In pursuit of Losgelassenheit

Over the last couple of days I have been thinking much of, and reading about, calmness. Of the horse that is!

"Calmness is a part of Losgelassenheit, but correctly understood, Losgelassenheit goes far beyond mere calmness. Some well meaning riders make the preservation of the horse's calmness under any circumstances their highest priority. They tend to back off as soon as their horse shows any sign of nervousness or discomfort without investigating thoroughly enough where the reactions are coming from. The horse in turn learns within a matter of days that he is rewarded with a reduction of the demands if he displays any displeasure at the rider's aids. One could say that it is the horse who is then teaching his rider to yield to pressure, rather than the other way around. Loving owners with the best intentions can train their horses to become veritable little monsters this way.." Dr Thomas Ritter

I wish I could pronounce Losgelassenheit so that I could use it more often to describe what I am in search of each time I get on my horse. Not only is it more technically accurate, in context, it allows one to more accurately convey ones understanding of it being a process, a journey, rather than smugly feeling as though I am doing the right thing and others are doing the wrong thing. The subtle difference between working with your horse so that they yield to your request happily and completely and all their energy goes towards their obedient response; and the desire to instill obedience to your demands. Thomas Ritter reminds us that a horse can be obedient without being calm, and they can also be calm without being obedient - Losgelassenheit is where the horse accepts your aids - your seat, your legs, your hands - without question. Classical dressage, in my interpretation, is the commitment to attaining this through an understanding of how your seat influences the horse, the biomechanics of the horse, and the psychology of the horse. A horse is no more dualistic in the connection between mind and body than the human, no matter how many people would like to remove the connection for convenience!

I have so much to learn from here but feel that I am in the best place to start - I have a true 'beginners mind' where I am open to this learning. I also have the confidence and relationship with my horse as I have, through trial and error, muddled my way through with the best intentions, come to this place with both of us ready.