Gong Fu: Skill that transcends mere surface beauty.*
The phrase, Gong fu, originating in the Orient and regard martial arts, would seem to fulfill the dreams of every horseman. How incredible it is to feel a thousand pound animal under you, powerful and majestic, desiring to obey and please you! A stallion has incredible grace and power, and, when harnessed and given direction, displays breathtaking beauty. This is what we should all be striving for.
Xenophon writes that we are to “Ride the horse in such a way that it will be pleased with itself and want to create a proud and delightful appearance.â€** Horses at play are marvelous to watch. When they are just having fun, how incredible are their displays of exuberance. All we have to do to unlock that charisma is let the horse enjoy itself while with us.
To that natural beauty there remains one thing to add: skill. Alois Podhajsky writes that “The object of classical riding is to train the horse… to be brilliant in the movements.â€*** The horse can only be brilliant when he is balanced and powerful. With training, the horse can then reach his full potential. Then can we, with the slightest cue, unleash a beautiful power: a horse whose neck is truly clothed with thunder.
So, to attain Gong fu, teach your horse to balance himself and to have fun. Then will the majesty be observable to all who watch.
* Iron and Silk by Mark Salzman ** The Art of Riding by Xenophon *** Horse and Rider by Alois Podhajsky
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