ACTHA Monthly January 2016 | Page 15

Jeff Wilson Cowboy Dressage

Is there an obstacle you would like to read about? You can contact me at: [email protected]. I appreciate your feedback, and value your “likes” on Facebook. I have been training horses for over 30 years and valued the western horse lifestyle in my approach to training. I give clinics and seminars on how to reach your full potential with your horse

through the training foundation

of Cowboy Dressage.

Jeff

Rein Photography

Tight muscles produce negative reactions. Before a hoof hits the trail, it is invaluable how you prepare.

Someone needs to be the brains of the operation, it might as well be you.

It is a mistake to think that Cowboy Dressage will not help every western rider, at least in my opinion. Both Cowboy Dressage and ACTHA are about horsemanship. Horsemanship is about communication to the horse, and is often focused on problem solving. People get rattled about problem solving; yet, that is a primary focus in our horsemanship quest. Horse troubles are often based around tension in the body or mind; hence, the need for balance. All these troubles are solved by bending your horse around your leg. You might call it “communication through dressage.”

Our job with horses is always about training. Because training is about leadership (someone needs to be the brains of the operation, it might as well be you), poor Thunder thought he had been demoted from his management position, thus his “live-in-the-moment” reaction. You might ask, “Where is Thunder today?” Well, once all four feet settled down and stayed down, his owner was dazzled by the simple, beautiful, forward movement that Thunder had previously kept under wraps. That same day, she was able to ride him in a way she had never experienced before, and he was able to relate to her and respond to her in a way he had never done before. (The horse learned true relaxation in movement, to move forward, and to bend when asked; the rider learned a level of communication to better the horse.)

They are living in New York, happily ever after.