In this week’s episode, I’m going to tell a bit of a tale. It’s got a little humor in it and bit of negativity too. Not to mention a snow storm, a hot tub, and some toilet paper. But the point of this story revolves around attitude. Many times people overlook how to turn a negative or awkward situation into a positive experience. It’s okay to find humor in unexpected situations. Oftentimes circumstances and people are well beyond our control and influence. What we can change is how we react to situations--how we adjust our attitude and choose to view the experiences we have. When you practice being in the moment and have worked to set your horse up for the best possible chance for success, it’s time to enjoy the ride--not worry about everything that could possibly go wrong.

Environment

You can’t control your environment in most cases. I once attended an event where a woman asked that everyone back away from the arena rail before she started competing. When I asked her why afterward, she said her horse had not traveled before and she didn’t want all the people on the rail to worry her animal. If that was me, however, I would’ve been thankful for those people on the rail. It was an opportunity to expose the horse to a new situation and grow from it.

Goals

Setting goals is an important part of training your horse. However, getting too attached to a specific path to reach those goals can become troublesome when obstacles appear. Getting frustrated over your horse being off your intended course isn’t going to do you any good, and it certainly isn’t helping your horse. Remember, your goals aren’t going anywhere. The route you need to take to achieve those goals might shift, and the sooner you accept that change as a positive experience, the better.

Relationship with Horse

If you are always focused on circumstances that are outside of your control you aren’t paying enough attention to your horse. The unexpected is always going to arrive. What makes the unexpected easier to deal with is when your horse is trained to look to you for leadership when a new experience arises.

Accept a Certain Lack of Control

During a demonstration, I once had a frisbee thrown at me just as I put my foot in the stirrup. I was halfway into the saddle when I noticed it coming right for me and the young colt, and there was no telling what was going to happen. I chose to stay calm and just swung my leg all the way over, then gave the colt a little pat on the neck. It was as uneventful as that moment could have been, but of course, things could’ve been much worse. But it wouldn’t do me any good to think about how if I was riding back at my ranch there for sure would be no frisbees thrown at me. A bird could just as easily swoop down and startle a horse I’m riding. This just goes to highlight the inherent lack of control we really have over our environment. Accepting this lets your mind focus on what it needs to focus on: your horse, and having a good time.

What do you think?

We want to hear your questions, comments, and suggestions. Share them in the comments section below, reach out to us on the Van Hargis Horsemanship Facebook page, or email me! We want your suggestions for topics we can address in future episodes, so if there’s a particular area where you’re struggling or just curious, let us know!

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Learn More About My Co-Host

My co-host, Laura McClellan, is a wife, mom to five, and attorney who also hosts The Productive Woman, a podcast about productivity for busy women.                       Check it out!

Next Time on Ride Every Stride

We’ll be sharing more practical tips for better horsemanship (and humanship). If you don’t want to miss it, be sure to subscribe in iTunes or on Stitcher.

Thank you for listening. Until next time . . . remember to Ride Every Stride!

Van

Van Hargis Horsemanship