Monday, June 22, 2009

The Squeal of Joy and Tears of Gratitude


It happens in nearly every clinic someone squeals and someone cries.
Some squeals are with joy and excitement when a rider learns how to do something they already know how to do with less effort and more results. They squeal from the the feeling and conection with their horse.
Someone cries tears of gratitude and relief when they find answers or regain hope that they too will have that deeper relationship in the saddle with their horse.
It happened in Oklahoma when a friend, a high level rider, found magic in her canter by using her 'bellybutton out' on a circle that allowed her horse's back to lift and haunchs to engage like never before.
It happened in California when a rider learned the difference between a half halt and a half block on the outside rein that resulted in her PreSaintGeorge level horse softening, stretching and lengthing through it's back and neck like it was veteren Grandpre Master.
Tears flowed when a rider in LA felt the horses energy flowing up her spine to her head and used her lowerback for the first time ever to control the tempo of the walk.
Tears flow in Arizona (from everyone) when a disabled rider with no feeling from the bellybutton down, completely paralized in his waist and legs uses his breath to ask his horse to walk, walk faster, and halt successfully for the first time.
Man, that's why I love what I do!
James

2 comments:

  1. Really enjoying your Blog, James but that last part of this entry got me! That's amazing. Now my screens gone bleary and my keyboards a little more damp. Can't think why! No wonder you don't consider what you do to be 'work'. Long may it continue.

    Steve Miller (UK)

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  2. Hi Steve,
    Thanks for commenting. life is amazing glad we are a part of it. I owe ya an email coming shortly
    James

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