As many of you know, I decided to lose weight a couple of
years ago so that I stopped getting in my horse’s way when I rode him. I did
and it worked. I can only recommend it to other people. One of the joys has
been that I have been able to get on ponies again and therefore backed Nettles
myself as well as leaning over Indy and Bella more recently.
As well as getting in our horse’s way, I think we can also
get in our own way when it comes to training them. We live in such a busy,
pressurised world, with self-doubt, confidence and self-esteem being big issues
for many of us that it’s easy to take that with us when we go into the field or
stable. Not only that but we can build such a complex picture around a horse –
over thinking his past and his possible future – that we can create an almighty
maze that’s difficult to find the entrance never mind the exit. Dare I say it
but most horse problems are actually straight forward in description, curable
with time, patience AND technique. The road is often a very straight and calm,
if long avenue, rather than one with lots of twists and cul de sacs. That straight line goes from ‘check the
physical’ to ridden work in most cases with a slightly different road for
problems like not loading. There’s no quick fix but there should be a clear
direction from the outset.
It’s often said that 99% of horse problems are caused by
people in the first place and whilst that may be so, there’s every chance of
solving them again if we get out of our own way.
Whilst horse trainers like myself can often work on
confidence problems relating to being around a horse, there are more qualified
experts who can help you with deeper personal problems.
One I can certainly
recommend is Personal Development and Wellness Consultant, Lisa Skeffington. Based in Fordingbridge, Lisa is very
experienced with all sorts of issues relating to self-esteem, anxieties and
confidence, along with more quirky conditions such as misophonia. Her approach
is sensitive and pragmatic. She can be contacted through her website www.goodtobeme.co.uk. Lisa offers an
effective and quality blend of therapies to help you to take control, feel
better and feel good. As a rider herself,
she shares an understanding and passion for horses also.
It may be that you have your own separate and distinct
avenue to follow where your horse doesn’t need to go with you but will be happy
see you at the other end.
