The Art of teaching--

the 'IWANNA' (Ride) and the 'INEEDA' (A Horse)

When riding, or choosing your horse, you know what you want.                

When 'riding' a horse, you have 'expectations' of what would be pleasing to you.

It is usually the Iwannas (I want a horse) --that lead us to a horse that seems -to fill an immediate want, for pleasure, relaxation or fun. Or, perhaps it is:

1. 'Beauty' --as we would desire being beautiful, or looked at as 'being' beautiful. their beautiful ('hair') mane or tail.
2. 'Power' --as we would desire being, strong in muscle, --powerful or influential, and to be 'serviced' by those --not of much (seen) power, but in submission or 'service' -to you.  Perhaps this is-
3. 'Control' --or having the self-control, or power -to 'Over-Power' the powerful! One-up-man-ship!
4. 'Grace in Motion' --the musical element of self, being satisfied. The love of 'dance' and movement.
5. 'Elegance' --or the desire to be looked up to, -admired, -respected.
6. 'Dignity' --knowing who and what you are, what you stand for, and being recognized for it.
7. Integrity' -- or personal quality that either makes you desirable to others, or feared by those of (seemingly) little -
8. 'Character' --being appreciated for your own -
9. 'Individuality' --knowing it is okay to be who you are!
10. 'Service' --seeing the 'all' that this horse could do for you, perhaps questioning, the 'what else' --could that horse do for you.

The above are the 'IWANNAS'.

     Over many years, working with individuals who either know or do not know the horse, I have 'heard' and 'seen' all of the above.

   When teaching riding, I have found that what a person 'wants' (the Iwannas) is not always what they 'need'.  To allow a rider to choose their own horse, is a 'reflection' of that persons wants.   Speaking to that person for only a short time (5-10 minutes), with experience, you will 'sense' what they actually 'need' after they relax, or let down! 

 It is not wise for ANY new rider, to get on a horse -in the too often 'horse business' of --'get-um-up -get-their-money and -get-um-out of here'.  We hope to change this behavior with and by education of both the new rider and those who are in the 'business of horses' and riding.  However, they MUST 'qualify' to participate in our programs to become a H.H. Coach.  That is determined by a 'one on one interview' --with the founder of Horse Holiday org.

The NOT-SO-ACCEPTED--INEEDAS! 

    OR, --What they-need-a  -is a 'true teacher or H.H. Coach' who will seek deeper meaning from their student.  A good H.H. teacher/Coach will not just give what is 'wanted', they will 'find and give' more to  the students -being their actual needs!

    A H.H. Coach and teacher will not place any rider in a group that has different needs, unless it is conducive to the overall learning process, and NOT offensive to the 'inner needs' of any individual student!  A group session should 'click'...

 DO NOT throw a raw 'fish' into jello pudding!

    What your students 'want' is not always what they 'need'.

    A clever teacher, (H.H. Coach) will gently guide that student to realize their needs, and ever-so-kindly, lead that rider to wanting to fulfill their needs 'first'  -before fulfilling their wants!

1. A horse that will just 'stand still', so they can learn to 'feel' the horse, in body, mind, and
2. A horse that is 'sensitive' to their needs, as in to not throw in any unexpected movement. This student may have had too many unexpected events in their life, and they may be riding to forget them!
3. A horse that is 'playful', to make that rider laugh. To remember to laugh and play is too often the forgotten friend of an 'adult' who has too much responsibility, and too little time available.  They 'need' to be reminded to 'lighten-up'.
4. A horse that knows what their 'job' is.  The horse that just likes to work, and not fool around with pleasantries.  Some horses prefer working, rather than 'teaching'.  They would rather give their all, physically, and this is wonderful, for the lazy rider, or someone that has no sense of responsibility.
5. A horse that 'moves well'.  This horse can have a long back that moves like a snake, --side to side, that will gently loosen up a tense riders back, as they themselves learn to relax, or de-stress. Many have forgotten the art of relaxation, and have continual body (or mind) tension.
6. A horse that 'just loves people'.  This is usually a horse that has 'never known abuse' of any kind.  This horse may become untra-sensitive to an abused student, and the benefits of this relationship can be miraculously healing.
7. A horse that 'feels' the riders wants or 'needs', --through their fingers and hands. This horse must have a 'sensitive mouth', not one that has been blistered and calloused by overpowering hands of human 'control issues.

There are riders I have met who have been emotionally calloused, and they can not 'feel' with their hands or fingers.  This situation is most difficult to 'break through'.  I had to go to an extreme with one client, who rode my 'big' responsive horse on the lounge.  When I asked that rider who could stay on the horse, and who could ride rather well, but could not refine to 'feeling' the horse.  I asked her -to gently 'squeeze' her legs on the sides of the horse, as they were going over a simple pole on the ground.  I knew that my horse would jump this -big with such slight encouragement!  This unseated the rider who held on to and mane with the reins, as she was falling.  My horse pulled his head up, to not step on her as she then landed on her butt.   This quick action -immediately and sharply pulled her back up to her feet, as she was still holding the reins.  She did as taught! THIS is part of the ERC Coaching, that sometimes crosses the line --into ERCC work. 

In this particular session to teach 'riding' --this 'quick jerking action', from the 'horse pulling' her to her feet, somehow 'slapped' this rider into a past memory!  She immediately shut down, in horror of this 'flash-back!

There was no physical pain, however, the emotional pain was very deep!  Once exposed, it will get its needed attention or recognition, and it will then dissipate! 

We somehow 'fear' remembering anything traumatic, and our brains learn quickly to protect us, by closing or 'shutting down' that memory, so not to hurt us again. 

The brain is a marvelous muscle, controlling  our minds and body.  That IS -until WE learn this fact!  Then we can choose to use our minds to 'tell' and to 'teach the brain' --that it is okay --therefore we then can take back our control of self.  With the H.H.Consultants, clients can expect to reach a higher level of communication and 'self-control'.

   As you can see, there is much MORE to-- 

The 'Art' and 'Gift' of Coaching Riding...as a H.H.Consultant

 Rose Foreman  -Consultant-Coach, and Program Coordinator for Horse Holiday org.   

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Revised: May 11, 2007.

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