Training your horse is a remarkable journey. The training process is full of unexpected twists and turns that challenge both you and your equine partner- or threaten to throw you off-course entirely. Like any journey, the destination is reached and misadventures are minimized by careful mapping from the get-go.
Where does the horse training journey begin? Is your horse a green youngster with minimal handling… or a seasoned veteran needing a springtime tune-up or learning a new discipline. Are you an experienced equestrian… or a committed novice? What skills and abilities do you and your horse already possess?
What is your horse training destination? Examine your definition of “success.” Do you want to disappear for hours trail riding through nature’s wild beauty and solitude? Is your heart set on beating the competition at local or national horse shows? Do you simply want to develop a closer bond with your horse? There is no right answer, only the answer right for you.
What are your horse training assets? List the treasury or resources around you. Remember to list non-”horsey” assets that may support the process or the participants!
What are your educational assets? This includes your most helpful books or horse training DVDs.
What are your Physical assets? This includes the riding tack and horse equipment you own, as well as the arena, trails, and other spaces available to ride in. If you have access to a horse trailer, list all the additional possible riding spaces and experiences, including horse shows and riding clinics within a comfortable driving distance.
What are your human assets? This includes trainers, coaches and mentors. Human assets are not necessarily limited to equestrians!
What are your personal assets? You began considering this in the first step. Again, do not limit yourself to horse-specific traits. Successful horse trainers are rich in a variety of characteristics! Perhaps you have incredible determination. Maybe you are laser-sharp organizer. Ask some close friends for their input as well-often we can’t see the strengths inside ourselves.
Invest a few minutes or even a few hours examining these points of the journey. If you have a riding instructor or a horse trainer, ask for her input. You will discover assets, abilities and access to resources you never realized you had. These new discoveries will highlight potential pitfalls, offer “alternative routes,” and speed your way to success.
Happy horse training!
