All trainers and instructors have a different approach to teaching the horse or human, based on their personal experiences. We all get to decide who we want to teach us and/or our horse(s)!
I used to ride and train horses through force. As a girl I was known for my skill with troubled horses, even if it meant spanking a horse into some sort of tolerance and submission to my dominance. After spending the last 5 years intensely learning how to become more mentally and emotionally fit, how the horse thinks, and how to be a loving leader, I now approach horsemanship with love at the core, leadership in myself and my students, and equal respect and understanding of our horse partners. Nowadays, the only challenge I face is how to address an issue, be it in the human or the horse, without ever resorting to ego, agenda, force, make, or impatience.
From bucking, biting, striking, and rearing, to lack of impulsion, unwillingness, 'laziness' -- all these behaviors can be changed through partnership and without domination. I can help your horse, but it is up to you to gain the knowledge and skills to maintain such a positive relationship.
No two horses are alike, just like no two people are the same. We come from different places and have different life experiences. Each horse and human is on their own unique journey. I do not expect a horse to learn something in 30-days. I expect him to learn as he is able, on a time-frame that preserves his dignity and comfort, but pushing him to thresholds and showing him how brave he can be.
Are you a math buff? What's that you say? Math is your least favorite subject? How about I tell you that you have to learn advanced calculus in 30 days. Why? Well, because your dad is paying a tutor to do it in that specific amount of time. And because your disdain for math is so... strong, you know the next 30 days will likely be the most unpleasant, stressful 30 days of your life. And when it's over? Will you understand it? If I am a great teacher then you probably can retain 20% of it for a few months. But how will you feel after being force-fed information that makes your brain hurt and your body ill? Will you ever look at math the same after that?
I don't put a time-table on our horses. Some learn surprisingly fast. Some have seeming insurmountable baggage that must be dealt with first before learning a skill can even come into the picture. Some people have tremendous, life-long emotional baggage that will simply not allow them to progress very quickly until their emotional fitness has been addressed.
I am a holistic teacher. I care about your overall well-being. Keeping you happy and progressive are two of my biggest goals. My passion is to effectively and lovingly share what I have learned and continue to learn so that the amazing, beautiful partnership that is available, waiting in the ether of potential to be tapped into, can be enjoyed by you and your horse.
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