Fall in Love with This

Sometimes you know something theoretically, and you think you ‘know’ it, but then a situation comes up and you’re tested a bit. That’s what happened to me this past week, but in a really good way. And the result is I understand the gold in loving the process – and – Nic and I are learning some new skills.


VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Hey, it’s Barb and Nick, and I want to share with you what’s been going on the past couple of weeks.

I’ve been co-hosting a webinar series with my good friend and excellent teacher, Sandy Collier, and the topic has been Unlocking Lead Changes.

It’s all about a sequence of skills and exercises that when the horse and rider can accomplish these step-by-step exercises, it makes it hand in glove to do a lead change. Lead changes can be anxiety-producing for the horse, rider, or both.

I’ve had a great time learning, too.

As a cutting horse rider and cow person, I never did dressage, and I never did reining. I never really needed to learn to do lead changes.

I’ve loved understanding all about doing them.

And Nic, you know, has never had that training. So we’ve been having fun going out in the pasture and practicing.

Here’s what I’ve been observing.

The whole idea of focusing on the process instead of on the result is golden. It takes a lot of patience and commitment to love the process and not rush it. It also takes understanding the skills and the steps and be willing to practice them.

There’s a whole set of skills for the rider, and there’s a complete set of skills for the horse.

When we do things sequentially and understand and develop the skills, the result of the lead change takes care of itself.

I have been doing that, and I’ve been observing myself and how I’ve, it’s easy for me to think, “I want to go to that step, or I want to ______, or I want to try this, which is a little bit too far ahead.

To become a truly skilled master of any maneuver in any equine sport it’s about falling in love with the process.

Number one, what are the skills of the rider? What are they for the horse? And having the patience and commitment to do those things smoothly and seamlessly so that the next step follows naturally and is easy.

When we fall in love with the process in whatever you do, whatever discipline, do your best to understand the process. Meet your horse where they are, and keep taking baby steps, step by step.

And one of these days, I’ll show you a video of Nic and me doing a beautiful lead change! Okay, have a great week. Leave a comment for me. Bye bye.

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Comments

12 Comments on Fall in Love with This

  1. Sandy Collier on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 1:52 pm

    2. I LOVE that Barb!! Training horses teaches us so many important life skills!! Those skills (enjoying the journey in this case)will serve you well in navigating your personal life and your horse life, a double win!!

  2. Linda Clavel on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 3:06 pm

    3. Barb,
    I LOVE your honestly and willingness to admit that even YOU don’t always practice what you preach! 🙂
    I ride western horsemanship and western riding and lead changes are hard- especially pretty ones. Thanks for a great reminder!

  3. Robin Ann Nichols on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 5:29 pm

    4. This is exactly how I felt. I knew in my head that I needed to get the steps down, but it’s been ages since I’ve done lead changes let alone on a horse that wasn’t trained to do them. I am in love with the process. I just need to stay with it and be consistent.

  4. Patti Chiarelli on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 7:19 pm

    5. So awesome that you are practicing the skills that Sandy gave us! I’ve been doing the reining part for a long time, been taught lead changes, watched the maneuvers but have not seemed to execute lead changes correctly. Sandy’s step by step explanations are amazing! I am a very methodical person and breaking the sequences down like she did finally connected to my brain!!😁 wow! Thank you both for sharing your exceptional skills and experience with us! ❤️❤️

  5. Patti Chiarelli on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 7:19 pm

    6. So awesome that you are practicing the skills that Sandy gave us! I’ve been doing the reining part for a long time, been taught lead changes, watched the maneuvers but have not seemed to execute lead changes correctly. Sandy’s step by step explanations are amazing! I am a very methodical person and breaking the sequences down like she did finally connected to my brain!!😁 wow! Thank you both for sharing your exceptional skills and experience with us! ❤️❤️

  6. Donna Padula on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 9:35 pm

    7. Love you always and Nick ❤️

  7. Carol MacGregor on Sun, 10th Sep 2023 11:55 pm

    8. Hi Barb, Boy, it looks like it’s pretty HOT there in Texas–Yikes! How neat for you and Nic to be working on the exercises that will take you to where you want to go with changing leads. I’ll look forward to seeing that. Thank you for being such a great horse trainer (really, just renowned!!) and being humble!! 🙂

  8. Candis Molde on Mon, 11th Sep 2023 6:43 am

    9. I have a ways to go concerning lead changes but I know my horse and I will continue and get there one day . It’s something I am determined to master .
    Barb : I think it’s so cool that you are learning it too ! You’re such an amazing lady. You go girl !!!

  9. Yvonne Cates on Mon, 11th Sep 2023 10:24 am

    10. Hey Barb, l want to thank you for your tireless sharing if “great stuff” for us riders & out horses.
    Perhaps you can help me with the cyber side. Paid for Unlocking Lead Changes (1-3) with you and Sandy but cannot log in.
    I checked my junk mail and do not see anything there.
    Might sound trivial but l want & need this course!
    Gratefully,
    Yvonne

  10. Caryn Scharlau on Mon, 11th Sep 2023 2:38 pm

    11. My 1335# horse became a beautiful lead changer once his hindquarters lightened up. Now it’s time for the young one (started as a cutter) to step up. I’ve moved his body parts so he knows that. I just need some open area to get going. The lead changing web training was great for visualization of the manuevers.The weather finally cooled off here in Texas!!! I don’t handle it well and I’m thankful for the relief.

  11. Cathy Foppiano on Tue, 12th Sep 2023 7:04 am

    12. This is great Barb! Love your energy always thank you!🤗

  12. Mary Kay Russell on Tue, 12th Sep 2023 11:01 am

    13. Thanks for this reminder – soooo hard to do, so important to remember. So difficult not to get focused on the result. Thanks again.

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