By: Matthew M. Brendal
Goals are the foundations and motivations for success. Many times people buy horses for the sole purpose of having fun. Many people start out with a romantic or unrealistic idea that they will constantly be riding off into the sunset each time they interact with tier horse. Success with horses doesn’t just happen because you wish it to. You must have some idea what you want your horse to do. Don't be afraid to dream!
Do you want your horse to be a high school dropout or a college graduate? Is your horse going to be a pasture ornament or a world champion? There is no right or wrong answer to what you want your horse to be. That is all up to you. To me I like to have my horse learn more each time I ride or interact with her. I want the best horse I can have. Teaching my horse to be better each time gives me excitement to want to ride. If I did the same thing over and over it would become boring.
If you only want your horse to be a trail horse, why not make it the best trail horse in seven states? Can your horse trailer load on verbal command? Have you ridden your horse bridleless? Have you won a Western Pleasure class a local horse show? Have you taken your horse to a clinic to make you and your horse smarter?
Be realistic with your goals. You have to know your limits and then figure out how to conquer them. It is important not to get frustrated. It is more important to learn from the goals than accomplishing them. Remember it is the journey and not the destination. I consider horsemanship a lifelong learning experience to improve myself as a human with the help of the horse.
I know it is cliché, but clichés are only become clichés because they are true. If you aren’t having fun why keep doing it? If you aren’t having fun your probably isn’t either. Success usually breeds fun. That goes back to the goal. You have to start somewhere and you have to have the tools to complete your goal.
Here are the steps I recommend to improve your chances of having success and fun with your horse.
1. Know what you want your horse to do. If you know what you want your horse to do you can focus on teaching your horse those things.
2. Learn how to teach your horse to do what you want. This can be accomplished by mentoring, DVD’s, clinics, books and other formats.
3. Practice, practice and more practice. Good horsemanship is an extremely difficult endeavor. You have to spend time in the saddle to get better. Your horse needs time with a saddle on to improve.
4. Go at your pace. Good horsemanship is not a race it is an experience.
5. Reward yourself and your horse at goal intervals. Not set difficult goals that take years to complete. Accomplishing major goals really breaks down to fulfilling numerous small goals.
6. When you start to get comfortable and your skills improve, raise the bar. Find interesting and unique goals to set for you and your horse.
Fundamental Horsemanship is TLC = Trust, Leadership & Communication.
