Day 2 - It’s All About Connection
If you know me, you know I am all about Connection.
I ask the kids, “if your seat is light and your voice is clucking to ask for forward movement, but your hands are pulling back, are you in connection?” Or, “what if you oversteer your horse on a turn, are you in connection?”
Of course the answer is No.
The fine line between making and asking is as illusive as the horse herself. She will submit to being strong-armed, but is that what we really want? Horse and Human both share the desire for Connection and when we short-change each other that experience, we are truly missing out on the gifts these enormous vegans offer us.
So, as many lessons with me begin, today entailed A LOT of talking. We discussed the 3 promises we ALWAYS make to our furry friends when we bring them from the freedom of their pasture into the arena to work play: 1. We will keep you safe 2. You will work a little and have fun 3. We will return you safely to your family at the end of the day. The kids quickly realized that this was THEIR responsibility, their horse and their choice of experience - force or seek connection. It’s a choice.
I spoke at length about herd mentality, prey vs predator and establishing alpha by moving feet. Then the kids had their turn at lunging for respect, desensitizing and joining up. And, yet, it still was not time to ride. Grooming offers the opportunity to bond through energy, touch, sounds and smell and the responsibility to make sure your horse will feel comfortable as well as look good - yes, there is a productive place for pride.
As the kids began to see how groundwork was connected to riding, their confidence grew and we got closer and closer to saddle work. Finally, in the saddle, I wouldn’t give them reins. What?! No reins?! Yep, no reins. “Today we need to learn how to ride from our seat, the aid of constant communication with our horse. We owe it to them.”
And, then what may have started as mundane, changed into the thrill of trotting with airplane arms, hands on the helmet and 2-point. A connection must always be established between horse & human on the ground before we jump on their back . As much as everyone anticipates being able to ride freely tomorrow, I think we all know our horse friends deserved our attempts to “see” them today!
We finished riding just before the rain moved in, but that actually had no ill-effect on anyone - it maybe even sweetened the day! Doug took the kids to the black sand beach at Kalapana while I made Quinoa in the downpour. After dinner, the kids hopped on the horses bare-back and cruised around their pasture. And as I watched our little pack of predators try and try again to ride the horses, I realized the tides had changed. The horses were keeping the kids safe, the horses were making the promises, the horses were taking their time to be present with the keiki. And, as excitement built (and Ever egged Penny on into a lope), the horses saved their bucking and horseplay until the kids were safely on the ground.
And, as always, there is more to Connection than words can say.
