The bond between horses and humans is one of the most profound connections in the world of human-animal relationships. At Ride For Success, we recognize and celebrate this unique horse-human connection. The goal is to provide a platform for riders of all abilities, lifestyles, and disciplines to showcase their engagement with horses. Ride For Success wants to foster a deeper understanding, trust, and partnership between equines and their human counterparts through goal setting and keeping a training journal. Let’s explore how we can promote and nurture the extraordinary horse-human connection.
Building Trust and Communication
Ride For Success understands that trust is the foundation for any successful partnership between horse and rider. Through virtual challenges and engaging in our social platforms, riders have the opportunity to develop a deep bond with their equine partners. By committing to a schedule with your horse you hold yourself accountable for continuing to build upon the trust you are establishing with your equine partner. This trust is the key to achieving harmony and success in any equestrian endeavor. It’s difficult to persevere through the downtimes when it’s hard to trust your horse. Conversely, it’s difficult for a horse to act willingly and confidently in its job when it can’t trust the consistency of its handler. Through goal setting, follow through, and journaling your rides you can remain a steadfast figure for your horse. When handling or riding your horse the consistency at which you not only practice but correct and reward your horse is key to creating a healthy dynamic and team. This in and of itself will be its own lengthy blog in the future!
Fostering Compassion and Stability
The horse-human connection goes beyond the physical aspect of riding. It is an emotional bond that requires compassion but also stability. Ride For Success encourages riders to understand and respect the needs and feelings of their horses. Learning what your horse as an individual enjoys and is good at can be key in his training. Through your journaling, patterns can be found. Finding out what your horse dislikes or tries to evade can help you to set a training program that can creatively tackle improving these areas. Possibly, in the arena he becomes more behind the leg, but when in an open field he is more forward thinking. By cross training in both areas or rewarding him with an outside the sand box ride after he has done a good job in his arena work being light off your leg, you can re-enforce his positive behavior. You provide stability to your horse when he can consistently count on a compassionate but clear reward system. When I do this “x” well, I get to do this “y” that I really like to do. It could be as simple as remembering to walk on a loose rein and let your horse stretch after he has carried himself in frame for the period in which you asked. Horses need release. By promoting compassionate horsemanship practices, riders learn to prioritize the well-being and happiness of their equine partners. This mutual understanding and care create a harmonious partnership based on love and respect.
Enhancing Intuition and Sensitivity
Horses are incredibly perceptive animals, attuned to their surroundings and the emotions of those around them. We have all had that ride that went south because we got on with a bad attitude! Rides where your horse was set up to fail from the start because we mounted up still thinking about our bad workday or the deadline we are on. There is no rushing through good horsemanship. It’s our job to tune out the day and tune in to our horse before our foot even hits the stirrup. Ride For Success provides riders with opportunities to develop their intuition and sensitivity towards their horses because we are asking you to set these types of goals. When you start your challenge, with a clear mind consider from an intuitive standpoint what the best goals are for you and your horse in the two-month period. Through virtual challenge journaling, riders can learn to read their horse’s body language, respond to subtle cues, and adapt their approach accordingly. This heightened awareness fosters a deeper connection, as riders learn to listen to their horses and understand their needs without words.
Cultivating Personal Growth and Emotional Well-being
The horse-human connection promoted by Ride For Success extends beyond the riding arena. Interacting with horses has been shown to have numerous emotional and therapeutic benefits. By engaging with horses, riders can experience a sense of peace, mindfulness, and emotional release. The presence of these magnificent creatures can boost self-confidence, reduce stress, and improve overall mental well-being. The horse-human connection becomes a source of personal growth and healing for riders of all abilities.
The horse-human relationship is a remarkable and transformative bond that is nurtured and celebrated by Ride For Success. Through our dedication to inclusivity, education, and fostering a supportive community, Ride For Success provides a platform for riders to experience the profound horse-human connection. As riders engage in virtual challenges, build trust, and cultivate empathy, they not only enhance their horsemanship skills but also embark on a journey of personal growth and emotional well-being. The horse-human connection is a beautiful testament to the power of these majestic creatures and the incredible impact they have on our lives. We at RFS hope this connection is celebrated and cherished, bringing joy, fulfillment, and unity to the equestrian community. Let us embrace this extraordinary bond and continue to honor the horse-human connection in all our equestrian endeavors.
