Dear
Riding Friends,
Here are a
couple of my thoughts on a rather philosophic level…
Doubt,
The Rider, and The Teacher
Riding horses
showcases many traits of one’s personality: affectivity, intelligence,
temperament, sensitivity, control, and knowledge of one’s body. The
personal involvement in riding is tremendous.
Difficulties
arise from this unique type of relationship - a relationship between animal
and man –two being that express themselves so differently, and yet so similarly.
Any relationship may blossom and generate enthusiasm and happiness.
In that same relationship, you may also experience doubt, disappointments,
misunderstandings and sometimes bitterness. You will go through these
odd moments of doubt… you will feel untalented and have the impression
that you cannot progress any further - even that you are regressing.
But is any
of this of real importance?
I’ve asked
myself this question many times when I’ve felt this doubt. The failures,
the half successes and all of the difficulties are part of the Journey.
The real issue is your personal exploration. It’s the development
of your sensitivity, the blossoming of a unique relationship between you
and your horse, and the ability of the two of you to evolve into one harmonious
unit.
The
day I think I know everything is the day I will stop progressing.
It is actually
what happens to many riders! If your relationship with your horse
and this Journey is your passion, then persevere. Work. Doubt. Progress.
You might be lucky and find your personal happiness
…This search
is what is worth it….
A good
teacher can help you.
The teacher’s
job is, before all else, to learn to perceive, and then to develop his
student’s sensitivity and tact. A good teacher does not teach “HIS”
method. He must only give his students the technical and theoretical
knowledge necessary to develop and use their own sensitivity, and to pass
on the love of - and respect for - the horse.
Unfortunately,
many teachers - who are actually very skilled - only teach “methods” and
“systems”. They have a mechanical conception of horseback riding.
This is one of the reasons why so many riders stagnate or abandon horseback
riding.
To guide a
rider, a teacher must have a thorough knowledge of what he teaches.
He must perceive what the students feel, and “feel” the state of mind of
the horse. To take on riding, even more so, riding lightly and with
finesse, one must learn how to feel.
…Every
horse is particular; every rider is different….
Of course,
the ideal is to be able to ride finely trained horses. Technique
is certainly indispensable, but it is only a tool and not goal unto itself.
…A rider
develops his sensitivity, his equestrian tact, all his or her life….
A rider who
deserves this name is either an eternal student on a personal Journey or
a teacher who shares his experiences and who is also on a personal Journey
of his own.
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