Hummm, I'll agree with Dot on the first --
but not completely on the second comment.
I don't think every time you "move even one step,
it is training for the horse and/or yourself". Personally, I think that is
the problem with a lot of horses -- they are constantly being trained. The
horse and rider don't just go for a ride for the 'fun of it'.
I board in a public stable -- about 125 horses
there. There are some horses that are constantly being 'trained' but
the owners aren't sure what they are 'training' for. One day its
dressage, one day trail riding, one day cutting, one day western pleasure.
The owner doesn't know what HE WANTS TO DO WITH THE HORSE. I firmly
believe that horses have problems because the owner doesn't know
what THEY want to do with the horse. There are very few horses that
can do everything -- the super horse.
If one wants to endurance, you buy an endurance
horse. If you want to jump, you buy a jumper. Dressage, a dressage
horse. One can cross-train but I don't think everytime Sig or Bud and
I leave the barn -- we're training. But then maybe that's why when I get
to a trail intersection we stop. Neither of us are sure which
way to go so I usually just let the horse go one way or I decide to stop after a
few feet, we turn back and go the other way. Indecision can be a lot
of fun -- and one sees a lot of country.
So ride your horse -- but don't constantly train
your horse. Let the horse be a horse. Because if the horse is
'trained' back at the barn -- he can be a horse you'll enjoy riding and just be
'one' with.
