Exceptional Horsemanship

JUNE   2013
Exceptional Horsemanship Newsletter
  Greetings!

WHAT a fantastic response to last month's newsletter. I'm going to post a few of the responses because I think it will help even more folks to hear it from others.
Dear Dear Lauren!
I have copied the quote on excessive caution...  Was quite startled to see my heart in print!  I love to ride and used to ride a lot.  Now that I am a single mom/caregiver as well as sole proprietor for our company...  I do ground work ad nauseum and rarely get in a saddle for more than a half hour, at a walk or slow trot!
Thank you Thank you Thank you for your encouragement!
Sending you Hugz ~ D.
(Who will ride tomorrow after work!)
Is that a fabulous soul or what! I am so thankful that she wrote. I'm sending her an email to see about some things and see if I can help.
 
I had to cut some out of this to make it fit, but... 

Ya know what, Lauren, your newsletters are always the best read I have. Yes, I have lots of books and I watch most of the horse shows but YOURS makes learning fun, normal and it always is logical and down to earth. (The CAP's are hers!) 

I got my first horse for my fortieth birthday and had no idea that there was anything that could hurt me.

About 5 years ago, I bought the most beautiful creature and soon learned the meaning of fear. After a year of daily devotion to conquering the challenges, including broken bones, a build-up of fear, a few unworthy trainers and months of tears, I finally sold her and got what seemed to be the perfect horse for me. And he was perfect... except... he would jump to the side and bolt and I just couldn't ride it - which included his falling on me and my almost dying. I had him for two and a half years. The last time I fell off was last November and I'm still trying to heal from it. One of the biggest things I have learned with these two horses is that I knew almost nothing and never had. That after all the years of wilderness riding and all the adventures, I was basically still a green rider who had been blessed with horses who could fill in for me.  

I finally did sell him to a young woman who was not afraid of his bolting and could handle it. My trainer (thankfully she found one to really help her)

helped me find the horse who really is perfect for not only me but for my family. The last 4 years have been a long, painful trail but I think I can testify to, "If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."    L

 

She sucked me in even without the quote. :D For someone to come to the conclusion that regardless of their time with horses, they really don't know anything is HUGE. Then to admit it. EVEN BIGGER so KUDOS to her. Until folks start assessing their skills better and more realistically their horsemanship is not going to improve much. It's just as dangerous as taking your life savings and deciding to play the commodities market with no real experience or training.

 

"Ninety percent of all those who fail are not actually defeated. They simply quit."   -- Paul J. Meyer

"I quit" or "I don't want to" and "I'm scared" are NOT the same thing. But, folks are more comfortable saying the first two because they feel that that is them controlling the situation and it doesn't sound as bad. However, it's not the truth. It will not become the truth. It's just an evasive tactic. The best part is that NO ONE will think badly of you if you just say, "I'm scared."  Yet, quitters have a different reputation. 

Kit's blue

 

Bev and Kit (pic) with their first blue. Congrats. Bev started riding bareback with me a while ago and has become such a good rider. She gallops, jumps, does obstacles, trail. It has changed her life.   

 

I put this next email in because I love it and because I can--'cuz after all, it's my newsletter :D. 
Wow, Lauren.  I REALLY enjoy your approach to life, sense of humor and wisdom.    J

My new book, "Balky, Balky, I Ain't Goin'.  Concepts for the Serious Pursuit of Horsemanship" is at the publisher's. Kay of Funny Horse Cartoons did the cover and there are 3 more of her cartoons for demonstrating the concepts inside. You won't have to save your pennies, it will only be about $13 on Amazon and also available on Kindle.

      
So... Are You Horseman Material????

 

A bit more on Fear-based riding instruction.

Fear is Not Real.

Danger is Real.

Fear is a Choice.

A friend of mine, Lee Anderson of Spur Cross Ranch in Cave Creek, AZ, called me the other day to say that he really liked my latest newsletter. So, of course we got to chatting about the fears of riders. Lee's business is trail rides thru the marvelous desert mountains. Families, business adventures, get aways, kid's rides and such.  

Safety is uppermost in most instructors heads and horse related business owners for the simple reason that it's danged inconvenient not to mention danged troublesome when someone gets hurt. It is imperative that the instructor know how to make a dangerous sport as safe as possible. However, the very nature of being around horses is dangerous. Add to that, the more inexperienced you are, the more danger you're in. The higher your skill level, the less likely you are to get hurt. We really don't want anyone to get hurt.  

 

Parents want their kids to be safe. Yet, a guarantee isn't available. They still want one. Not only that, but there is a good amount of physical, mental and emotional effort required and GOOD GRIEF people are lazy these days. They want the immediate gratification of being a rider without any of the effort. Sitting on a horse and being a rider are NOT the same thing. And all beginners are capable of is sitting. Get okay with that and forget a ridiculous ego that says you're a rider. Being a good rider and being a horseman are also NOT the same thing.

Bemoaning 'folks these days' Lee said, "Society tries to generate a high level of comfort." Yes. And how sad is that. How about you go have an adventure, which by its very nature is going to have its uncomfortable moments and times.

BUT, IT'S NOT A GOOD STORY WITHOUT A DRAGON!!!!

When the significant other comes home and you exchange "How was your day?" Fine/good. End of story. Nothing interesting. Nothing else to say. But, have something happen... that's where actual life comes in. Not just being alive. Living!

What I'd encourage folks to do is find ways, and I'm willing to help and wanting to help with this, to overcome the debilitating fear that leaves dreams by the wayside. 

Parents are scaring their kids by trying to keep them safe. Timid voices of 'concern' asking "Are you okay?" and "Oh, be careful." Well, you just can't. Parents are scaring riding instructors by implied threats that they'd best keep the kid safe. So, it stands to reason that riding instructors are trying not to have the kid get hurt instead of what's really needed to become better riders faster. And the faster you become a better rider, the safer you will be. A lot of this is to say: RIDE AND TEACH BAREBACK!!!!! Get the job done 100 times better, 100 times faster. You don't start by galloping bareback, you start by sitting bareback. 

With balance and an independent seat you can start having FUN!!! And that's the real reason for all this. Fun. Laughing all the way.

 

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and tell them to sign up for their own. Click the purple "Gimme" button on the website.
There's a difference between techniques and technique.
For exceptional results, think "how and how can I".
        
Upcoming stuff:
On to other things next month, however I'd be delighted with emails of your stories of fear and whether or not you have some ideas on help that applies to your or if you don't have any ideas and why. 
              
Your horsemanship. Your knowledge. What levels are you at realistically-without ego? Working on Exceptional, in all directions, confidence, refinement, skills and fun? Call or email me to schedule a lesson, training session, phone or email lesson/consultation today.

Don't forget to check the blog for more training and put in your questions and comments!
Sincerely,
ME

Lauren Woodard
ExceptionalHorsemanship.com
Lauren Woodard
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254