Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about our horses-about their likes, dislikes, what works, what doesn’t, and the most important one of all-WHY? Why is the horse behaving, reacting, responding to X,Y,Z thing in X,Y,Z way. What can we learn, what needs addressing, what can we do to help the horse etc etc.
And these are the combined and separate thought processes we use when we choose a vet, a physio, a rug, a saddle, a daily timetable, a diet plan, a show schedule, colour-coordinating the matchy matchy….it goes on and on. No less thought goes into superficial or cosmetic, than into surgical or rehabilitation. Horses are all-consuming.
In the same way that horses always have a reason for everything that they do, for most horse owners this same rule applies. Even if we can’t understand the reasons or the motivations of either of the species, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t one.
There will always be people who will judge you, your horse, your equipment, your decisions. The best solution I have found-which certainly took plenty of thought, trial and error-is to have confidence that you are doing the best that you can in any given moment, and to maintain an open mind in terms of learning more and doing better again in the future. Let those who have time to judge you, find fault, criticise or belittle you, do as they please. Keep your own eyes looking straight ahead, and focus on your own journey.
And when people show you who they truly are-believe them.
