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 of damaged and dangerous souls.
Good people 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 openly 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 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 in style. Despite uncertainty and vulnerability, they keep going so that they, their students and horses can learn, achieve and still thrive. They admit their flops and embarrassments because they know that any one of us can screw up. It’s called learning and living. It’s called risk.
They do not teach or train all the while wondering what will people think? They teach and train according to what they believe in, what their mentors have taught. Their compass is in asking how do their clients grow, or how do their horses feel? Shame, ego, bravado, blame, divulging secrets, name dropping and making excuses have no part in their lingo or their day to day life.
Good people close their eyes at night, knowing they did their best, knowing that they will try again tomorrow. What they do to their horses, how they make other people feel, will also feel right. Whatever they bring to the horse game, they know it is why they were put here.
Do no harm…
Good horse people refuse to hurt others all the while they are living their art.
If you want to improve your horsemanship, look out for the really good people. Then, when you find them, require yourself to ride along.
I‘d love to hear from you about the good horse people who have enriched your lives… Please feel free to comment.
By the way, I may as well admit it. I’m trying to build my email list to offer books and get help with reading chapters and reviews in the future. You are my tribe! Rather than fill your face with pop-ups on the blog page, please, I’d be so grateful if you’d trust me with your email and subscribe with the red button. Thank you!
Online communities have helped me tremendously. The boarders at the barns I’ve been at want to ride only and not improve their horsemanship. I find it sad, they are missing out on so much!
One thing that’s really fabulous about the online community is that we can help and support each other when we start feeling like islands. Riding is a lot like playing the piano; we can satisfy ourselves with ‘chopsticks’ or we can make it a study for life and never entirely master it all.
Some people might think us crazy but the idea of always having more to learn is what makes horsemanship the ultimate life long journey. Perhaps you will inspire just one other person, meanwhile. Carla, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thanks for commenting here; I’d somehow missed it!