Every year at Christmas, I seem to get an annual gift of things that need some assembly. Of course, I open the box, dump out all the parts, lay the finished picture on the front of the box before me... and go to work. Sometimes I start from the inside out, other times I start from the outside in. Often I find myself immersed in the project for hours on end putting all the little pieces together in a way that makes it appear just like the professional photo.

 

Tightening the screws, hammering the nails, bending the pieces that almost fit, and breaking those that don't, I set about creating my masterpiece of engineering. Sometimes I even have the right tool for the job. I take delight in such times. Other times I have to improvise with a kitchen knife, a wrench/hammer, or an all-purpose piece of duct tape.

 

Normally the project is a rewarding experience of creativity, common sense, past success stories, and information gathering for future construction endeavors. I keep mental notes of how things go together and am fascinated with how they operate. There is great satisfaction in a completed work. It's an ego thing. More than that... it's a guy thing.

 

My latest masterpiece required considerable creativity. All attempts to complete the structure turned south. Hard as I try the end result seemed to lack the continuity of the lovely photo provided on the box. I also discovered that when completed, there were several spare parts left over. This is a pleasant surprise at times, yet this time they appeared crucial to the success of structure.

 

Feeling somewhat defeated, I finally submitted to the unthinkable. I read the directions. Naturally, this step was presented to me at the outset. As usual, the prompting was ignored until all other options had been exhausted. Then secretly in the solitude of the wee hours, I opened the sheet that ultimately explained what all the leftover parts were for. My instincts were correct. Those parts were indeed crucial.

 

Giving in to the need for directions is as much a challenge to manhood as reading a map. They are an admitting of failure when witnessed. If hidden, they are a short cut to heroism. By morning, I was a hero.

 

I also tend to get the gift of brainteaser puzzles. Like the still mixed up Rubik's cube or the two horseshoes with a removable ring welded between them for all eternity. I enjoy analyzing the puzzle, figuring out its keys and ultimately succumbing to the challenge. Often defeated by the evil scientist who toys with the minds of mortals.

 

Puzzles are far more difficult to conquer than construction projects. Mostly because the finished project of construction will, in the end, resemble the picture, because there are specific directions to attain such an end result. A puzzle however may never look like that again, because there are no directions.

 

Developing your horse is a lot like these two projects. Have you ever felt as though the pieces you're tying to fit into it are just not working?  Or that they don't seem to stay? Or that this makes no sense to either you or the horse? If so... you're puzzled. If your program is built around trying to put a puzzle together, you had better have successfully completed that puzzle enough to be able to do it with your eyes closed.

 

The best route to train your horse by the construction method. Preferably by following the specific directions from the beginning. Sure, you can watch a video of a finished horse and try to make yours look just like it, yet you will probably wind up with parts left over and pieces that just don't fit right. Horses need the structure, time, and commitment that only comes from a solid and successful set of directions.

 

You can even do this secretly if you like. Heroism is a worthy goal.

 

Be sure to check out our DVD's, eBook, and training articles in the store at www.craigjohnsonreining.com for help in creating your construction project. Also, check out a few of our finished horses for sale as well as some very nice prospects on which to build your masterpiece.

 

Take a look at our new web site, and look into all the new programs we have for personally riding with you, to help enhance your horsemanship dreams.

 

    Let it Rein

 

     Craig