Plans for Spring

Spring is now showing it's beautifully sun soaked head. There was apparently a 'super moon' last night, but to me any moon is super if the sky is clear enough to see it. Spring means that we can let the horses out of their stalls more and that grazing muzzles will be coming out of mothballs for my easy keepers who gorge themselves on spring grass before their little guts are used to the high calorie meal.

And it means it's time to hit the road with Chanty for some riding lessons, trail rides and Centered Riding clinics here in Washington state, through May and June. Then in July, I'm planning a road trip to Chase, British Columbia to see French classical rider and master dressage clinician, Philippe Karl. I've watched his 4 DVD riding series over and over through the years as my knowledge has expanded. I can now say that when I listen to him explain lateral exercises,  I truly understand how they work, why they're important and how to actually execute them correctly, if not perfectly. Then in August I am planning to go to a clinic with Robin Gates who trained with Carolyn Resnick on the "Seven Waterhole Rituals" and who does all of her work at liberty. It is still one of my favorite activities-work at liberty-not only with my students but with my own horses. I have recently been working with Image at liberty, including waterhole ritual 6 and 7, called "companion walking (magnetic connection)" and "come up and go, trot". They are the most difficult because your horse has to feel comfortable moving with you at close range as their energy and therefore their excitement level increases. This can worry some horses, while others feel imposed upon to move. Either way, they are very apt to turn and leave you. Image has responded beautifully by trotting close to my shoulder on a circle and then when heading straight down the arena will come with me until I lean back to signal an upcoming stop and back up. Beautiful! A real show of confidence and trust in my leadership. She is a bright energetic and engaging horse.

I was able to spend a few days watching a new instructor's clinic recently with my favorite Level 4 CR instructor, Karen, and decided I would take in every bit of information that she was offering so that I could apply it to my now expanding body of students. I remembered how proud I was three years ago, as I completed the new instructor clinic and was handed my certification and it was a great pleasure to meet a new group of bright, enthusiastic and energetic women willing to bring Sally Swift's teachings to a future generation of riders.

Thanks to Karen, my new favorite question to ask students is "What did you discover?" after each session of practicing new concepts in riding. It gives students a chance to recall what they were thinking while they rode and how their awareness was enhanced each time they allowed themselves to "find it, feel it, let it go." It's so easy to throw huge amounts of information at students as they ride past, thinking that as an instructor, you need to share everything you know with them in less than 30 minutes. Instead it makes more sense to "teach with a spoon, not a shovel."

The wisdom that comes with experience is not unique to riding instructors and not everything you learn from your instructor has to be about riding. Advice about taking care of yourself and listening to your body could apply to everyday living. Riding, like many things in life, is a collaborative effort and involves interacting with others. With continued practice and actively engaging in all aspects of your life you will become your "best self". Horses teach us to leave our weekly planners behind, live in the moment and enjoy the time spent in the warm sunshine of spring. That is my plan and I'm sticking to it. Enjoy your horse this spring.