Well, at least, that's what "they" say.
But we know differently, don't we?
We know how much time it takes to develop the balance and timing to move as a unit with the horse.
We know about the frustration and tears we expend when we work so hard to achieve something and still it does not arrive.
We know the pain we must go through - literally and figuratively - to develop enough "saddle time" to feel even the beginnings of unity and harmony with the horse.
It's like a picture.
Every time you watch a horse and rider, you are seeing where they are in their development as a partnership at that moment in time. Their strengths as well as their weaknesses are but a snapshot of their progress, a simple moment in time after where they have been and before where they are going.
The trick is to know that the picture they currently present is malleable and ever moving onward, like a flowing river. The challenges they have right now are going to drift away with practice and new ones will take their places.
The unlimited potential for learning and self-development is the never-ending call of horseback riding.
To those of you who insist that the rider does nothing
When you see the rider that looks like she is "doing nothing", please be aware that:
- her timing is so well-developed that she is riding "in" the movement of the horse, intimately intertwined within his gait so as to dance into his rhythm.
- she is incredibly fit and strong through her core muscles, as well as self-aware of the balance and positioning of every cell of her body from tip of the head to the toes, so that the horse's movements do not lurch her out of the saddle.
- she knows when and how to allow the expression of the horse to come through and then capably rides along with him.
- she has developed a level of communication with her horse so sophisticated that it rivals the best, most successful social media platform known in existence to humankind!
- she has more dedication and self-discipline than many who are watching her
In fact, us horseback riders are always in the hunt for looking like we are doing nothing at all! Because we know that an effortless, free-flowing, lighter-than-air ride truly is what we're aiming for...
...and we do not really mind if those onlookers think we are just being passengers on a magnificent animal who is willing to share his talents with us!
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
