I see so many people want to neatly micromanage the world around them into submission to create an artificial bubble to ride or work their horses in.
I don’t have that luxury and I don’t think it’s good practice. Not for us. Not for our horses.
Do we want to set an animal and a person up for success when they’re learning and not overwhelm them to a point that they shut down? Absolutely.
It’s also a disempowering feeling when you know you’re at the mercy of your environment holding it together just right in order for you to be ok. In more ways than one.
Feel free to read into this whatever fits your situation.
For working with young Mustangs, I like to get them used to controlled chaos so that when the uncontrolled chaos happens, they’re prepared.
I focus on riding the horse I’m on – meaning make sure they’re responsive and prepared for the task at hand, and know I’m there to have their back – instead of carefully orchestrating what the others are doing.
Spur was mighty excited the first time Rock came flying up behind him and wanted to take off. I let him know he’s with me, and with Lacy who knows how this works.
I also ride Lacy solo so she doesn’t become dependent on the horse I pony. When I do pony, my little hothead Mustang mare has become quite the steady mentor.
All this “I don’t ride when it’s windy, we can’t trot, no dogs …” is great and all until it isn’t. We exist in the real world and not in a vacuum.
I can leave my dogs at home only to have my horses literally get attacked by someone else’s. I can insist on single file until someone falls off and their horse takes off. I can say nice weather only until the weather changes.
I have never met a single hornet, bear, deer, snowshoe hare, ground nesting bird, moose or afternoon thunderstorm out on the trail that cared even the tiniest bit about my precious little feelings or my safety.
That’s my job. It’s my job to educate myself and to put in the time with my horse(s) to make sure we can withstand the unforeseen. Because it’s not a matter of if, but when and what.
I’d rather enjoy the ride than cower up there, waiting for some kind of shoe to drop.
Thoughts?
Somehow the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador Mustang herd has turned into a colorful collage of Wyoming Mustangs from 4 different HMAs. Somehow the dogs are always right there and still manage to stay out of harm’s way.
