"I Have Time"

Referring again to the Sunday night book study (My Horses, My Teachers - Alois Podhajsky), the expression "First of all, I think that I have time" engendered a heartfelt response. Podhajsky himself shortened the phrase to "I have time", and he made it his own. He reported first hearing the phrase from General Hoeberth, who would ask the young dragoons what they should do first when they mounted, and they invariably replied "Strike off into the canter". Podhajsky explained that initially he thought that the general's phrase was a personal whim, but as he learned more about riding, training, and working with the dragoons, he understood just how important it is to prepare yourself and your horse when you begin your ride.

This philosophy applies not only to the immediacy of one ride, but to the training of the horse as well. It is of utmost importance to take as much time as needed on each level of training. Our group leader, Pam Larson, reminded us how powerful the urge is, after executing a difficult move well for the first time, to ask your horse to repeat the move. This nearly always ends badly, for if that move goes badly, the choice is either to end on a bad note, or begin to drill the exercise. Better not to rush that step of the training, but rather to immediately reward your horse for a job well done, and revisit the move the next day.

Group members also found a metaphor for life in that simple phrase. How much more peaceful our minds can be when we relax and take the time to do what needs to be done.