Words that Inspire...In and Out of the Arena
There is a certain language used in the training of a horse, in all disciplines. Dressage, literally means “training” in French, but no matter what activity or sport you participate in with your horse, the communication with your horse is necessary. These are the aids or language with which we “speak” to the horse.
The rider uses seat, legs, hands and voice and even that magical X-factor, where it feels as if you are two, working as one, reading each others’ minds.
The words adorning the Black Horse Expressions tees reflect this relationship. But they also mirror and serve to inspire everyone! For all of us have differing definitions of what these words mean…
Each BHE collection will feature different combinations of words. Some favorites are featured here. What do these words mean to you??
RHYTHM...
Rhythm is most commonly used in music, as a regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound. You could say it's the same in dressage — it is the regularity and consistency of the beats in each gait (walk, trot, canter) with the correct sequence of footfalls. The heartbeat of every gait! As in training, this can describe the rhythm of life as a natural recurring pattern of flow of movement or activity. Correct rhythm when riding is the foundation of balance and relaxation and is the first step on the training scale! Nothing beats the swinging feeling of moving as one with the horse.
HARMONY...
A general meaning of harmony is "a pleasing arrangement or combination of different parts; a state of balance, agreement, or unity."
There are many facets to touch on: human / social side (mutual understanding between people or forces), inner meaning (a feeling of internal balance), the musical definition (combination of different musical notes or voices sounded together), nature / environment (ecosystems working together).
In all forms, Harmony is about unity without force - especially true with horse + rider. Both move as one in mutual trust, effortless balance, and understanding.
GIVE...
The word "give" is one of the most versatile words in English, with many meanings, depending on context. Its core meaning is to transfer something to someone — to make someone the recipient of something. Other uses are to communicate feelings, information or opinions, to present a performance or action, to allow, or grant permission or opportunity, or allocate a role responsibility. As a noun, give means bend or stretch under pressure. In the training of horses, this is rooted in communication, feel and trust. Give is the ever-important moment of reward — the rider relaxes hand, leg or seat to tell the horse, "Yes, that was right." The rider yields the contact to allow freedom within the connection. Both horse and rider give to each other with this ongoing dialogue.
CONNECTION...
True connection means feeling deeply linked with someone or something. It is emotional, intellectual, spiritual, physical. In dressage, it is an elastic communication between horse and rider, the horse moving forward into a soft, steady contact and the rider receiving it with harmony and trust. Whether it’s horse and rider or human to human, connection is the language of the heart.
FREEDOM...
For us, freedom can mean the space to be unlocked from doubt or constraint without limits or judgment. A dressage horse exhibiting freedom moves with complete openness and willingness towards the rider’s aids. The horse is so mentally and physically at ease that its natural gaits unfold without restriction. Like the dressage athlete, we flourish when a light touch guides us, nothing forced, allowing us to express ourselves truly.
ENERGY...
Energy is the inner fuel that drives action, creativity and presence. Turns ideas into movement, with the sense of being charged from within, ready to engage fully with whatever’s ahead. This is the feeling we like to have in a dressage horse-stored power, supple topline, forward momentum, moving from the hindquarters. It can be a very invisible, intangible thing.
Formally defined as the capacity of a system to perform work, you can’t “see” energy per se, but the result of it (light, heat, movement, etc.) you can. The magnificent leap of a horse and the spark of human creativity- each driven by the same invisible foundation.
BALANCE...
It’s easy to break this concept down into two parts…balance is the physical centering, posture and alignment to move with poise and without strain. Sounds exactly like the way a dressage should go!
It is also, for humans and equines, the management of mind and body, free of tension, living in the moment. Horses are very good at being in the moment- yet another way they inspire us!
