I had a lot of reactions to my before and after photos of Avondale Lindt (Choccie). Some with almost an air of disbelief and it really got me thinking about why I did get such an amazing result in such a short period of time. I think there were many factors involved, he was at an age where all growth development had settled so could really cope with the workload, he had some good basics and foundation underneath him to build on and I was extremely determined and worked on it every time I touched him.

Its the last factor I would like to expand on a bit more.

I think change is hard, we all know deep down what we should do. get enough sleep, eat right, exercise daily and manage your stress levels. But day in day out I do the same stuff. Now is that Stuff really helping me towards my goal or  is it hindering it? Too often I take the easy road, it tastes good, I hate sweating, I have trouble saying no! Frustratingly I know what is best, I just don’t do it.

However if we put in the hard yards and be consistent on a daily basis, day in day out slog away at the basics, those small simple steps then in what seems like a vey long period of time but is actually quite a short time increment, amazing things can happen.

Doing the In Hand work is the same, it takes absolute dedication each and every time you touch your horse. Does it mean that is all you do with them? Absolutely not, but I can tell you if your time poor and struggling with finding the time to ride or the motivation, then 15 minutes four times a week will give you astounding results.

The downside is that you will feel totally uncoordinated for awhile, you might fall over, trip yourself up, get tangled and feel all the emotions of an adult learning a new skill. Along with a new vocabulary not suitable for small children!  You have to get use the feeling of being uncomfortable, of not doing it right and failing a lot. And that is where most people give up! Even though you know it could be really beneficial for your horse, even if you know it could make a massive difference. It is like eating right exercising daily, meditation etc you just don’t do it.

I have run some Case Studies the last few months with my students. They have to dedicate that 15 minutes 4 times a week. Video the sessions and send to me but most importantly be absolutely committed to following through. Turn up each and every week and do the work in between. The results have been nothing short of astounding! Its been truly life changing for both horse and rider. Having to be accountable to someone, doing the daily grind, following through has given far greater results than I could have ever imagined. The most rewarding work I have ever done in my life.

Here is a little video of Choccie recently taken at the September Belinda Bolsenbroek clinic. We still struggle, I still get uncoordinated lose my timing and get I wrong. What he is learning here is how to do sequence changes in hand and some passage steps. Its not perfect but its incredibly good fun when it comes together and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I am totally committed  to teach him the hard stuff In Hand first as I know it makes  a massive difference to our harmony and understanding under saddle and I am following through on the daily work. of doing those small incremental steps of improvement.

Now I just need to address the rest of the equation and hope for the flow on effect of doing the daily grind in one area of your life and add eating right, exercising and managing stress to the next level.