SUMMER SLUMP
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Have you found yourself in a pickle this summer? Have you been drilling to get things right before the next show or rodeo? Has your pony has been missing that one step, getting anxious, or plain not working? Do you have a new pony or horse and things aren't clicking?
If you ever find yourself saying the phrases, often,
"Just one more"
"If they do it again right, then I'll get off"
"Three times correct then I'll quit"
"They should know it by now"
"I'm not stopping until..."
This is a friendly reminder that getting on and accomplishing SMALL TASKS CONSISTENTLY will build to better results FASTER than drilling and asking over and over again. This is generally true for training horses, ponies and kids.
Here are our suggestions:
1. Stay curious! - The truth is, you have a lifetime to ride. The earlier in life you realize you'll never have it all figured out, the quicker you'll be able to breathe, relax and work through it with GRACE for yourself and your equine partners.
2 - Take it Back to the Basics! You can always build back on a solid foundation. If they aren't getting
the step just right today, find something else they can do right that will help them when you come back to the issue next time.
3. Ask yourself the 5 W's - Why does this issue exist? What could be causing it? When did it start/does it happen? Where did it start/does it happen? Who is responsible for issue? (HINT: the answer is always us). How can I help my pony through this issue?
4. Don't second guess yourself! If they (pony and/or rider) did it right, quit! Even if it is after only 10 minutes, stop for that day and come back the next to build on. If you feel it in your gut you need to do it one more time, do it one more time, then quit.
5. Take accountability! - Does the horse or pony actually know what you're asking? Does the rider actually know how to ask? If you're the coach/parent, do you actually know how to help them in this situation?
6. Get a Fresh Perspective! A fresh set of eyes can help you see what you didn't know you were looking for. Let someone experienced help you see your blind spots. We get in a routine of how we do things, riders, ponies and parents start focusing on familiar things. If you have a coach that you use consistently, maybe send your video off to another coach just to see if they see a blind spot your coach is missing. (This shouldn't make your coach mad, feedback is the key to success in coaching and in performing.)
If you don't have someone at this time to help you analyze your videos OR if you just want another set of eyes, the Performance Pony Company is here to help! We've been coaching & helping riders, ponies and parents across the country for 15+ years. It's FREE and you don't have to buy anything, although we may suggest a tack change if we see it causing a problem.
Please Call/Text/Send videos to (641) 799-5042 or performance.pony@gmail.com.
