• Oct. 11, 2006
The Way the Mind Works
It's fascinating, really. This morning I rode a horse (We'll call her Cardamon) that I hadn't ridden for a very long time. My coach suggested that change was good, so why not? So I did. But, (There's always one of those. Phooey.) I really couldn't control her. So we tried and tried, but it just wasn't working. I couldn't relax, and she kept doing things I either didn't think I was telling her to do, or not doing things I thought I was telling her to do. The truth is, I was on a new horse that felt very different from what I was used to. My confidence went down a notch or two. Whzooooop! Right there, she caught on to that - how? - I'm not really sure, it's a horse thing. They have an instinct - a mind reading power if you will - to understand us. I was giving her mixed messages. My hands and rear might have been in the same place as they always are when I ride, but with my confidence down (and I didn't even know it) my body told me to 'hang on' so I was grabbing with my legs - and she sped up. It makes sense, doesn't it? But, I didn't know I was, so I pulled back on the reins "Easy Cardamon! Slow down!" *sigh* She didn't get it - and understandably so. I was telling her to go fast and slow at the same time.
This is the interesting part. My coach said "Let's put her on a longe line" (he holds the longe line which is attatched to the horse and the horse walks around him basically). So while he went down to the barn to get the longe line, I dismounted and had myself a frustrated little cry against Cardamon's neck. She was really sweet, nuzzled me a bit (and of course got goop all over my shirt, silly girl!) and I sighed and pushed my face into her almost-winter fur. He came back and we longed. All of a sudden I had my confidence back up. Was it the line or my cry, or both? Either way, I felt more confident - even though I thought I was doing exactly what I had before. Obviously not! She listened to me, we walked a bunch, and my coach explained the confidence factor to me. I understood. Then I post-trotted a bit and even had a lope that was not bad at all!
So it was a good lesson after all. It was frustrating at times, but I learned a lot more about horses - and me for that matter - than I have in a long time. Oh, and by the way, when I was tacking down, Cardamon licked my shirt in the spot where she had previously gooped it! Isn't she a sweety? I may have felt like she was trying to be a pain, and wasn't obeying me, but it was my mind - my body. Isn't it amazing?
I hope I haven't bored you with my long speech, but it really just goes to show you the marvels of the creation God has made. Horses have an inate sense of communion with us. They were built for us. To cry on, to love, to laugh with, and to enjoy. Thankyou God, for making me an instrument in your hands today, to learn a lesson about you and your perfections. I really appreciate that opportunity.
Sheila
Comments
• Oct. 11, 2006
Hello!
Posted by Mariah
That's a great story Sheila! It shows how much can change when where confident in ourselves! How often do you get to ride? Btw, I've been really enjoying you blog!
• Oct. 11, 2006
Thanks!
Posted by ChristsInstrument
I ride once a week usually. :) I'm glad you're enjoying my blog! Thanks for reading it!!! :-D
• Oct. 11, 2006
Hey
Posted by Mariah
Cool! That sounds like a ton of fun!
• Oct. 11, 2006
Hey!
Posted by Maria
I have been reading and checking your blog Sheila, and hope it will soon flourish!
• Oct. 26, 2006
It's so true....
Posted by YahwehISAlmighty
I completely understand what you were saying - how they kinda read your mind. My horse picks up every thing. If I'm mad he is mad. If I'm happy he is happy, though he will try to buck me off after about an hour of riding even if I'm happy (he's lazy) :). He can get a major attitude some times but I love him!!! I was riding him about a week ago and I was just walking but I felt like trotting. I promise you that I was doing nothing to make him trot but he started to anyway. See, he read my mind and knew what I really wanted to do. He tends to do that a lot.
