Why Not Learn Common Horse Sense

    - by Julie Wininger

The smell of hay and horse manure mingled in the air as I approached the large Palomino.  I let the horse smell my hand before I gently stroked his muzzle. He snorted and I picked up a curry comb and began to groom his coat.

            When I was twelve, my dreams were filled with the vision of horses: Palominos, Bays, and Pinto ponies filled my mind. Not a day went by without daydreaming about riding these beautiful beasts. 

          Yet, since my family was of limited financial means, the number of times I actually got to ride a real horse didn't even approach double digits.  And for the most part, those horses were trail weary dude ranch beasts of burden.

Decades later these dreams of childhood were all but forgotten.  Then I met a remarkable woman who specializes in instructing horse and rider and I thought: Why Not relive the dream?

            Lori Hall-McNary of the Rockin' L and D Ranch started me out on a gentle 18 year old gelding.  Her method of training involved learning about more than just sitting on a horse's back.  She believes in teaching about proper grooming and handling of equipment -- total horsemanship.  Before each ride I curry and brush the horse and even pick clean inside its hoofs.

            This process undoubtedly saves the trainer a lot of time, yet it also has an additional benefit.  The time spent with the horse in preparation lets him know that I am a friend, someone who cares about his well-being.  The relationship that develops is instrumental to creating the rapport and gaining the trust needed to get that 1,000 pound animal to follow your lead and do what you ask.

            Riding these wonderful animals has also taught me to adopt a relaxed but alert technique.  A rider must be alert to any sudden unexpected action, yet at the same time stay relaxed and 'go with the flow.'  Tension and over correction of posture throw off a horse who will, in the extreme, throw off the rider.  To master riding, you must become 'one with the horse' – almost a Zen-like philosophy.  Yet at the same time, the rider must stay aware and alert to react in an emergency.

These principles of horsemanship have relevance to everyday relationships.  Think of a working environment where as a leader you need to get others to do tasks you ask of them:

•  First build trust by building the relationship in an honest, caring manner.

• As a leader, let others know you are looking out for their best interests -- not just your own.

• Remain relaxed and flow with changes yet, also keep aware and able to react as necessary.

It's never to late too revitalize a dream.  Who knows?  You may even find a perspective that adds a dimension to other aspects of your life.

 "For every sixty seconds of anger, You lose one minute of happiness."
- Emerson

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