There’s a story about a young boy who went to see a wise sage about some problems.

The sage listened intently. He began to offer advice.

To each suggestion, the boy said, “Yes, but I’ve already tried that.” Or he shrugged, “Yes, but I don’t think that would work in my situation.” Or he flippantly replied, “Yes, but my friend tried that. That’s not for me.”

Finally the sage said nothing more and retrieved a teacup for the boy. He offered tea to the young man. The boy accepted.

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Thoughts to Set You Free on Your Horse

Fear is intriguing.

No one escapes feeling fear from time to time.

Fear is one of those double-edged swords that usually has a very uncomfortable feeling associated with it … or … if we switch things around, it can have a very productive side.

Fear is good, of course when it guides you away from a dangerous situation to safe action.

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Powerful Daily Practice to Grow Your Personal Expression of Riding

It’s so easy to feel like our riding is just wandering around the block when it comes to improving systematically.

We can kinda, sorta get better.

Sure. That works … kinda, sorta. But it can be frustrating and can feel like you are suspended in mediocrity.

There is a formula you can do EVERY DAY that will insure systematic strength and growth over time.

It goes like this: Release. Aim. Ride. Reflect.

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… Or … Five Funk Busters to Feel Good Again

We ALL have those moments when we KNOW we shouldn’t feel badly about a ride, but we have trouble getting out of a funk.

At the same time, you also know that “positive” energy is a huge key to success … (and that whole discussion has many facets). You know all about a multitude of mental tools like visualization, self-talk, acknowledging what you did do right, etc.

But sometimes you just feel bummed. You can’t even think about seeing things differently because you are groveling in the doldrums.

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Get a Boost From the Past and Plan Your Move Forward

Sometimes it feels like progress crawls at a snail’s pace. It’s easy to think about all the things you still can’t do very well.

Sometimes it just takes a marker in time to realize how far you really have come.

Where were you in your riding at this same time last year?

Consider the increase in your overall knowledge, the quality of your practice sessions, your improved mental skills, your level of enjoyment, and your showing. Don’t forget to include the joy you felt with your horse and comradery with friends.

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I have a friend, Jenna who is a power house of great energy.

She is one of those people who radiates excitement.

When I asked Jenna how she does it, she told me she chooses to consciously tune into if she is feeling good … or not … throughout the entire day.

If she starts to feel a tilt in the “negative” direction, she consciously thinks a better thought.

She disciplined herself to do this five years ago and has experienced extraordinary results ever since … in her riding and in her life. Best of all, she’s having a blast.

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Well, I take that back. You don’t have to believe!

I do know however, you will achieve your dreams … or at least, move closer in the direction of what you want to accomplish … when you believe.

It’s soooo easy to base all we think will happen on the evidence of what is happening right now.

But belief and faith are the opposites of basing your opinions and hopes solely on what’s happening right now. In fact, that’s why I like this verse so much, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~Hebrews 11:1

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A while back I was fortunate to spend time with John Lyons, a horse trainer I so respect.

I asked him, “How can the same cue mean different things to your horse? When I use a seemingly similar foot cue, how does a horse know if I want to accelerate, or move to the right or left, (just as an example)?”

I will never forget what he said.

Although I can’t remember his exact words, here’s the idea.

It is the clarity of the intention in your mind to obtain a specific response that makes it clear for the horse.

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Our horseback riding life is destined to go through peaks and valleys.

We can have success, plenty of funds, and a sound horse one week … and just the opposite the next.

How we deal with what happens is the key … not what happens to us and around us.

How we think about things is a choice.

That choice of perspective became VERY evident to me this summer.

Now maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there have been a lot of potentially disheartening events happening in a lot of places.

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