Balance, Confidence, Harmony

Years ago I created a logo for myself. I wanted something that would express my philosophy about riding in a visual way. Something that would distill all those words and motions presented while giving countless riding lessons and clinics into a quick unmistakable shot. Like distilling all the raw materials in Frangelico down to that potent, delicious liqueur. Something that would be obvious, but that would also have greater meaning as the skills and understanding of the viewer increased. At the time I was creating this logo I was creativley and intuitively blessed. Even though the logo was created 10 years ago, it still expresses my understanding and philosophy of excellent riding today. My skills and understanding have increased, but the path to improvement
and “en-light-enment” remains the same.

You can see the logo on this page. The words in the circle surrounding horse and rider are “balance – confidence – harmony”. I’ve drawn them in a circle because they each influence the other without end. Without the rider having good balance the horse will not have confidence in the rider, nor will the rider have confidence in herself. Without good balance there can be no harmony between horse and rider. As harmony increases, it is easier to maintain balance, and confidence rises in both horse and rider. As balance eases towards perfection, riding becomes easier for both horse and rider. Confidence and harmony soar. As the rider’s confidence soars
she is more able to relax. Another step towards harmony. As harmony increases, the horse listens more carefully and the rider speaks more clearly and softly. The horse relaxes and the rider balances more easily. And so it goes. Balance, confidence and harmony each influencing the other for better or for worse.


It appears that rider balance is the beginning of the circle, but this is only so if we ignore the influence of the horses environment, and the harmony, or lack of it, that occurs between horse and rider before the rider mounts. When horse and rider have a grooming and tack up ritual that is enjoyable and harmonious for both, harmony is established before the rider ever mounts. Confidence in one another is established. Then rider and horse only have to work towards balance in the saddle to step in to the ever-spinning circle of increasing balance, confidence and harmony. When the horse and rider do groundwork that increases the horse’s balance and the handler’s confidence, harmony is created that sets the stage for better riding. When the horse’
s environment is balanced, with satisfying and nutritious food, adequate time out, a comfortable and secure place to sleep, kind and understanding handlers, good health care and all of the social factors that make a harmonious lifestyle for a horse, the horse is confid dent and relaxed and ready to work in harmony. He doesn’t start out with an uncooperative attitude. When the horse has a harmonious life, he is mentally and emotionally balanced and confident.

For many riders, establishing good balance on horseback is the first and most intimidating step that they take on the journey of becoming great horsepersons. If you are one who struggles to improve your riding, know that first creating harmony with your horse through a good, enjoyable grooming routine, and through balanced groundwork sets the stage for easier learning of balance, confidence and harmony while mounted.

That said, once you get in the saddle, confidence can get you to harmony faster, but it is only fuel for the vehicle of balance. All the confidence in the world won’t make up for lack of balance. Good balance is based on the laws of Physics, not style of riding. These are the Laws of the nature of matter and energy in our universe. Gravity always acts in the same way on the mass that is you and your horse. Good balance sets the rider’s center of gravity squarely above the horse’s center of gravity. The faster the horse goes, the farther ahead the center of gravity becomes. The stronger and more collected the horse, the further back the horse’s center of gravity can be. Thus, flat racers squat close to a forward center of gravity. Dressage riders sit vertically above a more central center of gravity. Jumpers crouch, ready to be more vertical on the flat, and to launch above their horse over jumps. The trail rider or pleasure rider shouldspend most of their time in a vertical position with some standing, or adjustment forward or back to keep their center of gravity in line with their horse as they travel over uneven terrain. Any time that the reins are used as a balance tool for the rider or the horse they cause discomfort for the horse, and the circle of harmony begins to spiral down instead of up.

Balance, confidence and harmony increase or decrease one another. A great horse and rider team cannot be created without all three. Educate yourself through reading, taking lessons, watching videos and learning to feel when you are in harmony with your horse. I guarantee that any input that improves your balance, confidence or harmony will lead towards “en-light-enment” and that perfect, relaxed, harmonious ride that we all crave.