What Really Matters (September E-News)

Patrick ponying a colt at a Massachusetts clinic, 2008. Photo by Lee C.

What Really Matters

During a conversation with fellow clinician and friend, Tom Curtin, a few years back, a common Curtin one-liner came up that I have repeated in nearly every clinic or seminar since I've heard him say it.

"It doesn't matter what I think of your horsemanship. It doesn't matter even what you think of your own horsemanship. What really matters is what your horse thinks of himself when he's with you."

That's substantial.

If you watch a fair amount of 'common' horse folks with their horses, you'll see that many horses are either frustrated, overwhelmed, or just burned out. They do their work with a poor expression, a poor attitude, and a poor work ethic... just waiting to be stuck back in the stall or out to the pasture. They do their jobs, but it's plain to see that they'd rather not.

Tom's philosophy carries a lot of weight in my arena. I want a horse to work to the best of his abilities for me because he wants to work with me. I can't do that without helping him to feel good about himself. I'm not saying that I coddle him or let him get out of work... my horses work when we ride, they sweat, but they feel good about it. They learn that no matter what I might ask of them, it feels better to be with me than it does to be away from me. They also know that I will help them when they need it, but I'll stay out of their way when they get the idea, too. I always try to be the 'soft-spot' in their life.

What does it take to get a horse to feel good about himself when he's with you? Well, that depends on each horse, really, just as it would trying to get a person to feel good about themselves. What makes one person feel great about themselves might not do much for the next fella. The same applies to horses.

You might find a favorite itchy spot to tap into when there's a break in working. You might just take some time to sit and be there together. You might have to keep things more interesting. Every horse will be a little different.

It takes experimenting, adjusting, comparing, to understand what ignites the self-confidence flame in each individual. Once you understand it, keep that in the forefront of your program. Like I said, I want a horse to work, but I want to try my best to have him feel good about it. Before, during, and after. I'm always working at that.

I want to leave you with this challenge: Find out what really makes your horse feel good about himself. Is it a scratch under his mane, or belly? Is it just a few quiet moments together after you complete a task? Maybe it's just a simple rub on the forehead? Find out, and try to use it to your advantage to help your horse feel great about being with you... because that's what really matters.

Most of all -

Enjoy the journey!