Sports are inherently mental; the mind controls every movement and reaction of even the most well-prepared body. Horse sports are unique in many ways, but particularly when it comes to the power of the mind. It’s a game of skill as much as power, of calculated risk as much as athleticism.
It’s also nerve-wracking as all hell. And not just for the riders.
Riders who are working on their mental game can often be found visualizing their tests and courses, meditating, and working with sports psychologists. But what about their four-legged counterparts? Although the elite horses of international competition may seem invincible, some are surprisingly sensitive - including Laura Graves’ indomitable Verdades.
The striking bay gelding may be a nearly unbeatable force on the dressage court, but Laura spends much of her time as his partner-in-crime managing his sensitive persona.
“I think it depends on the personality of the horse,” she explains. “There are ones that I get on every day and I have to tell them to be a machine. But Verdades truly is a machine, and a little bit too much - to the point where I have to help him back that up a little bit.”
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Laura acknowledges that helping Verdades soften his ultra-competitive mentality is a challenge, especially with a horse that is not only sensitive, but highly intelligent. She occasionally tries to ‘trick’ him by foregoing plaits on certain days or throwing on an easy loose-ring instead of a double-bridle, but tricking a trickster is a - well - tricky thing to do.
“He’s not stupid, he’s a very, very smart horse,” she says with a warm-hearted smile, visibly showcasing the affection she has for her sensitive guy. “We just try to be a little clever in ways, and I really try to reflect in myself the relaxation I want for him. Petting him a lot, talking to him - hoping the judges don’t hear me.”
When it comes to talking, you might get the feeling that Laura was that precocious kid in class who mastered the art of chatting under the teacher’s radar. If you look closely - really, really, closely - you might just catch her mouth moving just the slightest bit, uttering accolades and soothing support to Verdades throughout their tests. With such a fast-moving brain and a tendency towards over-excitement, consistent encouragement and calming words have become de rigueur in the team’s dressage toolbox, but she’s careful to not let it interfere with their performance on the world stage.
“I know I need to rest [as an athlete], but they’re animals, and they can’t always necessarily do what’s best for them. They can’t fight their instincts. Helping [him get what he needs] is a big part of my job.”
“I need to become a ventriloquist so I can say things without moving my mouth, because that really helps him in that moment [when he gets worked up]. Even just getting him to turn his ears back and listen to me as opposed to listening to his own internal dialogue I think is helpful for him.” she says, laughing (but keep an eye out in your local ventriloquism classes).
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Managing a particularly sensitive horse goes beyond cleverness and kind words, however. When it comes to Verdades, Laura guards his needs with the fierceness of a mother, and with the same deep level of knowing. From nap-time to the perfect feed, she has his management down to a science, but is careful to ensure that it always feels relaxed and easy - no helicopter parenting here - although you don’t want to cross Ms. Graves if you have woken ‘Diddy’ up from his much-needed rest at a show.
“It’s really difficult to manage his mind because he gets very excited,” she says. “He always wants to go, and sometimes a little bit too much. So if he’s quiet - if he’s had his acupuncture and he’s napping - I’m patrolling the doors of the barn being like, ‘Shh, if you’re going to be in here, you have to be [quiet]!’ making sure he gets his sleep, because it’s important. In this atmosphere, with all the horses coming and going, sometimes they don’t rest like they would at home.”
“I know I need to rest [as an athlete], but they’re animals, and they can’t always necessarily do what’s best for them. They can’t fight their instincts. Helping [him get what he needs] is a big part of my job.”
This article was originally published on August 8, 2018, on NF.insider.
Photos by Shannon Brinkman.