This is something that I have been very focused on for myself. It’s so easy to let anxiety, fear, or pressure get to us and disrupt our flow with horses. But all of that gets in the way of helping. I have found that in order to really help horses (and people), I have to move slow, calm, and with intention. Slowing down allows me to always keep thinking, and it allows me to find an energetic connection with my horse. When I go slow, I can be soft and release places of resistance within myself.
The really hard work comes from helping our insides match our outsides. Horses and people can feel when someone is incongruent, and that can also get in the way of helping. You don’t need to strive for perfection, but rather find a place of non judgmental awareness of how you feel on the inside, and what your body is doing on the outside.
Doing this work doesn’t mean things will always go perfectly with your horse. There are always still moments of chaos. But in the midst of chaos, your horse will learn that they can rely on you. Your horse will understand that no matter what, you can’t be disrupted. These are some of the qualities that make a leader, and your horse will start to recognize that you are safe to follow.
Start small. Check in with yourself, and take a slow breath that fills air into your belly before you enter the pasture. Find your own rhythm as you walk to catch your horse, and move slow and organized with your halter and lead. Small changes add up in big ways for our horses.
