Why I'm Finally Moving My Feet: The Power of Unlearninglog Post

One of the hardest lessons I've had to unlearn on my journey as a horse listener is the "stay still" rule.

I remember my Pony Club days so clearly. I was standing in the center of the arena, being told to stay rooted to the spot while my pony cantered around me. It felt completely alien. Even then, I knew my pony understood my body language, yet I was being instructed to silence it.

The biggest issue with standing still? When we stay still while the horse moves, we almost always end up pulling.

The Problem with the "Pull"

When we pull, we block the communication. We lose our timing and the ability to give that split-second release of pressure. In the horse's world, that release is the "reward" they are searching for. If we can't release effectively, we can't reward.

I'm happy to say that these days, I lunge "my way." I move around the arena with my horse.

The Result of Finding My Flow

By trusting my intuition and moving my feet, everything changed:

• No more pulling: The line stays soft and the connection stays open.

• Clearer signals: My body language is finally back in the conversation.

• Better timing: I can release the pressure the exact moment he responds.

I'm so grateful to my pony for teaching me to trust my gut over the "standard" way of doing things. Sometimes, the most natural feeling is the one we should have been following all along.

Over to You...

I'm curious—is there a "rule" you were taught that you've finally had the courage to unlearn? Or maybe something you're still trying to shake off because it just doesn't feel right?

Reply below and let's chat about it!