We were clearing trails out at Bucksnort Tennessee yesterday. Hilly country, muddy and slick. Lots of sliding down steep hills etc. And I got to thinking, ya know, there are just some things you can't teach others, they have to put in the saddle hours to learn it.
Mostly what I was thinking of is helping your horse down a slick steep muddy hill. Keeping enough control of the head to help the horse balance, without pulling him off balance. Feeling the horse move through your saddle and just KNOWING where to put your weight to help him. Picking the best path. RIDING and not just being a passenger.
Looking ahead on the trail to identify specific "touchy" spots that your horse might not like or where it might spook, and knowing how to anticipate and what your reaction will be. Feeling when your horse needs a breather while climbing that steep long hill. Knowing when your horse needs a break.
What are some things you can think of that you can't really teach?
