Anti Horse Culture

Many competitive equestrian disciplines are horse abuse masquerading as a sport.

Ironically I wrote this, and then read about 5 horse/riders who were disqualified from a MAJOR competition because the horses were bleeding from the mouth.  

This was an Olympic Medalist and world champion, I don’t know for sure, but these could have been million dollar horses, with so much brace, and being ridden with such a heavy hand, they BLED from the mouth?!  WTF?!?!

Equine communities are often cliquey and elitist

The horse world is full of big ego’s

Equine sports are usually human 1st, horse 2nd. Control over connection. 

And it’s sad because so many big hearted horse lovers fall into it.  

It’s an industry built to extract cash and prop up egos.  

It’s not your fault if you got caught up in it. 

You figured competing or joining local clubs would get you the experience you wanted

“Don’t let him get away with that!”

“You need a martingale/draw reins to get the head down”

“Get back in the saddle and show them who’s boss”

It makes sense you’d listen to the experts, the ones competing, the trainer must know best.

Now your gut is telling you there has to be a better way.  

I was lucky, I married a horse trainer who knew the truth

She learned from the biggest names, trained world champions worth more than most people's homes. 

She had earned industry respect and invitations to ride in the best programs in the world.   

She put in her 10,000 hours, and then said NO.

I thought the horse world would be full of people who love horses

I thought horse shows would be beautiful displays of partnership 

I thought horse people would be happy and full of joy

It was a bummer to see it’s a culture full of stress and anxiety  

People stuff it, the horses try their best, as horses always do.

We decided to listen to our guts and found a better way.  

A way of simple joy and connection with horses.

Being around horses and feeling wonderment. 

Maybe you’ve seen some of the dark sides of the sport, the stuff that’s behind the curtain.

Maybe you’ve felt something more subtle, but just kind of off…

The vibe is tense and negative at your lesson barn/horse show etc. 

Your local horse forum is full of judgy know-it-all’s

Your putting all your time and money into your horse and your not having fun

Maybe your horse doesn’t seem totally healthy or happy either

I totally understand how hopes and dreams with horses gets wrapped up in personal goals

But here’s the thing with that:

Have your goals been pushed on you by the industry norms?

Maybe you’ve succeeded in the industry, now you're looking for something deeper

Maybe it’s all new to you, your doing your best and not sure why your gut is tied up in knots

Either way, it’s time for a different plan my friend

A paradigm shift.  Sometimes, shift happens

JOY - commit to a joy that comes from grit and sustained effort toward your deepest calling.

MINDFULNESS - meet horses where they are, hint: its an in the moment kinda place.

COMMUNITY - Horses are herd animals, stronger together, and so are we.

Ask yourself these questions:

JOY - Is my horsemanship a source of joy or angst in your life?

JOY - Can you recall what first drew you to horses, your earliest experiences and best moments?

JOY - Do the relationships & experiences most near and dear come easily or after a lot of hard work and sacrifice?

MINDFULNESS - Do you have 5 hundred million things racing through your mind every day?

MINDFULNESS - Try feeling when your horse inhales, and exhales.  Try to feel their giant heart beating with a soft hand.  

MINDFULNESS - What if you just spent the whole ‘riding’ time grooming? Zero agenda. 

COMMUNITY - Can you ask questions from a trusted mentor about horses, without feeling embarrassed or ashamed?

COMMUNITY - Do you have friends on a horsemanship journey you can meet online or in person, to share in your ah-ah’s and struggles?

COMMUNITY - Do you have a supportive learning group, where your vulnerabilities and weaknesses might be seen by others, yet feel fully supported?

Here’s a neat little paradox that leads to connection with horses

 Meet horses where they are, and remove stress and friction.

Learn from them, to be the leader they will want to follow.   

That sounds simple, but to really do it is pretty major.  

We embrace the woo-woo too, but we also embrace the skills, mindset, and dedication it takes to make horse dreams come true.  

When it comes together, it’s pure magic.  

It’s the magic of mindfulness and horsemanship together. 

May the Horse Be With You Always