"If your horse locks up, you’ve lost him; never mind letting him look around, regain control and win the charge like you read about."
For you to get busy means your seat needs to stay stuck—deep in the cockpit of the saddle and navigating your horse, continuing the conversation you have been having all through your ride (You didn’t wait until this very moment to start a conversation with your horse did you?). Your voice and tone are low and steady, like a calming nicker (no screaming). Your hands stay low (not fussing) to connect with the horse brain. Your legs are purposeful and poised against the sides of your horse—you have someplace to go to next, remember?
I am saying. I’m just saying ridin’ shouldn’t put a knot in your belly the Boy Scouts can’t get out.
During this obstacle, you can sit and wait for the bunny to run, but you need to keep your boots on. In other words, keep your horse ready to ride forward. I know this obstacle is judged with a horse standing still in a particular spot, but that doesn’t mean your horse is locked-up frozen with a rider perched waiting for, you know…the jackrabbit on a moonshine twist. There’s a difference when your horse is making all the decisions. What?
Your horse is making decisions when he decides what he will or won’t do—stand still, where he will or won’t go—move forward, and that means you are no longer in charge. You better know it, that’s a scary place for your horse to have to be in. Now he has obtained the terrifying lead, which is not a confidence builder for either of you. If your horse locks up, you’ve lost him; never mind letting him look around, regain control and win the charge like you read about.
ACTHA Monthly | 12
Photo credit: The Natural Capital