What is "The Feel of Release"?
"The Feel of Release" refers to an ease of connection, alive in an ongoing flow between horse and rider, whether riding around the farm, out blazing a trail or in the show ring - the better the feel of the connection, the better and more enjoyable the performance.
We all face challenges with our horses at one time or another - perhaps he bucks, runs off, won't go, doesn't pick up a canter lead well, resists our requests for a particular maneuver or we just cannot seem to get his attention.
It is important to note that virtually ALL tricky spots have one thing in common - our horse's resistance or tension: "brace".
But here is the Catch 22. We often respond to "brace" with an escalation of pressure or of the aids. However in our application of pressure, we usually hold our breath and become tight as we offer tension - we reciprocate the brace we were seeking to eliminate. Not only that, brace between horse and rider practices a lost connection - which is the part of riding that brings up the most anxiety or concern, and is then apt to amplify the disconnect.
And that... is not fun.
While brace produces more brace, the good news is release produces more release - and with it, access to the mind, feet, and a mellow, available horse.
The key is that there is so much more to "release" than the kind that implies a release of pressure (brace). An ongoing Feel of Release does not offer a "braced" feel, so does not create it or empower "brace". It is a feel that releases "brace" if it exists, to restore or maintain an open connection between horse and rider/handler. An escalation of the aids and the need for submission are replaced by a closer connection in which the horse seeks to follow your feel, because the ongoing good feel shared between horse and rider/handler has become rewarding in itself.
That better connection through feel serves in all things, from going out to feed at night, trimming feet in the pasture or caring for an injury, to riding in the woods or jumping a fence.
Watch the video clip on the Home Page to give you an idea of how The Feel of Release works!