HORSEMANSHIP: Three Questions to Consider

FIRST:  Recognize that EGO is PERSONAL.

— Personalization is not the same as passion.

— Personalization puts the PERSON’S desires before the overall well-being of the horse. This causes loss of focus and detachment from the horse.

SECONDLY:  Ask yourself and consider the 3 following questions:

1. How will this decision make things BETTER FOR THE HORSE?

Pushing the horse to execute and achieve that which has not been properly introduced and taught or supported is actually an act of ego – to make the ‘trainer/owner/handler’ look good. Continual pressure will cause the horse to shut down mentally and physically.

2. How will this decision affect the horse?

Theoretically horses must ‘execute’ what their leaders request. If the horse perceives that their human is behaving like a “boss” (“alpha”) and is only doing something to make himself/herself look good (feeding one’s own ego), they’ll be resistant to embrace the task or change. They may ‘comply’, but they will never commit unless they determine the benefit for themselves. Are you boss or leader or, ultimately, partner with your horse?

3. How will the outcome affect me? How will it affect my horse?

When involved in teaching/training our horses it is easy to get our egos mixed up with the goal. A balanced ego is a good thing – a positive state. But excessive ‘egotism’ is quickly exposed by the horse and a less-than-desired relationship will prevail between the horse and human.

Remember that every second we are with our horses we are affecting our relationship with them – for better or for worse. All good leaders have ‘compassion’ as well as ‘passion’; Passion for helping to establish a trusting relationship between team members and com-passion for their fellow team members.

Keeping a check on your own ego and its inflation will help you through some of the hard places with your horse. Don’t be afraid to deflect to your horse on some occasions. Be ready to acknowlege that perhaps the way you are communicating to and with your horse has a bit too much ego involved. Be ready to change. Be willing to change. Your horse is your partner to whom you entrust your life and visa versa. Learn first to become a good LEADER then allow the natural course of developments to occur in attaining a true PARTNERSHIP with your horse. Leave your ego aside.