11/07/2019
If you want to become a better horse person, you need to surround yourself with good people. Their example will have a profound effect on the type of person you become.
We horsemen tend to underestimate the power within the relationships we have with other horse people. Our world is a small one. It holds the full range of characters: honest, genuine, supportive and otherwise.
We have put it upon horses to 'heal' us and the culture is brimful with damaged, toxic souls.
Good folks attract like-minded people. They are students of life and welcome opportunities to learn and observe, to stand for what they believe in. They quietly go about their business, bravely sharing thoughts and ideas that might help others. It is rare to hear them freely judge.
No mistake, good people have known adversity and still, they show up again and again for more. They have a core group of select individuals, usually close friends, family members and mentors, to guide them.
Healthy people have no interest in ill-gotten gains or gossip, in criticizing others or trumpeting their own wins and achievements. Their program is their art and as such, it is above sullying or negativity by anyone outside their base of support.
Good people put themselves out there because the way that works for them is worthy of sharing, whether or not it’s currently in style. Despite uncertainty and vulnerability, they keep going so that they, the students and horses can learn, achieve and thrive. They admit their flops and embarrassments because they know that any one of us can screw up. It’s called living and learning.
Good people do not teach or train all the while wondering “what will people think?” They teach and train according to what they believe, what their mentors have taught them, always considering: how do their clients grow? How do their horses feel? Shame, ego, bravado, blame, divulging secrets, name dropping and making excuses have no part in their lingo or day to day lives.
Good people close their eyes at night, knowing they did their best today, knowing they will try again tomorrow. What they do to their horses, how they make other people feel, will also sit right. If it doesn't, they apologize. Whatever they bring to the horse game, they know it is why they are here.
Good horse people balance living their art with refusing to hurt others.
If you want to improve your horsemanship, look out for the really good people... and then, require yourself to be one of them.
