For those of us - including myself - committed to a path that sometimes feels against the current, there’s a unique strength in trusting your own sense of what is right for both you and your horse. This journey is often about listening closely, trusting your gut, and holding steady in what you know—even when others might not understand. But I know, too, how isolating it can feel, especially in those moments when something doesn’t feel quite right. Perhaps your horse’s physical movements seem okay on the outside, but something feels off mentally or emotionally. Or the physical movement seems okay from the outside but you feel and with a good eye see that there is still an important little piece missing that is holding the horse back to truly find the free, fluent, motivated, and powerful quality we are searching for. These moments can be challenging, even discouraging, and the process of finding the true cause can take time. It’s a journey that may require a lot of research by yourself and even an outside perspective—another set of expert eyes—to find the insights we may not yet see.
But through it all, the horse’s well-being remains our compass. When we finally uncover what was missing, or find the adjustment that makes all the difference, the reward is tremendous. This feeling of breakthrough, of finally addressing the root cause, brings such relief to both horse and rider. It validates the path of patience, proving how important it is for the horse to feel seen, understood, and valued every step of the way.
Success here isn’t measured in speed but in the steady progression towards a partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and true understanding. Each horse brings its own strengths and challenges, and a genuine, biomechanically sound foundation honors all of these individual needs. Though this path requires time and dedication, it creates a relationship that is not only resilient but deeply fulfilling.
By saying all this for me it’s essential to keep the heart of a lifelong student—open, curious, and willing to explore new ideas and know when again the other expert eyes are needed to undestand and progress further. This will lead you the way while staying true to your gut feeling. Some ideas may resonate; others might not, but this openness brings us closer to a fuller understanding of what’s ethical, healthy, and biomechanical correct and might complete your toolbox as well.
So, whenever you have this feeling of being alone on your personal path, know that you are not alone in this journey.
Following a path of thoughtful horsemanship that prioritizes each horse’s individual needs and well-being always can only be a good path. Trust that every step forward, even the smallest, is part of a truly meaningful journey for both you and your horse.
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