A friend of mine and I were talking. We
ended up talking about how every interaction
with a horse is a win or a loss. I began
disagreeing with her. I said that if you
make training sessions about winning or
losing, black or white, then you set
yourself up to fail. If it comes down to you
or your horse, you can never win unless you
dominate your horse to make sure you never
lose.
However, after talking about it some more,
we both concluded that what we really meant
was that each day was an opportunity to win
or lose… for you. It is all about you! You
have the opportunity to win or lose in each
situation. Your attitude and your response
to your horse’s actions determines the
outcome. Even if you seemed to make little
or no progress, if you stayed focused,
relaxed, and calm and kept your horse that
way… you WIN!
If, however, you allow the horse’s reactions
to trigger emotions of anger, frustration,
and failure, you have just lost the battle,
no matter what your horse does. You cannot
necessarily control your horse’s actions and
reactions, but you can control yours.
So, yes, horse training is about winning and
losing, but it is not necessarily a contest
of wills between you and your horse, but it
is about your willingness to control your
actions and your attitude no matter what
your horse does.
Every interaction with your horse is an
opportunity for you to win, an opportunity
to prove to your horse that you are a
trustworthy leader and a safe companion.
This can only happen when you are able to be
content with yourself and with your horse,
no matter what happens. This is what winning
is all about!
