| In the current issue of the British Horse | | | | in the case of extremes (weight or |
| Society's Magazine there is a double page | | | | surroundings). People with open minds form |
| spread covered in furious letters from some | | | | their opinions based on sound evidence. They |
| seriously upset readers. | | | | reflect on what they have discovered and work |
| | | | towards reaching a decision or conclusion |
| The cause of all these ruffled feathers is a | | | | that is based on fact, not feeling. |
| controversial letter that was published in a | | | | |
| previous issue. The letter writer was of the | | | | An open mind allows one to magnetize |
| firm conviction that overweight riders should | | | | opportunities. A receptive mind is open to |
| not be allowed anywhere in the vicinity a | | | | all possibilities, big or small. A closed |
| horse's back. She stated categorically that | | | | mind is a stubborn mind, wanting immediate |
| this could do immense physical harm to the | | | | gratification and wanting it as exactly as |
| horse. Further more, the writer claims, | | | | what the mind perceived it to be, not willing |
| overweight riders who get injured in remote | | | | to accept or try alternatives. |
| areas put a heavy load on the emergency | | | | |
| services as it would be impossible for them | | | | Whatever the mind can envision, the mind can |
| to be rescued without spending a lot of | | | | create. What the mind sees, believes, feels |
| money. She implied that an air-ambulance | | | | and thinks is all conveyed to the |
| might be needed etc. etc. | | | | subconscious. Your subconscious then |
| | | | establishes your reality based on the |
| It is true that one should always have one's | | | | filtered information from the conscious mind. |
| horse's best interest at heart, in the first | | | | |
| instance. A 22 stone rider on a 13 Hh pony | | | | Bear in mind though, that it is not |
| would be absurd and such a situation could be | | | | sufficient to merely imagine and hope your |
| dangerous to both horse and rider. But a 22 | | | | dreams materialize. |
| stone rider on a Percheron - I doubt very | | | | |
| much that the Percheron would notice | | | | You can achieve any thing you want when you |
| specifically or that he would mind, | | | | open up your mind to success and get rid of |
| considering this breed used to carry knights | | | | limiting thoughts. Even losing all the extra |
| in full armour to the Holy Land and back. | | | | weight should you desire to do so. When you |
| | | | decide to change your attitudes and thoughts, |
| If you are an overweight rider who loves | | | | and begin to think without notable |
| horses and loves riding, the only thing you | | | | limitations, your life's direction will begin |
| need to make sure of is that you do not weigh | | | | to change. Whatever your dreams are, whether |
| more than 20%(17% is even better) of your | | | | it is losing weight, riding in a dressage |
| horse's total weight. Choose your horse | | | | competition, buying you own horse...you can |
| wisely, use your common sense and pay | | | | make them come true if you enlist the power |
| attention to your horse's physical reaction | | | | of your own conscious and subconscious mind. |
| and condition. As for the rest, pay no | | | | Under no circumstances pay any attention |
| attention. And keep an open mind. | | | | whatsoever to the opinions of people with |
| | | | closed minds. |
| People with closed minds, like the original | | | | |
| letter writer, grasp a concept without much | | | | Focus on possibilities, rather than |
| concern for practical evidence. Even when | | | | limitations and expand your thoughts to what |
| they are presented with evidence that is | | | | you believe you and your horse are capable |
| totally contradictory to their ingrained | | | | of. And should you need any help, rest |
| belief, they refuse to reassess their opinion | | | | assured that access to the internet now also |
| and immediately dismiss the evidence, without | | | | provides you with access to e-courses, online |
| giving it a second thought. | | | | coaching and several e-books created |
| | | | especially for equestrians, and not just for |
| People with open minds weigh all the evidence | | | | thin ones either. |
| before reaching a conclusion, approving or | | | | |
| disapproving the many interpretations of the | | | | Thoughts hold great power; yours as well as |
| behind the belief. Another reader picked up | | | | those of other people. Be conscious of the |
| the phone and rang her local ambulance | | | | thoughts that comes into your mind; let the |
| service to ask if all this was true. They | | | | positive in, never entertain the negative. |
| reassured her that a person's weight makes no | | | | Open up your mind to possibilities and |
| difference to how he/she is treated, unless | | | | opportunities and never be afraid to try. |