April 2014
Exceptional Horsemanship Newsletter


"What you get by achieving your goals is not nearly as important as what you become by achieving them." --Thoreau

 

What does it take to be good at anything? Courage. Courage to persevere. It will get hard. You will struggle. And that's okay as long as you keep going. No guide or set of tools can prepare you for the lines in the sand where your fear overtakes you or the pain you will experience emotionally and, as is the case with horses, sometimes physically. You must be courageous.

Let's be honest: You're probably not a great rider. If you are just starting out and don't have decades of training under your belt, this is a given. Which is fine as long as you don't stay there. We all start somewhere, right? The best way to get good at horsemanship is to practice. You don't need to take a giant step. You just need to take the next step. Prepare to do the work.

 "The past cannot be changed; the future is still in your power."

- Hugh White

 

Challenges and issues and problems.
Lions and tigers and bears.
They're just the universe! Showing up when you've somehow forgotten what you can do and how powerful you really are.
Because, of course, you will prevail if you persevere.
Oh my!
    The Universe
Are you waiting for permission to pursue your dreams? Such an easy solve. Permission granted! Now stop messing around already. No more excuses. Delivered with a smile of course. :D
Peka doing some nice work.
 
Oh my friends... that question about if you guys read and if so what in last month's newsletter...
I got a lot of emails and 3 people included reading horse books. Sheesh, kriekie!! That means I'm writing books you guys won't read???? Such good information is passing you by. Well, I shall courageously persevere when it gets hard and keep writing and keep hoping that when you read what I've written here in these newsletters it encourages you to read my horse books and other horse books out there. For some inspiration, how about you check out the book: Lorenzo, the Flying Frenchman and go on youtube and see some of his videos. No, you'll probably never do that, but what if you approached SOME of the ways to forward your horsemanship thoughts--the journey as it were, not the destination. Every time I watch a video like that I want to go out and accomplish something new and good. As a matter of fact, I got so inspired (even though the video I wanted to link for you wasn't available) I DID go out and do some new things-which I video-ed but haven't downloaded yet. So, you'll get to see that in a bit.
BE INSPIRED!!
I hope you read the Upcoming segment below. Look how much stuff is on it's way! And if you have a preference for the queue priority, drop me a line.
You can catch up on all the training ideas you've missed on the blog.
      
So... Are You Horseman Material????

Now kids, I've got this video link here trying to encourage everyone to stop underestimating horses thinking and over-estimating the 'leadership' of humans just for being a human. Horses are thinking beings and anyone who tells you differently doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Just because they don't think exactly like we do, doesn't make it not thinking. There are a ton of people out there who don't think like me and it's hard for me to understand.
Stacy Westfall wrote a comment on her blog about this and stated that when horses are excited or whatever they make bad decisions. Now, nothing against Stacy, but that's only a bad decision based on the person's point of view. It's a good decision for the horse and THAT's who's making the decision. Me thinks there is some misunderstanding of the 'relationship' of these two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpod7gEu7ys
Not too long ago someone told me what I was thinking about a situation and that what I was thinking was entirely wrong. I was shocked as it was 180 degrees the other way from what I WAS thinking. So, I explained that. The person said that: NO, I didn't think that, I thought what they told me I was thinking.
Well, imagine my consternation!
And folks -- we both speak the same language!!! I do believe that this person was trying to help and I of course, would re-examine the entire situation and it's important to note that sometimes we just don't see something we're close to. And I believe each of you believes that what you're telling your horse and what you're doing is the right thing or at least with the right learning intent.
But maybe, imagine what your horse is thinking and what you're thinking about what he's thinking and how wrong you may be. Oh MY!

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:
I'm really excited about all the stuff in the queue. So much that I've found and learned and explored. Other books and trainers and ways - EXCITING!
Focus on the right thing. The EASY button isn't what you think and running rough-shod over it will keep your horsemanship on the uphill struggle side of the hill.
A horse invading your space as opposed to being in the same space.
Dressage Mastery
Sunshine Acres
Riding into your 90's.
Asking your horse to do something way above his level and way above yours!
 "awareness" - the need for calm.  maintain boundaries in order to create focus, both in yourself and your horse.  ladder jumping - the art of waiting   timing/feel   come
Managing space around other horses
  • "Think."
              
Stop waiting for the miracle horsemanship pill. There is an easy button, but most don't want to do it. Let's get to work. 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