Lessons of the Horse || The Importance of Developing Solid Foundations
From the Archive
The following article is the first instalment of a three part series I originally wrote for Local Horse Magazine in 2014.
At the time my work sat almost entirely within the horse world. Looking back now, I can see that many of the ideas I was exploring then about awareness, behaviour and relationship with animals have continued to shape the work I do today through Her WildLife.
The language may belong to an earlier chapter of my journey, but the reflections still hold meaning.
“Your horse is a mirror to your soul. Sometimes you might not like what you see… sometimes you will.”
~ Buck Brannaman ~
Can you see the wisdom in this quote from Buck Brannaman?
Through years of working with many different horses I have come to a simple realisation. Whatever weakness I notice in my horse, I will often find a version of that same weakness within myself. Usually amplified.
So I put this to you.
If you want your horse to be trained, train yourself.
If you want your horse to be relaxed, look honestly at your own tension.
If you want your horse to be disciplined, cultivate discipline within yourself.
If you want your horse to be educated, study and practise more.
If you want your horse to be gentle, practise compassion.
The list goes on.
In my experience, working with horses can become a powerful pathway into self awareness.
Building Solid Foundations. The trials of change and growth.
I am deeply grateful that my understanding of horses, their behaviour and my own idiosyncrasies has been shaped by many teachers and many different disciplines over the years. Variety really is the spice of life.
However, every time I move into a new skill or discipline I must once again confront my own mediocrity. Being a beginner is uncomfortable, especially when you believe you have already mastered something else.
Learning something new is difficult. Most real change and personal growth is.
Human nature prefers familiarity. It is easier to leave things as they are. Yet the more time we spend building strong foundations, the less difficult progress becomes. The same principle applies to both horses and people.
When we take the time to develop solid foundations for a horse we create a soft, willing, relaxed and confident partner. Why would it be any different for ourselves?
A solid foundation is simply a base strong enough to build upon without fear of collapse. Creating that base takes time, persistence and patience.
In my experience, strong foundations improve many areas of life. Stress management, confidence, emotional resilience and self awareness all tend to improve when the underlying structure is sound.
A lack of foundation, on the other hand, often expresses itself through instability and frustration.
Consider the common example of an off the track Thoroughbred. As a riding horse, many of these animals lack the foundational preparation required for other disciplines. That absence can appear as tension, spookiness, oversensitivity or confusion around basic aids.
The horse’s foundation for racing may have been perfectly appropriate for the racetrack. But if that horse is now expected to become an eventer or dressage partner, we must return to basics and begin laying new foundations.
Take an off the track Thoroughbred straight from racing and attempt a cross country course and you will quickly see the problem. Without a proper foundation the horse cannot reach its potential. Progress becomes unstable. Training blocks appear.
The same principle applies in our own lives.
Without strong foundations in areas such as health, relationships, learning and emotional stability we experience similar patterns of strain and instability.
Building those foundations invites us to ask important questions about who we are, why we react the way we do and whether our current life is truly fulfilling.
This article series is not about training techniques or exercises. Instead it is about perspective.
When we change the way we see our horses, we often change the way we see ourselves.
If you wish to deepen your technical knowledge there are countless books, articles and resources from many excellent trainers. Learn widely. Some of the most valuable wisdom I have received has come from everyday horsemen rather than well known names.
Take in what resonates and works for both you and your animals.
Whether you are strengthening your own foundations or your horse’s, begin with your goals. The small goals along the way are like grains of sand within concrete. Individually they seem insignificant, but together they create strength.
Do not rush the process. Living happens within the journey.
Be aware. Simplify. Clarify. Focus.
Approach your work with a plan, while remaining flexible enough to adjust when things unfold differently than expected.
Everything you bring into the metaphorical round yard of your life should contribute to the strength of your foundation rather than subtract from it.
Developing that foundation is a deeply personal process. Remain open to the small insights that appear along the way. You may not notice each subtle shift as it happens, but the cumulative effect can be profound.
Attend to the ordinary structures of life. Manage finances, nurture relationships, cultivate friendships, continue learning and create frameworks that support both your horsemanship and your wellbeing.
Confidence and security are gifts not only for ourselves but also for the animals we work with.
Through my efforts to provide my horses with stronger foundations, I eventually realised they were quietly revealing the areas where my own foundations needed strengthening as well.
And so I will leave you with the words of the remarkable Ray Hunt.
“You are not working on the horse. You are working on yourself.”
© Mel Spittall