"OK, get off his case, now!" came the instruction from my riding coach. I was trying to correct the horse I was on and, the moment I got that instruction, it was like someone turned the light on...he had responded and I was still asking. It was a fraction of a second but it was still late, I'd asked the question, the horse answered but I was still asking. When I was a kid living at home my mum used to get really frustrated when I'd ask a question and not listen to the answer, that's exactly what I was doing to this horse. Quite rude when I think of it.
Release is our way of saying "that's right" to the horse or "well done for trying". And without release, pressure becomes the norm so more pressure needs to be applied to correct and the negative cycle continues.
I'd much rather a horse search for the right answer than be scared of giving a wrong answer or even worse have no say in the matter at all, just be dictated to.
I hope the more experienced I get, I will notice the more subtle answers from the horse I'm working with and reward accordingly.
