Rolex has come and gone for this year. I am in awe of riders and especially horses that can endure such an athletic feat. There is a heady excitement at show grounds at such a level. It can be intoxicating. I know it all too well from my lifetime of showing. Yet, I can no longer support, knowing what I do, anything that puts a horse’s life or welfare in jeopardy. I philosophize that just because a horse can do something we ask of it, do we have that right?
This brings me to that word ‘commitment.’ I ask each of my students and clinicians to tell me their commitment around their work with their horse. This request is often met with silence. A commitment cannot be “I want to jump 5 feet” or “I want to reach 4th level in two years.” Those are goals. A commitment is ‘a pledge or promise.’ Riders have lots and lots of goals. When you mistake a goal for a commitment there are no boundaries around what you will do. There are many, many coaches out there that can get you to the top, but at what price? How often has a coach asked their students what their commitment is to their horse?
My commitment as a rider and trainer is “To have the well being and health of my horses at the forefront of all I do.” From that foundation, I can decide what training methods align with my commitment. What trainers I choose to work with. What equipment I ride with. What I read and study. How I feed my horses. How I interact with them. The list is endless. The curious thing is that, when you have an unwavering commitment to something, it bleeds to other areas of your life. You become so much more aware of what truly matters in life. I cannot sacrifice my riders, my husband, my child, my finances, my friends, for a goal. It does not align with my commitment.
This does not mean I cannot have goals. My goals are now larger than when I was training for the Olympics. I probably will not have the glory of that silver tray and a crowd cheering as I take my victory lap around the ring. I will not have little girls wanting me to sign their programs. Yet, when I leave this earth, I know that I leave it with horses that have been allowed to be glorious without sacrifice and riders that achieve their dreams without damaging anyone or anything in the process. I do not think I could ask for more.
What is your commitment?
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So beautifully put in many lines of this post Susan. Particularly :
“I philosophize that just because a horse can do something we ask of it, do we have that right?”
Not to mention your distinction between goals and commitment – something most will not think about unless asked point blank.
Personally I have struggled previously with myself surrounding my own commitment; which is to never put my horse in a position which could knowingly compromise his health, safety or well-being. From the perspective of anyone wishing to be a professional trainer, there will always come a time when a client asks you to do just that – to work a horse past their capability at that stage in their life or training; to start a horse that is still too immature; to push the horse because they want to reach xyz goal this year.
Exactly why I do not train horses for anyone today. I cannot morally combine the two – my commitment to the horse and the requests of clients who are making sure I do not go financially bankrupt. Money can compromise any situation, so I prefer to make money in an area which does not ask me to compromise my morals.
I enjoy teaching and instructing because it allows the freedom to help the rider progress, which in turn matches with the horse’s own progression. I don’t ask the rider to do anything which would compromise the horse because it won’t help the rider or the horse in the long run. A win-win situation.
Again I really, really enjoy what you wrote here. Will be keeping it tucked in my frontal lobe for some time..
Cheers,
Erica
My comment is: to always speak for the animals so their voice can be heard. Being an animal communicator and running a rescue I get to submerge myself daily in this commitment!!!
In response to your article I agree with you 100 % . I have never met an animals that said :
I need a job, make me jump so high so I can get a blue ribbon. Let me pull that heavy, heavy cart, let me run so fast that my legs snap at the finish line. Let me run endlessly around a stupid barrel and almost tear my hips off. Let me run on a field chasing little balls and get clubbed in the head with a mallet. Let me prance around a ring after hours of torture to make me dance in pain and agony. OR I want to have a human on my back and be your personal slave for enjoyment & your ego .
Never have I ever heard any of these comments from the horses !!!!
Only requests for their human caretakers to love them and be their partners……..
Think about this all you so called Equine athletes. The horse does all the work for all your glory……
Peace,
Candi Cane Cooper
Animal Communicator
CEO / The Sweet Water Ranch Inc. / Adoption 911
I love this! I know there have been times in the past where I wasn’t sure about my commitment. I knew that some of the things I was seeing and, I’m sorry to say, some of the things I allowed trainers to do with my horses didn’t feel right. But I also think that when you are starting out, it’s easy to feel unsure because you think you are working with this professional person who knows horses and has a tremendous influence on your insecurities. It’s not that I ever wanted to be unfair or unkind to my horses, I just had so little knowledge and confidence.
Now my husband and I have had horses for 20 years, which isn’t all that long. But we’ve both learned a lot and have a great relationship with 3 wonderful horses. I realize now that I was always pulling away from the people involved with horses who seemed more interested in their own egos or money than the welfare of the horse.
I love to ride and showing can be fun, but I’ve never been all that competitive. I like to find out what works best for my horse. For instance, I have a very good natured, athletic ex-reining horse that seems to be fine with arena work and I’m having fun learning dressage with him. But my mare hates the arena, so I trail ride her or even pony her on the trail with my reining horse. They are both happy and fantastic at doing what they enjoy. My husband’s horse also likes trail riding, which is why we bought him.
Being able to provide a good life for our horses and having them respond so positively is truly rewarding.
As always Candi I love your insight. You are a rare commodity in the world of animals. I know and have known many people that love their animals but have no connection to them at all. I have had horses seek me out to let me know what they need but the owners won’t listen.
I don’t know many horses that enjoy showing. There as some and I owned one. My beloved now deceased (cancer) hunter, Alex loved to go show. He would prick up his ears when the fleece shipping halter came out and would look for the trailer. It was so cute. The more elaborate the show the happier he got. He was not partial to trail riding although we did it all the time or just hanging out at home. He wanted the excitement and the challenge. Very rare indeed.
I have a lovely mare that I have owned since she was a yearling. She is now 8 years old. She is spectacular and those with dollar signs in their eyes see nothing but the potential for her to be an enormous success internationally. But Doerte my beloved girl, would perish if asked to do that. She doesn’t want it. She would hate it. I will never ask it of her. Instead she will do exhibition with me, socialize with people (she adores people) and help others understand what is possible when you connect with an animal beyond what people believe is possible.
Sounds to me Anne as if you “listen” to and respect your horses. Bravo. They are lucky indeed.
Sue
I loved this! I sort of understood the difference between a goal and a commitment, but you phrased it so perfectly that now I feel I could never accidentally merge the two into one. I may only be 13, but I love horses, and not only for the riding, but for caring for them. Grooming daily, mucking out stalls, feeding, turning in and out, tack care, etc. I told my mother that when we’d get a farm, I wouldn’t let her touch the stable; that I’d handle all the chores. You’re blog is an inspiration, other than my horses themselves. My commitment is to always put my horses first. If I had to choose between a horse and a husband, what do you think it would be? The horse of course! Your blog has been and inspiration to my own horse blog, so keep up the great work.
~Inka
Inka,
I would never guess your age by your thoughtful and wise comments. How wonderful to know a young rider coming up that is so committed to the welfare of their horses. What lucky horses will come into your life. Lucky indeed. I would love to subscribe to your blog. Address? I am glad my piece helped define something for you. I am dedicated to empowering riders and making a difference in the horse world to a kinder and more horse welfare mentality. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. You go girl!!!
Sue (By the way..I adore the South and we will be moving ourselves and the horses to Beaufort, SC this year.)
Food for thought. Great post Susan! My commitment is to give the very best to my horses. That doesn’t mean money necessarily or equipment or trappings. To me it means the best feed, the best veterinary care including farrier, the best conditioning for their health, and the best training towards what they show aptitude in. I give the best of my time, my focus and my attention to their health, happiness, and overall well-being.
I think my commitment is exactly the same as yours. To put our mutual security and my horse’s best physical, mental and emotional interest first, and my riding *goals* are secondary. As someone interested in Reining you may well imagine the kind of dilemma I’m facing. I love the sports but fear to attend any competition for fear of the abuse I *will* witness if I do.