Taking Lessons.

We have been having a lot of fun and productive sessions at the farm lately.I do feel strongly that to make real progress we need to be consistant and fairly committted to taking lessons.I personally feel I cannot go longer than two weeks before I start to lose it.Before those loose ends start taking over and my communication with the horses gets muddled again.

Having an outside eyeball helps to keep things in line,in perspective and in order.So much can change in a matter of days,sometimes for the better,sometimes for the worse.After my lessons I often feel like I have been miscommunicating whatever messages to my horses.They are quick to talk back and say HMMMMMMMMMMMM thats not right for me.My lessons are a combination of a trip to the spa and a trip to the shrink.After lessons I feel like my bones and my brains are realligned.And that helps my horses.Whatever it takes to help my horses.....

I often compare the knowledge I am gaining from my lessons to the rings of an oinion.It is such a challenge to get through each ring and get closer to the center.Trying to find the center of a transition,the center of multiple flying changes,or the middle of a straight line is something that continues to intrique me with all the different personalities and temperaments that get muddled up along the way.

As a teacher.it is SO rewarding to see people and their horses work through their respective rings.As with all onions there are often tears but sometimes they are deliciously sweet too.There are a lot of people that have made a SERIOUS effort to come to Paradise and practice riding and it is really starting to show.It is getting very exciting for me as a teacher to be able to really get these people going and one can see their hunger for more with their horses.It makes it all worth it.

Sometimes teaching is not so much fun.When people think that riding should only be fun (easy)and not hard work that makes it harder on everybody.One thing I have learned over the years is that we riders have to learn to repect what an illusion good riders create.That they didn't get that way,without pain,tears and sweat.Again the words committment and consistantcy come to mind.Good riding makes good horses."A horse goes like the rider rides it!"

There is no easy way to learn how to live.There is no easy way to learn how to ride.There are no substitutes for taking lessons and getting that overview.Everyone needs lessons.Everyone.