Walking Day

My Epiphany for the beautiful mornin’ or Random Thoughts from an Old Horseman

I do not like to call myself a “horse trainer” as that is somewhat of a generic term that covers so many levels of horsemanship and non of them specific. I prefer to think of myself as a “horseman” or “educator” or even “artist.”

For simplicity and to make my point I will refer to “training myself” in this feature.

I think long and hard before I get on a horse each day. What can I do to elevate his training, where does he need more support, how can I better communicate, what did I learn from the day before?

With horses the list is endless…..that is why at 80 years old I am still searching for the right equations and answers. Then of course the horse has to be on the same page and if not the whole thought process and plan has to be re figured. Every day and every stride is a moment of time and all its own.

This morning, I saddled up with a plan of another day of arena work. Then as I was saddling up I looked at his soft big brown eyes and it came to me. The hardest thing for me to do is to not always be “training.” I had to ask myself who needed the training today. Myself or my horse.

I had to learn to let go and just let the horse be a horse with no pressure, no stress. We walked side by side down to the arena, I stopped and whispered to his ear “its a walking day”, he smiled.

I understand that I have to be less of a trainer and more of a horseman. I have to discipline myself first. Sometimes just “opening the gate” and riding the trials is what is most needed for myself and my horse. I think my horse really appreciated this beautiful mornin’. I feel pretty good about it too….

Happy Walking and Happy Trails, Eitan