This horse has definitely been sent to challenge me! The last few weeks have been full of some quite drastic thoughts about Jack and this week, it all came to a head. It is Horse of the Year Show week (we are not there), my aunt shared a video of Pie and I on a brilliant day (it feels like a lifetime ago) and Jack is off work again (foot abscess). I have always tried to be honest and open about our journey and I have never hidden the fact that I am competitive: If I am going to do something, I want to do it well and I am not doing well with Jack.
I know that ‘doing well’ is subjective and it may surprise some people when I say this. Particularly when I share photos like this:
I absolutely appreciate how lucky I am to have such a horse and also appreciate we have had moments of brilliance – but for me, that is not enough.
I always remember Monty Roberts’ wise words
A good horseman can get a horse to do almost anything. A great horseman can get a horse to want to do it.
That is what I strive for:
I strive for a true, consistent partnership that gets out there and
is a contender. Whilst also advocating for non-violent training methods.
I am not achieving that right now.
Jack is arguably the best horse I have ever had: well bred, trainable brain and ridiculously handsome. I have to face up to the fact that he is a bit of a worrier and needs a lot of nurturing but he is also naturally quite lazy. (We joke sometimes that when you are that handsome, it is unfortunate that you are expected to work too.) I am also tiny and he is massive.
Which makes me question – is he the right horse for me? Yes, this question has been asked.
Physician, heal thyself.
I am a coach and an advocate. I love:
- to support people on their journeys
- to help people see their own potential when maybe they can’t
- to help people gain clarity on their goals and where they are heading
- to get people to dig deep, understand their true motivations and exceed their expectations
Why am I not doing that for myself?
What advice would I be giving someone I coach – let’s set a measurable goal, dig deep and bootcamp the situation and see where you are at a set date.
Maybe he isn’t the right horse for me but I am going to give it my all for the next 6 months and then make an informed decision of what the next step is. Let the bootcamp commence: Jack gets another week to heal, chill and look handsome (jammy!), but I can start with me now….
And as ever, I will share the journey and I know I am not on this journey alone.