K.I.S.S.

Wiley understands the brain diarrhea all too well.

I say a lot of words when I teach. It’s sort of a continuous stream of corrections, encouragement and praise. Plus, as an instructor, it’s important to have many different ways to say the same thing... one person’s “hands down” is another person’s “soft shoulders” is another’s “hold your wine glasses steady!”

I have several riders who, when teaching them on a regular basis, have these wonderfully productive lessons, where we cover many different thing from their position to how to ride a corner to the quality of their horse’s gait.

There are lots and lots of words.

And each word is heard, understood, and implemented.

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And then a show starts to approach. Or we are at a show. Or their husband comes to watch. Or the owner of their leases horse. Or that one boarder who makes them nervous is riding in the ring at the same time. 

Then all the words I’ve ever said to them run thru their head in some sort of thought diarrhea, with no order or spaces, or commas or breathes. 

HeelsOutsideThighCircleSeatTrotHalfCollectHaltLosenSharpEasyCanterHandsUpDownSidewaysWherwAreYouGoingForDinner

So now is the time to be quiet. 

More words are about as good as going to the sketchy Mexican restaurant after you’ve had a stomach bug for 3 days. And eating the shrimp tacos with extra hot sauce, washed down with a house margarita. 

Instead let’s eat saltines with a side of ginger ale.  In riding terms... where are you going, and how fast are you getting there?

When we get down to it, line, balance and rhythm are the basis of all our riding - all to varying levels. I don't care if you are drawing geometry figures in the sandbox, jumping around courses, or riding down a trail, if you can control the line your horse's feet are on, then you can balance them on all four of their feet, and finally you can control your speed/rhythm.  

And if you focus on control those three things, you can then control your brain! 

Sounds easy right?

Feel free to sign on in to see some tips and exercises to help you identify your distractions and how to focus!