We all remember the harrowing scene of poor “Saint Boy” at the Olympics pentathlon. The entire show jumping community is horrified at this situation, rightly so. Still, seeing that scene didn't surprise me. Why, you might be wondering? Horses are the absolute best at bringing out the best, but above all the worst in people. Who hasn't this ever happened to? Let's face it, it has happened to everyone, more than once, to reach levels of frustration never reached before with their horse.
And if you don't believe me, just go and see some competitions, even at very low levels, I assure you that there are many examples, especially when goals and expectations get in the way: in the previous months we have dedicated ourselves body and soul , a lot of money has been invested, a lot of time, and one does not want to disappoint either the family or the instructor - and the horse punctually does the opposite of what one would like. It's easier to communicate with a dog, a predator like us, it's easier with other people, who speak the same language as us, but when it comes to horses, alas, it's a completely different story...
Attitude comes first
I believe this is my mission, to put attitude first, starting with my students. If a student of mine did such a thing, violated his crotch like this, it would be the most serious failure I could ever go through. Because failure is not a barrier, it's not a circle, it's not a stop in the race, it's not a fall, it's not an out. These aren't failures, they're opportunities to grow and improve – and they're feedback. Failure is really seeing the students angry, frustrated, disappointed, pouring all this on the horse. Because to err is humane, blaming the horse is EVEN more humane.
Understand the horse's point of view
But is it possible to change the world? Yes, but you need to change your perspective on horse riding. And I'm not talking about completely changing your approach, about having to turn the life of pairs upside down. I'm just talking about changing your attitude. As? Trying to understand the point of view of the horse, and this is the goal that I set myself in this series of articles. How does the horse perceive us? How does the horse perceive the jump? Do you hear our moods? How and how can we change? What would be the best way to explain to them what we want and how to live peacefully in an artificial environment, even in competition?
Because let's face it, we do the race only and exclusively for us, and it's the minimum, at least as far as I'm concerned, to make it a pleasant and serene experience for our partners. For me, the race is only and exclusively a feedback from our relationship: sometimes we have to learn, sometimes the horses have to learn, sometimes some ingredients are missing, and goals, if lived as they should be lived, exist only to test our principles. Will I still have a friend when I leave the field? I do, absolutely, regardless of how it went on the competition field. Maybe with more things I have to work on, or more satisfaction, but always with gratitude in my heart.
I will try to simplify as much as possible, and if this helps even one pair, it will already be a success! So I thank you for your interest, but in the end they will thank you, the horses.
Edited by Isabel Mandy, for Fedda.
Keep up to date on our social media channels for all our initiatives 🤩
