Sometimes we just need to set the computer down and go for a horseback ride!

Get Off Your Computer & Go Ride Your Horse

2 Comments

Really, the most important thing you’re missing right now is not being with your horse 1-on-1. Stop reading this article, put on some barn-appropriate-attire and say, “screw it” to whatever you had planned to do on the computer (those 6 hours of repetitiously refreshing your Facebook newsfeed for example..). The emails you were going to grudgingly respond to can wait until the morning. That series you were going to watch on Netflix can’t compete with the horse hair you’ll be covered in for the rest of the night.

Keep Calm & Stop Procrastinating, says the Unicorn

How to Stop Procrastinating

So, what causes procrastination? Basically, it is fears, but each procrastinator develops and responds to his/her own specific fears. In varying degrees we are all afraid of facing reality — life’s challenges, the hard work and frustrations ahead of us. You can either deny reality or face it, i.e. say there is “no problem” or admit (maybe even exaggerate) the problems. THus, there are relaxed, fun-loving procrastinators and tense-worried procrastinators. From a behavioral viewpoint, negative reinforcement plays a major role in the development of procrastination, i.e. behaviors (watching TV) and thoughts (rationalizations or excuses) enable students to avoid unpleasant work. Escape from something unpleasant is reinforcing. Procrastination is an escape.

Being productive as an equestrian or as an artist share similar traits, one being that you constantly work at doing something - no matter if it is mundane or rote, but stay active and over time you will develop skills and talents.

Week 12 : Recovering a Sense of Faith

In this final week, we acknowledge the inner inherently mysterious spiritual heart of creativity. We address the fact that creativity requires receptivity and profound trust — capacities we have developed through our work in this course. We set our creative aims and take a special look at last minute sabotage. We renew our commitment to the use of the tools.

It is easy to forget our childhood dreams of spending time with our horses, but can be very healing to go back to a much simpler set of expectations of ourselves and our horses.

Week 11 : Recovering a Sense of Autonomy

This week we focus on our artistic autonomy. We examine the ongoing ways in which we must nurture and accept ourselves as artists. We explore the behaviors that can strengthen our spiritual base and therefore, our creative power. We take a special look at the way sin which success must be handled in order that we not sabotage our freedom.

Allowing the horse to stretch his whole body while working helps prevent muscle pain which can lead to behavioral issues as the horse resists the rider requests.

The Natural Aids

1 Comment

The aids are the means by which the rider communicates his or her will to the horse. Artificial aids, such as whips, spurs, long whips, and all types of special tack, can be very effective when properly used. But the secret to equitation lies int he use of the natural aids — the seat, the hands, and the legs.

We often sacrifice the horse's well-being in order to serve our own ego and look to gain connection and acceptance from other people.

Horses vs Horse-Related Activities

2 Comments

Perhaps you’ve experienced this at some point as well. When I was still very new to horses and participating in my first shows and horse fairs and campouts… I never felt like I belonged, and I didn’t! I wanted it to be about the horse, not about comparing ribbons and trophies. Not about sitting around the trailers, drinking beers and telling bad jokes. Not about rubbing elbows with people who’d “accomplished” things (titles, trophies, wealth). I wanted it to be about learning to be a better equestrian, to take a few steps further in the endless quest for knowledge with the horse.