A couple of years ago I made the decision that I would not ride until I could ride with the horse at complete liberty. I wanted to ride only a horse that was a willing and ready partner. If I was going to ride, I wanted my horse to get as much from the experience as I was getting. Riding horses brings me immense pleasure but I just could not get over the fact that while I was enjoying the experience my horses were allowing it merely out of compliance from subjugation. Put another way, I was getting pleasure from the coerced subjection and submission of another being. The more I allowed that realization to sink into my consciousness, the more determined I became to ride only with the consent and willing cooperation of my horse. I began looking for liberty trainers and found a number who were doing amazing things. They were riding without any tack. No bridle or saddle and they had what appeared to be a willing and cooperative partner taking as much pleasure from
Mindfulness of the Horse