It is now a new year and with the new year, the thoughts about what we want to change or do differently over the next year are at the forefront of our mind.
It’s a time to start over and do something differently or do something better. It is a one-time when transitions and change are something we are more excited about doing. It marks the beginning of yet another season and another change. The new year reminds us that we are constantly changing and evolving. The summer season of being busy and doing lots of things moves on, and we start to prepare for the colder months ahead. So, this is a time of transition and change. If you ride, and even if you do not, get out and enjoy the colors of fall fun. Riding in the woods and walking can give us a reason to pause and take notice of the world around us. You could say it would allow us to be more mindful. I want to expand on the concept of mindfulness and how it can be helpful to horse riders and non-riders alike.
You may have heard a lot about the term “mindfulness” recently but what does it mean to be mindful, and how to do it?
When I first heard the term, I thought this is very hard to do, and who has time to be aware? However, over the last several years, it has become a habit to slow down, notice the world around me, and see what I am doing and feeling. Being around horses is helpful to this as they are intuitive and responsive to the world, including us. Learning to be mindful is more about enjoying the process and not focusing exclusively on the destination. If you think about focusing on the goal once you have achieved the destination, you must find another one to focus on. Being mindful allows you to focus on getting there on the journey and allows the goal to change and move as needed. The journey is the focus, and the goal is a by-product.
So, how does this look in practice with riding and other aspects of our lives?
Let’s start with riding. Whether you have been riding for a long time or are just beginning, you decided to start. You probably set out to say I want to learn to canter, be able to go for a trail ride, go fox hunting, or jump a certain height or some goal. You may think that would be the end or think “I achieve that, and I will be happy”. But, chances are you achieved that goal and then moved quickly to something else, or maybe you did not accomplish that goal but did something else. Do you remember how you got to that goal? Do you remember the journey to that goal and your steps? Chances are greater that you do not reflect on the journey as you focused on how long it would take you to get there and then spent lots of time worrying over the destination.
Focusing on the journey asks us to focus on each step to get there.
So, the days you rode did not go well, and you felt frustrated and disappointed. It would be less frustrating if we recognized it was only one day and not the end. Being mindful asks us to take the time to feel each experience and enjoy the experience. So you go out to ride instead of rushing to tack up and worrying about all the things that have not happened or that you did not do to prepare for the lesson or ride. Instead, you stop for a moment or two as you brush your horse to feel the brush in your hand and its fur as you touch it.
Does it change texture as you brush it?- What are the sounds it makes against the horse?
- How does your horse’s breathing sound?
- What does your life sound like?
Just noticing these smaller things can help with be more aware of our environment.
Breathing is essential not only to survival but also to getting us to be mindful of our bodies. Take a proper deep breath and see how different you feel. You may find your horse will take one with you and allow you to connect with them even more. What are things you notice as you ride?
- What sounds do you hear and what does the saddle feel like?
- How much pressure do you have in the stirrups and your feet?
- How tightly are you holding the reins?
- Which foot is your horse about to pick up?
Being mindful is not about stopping riding or life. It is about noticing and appreciating riding and life. If you are driving to work and you ask what does the seat feel like? What sounds do I hear, the radio, the road, the kids or friends in the car? How tightly am I holding the steering wheel? What is my breathing like? Can I wiggle my toes and feel my feet?
Again, we do not stop what we are doing. We notice what we are doing and do not judge what we are doing. Doing these simple things can add to significant changes. This will take practice and this will take time. This will also take a conscious effort to do for a while and then it will come more efficiently and more naturally. This focuses on the journey; as we stay on the trip, we will reach many destinations and enjoy every step.
What I have described so far requires flexibility in our thinking and transitioning in our approach.
As riders and humans, we need to move and stretch our muscles, and one of the best ways I have found to do this is to start with yoga. Yoga requires concentration on the moment and encourages breathing. When I started yoga, I thought it was simple and easy, and I quickly learned that it requires so much more strength and concentration than I had ever imagined. In doing yoga, I found peace and enjoyment from breathing, stretching, and noticing how my body and muscles felt. I also noticed it helped my riding as I became more flexible and more robust this helped my riding.
I became more aware of my breathing and used my breathing to move more quickly. Yoga can be a helpful tool in our riding and living toolbox. You can do yoga poses on a horse to help increase flexibility and connection and yoga practices for beginning or after riding. Use the links provided to get some ideas on what you can do to add yoga to your riding routine or your routine if you do not ride.
- https://www.fei.org/stories/lifestyle/health-fitness/yoga-equestrians
- https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-community-yoga-for-equestrians
- https://horserookie.com/yoga-for-equestrians/
Start Working with An Equine Sports Therapist in Richmond, VA
This time of transition and change we can use to change our focus from destination to journey and increase our flexibility in our thoughts and our bodies. If you would like to learn more about how mindfulness can help your riding or life, please contact me. I would be happy to discuss more. You can start your therapy journey with Gray Horse Counseling by following these simple steps:
- Contact me and schedule a free consultation.
- Check out my FAQs and read more about me
- Start feeling more mindful!
Other Services Offered with Gray Horse Counseling
Equine therapy isn’t the only service I offer support in addressing. This is why I’m happy to offer I am available for in-person help in Powhatan and online in Virginia. Other services at Gray Horse Counseling include individual therapy, anxiety therapy, group therapy, equine sports, clinical supervision, trauma therapy, and depression treatment. Check out my FAQs, read about me, and contact me today to get the help you deserve!
Deep breathe and enjoy your ride!!
Courtenay
Grayhorsecounseling.com