The Art of Riding

The Art of Riding: Quality Leadership

Horses will naturally follow the horse that they trust to lead them to safety and comfort. Often, that horse is the Lead Mare in the herd, who is a wise, consistent, reliable leader. She reflects a comforting energy in her whole being: a sureness and unfaltering clarity in her intent. Horses seek out this feel, and make survival choices from moment to moment through feel: is the best deal to follow or to take over the lead?

While we will never be a true member of our horse herd, so long as we are not a horse and do not live 24x7 in that herd, there is much to learn from the horse about living in harmony with others.

In The Art of Riding, we focus on developing A.C.E skills (see below). Students learn to offer the qualities the horse seeks to follow, by building a partnership based on meaningful 'Feel', respect and trust, through our Attitude, Communication style and Expression:

• Attitude: emotional fitness, inner sureness, tenacity, imagination
• Communication: understanding, body language, projection of “life” and intent, meaningful handling of horse, equipment and space
• Expression: focus, feel, timing and clarity

The more empowered a student is in these skill areas, the more their horse will follow their lead, stay connected, and perform in harmony.

The Art of Riding © Karen Musson 2007, All rights reserved.