Using the Astonishing Power of Visual Imagery

I have this horse who is a real over-achiever. He’s like an intensity-junkie in a horse suit. He takes his work so seriously, only wanting to please his rider and be a good boy, that at times he can get tense just from trying so hard. This can show up in the walk, the hardest gait in which to maintain the necessary quality of relaxation.

Since I know this about him, in an important situation like a dressage test or a clinic, we can go into the walk with me thinking ahead, “I must have him relax. I need to be able to ride this walk. He’s gotta let me in there.” But with all these musts, needs, and gottas going on in my head, it’s not a wonder there’s tension!

So what’s a rider to do? We know relaxation is crucial, but as soon as you say, “He must relax”, relaxation becomes close to impossible.

In one of my lessons, my coach said, “Let’s come up with a visual for this. What is something that for you signifies looseness, flexibility, and the ability to be easily molded with no restrictions?”

I thought for an instant, “Gumby!” I said.

“Gumby, perfect. In your mind, make him Gumby.”

With the image of that ultimately flexible, easy-going, grinning green guy in my head, my horse’s walk instantly became loose, free, and unhurried. He easily allowed me to adjust his neck and move him off my inside leg without tension.
Wow!

As we played with this imagery in the lesson, it became clear to me. In order to have him “be Gumby”, I myself had to “be Gumby”. No more left-brain logic firing non-stop instructions at my body. Just picture myself as Gumby: malleable, loose, living in the moment and happy to be there. The horse mirrors this body language and this vibe, and voilà, tension gone!

The power of imagery to instantly and effortlessly improve riding and position is nothing new. Sally Swift revolutionized rider training with her Centered Riding system. Her book, originally released in 1985, is full of visual images such as picturing yourself as a tree, with the trunk growing up tall and flexible, and the roots sinking down into the earth below the saddle.

But how often do we remember to use this powerful tool? Why not try it next time you’re stuck or frustrated? Take a break and mentally step away from the situation, and come up with a visual image that your subconscious can lock onto.

First, identify what you want (remember to always focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want.) For me, rather than saying I don’t want tension, we identified that I did want looseness, flexibility, and malleability. My mind immediately came up with Gumby, but yours might jump to something completely different, perhaps picturing the ease of a hot knife cutting through butter. Your own image will be more effective for your own self, because it will be more personal and meaningful.

Then, simply hold that visual image in your mind. Don’t get all left-brained and scrunchy-faced here. Just let yourself “be” that thing, or picture your horse “being” that thing. Play with being. Your body will naturally assume the position, poise, and muscle tone of the thing you are being. Just allow it to happen and notice the results.

If you lose the feeling later, you can use a buzz-word to instantly bring the image back into your mind. Now I just have to think the word “Gumby” and it encapsulates a great deal of meaning for my mind, my body, and ultimately, my horse.

Now, it’s your turn! Share with me what images you’ve come up with to help you with specific situations with your riding and position.