Images from
'Ride From the Heart'
by Jenny Rolfe

Horses, a gift from God, will eventually mirror our own personality and become our best teachers

Listening...

'This journey, had been for both of us, not only a steep learning curve, but a once in a life time opportunity to develop a mutual understanding. I have been taught by one of the most intelligent, telepathic horses, how to communicate and begin to understand, the language of a horse...'

'We have to establish ourselves as the calm herd leader through our daily habits and communications. This will mean for us a self awareness of our mood and body language. We can never attain leadership and respect without initially becoming a horse listener...'

'Horses will follow leaders, there is no future in trying to pull him, as this creates the opposite response...'

'Our relationship does not begin in the saddle - but, at the stable door!'

'Our sensitivity will reap a calm response, where tension will only promote fear and anxiety in the horse. It must be the greatest test for us all to take a quiet, patient attitude to the stables... Our thoughts need to be a place that enables us to have common ground with our horse.'

'Loose work allows us to communicate with the horse using body language, voice and breathing techniques. In allowing the horse to be a horse, we can become more effective as trainers...'

'To have a truly balanced horse and rider requires both physical oneness in balance plus the mental and spiritual connection in harmony.'

Harmony...

The art of riding is to become aware of our own poise and equilibrium... we need to understand the 'passive' seat to become a rider with a positive 'influence'...

'Breathing is fundamental to life, a universal and common language for all living creatures. We will look at the significance of our breathing and how it evokes such an effective response from the horse...'

'Imagine a child, sitting in a classroom, looking out of the window, concentrating on the world outside, with all its distractions. It will take an understanding and perceptive teacher to maintain the interest and attention. A strict and disciplined teacher may initially challenge the child, but only a teacher with enthusiasm and a feel for his subject, will maintain that interest - and so it is, with our horses...'

'Dressage is not about performing advanced movements in a school, but at its heart lies a logical progression of horsemanship...'

'Knowledge is our Golden Tool, our love of horses can help us to learn patience and timing to develop a feel for the ART...'

'Everyone who paints a picture or carves a piece of wood, seeks to create something from the heart. It will take much sensitivity and patience to achieve it. The path to creating art is not easily defined in academic terms. It can be a spiritual path, demanding all that is creative to become continuously re-born...'

Repeated actions become habits, Our habits become second nature, Second nature becomes a way of thinking, A way of thinking - Becomes a 'Way of LIFE'.

ROSS HARPER-LEWIS is a CLASSICAL TRAINER IN FRANCE. For several years Ross was both STUDENT and MANAGER for the CLASSICAL MESTRE NUNO OLIVEIRA. Ross says

This book has an important message to send to riders at all levels. It should be compulsory reading for all who wish to take up professional horsemanship.

CHAPTERS INCLUDE:

• THE WAYS OF A HORSE
• HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
• LOOSE WORK WORKING THE HORSE ON THE LUNGE
• WORK IN-HAND MASTER THE BALANCE
• MASTER THE HORSE
• BREATHE LIFE INTO TRAINING
• METHODS OF WARMING - UP
• EXPLORING EXERCISES AND TRAINING TECHNIQUES
• DANCING WITH YOUR HORSE

The book seeks to explain a logical and progressive system for training with much insight into both the nature of the horse and also his teacher.

Let us not provoke the horse to fight ? but rather to stand by us, proud of his destiny within creation

All beings share the same breath ? let us learn from the spirit and power of breathing

Let us walk softly on the Earth, with all living beings, Great and small ? remembering as we go, that one GOD, kind and wise, created ALL

an Indian Blessing