All I Needed to Know I Learned From Horses

         

    Most horse people will tell you that horses can teach you much more than just riding skills and animal care. The atmosphere, experiences and environment if the horse world is practically a breeding ground for life lessons. Here are some of the best (and sometimes hardest) lessons I have learned while pursuing my love of horses.

Try Again - Patience

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       Practice is a staple in horse riding because nothing will ever go the same way twice. You and your horse may gel one day and the next be on opposite ends of a the ring (in more ways than one). Trying again and being patient with yourself and your horse is essential to growth. In life, patience helps you get through rough days, deal with people that are on your nerves and achieve heights that others have given up on.

Breathe - Stay Calm

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      The horse world can be extremely irritating and hectic. Horses stepping on our toes, running us over, horse show bustle and everything else can overwhelm and crush us if we do not stay calm. Especially before IHSA shows or riding a sassy horse I have learned that taking a deep breathe and saying a prayer helps me to refocus and remember my true goals. Apart from the barn, there are many things that can harry us as well. Because of the calming techniques i have learned from riding, I can breathe, pray and recalibrate my thinking faster in hectic situations so that the situation cannot control me.

Getting Back On - Resilience

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      Everyone falls but not everyone gets back on. Whenever I fall off, my instructor always makes me get back on and work through my fears. If you know you can get up off of the ground and get back on a animal that is 10 times bigger than you and ride through it, it is easier to bounce back from a bad grade, bad news and other besetting events in life.

Work First, Play Later - Responsibility

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     It is so easy to put your own wants and feelings before others and even your horse. But every good rider know that you must take care of your horse before you relax. Even in training horses you have to establish good ground work and drill the basics before you can trust your horse to play around. If you constantly put fun before work, no work will get done and the fun will quickly pass. Working on your horse, with your horse and for your horse teaches you to work hard and gives you more appreciation for the free time that follows.

Hurry Up and Wait - Flexibility

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      You will hear the classic "hurry up and wait" to describe any horse show. Because of the massive amount of variables nothing will go exactly to plan. In order to stay calm and focused you have to be ready for everything and go with what the day brings. In life, there are few things that go according to our wishes. Flexibility gives us the shocks to keep going on the bumpy road of life.

Pretty Mean Horse - Don't judge the outside

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    Sometimes, the prettiest horses have the sourest attitudes and the plainest ponies consistently place well. Though one can learn so much from those difficult equines, the steady horses are superheroes in a lesson program and in teaching the essential basics. Because one of our first senses that we perceive the world around us is our sight, it is difficult for us not to judge by first impressions. However, one cannot judge people or horses by their looks. Being open and ready to get to know others before labeling them will help you to get friends and influence people in a positive way. 

Sit Back and Look Up - Staying grounded and positive

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    One of the most important lessons that I have learned in horse riding that applies so well in daily experiences in to sit back and look up. Sitting back puts your center of balance in your seat and heels making you balanced and in tune with your horse. Looking up gives you direction and clarity on what needs to be done. Sometimes, when the going gets tough, the best thing to do is sit back to ground yourself in what you believe, look up at your goals and hang on.

     So, just as I told my parents when I was convincing them to let me take horse riding lessons, I learned a lot of character traits and life lessons as I rode. Of course, I am still working on learning and understanding these lessons but the horse world has given me a jump start on them. What lessons have you learned in your experiences with horses? What lessons are you working on right now? Comment below and subscribe!

Horselessness: Five Things to do if You Don't Own a Horse

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This is a conversation that happens to me more often than I would like:

Person: I like your horse shirt! (Or some other reference to horses)

Me: Thanks, I ride horses and it is so fun!

Person: Oh really!? Do you have a horse?

Me:... No

Person: Oh

Now, perhaps this doesn't seem as sad as I think it does. But it often feels like I am being judged as someone who only has a child's "horse obsession" or casual interest in horses because I do not own my own equine. Those of you who have horses you are great and should be thankful for your four legged friends! But, for those who don't own your own horse (this includes me), your horselessness does not make you less of a horse lover. Owning a horse is a big commitment and if you are not ready for it monetarily or otherwise it is actually in a horse's best interest if you wait until you can properly care for it. But, in case you feel left out at times from the horse owning circle, here are five tips on how to get your horse fix without having to own one.

1. Volunteer or apply for a job at a barn.

We have all seen this in the movies. Girl volunteers at barn, finds horse she loves, get given the horse and wins some national competition. While you may not win a big show or given your own horse, if you show a good work ethic and a desire to learn, those in charge will notice you in a good way. As a college student, I have the energy and willingness to  take care of and ride horses but not the finances. By marketing what I did have -- energy and ability -- I was able to work for a chance to ride over the summers. Also, do not be afraid of hard work. The better you do the menial jobs at a barn, the more your instructor or whoever else will see that you really care about what you are working for.

2. Offer to show or exercise horses for their owners or barn manager.

About to exercise Splash

While this follows with the trading work for riding time tip, you need to be well established as a good rider and accountable person before you go for this one. Be careful and make sure you have all the proper liabilities signed and taken care of before you ride someone else's horse for your protection as well as theirs. However, if you can, this is a great way to get experience for yourself and the horse you ride without having to pay for show fees. Exercising horses gives you the chance to ride as well as learn how to deal with different horses. Just be sure that your riding skill matches the type of rider the horse needs.

3. Do lots of research!

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Even if you don't have a horse you can still learn all about them. There are so many books and videos out there that can teach you everything from riding skills to wrapping to braiding. When you hang out at the barn be looking for things to learn and ask questions to the vet, farrier, trainers and other knowledgable people. This will give you a window into the horse world and show others how eager you are to learn. If you get a handle on all these things now, you will be even more prepared when you do have a horse.

4. Hone your horse riding and horsemanship skills

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When you do get to be on a horse, make the best of it. Try to learn from every horse you ride, every time you ride. Watch when other people ride and learn from their successes and mistakes. Since you do not have one horse that you need to ride, you can learn from the variety of horses that you do get to ride. And have fun! Spend time with horses that don't get a lot of attention or need some extra socialization.

5. Be thankful for the position you are in

Helping teach a lesson on Jack the pony

Though not having a horse is hard at times, it gives you the opportunity to learn and experience things that you would not normally get to do. It does not mean you cannot learn about and immerse yourself in horses. Though owning a horse is still something I dream about and look forward too, being horseless is not the end of the world!

Do you own a horse? If not, what do you do to get your horse fix? Tell me below in the comments and subscribe for more horsey tips!