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Issue Eight, Part 3 of 3
Thought Vs Action
When you think different, you are different. The more you raise your expectations, the better your horse will become. Combining those two thoughts bring us to a concept called "Thought vs Action." Riding an "action" is how ninety-nine percent of the people ride ninety-nine percent of the time. That is to say they ride "a left turn," "a spin," or "a stop." They release their rein on a maneuver. "When the head softens up, we release." That's "riding the maneuver" or the "action." But instead of riding the action, why not ride the "thought"? The thought is simply "Why is the horse doing it?" Then when I ride, it's not so much the action that I release on as the thought in the horse's head. I ask myself: Does he turn faster to the right because the gate's over there and he wants to leave? That's a thought the horse is having. If you're doing a spin and he's drifting toward another horse, is he just trying to get to that other horse? That's also a thought. Ask yourself "Why and how is he doing the maneuver you're asking him to do? If the thought isn't good, then correct the thought, not the action. And, when you start riding the thought, you automatically begin riding one step ahead of your horse. The better you get the thought to be, the better the action becomes.
Controlling Your Horse's Speed
• control your speed
• walking or loping
• home, trail, arena
• novice to advanced
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For instance, if I were to ask somebody to stand up three times, they might stand up with apprehension the first time, curiosity the second – and reluctance the third. But, if I were to offer that same person a hundred bucks to stand up they'd stand up with conviction (and probably a smile). They'd still stand up, but the way they stand up is completely different. Now they're thinking "yes!" instead of simply doing as I ask out of respect, fear, etcetera. The proper motivation makes a huge difference.
If I ride my horse the same way, where I work on the thought, I become an active rather than reactive rider. I stay one step ahead of the horse and that makes me ride better.
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There are certain products that every long-time Lyons fan carries in his equine tool kit. They're the "gotta haves." Here are a few essentials - as recommended by this John Lyons Certified Trainer, Keith Hosman.
