Breathing Learned

Aleythia's going to write today! I would, but she has a better story.


          Lately Lydia and I have been riding with HM. She is a dressage and jumper rider. And since Lydia and I know next to nothing about dressage & jumping we asked her to teach us. It also gave us a chance to ride different horses.
          A couple weeks ago we went over our first jump. The first time I jumped it didn't go over well; I cantered along the outside of the arena, turned to face the jump that was halfway down the arena, and ended up being to close to the outside of the jump. T barely even tried to jump it. It was like she was saying "your stinkin' cues are what messed this up, not me". Of course, she was right. HM explained three things. 1) don't change anything as you jump. You shouldn't be letting your reins droop when you're on the straight line to the jump. 2) Look straight ahead. If you're not sure where you're going the horse won't either. Especially with T who is a really sensitive horse. Lastly 3) Breathe. T needs to know you're relaxed. If you're relaxed she will be too.
         So, I tried again. As we were on the straight line to the jump I made sure not to let my reins droop. I looked straight ahead to the wooden beam across the arena. I took deep, calming  breaths. I was relaxed and T was relaxed. T went over that jump perfectly. I did not. I can claim some leeway because it was only my second jump, but my form was not a pretty sight. I probably wasn't even doing two-point position. I ended up smashing my stomach into the saddle horn; effectively losing my balance and making T lose her forward momentum. But we made it over.
        I learned that breathing does affect your horse. Especially if they're really sensitive like T. With T she will do a sliding stop if you breathe out and relax in the saddle. So, I tried it out on my over hyper horse at home.
       My horse was really being a pain that day. She reared on me! Ana NEVER rears. It wasn't just once or twice either. So, I got the whip out and made her feet move. I lunged her, made her back up really fast,etc. Basically told her that I would not stand for any disrespectfulness. Once she calmed down something amazing happened; I had her trotting on a lose line; her head was low she had an ear cocked toward me most of the time. I sped up my breathing and did a little soldier march. She sped up her trot, but didn't break into a canter. I was amazed! I'd tried to make her slow and speed up her gait before, but it never worked. Then I tried to see if I could get her to slow down. I slowed my breathing and in effect relaxed my body language a bit. She slowed her trot and even broke down into a walk. Which I let her do because it is very rare that Ana walks on a lunge line. She was very relaxed. I was very pleased with her so I put her away.
       That is how I learned how important breathing is. Now I want to see if she will calm down if I do the same thing on her back. I'm going to have a very interesting ride.
       Well, hope, my experience helped all you horse lovers out there! Have fun! If you have any questions please comment.