The concept of “creative frustration” seems a tad out of place when it comes to horses, but there are many many aspects involved in the art of dressage training and as any artist will tell you, frustration is a natural part of the artistic process. Anger, rage, ego, have no place whatsoever in the horse world, or in any world for that matter, but frustration is something that most riders will experience at some stage during the learning process.
It could be riders' frustration with themselves, frustration with the guy driving the motorbike past the arena, frustration at the dog sitting directly on the centreline, frustration at the -4 ° C degree predicting weather man, your trainer frustrated with you, or your horse's frustration for not making the slightest bit of sense as you pull at the rein and kick at the same time.
The reality is that with most things in life that can be amazing, the journey to achieve amazing is usually filled with ups and downs. Just when you think you’ve nailed it, a new hurdle pops up to remind you that it’s a long road.
I recently experienced a period of extra frustration, because my horse was reaching a peak in his training. He seemed strong and confident in the work and his attitude was really with me and working. He almost seemed to be thinking “What else can I give now?”. This of course was not the frustrating part! The frustration I was experiencing was because my own weaknesses were becoming the things that were holding us back. I became frustrated that I was not improving as much as my horse. I set out to change my body: firstly to become physically more able to help my horse in his journey, and secondly I needed to find new ways of overcoming physical injuries, that I had dealt with for years.
For you, it may be a stiff hand, or a tight leg that seems to always be there, and just when you think you have fixed it, or at least learnt how to use it for the good of your horse, there it is again pulling at the horses mouth, or squeezing his side. We all have things that can become frustrating, and as riders we must learn to overcome this frustration and channel the energy into making the positive change. It may not let us swallow us up and keep us thinking “why can’t I?”
We all have the “Why can’t I?" moments at some stage. “Why can’t I keep my left shoulder back? Why can’t I keep my legs loose?” Why can my horse do that with him, and not with me?”
The classical approach to frustration, I have found, is to firstly accept that the thing is there, realise that it may never be perfect, but decide to do everything you can to get it as close as possible to perfection. Denial does no good at all and the minute you deny the frustrating thing, or try to excuse it, is the exact moment it will swamp you. Instead use that frustrated energy for the good, and use it to fuel your own determination to fix the problem, or at least make it as good as it can be for now.
Another aspect of frustration is outside influence, like a wind storm, a runaway dog. External things can sometimes make us very frustrated. However, it is with these things that we must learn the art of tactful riding and good decision making; test our ability to know our own and our horse's limits.
For example, I am frustrated at the dog, but he will not move, so I must work around him, or even use him as a good marker for the centreline. Alternatively, it is a stormy windy rainy day and my horse is getting out of control. I do not feel safe, so perhaps I should hop off and lunge him for a bit, or get help from someone else in order to make my horse more comfortable with this sort of weather, and thus easier for me to cope with.
Trainer frustration is natural, particularly if you have a trainer who believes in you and knows your capability and that of your horse. If your trainer never gets frustrated nor tries to push your limits, then you should really get the message. You are just spending tons of money for lessons to be told how lovely you look on your horse!
A great trainer will use this frustration to engage you and he will show you how passionate he is about the success of you and your horse. Some say horses don’t feel emotions, but I can tell you when Batialo is frustrated with me, as I’m quite sure you can tell with your own horse.
However, you are never allowed to get frustrated with your horse, because it will never do any good. If you are frustrated on top of the horse, you must learn to ask yourself what you did that is making the horse act in a way that is not what you wanted, and like your trainer, channel this into positive, constructive energy, that can help you understand what is happening and help your horse to grow. Did you give the wrong aid? Did you ask too much? Did you give an unclear message that has caused your horse's confusion? Frustration can be used to spur you on, but never ever to spur at your horse.
by Sarah Warne