Most equestrian disciplines here in Queensland, Australia are getting to the pointy end of the season where we try to qualify for the final shows for the year. This is often the time where things start to go sideways. Pressures are high and we become someone that has forgotten to be kind to themselves, their horses and fellow competitors as the focus might now be completely on that trophy, the prize money and/or a future opportunity. Yes, in short ‘we become very single minded’.
I like to address this topic in this blog as I like to remind everyone to be kind whenever possible as it is always possible (14th Dalai Lama).
Competitions can be pressure cookers especially when one isn’t prepared enough. It isn’t kind when you put yourself out into this environment when you or your horse are not ready. Rider and horse have to be mentally and physically fit to compete in any equestrian event and once again 2021 has been another year where we experienced lockdowns due to COVID19, wild weather and other challenges where many of us were not able to get into a competition routine and potentially are not ready and might fall into the ‘trap of behaving unkind’ to their horse, their team mates, their fellow competitors and themselves.
Our young and inexperienced riders and horses in particular, need routine to feel safe, continuous exposure to things to gain confidence and plenty of reward for a job well done. They have to be handled with care and kindness. Many might not had the opportunity in 2021 to experience a regular competition environment to become mentally and physically strong.
Here is an example of what not to do with a young/inexperienced horse…
It isn’t kind to bring a youngster/inexperienced horse to a competition and throw them into the deep end (flooding its senses). In polocrosse young/inexperienced horses take part in the pre-season training where they get exposed to being ridden amongst other horses and grow accustom to the workings of a game. They graduate from that and at the start of the season they are taken to some carnivals (events) and watch from the sidelines before they are ridden as an umpire horse in low graded game, getting used to the atmosphere. Once they master being calm and relaxed as an umpire horse they start to play some games. This is a kind way. The process is broken up into phases that are assessed to determine if the next phase can begin or if more time is required for the horse to learn and grow accustom to it all.
Taking a young/inexperienced horse as an umpire horse into an A-grade polocrosse game without the necessary prior work and exposure is cruel and unkind. The horse gets overwhelmed, gets fearful and potentially can panic. Any mental connection with its rider is lost and a rider might have to physically restrain the horse. Some horses shut down and some fight. Either way in that moment the horse is no longer in a frame of mind where it is learning. Its body is tense and rigid so is his mind. An accident and physical injury can easily happen and there is no doubt additional hours required in training to undo what was done to mind and body.
The above is an example and without a doubt it occurs in many equestrian disciplines where young/inexperienced riders and horses are pressured passed their limit to reach someone’s goal. One might get that trophy, the prize money or even a future lucrative opportunity. In the long run however it is always found out, as the truth will usually surface. Being unkind as a rider to a young/inexperienced horse causes loss of trust and loss of confidence. Take the time it takes. Prepare and be kind and patient to both young/inexperienced horses and riders.
Hope you enjoyed this blog and I look forward to writing for you again soon
‘Take care and BE KIND’
