by Craig Stevens | Apr 15, 2015 | Craig Stevens' Blog
To become clear about the horse and our dressage, it is important to understand the way to work is not by intellectually building a theory of what they must be like and then forcing our experience to agree with our preconceived ideas. Instead, we go about understanding the horse in an experiential way. Simply allow our dressage mind, thoughts or mental perceptions of the horse to be whatever they are and then look at them, investigate them. Good dressage has no need to maintain any set notions about how the horse is or must be and there is no forcing the horse to fit into any description or plan, simply take a close look at the situation as it is. As we open ourselves up to who we are, we can see how the horse is and lightness, kindness and become the only path to follow. See what is and alignment with the mind of the horse and this becomes both the path to upper-level dressage and the solution to any confusion. Thus, the noble dressage is a living wisdom which is a reflection of our own basic goodness joined goodness in the horse. The first step is our generosity, patience, and discipline. We make the effort and then openly reflect in our true heart. Name(required) Email(required) Comment(required)...
by Craig Stevens | Apr 15, 2015 | Craig Stevens' Blog
The process of working with the horse centers on compassion, for it is only when the mind, heart and body are joined two-fold (horse and human) that a third possibility arises. This third possibility we term the “centaur effect.” It is really about a sort of enlighten state of the two minds that both realize that working together is a better thing than working against each other. This is a harmony which occurs when a psychological atmosphere is created which allows common reference. So it is that we as horse lovers prepare ourselves for the wedding which occurs when we have unified our heart, mind, and body. We call this dressage, but we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by the sport by the same name. This dressage, which we frequently term as authentic or genuine, is not of human invention but is discovered by a closeness with the horse. Most obviously this dressage must be simple because the horse is not capable of human complexity. It is important from the start to understand that simplicity does not mean that something is neither brilliant nor profound. To the contrary, this work presents a great difficulty because it is simple. Finding these connections in our self also enables us to assist the horse in finding these connections with its own body, but equally finding these connections creates an almost spiritual experience of sorts in the human. This way of working the horse is sublime and very addictive and the joy found in the manifestation of an intelligent, gentle, kindness seem to be something which is shared between the horse and human....
by Craig Stevens | Apr 13, 2015 | Craig Stevens' Blog, Old Masters Quotes and commentary
“The action of the man on the horse, and the reaction of the horse to man, are subject to certain principles, to some cause which is located in each, but it must not be developed by chance, if one wishes to control with greater accuracy. The first law of this correctness is the intimate union of two individuals. This union requires on the part of the rider a proper position and action and, on the part of the animal, a boundless subordination with a prompt and blind obedience, at least as long as laws of its structure are not violated.” Dupaty de Clam (Craig Stevens translation. From the art and Science of Equitation 1776 Here it is in a nutshell. The union of body and mind subjugated to the mechanical and psychological realities of the horse. We must look to the cultivation of the skill of listening to the horse’s movements to find the secret of the correct aids, for only then can the horse’s mind be at ease. This is the dressage which any method cannot find. Dressage is not the invention of the human mind but the human mind which has found the harmony and the discipline which nature imposes. Good instruction in dressage consists in the introduction of the student to the nature of one’s own mind. Correctness and clarity in dressage can only be found when a harmonious and peaceful mind extends itself with intelligent compassion to the horse. Name(required) Email(required) Comment(required)...
by Craig Stevens | Apr 2, 2015 | Craig Stevens' Blog
We sometimes think that good dressage is about being critical of ourselves and the horse in an attempt to create some idyllic image. We think that in dressage we become trained to be like a big brother who watches over the horse and whips it into shape if the horse does something wrong or we chastise ourselves for our shortcomings. Good dressage practice is not about punishing yourself when you lose track of your actions or the horse’s position. Rather, the training of the mind in dressage is more about helping you to discover a willing alertness that already exists in your mind, and the horse’s mind by dispelling the dullness that has covered it up. Our aggressions, lack of knowledge, opinions, and prejudices, are what block our finding common being with the horse. These problems manifest in a lack of lightness, kindness, and gentle resolve when we work with the horse. The horse is always willing to join us once we learn to act in harmony, but harmony starts in our hearts when we lay our fears to rest. Here is the challenge of good dressage: Can we work with our own fears? Can we find a way to still and recognize the chaos in our own being so that the horse can find us to be a vessel in which to rest? In each of us a master resides. Awaken your master by dispelling the veil of your sleep and let you and your horse join together in a dressage of kindness. Name(required) Email(required) Comment(required)...
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