LET IT GO
I know what you are thinking, “Great… juuust great…thanks a lot for getting that Disney song stuck in my head again!” So sorry, I couldn’t resist, it was the perfect title for this story about trust. Our plot revolves around the rehabilitation of a burnt out lesson horse. You see when a horse is constantly subjected to the tensions, inconsistencies and rough skills of beginner riders, no matter how compassionate, they can develop trust issues.
When I arrived at Salem as the Equestrian Program Director in May of 2008 I found a gorgeous Morgan/Quarter horse in just this situation. His name was Braxton. Being a sensitive and intelligent horse thirteen years of mindless beginner lessons understandably produced defensiveness and boredom. Braxton wasn’t “bad” or “mean”… but he was a bomb just waiting to explode! He was also one of only four horses at The Salem Equestrian Center (S.E.C.), and we had over 40 kids registered for our Riding Program that Summer! Braxton had to be used, but he also had to be rehabilitated.
Eleven year old Joe was one of a number of selected riders for Braxton that summer. Despite his defensiveness under saddle Braxton was still a sweetheart and he and Joe got along great. Joe remained light, relaxed and carefree no matter how quick Braxton got under saddle. He spent lots of time grooming and taking care of him. As the summer progressed Joe heard a lot about how Braxton needed him to focus and be gentle, a hard task for a hyper little kid! But he succeeded in slowly gaining Braxton’s trust and helping him begin to relax and enjoy his work again. By the time Joe left at the end of the summer he and Braxton were best buds.
Trust is something we choose to do despite fear or doubts, a pretty abstract concept for most of us to fully comprehend. In riding, it makes no logical sense for a horse to submissively follow a foreign speaking, self-interested, imperfect rider. It’s much like giving a bossy, squirrely five year old who insists on choking the life out of you a piggy back ride… and enjoying it! The quality of a lesson horse lies in their ability to remain calm, let go of small injustices, and trust their rider to improve. With a few years of selective riding and diversified work Braxton was able to let go of bitterness and learned how to trust his riders and enjoy his work again!
By the time Joe returned to Salem as a resident six years later Braxton was back in the game! He loved his job, pulling out his powerful forward trot to teach intermediate riders how to post, and peacefully plodding along babysitting brand new riders on the trail. As a seventeen year old Joe requested to ride Braxton again, but this time it was Braxton’s turn to help Joe learn about trust.
Just as it doesn’t make much sense for a horse to trust it’s rider, it doesn’t make much sense for a rider to trust a thousand pounds of raw instinctual power with a mind of its own. Braxton like most horses is a generally agreeable and obliging creature, but it took Joe one ride to realize how sensitive Braxton still is and to learn the importance of trusting him.
Braxton helps teach his riders to trust from the start. He remains slightly claustrophobic if a rider keeps fearful tension and a smothering continuous, “slow down!” pressure on the reins. This is easy for a rider to do as Braxton naturally has forward flowing and ground covering gaits with lots of movement! Joe’s first lesson was learning how to relax and enjoy this movement rather than trying to slow and control it. Joe had to learn how to let go and allow Braxton to be who he was. He had to trust that Braxton WOULD slow down and stop when asked, but allow him to move freely otherwise. (It's harder than it sounds, trust me!)
Joe was very motivated to work with Braxton and succeed as his rider! He began to focus on practicing relaxation and trust so they could move forward TOGETHER. Joe began to learn how to communicate with Braxton. He learned how to apply pressure to slow Braxton down, but then immediately give as he responded, trusting that Braxton would continue to obey. As Braxton gained trust in Joe’s leadership they began to work together beautifully as a trusting team! Joe often left the stable with a brilliant smile, satisfied with his accomplishments! He learned that sometimes letting go of fears and doubts and trusting is okay! Sometimes it helps us find what we are seeking.
