Select a Spot. As you ride along the trail, keep an eye out for a serene and safe spot where you can comfortably stop and take a moment to appreciate nature. Look for a quiet area away from distractions.

Halt Your Horse. When you find the perfect spot, gently apply the aids to bring your horse to a halt. Use a light and steady rein contact to communicate your intention to stop.

Encourage Relaxation. As your horse comes to a standstill, relax your body and breathe deeply. Your horse can sense your relaxation, which will help them unwind as well. You can dismount if you choose or do the rest of the exercise mounted. Whichever feels better to you.

Close Your Eyes. Close your eyes and let go of any tension or distractions. Focus on the sounds of nature around you, such as birdsong, rustling leaves, or the gentle flow of water if near a stream.

Breathe Mindfully. Take slow and deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Allow the rhythm of your breath to create a sense of calmness.

Connect with Your Horse. With your eyes closed, become aware of your horse’s presence beside or beneath you. Feel their warmth, their breath, and their subtle movements. Embrace the connection you share with your equine partner.

Appreciate Nature. While you’re in this serene moment, take the time to appreciate the beauty of the natural surroundings. Listen to the sounds, feel the breeze, and embrace the peacefulness of the trail.

Embrace Gratitude. Express gratitude for this special moment with your horse and for the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature together.

Open Your Eyes. When you’re ready to move on, gently open your eyes. Take a moment to reorient yourself and your horse before continuing the trail ride.

Reflect on the Experience. As you ride on, reflect on the Serenity Stop experience. Notice any changes in your emotions, your horse’s demeanor, and your connection after this mindful pause.

By incorporating the Serenity Stop into your trail ride, you create an opportunity to deepen your bond with your horse and experience the calming effects of nature. It allows you to be present in the moment, fostering a greater sense of confidence and connection as you continue the ride together. Enjoy this mindful journey with your equine companion!

The post Serenity Spot Exercise: 10 Steps to Create Connection While on the Trail appeared first on Little Gray Mare.

One of the ways he suggests to help create connection with your horses is to go out to the pasture with a chair and just sit and read. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the program… sitting, reading, horses… what’s not to love.

Yesterday the weather was warm enough to sit outside so I headed to the pasture with a chair and a book. I’m currently reading Mind to Matter on my kindle, but I wanted to take an actual book to the pasture so I grabbed The Body Keeps Score. Warwick’s book list scares me a little, it’s not a light hearted book list. It’s a book list that’s going to make you work on yourself. The Body Keeps Score is one of those books. It’s about overcoming trauma, which is a topic I generally push out of my mind and try not to think about. But like they say, the things you don’t deal with keep coming up until you do.

I got to the pasture and got settled in. Instantly Fiddler came over trying to see what I was doing. He grabbed my book and ran off with it. I got the book back, sans some corners. Then he tried to eat my chair. I love this horse. He will always make you feel loved, but I wanted to just sit and be, which is not really possible with him around. I took him out of the pasture and came back to read. Goose and Nora are also in this pasture. We got Nora a couple months ago. She’s super obedient. An amazing cowhorse, and a bit shut down. I really wanted to be able to have some no expectation connection time with her.

She checked out my chair a bit while I was putting Fiddler up, and then mosied off to the hay. She kept looking up at me. She just looked like she didn’t quite understand what the heck I was doing just sitting in her pasture. Goose swung by for a bit and then wandered off to stand by the gate Fiddler had left through. Which is all perfectly fine. The point of hanging out in the pasture is to NOT have expectations. To let them do what they want, to just be. I also like this hanging out in the pasture while I pick poo. I enjoy being in the same space, doing my thing, they’re doing their thing. They sometimes come over, they wander away. These well trained horses who do great at their job… I think most of their lives they’ve been asked to be DOING something, specific, by a human. It’s good for them to know sometimes being around us doesn’t come with demands.

I was a little worried starting The Body Keeps Score, but once I got started it seems like it’s going to be a very interesting book. I’ll give you a review when I’m done. The next few days are going to be VERY cold… so I’ll have to read in the house.

I mentioned in the Warwick Schiller Facebook group that I was outside reading and someone asked if I was reading the book out loud to the horses. I was not, but it was an interesting thought. Do you read outside in your horse’s pasture? Do you read out loud to them? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to know.

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