Most Everything I Know About People I Learned From Horses. #3

Most Everything I know about People I learned from Horses. #3

by

Karen Quilliams

The more I work with horses and people the more I learn about each. This is the Third in a series of articles I would like to write a about some of the things we teach to help in our relationship with our horses, as well as with each other and what we can learn from our creator.

We use 4 keywords in our teaching: Confidence, Consistency, Compassion and Connection. CONFIDENCE: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper & effective way CONSISTENCY: uniform or persistent occurrence or re-occurrence COMPASSION: involves tenderness & understanding CONNECTION: a union, to join, link or bond Transitions or Changes The two keywords we will use in transitions are connection and consistency. In our teaching we try to encourage and teach for smooth, relaxed and comfortable transitions for both horse and rider. To do this we need to not only prepare the horse but ourselves. If we are able to prepare ourselves well enough the horse will follow. A transition can be from a walk to a trot, a trot to a walk, a walk to a lope or canter, a walk to a stop and then to a backup. We havent included all the transitions or changes we ask the horse to make here, but, I think you get the idea. We suggest you begin every transition by preparing yourself mentally, think walk, think slow down, think stop, and then add we are going to stop at this point, or go into a trot in the next 3 steps. As we prepare our minds this is transferred to the horse as our body prepares for the transition and we have connection. This may sound too simple; it does not need to be complicated. The difficult part is to find the consistency to make this work time after time. We are told that before we come to a stop in a car we should prepare ourselves by thinking ahead and start our braking, depending on our travelling speed and the distance and car lengths we need to stop. We also need to do this smoothly so we dont throw anyone thru the windshield; of course everyone in the car is prepared for this because we made sure everyone has their seatbelt on — right. With our horses we want smooth and comfortable transitions and this is done by first preparing, — at the right time, and with enough time, but not too much time,—our minds and bodies and the horses mind and body, so that it happens effortlessly and without stress to horse or rider. Always remembering as little as you need but as much as it takes. It seems to me we could go thru life with a lot less stress and worry if we prepared ourselves for lifes transitions or changes. As we grow we have to transition from crawling to walking, from baby formula to solid food, from no school to school, from high school to the working world, from single to married, right thru from working to retirement, from retirement to old age and all the things that happen as we get older. Dont you think these things would be easier if we studied about them, learned about, thought ahead, and prepared ourselves for each transition or change in our life? Now some of you may be saying this sounds impossible. It may be sometimes. I often thank God for my parents as they transitioned from retirement to quitting driving to moving into a seniors residence and preparing for their own funeral. I sure made it a lot more pleasant for them and for their kids. What is the biggest transition in your life coming up that maybe you arent prepared for and what can you do to prepare for a smooth transition? When we connect with God transitions or changes in our lives will be many, but he gives us very clear instructions and direction and if we follow His truth consistently — He promises all our transitions will be smooth and worry free. The question that looms in front of us all is will we be ready for the biggest transition that we will all have to go thru. Paul in his letter to the Philippians says this: Philippians 3:21– He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change (or transition) them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere. (TNLT) A difficult transition for most of us is the transition of the heart. God can help us with this. And we can help as Paul instructs Timothy how to do this. II Timothy 2:24-26 24 The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people.25 They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change (or transition) those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth.26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the Devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (TNLT) Transitions can be difficult for all of us are you ready for this — Peter tells us — For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. (TNLT)

Teaching for a smoother horse and a more comfortable ride. http://www.horsesensedk.com

For Saddles, Tack, books and more visit HorseSense 4U http://www.horsesense4u.com Dennis Quilliams HorseSense HorseManShip Equine Consultant, Teaching YOU to work with your horse Blog with HorseSense at http://www.horsesense4u.org

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