Now that is a picture of a mistake. I'm embarrassed to share it with you. But just so you know I'm human and make mistakes. By the way that is Dolly, and I have made plenty of mistakes with her.
The minute you purchase a horse you have opened yourself up for a ride of a lifetime. It can either be a dream come true, or a nightmare awakened. We know this ride will involve risk, ability, and commitment. Horse's deserve better than a half-hearted commitment because they are one of nature's finest creations. They will teach you to learn from your mistakes, accept risks, take responsibility for decisions, endure discomforts, overcome fears, and be a creative thinker. A horse will keep you real. You can try to fake it with people, but your horse knows exactly what's inside you and will require that you own up to it.
The simple fact is, we will all make mistakes with our horses. However we shouldn't let our mistakes prevent us from trying new things, or learning lessons from those mistakes. All of these lessons will cost something. The cost can take shape in several ways; financial, emotional, or physical. Or perhaps all of the above. You can bet that the lessons you learn from horses will require some type of discomfort.
A person is not any "less" of a horseman for having made mistakes with their horse, unless they refuse to embrace the value of the mistake as a lesson to learn from. As a committed horse lover I know my mistakes belong to me and me alone. I claim them, and allow them to move me forward down the road of competence. I endure the sting of the lesson with my head held high and make every effort not to repeat the same mistakes. I remain accountable for my mistakes and learn from them therefore the whole process has deepened my respect for both my horse and myself.
We all pay for savvy with horses. There isn't a free road to becoming a great horseman. You can buy an inexpensive horse, but the road to becoming a great horseman is expensive. The lessons are there for us to learn, if we are willing to pay the price. The price comes in the form of:
Willingness to take risks
100% commitment
Responsibility for decisions
Learning from mistakes
Accountability for the horse's well being
Persistence
Endure discomforts both emotional & physical
Allow for significant character changes
Become a creative thinker with an open mind
Mold an attitude of justice and patience
Overcome fears
Leadership skill development
Physical fitness
Time management
Sacrificing goals to meet the needs of the horse
Listening more carefully
Watching more intently
Discovering effective ways of communication
Preserve the horse's dignity at all cost
Do your foundation homework thoroughly
Dedication to education
Financial sacrifices
To some this price list may seem quite high. The horse world might be of better quality, especially from the horses' view, if these principles were embraced by all horse owners. I know none of us is perfect, including myself. However, if each one of us will commit to learning from our mistakes, we will be able to offer even more to the horses we have the privilege of riding.
Horse ownership is more than a quick fix, a fad, or a hobby. It is a lifestyle to be embraced that will change us into more compassionate and balanced human beings. The rewards will definitely out weigh the costs. So don't be discouraged when you are in the middle of paying the price for your mistakes. Horses are forgiving when you are willing to go the extra mile with them. You will win your horse's heart by learning from your mistakes.
Happy Trails,
sherry
"The key to success is for you to make a habit throughout your life of doing the things you fear." -- Vincent Van Gogh
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