Setting Myself Up For Success

by Catherine
(Canada)

I'm a young equestrian who is very interested in alternative therapies and training. Eventually I want to be the editor of Equine Wellness Magazine and operate a small boarding stable like your own. I saw that you had a training apprenticeship program that hopefully in a few years I will apply for but I was wondering if you had any suggestions for things I could do now to set myself up for success? I am currently taking lessons from a non-natural barn but I'm hoping to start lessons with our local Tellington TTouch practitioner soon... Anyways, thank you for your time.

Answer:

Great proactive question! Kudos to you!

My suggestion would be to read, study and learn from all sources that resonate with your personal feelings, ethics and morals regarding horses. Always go with your gut, never waiver from your convictions but keep an open mind to new ideas. The horse world is a forever evolving subject and we all must be prepared to embrace new thoughts and leave old ideas behind. That will prove to be the toughest challenge for us all!

Question every idea someone presents that does not feel right to you but most importantly listen intently to all horses you interact with for they are the true teachers.

Knowledge is power, harm yourself! Take courses in any alternative subject that you are passionate about then be prepared to share and become an empowering teacher/communicator/educator. You will discover that it is not our horses that require training but the human who requires the education.

Don't waste your energy trying to convince or change someone else's perspective on a subject that you both disagree with. For example, if you believe that bits are harmful and would never use them but someone else approaches you and strongly claims they disagree, resist the challenge and just be (by demonstration) the change you wish to see in the world. Be reminded that many come from a place of unawareness and need to hang on to old thoughts simply because their personal ego is at risk. Nobody likes to admit that they are wrong or have been doing something incorrect for many years. Instead, wait for the invitation that will come in the form of a question. Like, "Tell me how a bitless bridle works?". Then you can offer all your precious knowledge and it will more likely be accepted.

If I wish to have the right and freedom to decide and choose then I must allow others the same freedom.

In the end, spend lots of time observing horses interacting with each other and be cautious on the advice you get from the humans!:0)

Elaine


Comments:

Thanks so much! I'm not permitted to use a bitless bridle yet (but I want to sooooooo bad) because we only have four instructors here and they ALL use bits. When I go with the TTouch instructor I won't have to use bits anymore :) My lease horse is barefoot (thanks to much persuading, articles and begging) and lives outside the majority of the time. I'll try all the things you suggested.