🧸...GET SOFT...🧸 PART #1 ▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎ "SOFTNESS".....That is a topic and term that is asked about and recycled numerous times over in most conversations regarding Horsemanship, training, performance, manuevers, problem solving, technique, etc.... With that being said, everyone has their own idea of what "softness" looks & feels like to them, and what they're hoping to achieve through their desired degree of softness. Some feel that softness is when you're able to obtain flexion in your horse, while others feel that softness is when you don't have to pull very hard, etc. Personally, both of those are not incorrect, however, I feel that both are simply pieces of the overall "package" of "True Softness" 👈 "TRUE SOFTNESS" & "ZERO RESISTANCE" are terms that you will hear me repeat many times during my lessons, clinics, demonstrations, etc....Many will ask what I mean by "True Softness". Theoretically, a horse will instinctively shift their weight TOWARD the point of CONTACT and/or the point of RESISTANCE. That, in itself, also has varying degrees of less or more. Therefore, even if the horse is only pulling on your hands with 5 lbs. of resistance, that 5lbs. will compound and multiply as it goes through their body, and down through their legs to the ground, regardless of how much flexion you obtain. Even as little as 2lbs. or 1lb. will create a moderate shift of weight toward the contact, much like leaning against a door. This transfers weight toward the shoulders, front-end, etc. when we're typically working to shift that horse's center of gravity & weight in the exact opposite direction.....I will often say that "The heavy foot is the last foot to move".... 👈 Therefore, if you're hoping to elevate the shoulder, front-end, etc. in an effort to free up and extend the reach and stride of your horse's front end to execute stops, backups, rollbacks, turnarounds, counter arcs, lateral movement, back circles, transitions, departures, and "True Softness" in your hands, the weight must be shifting AWAY from the point of contact. (i.e. the bit in the mouth, leg against the side, etc) #GetSoft #RodneyYostHorsemanship (at Rodeo Rapid City) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQOwX2spWAR/?utm_medium=tumblr
