The Truth

1/18/14 The Truth

I had a good ride today. But that seems to be beside the point right now. No matter how good my rides are it does not deter the fact that sometimes I dread going to the barn. I dread the drama, the criticism, the constant putting down. Some days I do not want to ride because of the people in the barn. I’m going to be honest, because I rarely share my true feelings. I want to ride Duncan how I have been taught. And I don’t think that is wrong. No matter what anyone at Houghton tells me - at the end of the day I can take my 5 year old horse and have a w/t/c ride. That can be at a show, on a trail ride, or at home. If I give him the reigns he’s more than happy to stretch and go over his back. He has never been so tense that he is foaming uncontrollably when I ride him. He enjoys his job and there is minimal complaining on his end. On the ground I can move him by opening my hand an inch. I have control over where each foot lands and can join up with him in a very short time. (I am in no way implying that Houghton horses can not do this.)

This is even more amazing looking at our background. When Duncan was three and a half I bought him. He did not know what a halter was. It was a long, and hard journey to get where we are. I tried to lunge him… I lunged him till he was about dead everyday. I tried everything. But nothing could get me to trust him, or vise versa. Until I went to Terry McClare. She showed me a new kind of horsemanship. This horsemanship started in the West by a man named Tom Dorrance, originating from the vaquero style of riding. I went to a clinic with Terry and I had not ridden in a few months. In that day we did groundwork and then mounted. I rode Duncan with 17 other horses in the arena and had never felt more comfortable. By my third ride at Terry’s farm I was riding w/t/c down a trail with little fear. This kind of horsemanship works for us. I love it, and so does my horse. I want to continue this with him. I want to learn dressage on a dressage horse. It’s hard to ride how I feel my horse learns best, while other students are constantly asking me, or telling me that I am doing it wrong. I don’t want to hear it. I’m sick of hearing whispering about my riding and I’m sick of partaking in that gossip. I’m tired of people disliking other people because of the way they ride. I’m drained, everyone is drained. This barn exhausts you. I hear people say all the time, “I’m taking a break from barn people, or the barn.” The constant gossip overrides your love and desire to ride. And worst of all in the midst of everyone talking about everyone - your self esteem is wounded. One can only go on for so long before they are broken by it.

And the healing starts by looking in the mirror.