“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.”
–Omar Bradley
I can’t think of a more terrifying experience than being on the back of a 2,000 pound animal going close to 30 mph with nothing to slow you down but the looming possibilty that one measley gopher might be nearby….
As humans…well, as animals, really…we are built in with the ability to stand and fight when someone threatens us, or to turn and run. Horses, 9 times out of ten will choose to run. Which, makes sense…they are closer to the bottom of the food chain…but they can defend themselves rather well, especially when cornered (ironic).
But for humans, we’re at the top, and yet, for some reason, when we are frightened, we tend to, as my coach calls it, “fetal up”. It’s just what it sounds like, curling your body inward to protect your vitals (chest, heart, lungs, etc.) and thus, giving away your back end support on your horse.
To one of my students, who was maybe 6 or so, she would do this when her pony got too fast (it’s instinct, it’s natural…but to control a horse, this needs to be corrected…soon). So I encouraged her to sit up tall and to throw her shoulders further backward toward the rear than would normally feel comfortable. Of course this took some struggling…expected. But I was so proud of her, because she sat up and stayed tall even when the pony would trot a whopping 6.5mph! (Oh my!)
Lesson Learned: Kids are the bravest creatures I’ve ever met. Also the most entertaining.
