The 'other' aid

With horse riding, there are four primary aids: the rider’s seat, legs, hands and voice. Most who ride know that you can spend a lifetime learning to master these aids. Many, however, overlook three additional aids that are more subtle: the rider’s eyes, breathing and the brain.

The brain is the least discussed in riding. The Great Brain is the computer that drives the body. Excuse the mixed metaphor but the Great Brain is the elephant in the barn. It is a tool but not the master. With therapeutic horse riding, everything begins with the brain also known as the ‘other’ aid.

Enter Connor and Luke. Connor is a friendly, polite and active boy with a deep curiosity. Luke is a steady, no nonsense, attentive and kind Norwegian Fjord who prefers working with young riders who need support.

Connor is new and has had two lessons riding Luke. Connor meets me at the barn ready to ride. Luke knows this and respects this determination. During Connor’s second lesson, I introduced him to riding aids. I shared that all aids begin in the brain. Since Connor is on a quest for knowledge, I shared something else. 

Horses can read our thoughts.

This blew Connor away! He sat still and went to work. He concentrated deeply and sent thoughts to Luke. Luke stood still and rotated his ears towards Connor. The non-visible signals were dancing through the ether, clearing all the garbage cellular and radio waves. 

Connor exclaimed, “I told Luke to walk on and turn.  Why didn’t he do it?”

I responded, “Luke heard you but did not understand. He has to learn your language. He knows words but does not know your words.”

He thought about it for a moment. So did Luke. This is one of the reasons Luke and other horses like therapeutic horse riding lessons. They get to be themselves. They get to play. There is no dominance or force. There is no “we will get the best score so I can get the ribbon.”

It is simple. Working with horses is an opportunity to learn a new language and play. The Great Brain is the starting point. Either the Great Brain agrees to be open to new ideas or locks the door and refuses. 

Luke and the other horses know the mindset of the rider before the rider does.

Here is your assignment as a rider on Earth:

1. Send a non-verbal message from your Great Brain to a horse or pony that you know or don’t know.

2. Wait for a response.

3. If there is a response, start a dialogue.

4. If there is no response, try sending another message to a different horse or pony.

5. Wait for a response.

And repeat. The ‘other’ aid is accessible to everyone. It is the least understood and the most effective aid. If you are interested in learning this new language with a horse, you may schedule a lesson here.