How to Improve Your Riding in Just 10 Minutes a Day
I was sitting in front of the computer this morning staring at the blank computer screen, waiting for inspiration to hit me for this month’s column. Our focus for July is the performance horse. As I was perusing through online articles on the art of inspiration I came across a little nugget. It talked about sitting and waiting for inspiration, and how it just doesn’t work. You have to get started by squeezing out the letters, then words, then sentences until you get things started. Once you start writing, inspiration comes. The article went on to explain that sitting down to write just 10 minutes per day will improve your writing skills immensely.
Puzzled, I thought, “How does this apply to horsemanship?” Imagine if you focused on a particular maneuver or obstacle for 10 minutes every day; start with the toughest challenge you have and work on this for only that time period. It sounds super simple and really it is. You just have to get started.
Performance horses come in a variety of breeds and disciplines. It’s a pretty broad term and carries many possible meanings. Define the term for you and your horse and get started with a plan of action. You will get so much more out of your horse time!
The cover story this month is about a “performance horse” challenge. The Mustang Heritage Foundation is hosting an Extreme Mustang Makeover in Nampa, Idaho this month. Read about the event on page 6 and see if it’s something you would enjoy watching. The horse/rider teams will amaze you with what they can actually accomplish in just 90 days. It’s all about focus.
I hope you enjoy your July (Happy Birthday America)! It’s a great time for trail riding and all kinds of outdoor activities in the great Northwest. Also, a big THANK YOU to all who completed our Reader’s Survey. We’ll have some results for you soon.
Quote: You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.” ~ Les Brown
Photo courtesy of Coastal Equine
Published in the July 2014 Issue
Owner / Publisher | Canfield Certified Trainer
Karen Pickering is a lifelong horsewoman and the founder of The Northwest Horse Source, which began in 1995 as a small equine newsletter and grew into a respected industry publication. With more than 30 years of experience serving the horse community, Karen now focuses on helping equine businesses and organizations build visibility, credibility, and lasting relationships through online marketing, digital promotion, and educational platforms.
As a Canfield Certified Trainer, she blends proven success principles with real-world industry experience, supporting both businesses and individuals navigating change in today’s digital landscape. Karen remains deeply connected to the horse industry and is passionate about serving the community she has helped build for over three decades.
