November 5, 2008

Rider Horsemanship Newsletter

What's New?

I am so very excited to send you the following link to an amazing video (trailer on youtube)! This new documentary: "The Path to the Horse" is a wonderful depiction of how our humanity is changing spiritually, embracing the depth of our equine partners with total grace, dignity and humility. This level of connection and consensual partnership between horse and human is beautiful to observe and truly amazing and inspirational for us all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j0Z19IhgPA

What’s even more exciting is that you can learn how to develop this approach with your horse, right now, right here! Learn how by participating in our Tao of Horsemanship™ Workshops: Transformative Practices for Awakening Unity, Partnership and Harmony between You and Your Horse. Please check www.carolinerider.com/horse-training-schedule.htm for upcoming classes.

In addition to our workshops, we will be launching the Tao of Horsemanship™ DVD before December (GREAT Xmas gift)! This DVD not only captures the photographic moments of connection, exuberance and oneness in it's most magnificent form between horse and human, it explains and demonstrates how you can achieve the ultimate partnership of your dreams with your horse!

This Month’s Topic of Interest:

“Being Present: Changing Our Thinking by Ways of Doing”

What does that mean…? It means that we can create new behaviors by changing the way in which we “act” towards, or about, something first – versus thinking about it and then doing.

As a society we are very conditioned to believe that the only way we can change how we act, or behave, is to change our mind about it first. What I have experienced is that the more we think about it, the more we become trapped in our thoughts, thus creating actions we are not aware of nor want. After time, we become very practiced in “aimless” being and doing without purpose.

We can change this by mindfully practicing changing the way we behave (act) first. Mindful action is part intention (clarity of mind) combined with embodiment. If I want to embody ease and confidence, I will first become aware and mindful of what that actually looks like in humans and horses. I will then practice emulating such body language through action. It is that simple.

This practice is great for those of you that find it challenging to “be in the moment” or “always present” when with and around your horses. If you have trouble “being” there and feeling connected, begin by practicing, or embodying, a “way of being” that involves changing the way you physically act around your horse.

Another experience might be that every time you go to your horse, your horse leaves you. Pay attention to “how” you are physically approaching your horse then change your body language and act the opposite the next time you go out into their space. Again, don’t over think about how much your horse is disenchanted with you. Just go out differently and observe what happens to your horse. Your horse always notices your body language and most importantly, they observe the slightest change in you. It might take a few times to convince your horse that you’ve changed so remain persistent. It is in their nature to be curious and before you know it they will be coming to you to investigate.

Another way in which we can embody physical change is PLAY. Yes, playing. If we feel uptight around our horses and we know they will notice, what do you think would help us to loosen up both physically and mentally – play.

Play calls us back to a practice that as adults we have long forgotten. This is a way of being that we observe the horse trusting in children. It is without agenda and given freely, with total abandonment. A child is more likely to accept things as they are without judgment or criticism. And, a child is more likely to act intuitively and with true intention, meaning they are who they are and give what they have to give, from the heart.

So, bringing us back to “changing our thinking by ways of doing” I call each one of you to take the time to not only step back and observe with an open mind, but to allow space for play. Playtime can become a beautiful ritual between the two of you and one that allows you to dream thus inviting all possibilities!