Already throughout the Quantum Savvy programme and previous articles, you willhave noticed familiar patterns and building blocks; programmes and patterns that evolve andprogress through each Level. Variations upon the same familiar themes.

Already throughout the Quantum Savvy programme and previous articles, you will have noticedfamiliar patterns and building blocks; programmes and patterns that evolve and progressthrough each Level. Variations upon the same familiar themes.

As we discussed in an earlier article, horse and human both learn by patterns. We use thesepatterns and programmes to layer our understanding, knowledge and skills, so as to learnthem solidly and consistently without over facing or overloading our mental, emotional orphysical capabilities. Our goal is to stretch our comfort zones to new horizons gradually,not to over bear it.

One of our main goals in this Foundation Programme is to have a Foundation Horse. That is, ahorse that we can take anywhere, anytime and both of us enjoy the process. To do this weprepare ourselves and our horses mentally, emotionally and physically in a process that islayered over the first 3 levels of the QS programme.

For the human to prepare mentally means to be open to new ideas and concepts as to theapproach and training of horses. Many traditional beliefs are challenged and put aside. Fora human to look at things from the horse’s point of view rather than insisting that theysuccumb to our ideas, can be quite a test for some people. For example we’ve all heard theold saying that it’s a bad thing to let a horse ‘win’!

For a horse to become more mentally fit means for him to learn to trust and respect us.These are the first layers for both of us in the learning process and are areas we cover inLevel 1.

Emotional fitness in horse and human both relate to stretching our comfort zones and overcoming our fears. For us it is reducing the need to be in control; to learn to look for thepositives and not expect the worst. “What you expect is what you’ll get” - be it good orbad. For the horse it means learning to overcome an instinct that is millions of years old;flight from fear. If we become a good enough leader, our horses will respect us, trust usand learn to run left-brain with impulsion. This next layer is covered in depth in Level2.

Lastly, the final piece of the puzzle in the Foundation Programme. Physical fitness - for usto not expect the horse to fill in for our inadequacies. To be physically up to the taskwhatever it is and be an equal partner for our horse; to enable him to perform at hisabsolute peak. To become the kind of person that horses will respect, trust and follow inall things. For our horse, this last layer is about softness, willingness and flexion. Toallow the positive engagement of his whole body, in all gaits and directions. To performwith the strength, agility and grace that he was destined to do so. Again, this has beensomething we have layered, to introduce slowly and consistently to allow confidence andassurance to bear equal parts.

Take the time necessary to develop yourself and your horse through the Foundation ProgrammeLevels 1, 2 and 3. If you are consistent with your communication, build rapport, take thetime to layer each step placing importance on your ingredients and respecting yourprinciples, you will be rewarded with an incredible combination of horse and man - synergywith horses - true horsemanship.

Level 1 – Respect
Level 2 – Impulsion
Level 3 – Flexion

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