information. The horse lets you know how it feels, you understand, and then you give it clear signals to proceed, reassuring it. And like any exchange of information, both horse and handler must partake in the listening process. The horse must also be willing to listen to instructions that the handler gives. To achieve that, the handler must communicate in a clear manner, in the horse’s language, so the horse will keep listening. The skills for listening to the horse are obtained only when you understand the principles guiding a horse’s world and learn to imitate the horse’s language. When this art is mastered then the instinct of the horse will kick in to try and please you in mastering the obstacles, which in the end will override the fear of the unknown, which leads to trust then boldness and confidence.
Instinct is hardwired from birth, and to try to go against is much more difficult than simply working with it. Instinct will also determine who to trust and who is worthy of a leadership role. If certain behavior is exhibited by a human then instinct will block the horse from listening or trusting and at that point any training becomes mechanical. If instinct finds one worthy then the horse will die trying to please and in the end will learn to navigate the
obstacles and Mountain Trail Course in a successful manner.
As a leader and teacher my job is to inspire the horse to achieve that which it felt was impossible. My focus is never to master the obstacle but I use the obstacle as a tool to master and to build the mind of the horse. In the right hands I know of no other tool which can build boldness and confidence in both the horse and rider as a Mountain Trail Course and this is why so many are springing up around the globe.
Happy Trails and Bolender Blessings
Mark H Bolender
For more information
please visit:
Dismount onto a rock standing in water
"My focus is never to master the obstacle, but I use the obstacle as a tool to master and to build the mind of the horse."