Sometimes we focus so much on the horse that we forget about ourselves in the training process. We want to see what the horse is doing and how they are moving. We want to help the horse move and feel better. We want to study the horse and know the horse. But if all of our awareness is on the horse, we cannot support them. Part of that awareness needs to be on ourselves. Our own sensations in the body. The thoughts in our heads. The breath in our lungs, diaphragm, and pelvic floor. Our balance and alignment. Our posture and muscular engagement. These are the things which we use to connect with and influence the horse, so we are ineffective guides to them when we exclude ourselves from our focus.

Lunging is a misunderstood and dying art. Here are my answers to frequently asked questions about lunging to address these misconceptions and help clarify the purpose and value of lunging the horse.

What are you supposed to do when you’re experiencing normal human emotions, beyond the mindful calm I’ve described in other posts as a key to connection? How can we realistically get along with ourselves and our horses despite the normal stresses and events in life? This post describes emotional regulation skills with and without the horses for healthier coping and personal development.