Plum Tack Talk RSS

I don’t know about you but as an adult rider I am significantly more aware of my mortality and the potential for a situation to go awry. I can find myself second guessing the environment, the weather, any variability that has the potential to make my horse less predictable and put me at risk of falling off. 

I stood next to my horse in tears.

I just wanted to ride, like I always used to.

Rocky was saddled and ready to go, but even though I was desperate to go for a ride, I couldn’t make myself mount. I was literally shaking with fear at the prospect of getting into the saddle.

You need to be 'in the moment', and 'present', listen to the horse, be patient and understanding. To calm ourselves in the moment of fear and anxiety. Breathe. 
Ride and work with the horse, not against.

That started my years long pursuit (it never ends really), of finding ways to work with our horses that aligned with my primary philosophy of first do no harm, mentally, physically and emotionally.

There are a few key things I learnt along the way...

Having your horse on the bit is touted as the holy grail of self carriage but you often find your horse working hollow, fighting through the bit, sucking behind the bit or losing their brakes. This is because the frame and your horse being on the bit is the last piece of the puzzle and should happen as a result of self carriage not create it.