Climbing the Mountain

Today I’m reminded that training barrel horses is a process, and so is seasoning them. A person tends to forget, how far of a journey a futurity horse travels in just one years time, and how different they all really are. Unique individuals. 

On the topic of unique individuals, that’s a reason I love my job is horses are social animals such as humans, dogs, cats, etc and they all contain such a variety of personalities. Every day I get to spend time with several personalities. Some are quiet reserved types, and some are loud and obnoxious. For non horse readers, in comparison would be the book nerd, to the “life of the party” person. A fun fact here, is that it is scientifically proven, for horses to have cognitive memory up to 10 years. Yes, basically horses can remember a person, or event from 10 years ago.

Back to where I’m heading with this piece. Step one is always getting your horse working good fundamentals, solid pattern, personally I like to make sure they are semi clocking before they go out. So you’ve got a good base and then step 2 comes along...

Step two is going out in public. Insert humble pie button. 

Some prospects step out into their job life and do not skip a beat. They might not go as fast as practice at first but eventually they get enough confidence to believe in themselves and really carry on without to many bumps in the road. Appreciate these ones. Because the other end of the scale is,  the prospect that goes to town and forgets EVERYTHING. Including how to breathe. I’m pretty sure we could call these stage fright individuals. Now If your dealing with a stage fright case, the number one thing to remember is your not alone. It’s frustrating, and sometimes embarrassing, but your not the only one dealing with one of these individuals. Nor have you in the history of barrel horse training, been the first to experience this. These individuals simply take more time to develop. Remember training is a process, not a magic show. 

*my quick advice here is to make corrections, and not to take your frustrations out on your horse, as that will only increase the problems not help them. 

I’ve recently started lightly hauling a stage fright case, and found myself questioning some principles. I quickly have to remind myself these principles work, and in the long run this will seem like a very small block on this horses career. 

In my program, number one is being responsive. I would like an athlete to be capable of winning, and do their best. But number one is responsiveness. If we get in a jam, or they get off the track a bit, I want to be able to help them get back on the line, and them actually listen to me. I think this is so important when you step them into competitive futurity and rodeo levels, because if something is sketchy or dangerous out there, I, as a rider want to be able to help them avoid trouble. Whether that’s a speed check, or whatever the situation calls for. That individual needs to listen and trust my judgement call at all times.

So the stage fright case really hasn’t been that bad. Actually has been quite remarkable. I simple must remember the amount time invested to the skill level ratio. And we are knocking that one out of the park.  I have put expectations on the performance, and that’s my fault. With any performance, you get the best result when you limit your expectations and focus on the process of steps to complete each performance. I like to say riding from feel. (As it comes, stride by stride). 

As with any mountain to climb, when you reach the peak, it’s worth all the trials and tribulations along the way. And you have to remember how the view from the top feels, to help you climb up the next one.

“Every mountain top is within reach, if you just keep climbing”- Barry Finlay