It’s only natural to have a certain amount of pride in your horsemanship skills if you’ve been doing it for a long time and have had success or are known as a horse professional. But a lot of times that pride blinds us to our weak areas and we feel intimidated when someone points out a flaw. We may get defensive or make excuses. Worse, we may shut down anyone who tries to tell us we don’t know anything, therefore shutting off any constructive feedback we may have received.

This vicious cycle harms you and your ability to grow. But you’re not the one who will suffer the most in silence. The horses are the ones who have to bear the brunt of your pride.

Horses are complex and complicated creatures in their minds, bodies, and natures. You could spend a lifetime on one aspect of horsemanship and never know everything there is to know. Each horse is also a unique individual in their mind and physical body. Not all horses fit into the same training mold you may want them to. And when you stop learning, you stop the ability to connect and understand horses better and deeper.

If you truly want to be the best horseman or horsewomen you can possibly be, start entering situations with a beginner’s mind. You will no doubt find a different way to look at something that will help to improve your technique, skill and understanding. Having a beginner’s mind will open you up to new growth and progress that will take you farther than you thought you could go.

Learning can be like an onion. It’s the same material over and over again, but each layer is different, deeper, and getting closer to the core.

You’re always going to be learning and it’s easier and more fun to embrace learning rather than fight against it. You don’t know everything and that is okay. Your true friends and the people you want to hang out with will not fault you for it. If people do fault you for it you probably don’t want to hang around those people anyway.

Most importantly, your horse will not only not fault you for it, but will thank you. Horses are constantly trying to help us understand them better. If we’re not open to learning and listening, there is little they can do to talk to us, and you will miss out on being able to deepen your bond with your horse.

But also don’t get down on yourself. Be grateful for the skills you have and how far you have come. And also be excited for how far you can go!

(free photo from Canva - https://www.canva.com/ ) 

“No one can teach riding so well as a horse.” – C.S Lewis

~ Saddle Up