On Becoming a True Horseman (or Woman)

If you want to be a complete horseman (or horsewoman) I encourage you to read as much as you can on the subject.  Read every horse book there is, even ones you think you won't agree with.  You should know WHY you don't agree. So read, read, read.  Go to clinics, all kinds of clinics.  Don't become a disciple of any one, listen to them all.  Immerse yourself in all that knowledge, and all the differing opinions.  Try it out, see if it works and if anyone of them is correct. Practice what you have learned, try it out. Experiment.  Take lessons, ask questions, don't prevent any information from entering your mind.  At some point you will become confused and realize that most of what you hear is one of three things:

1. The same thing someone else said.
2. The complete opposite of what someone else said.
3. Something completely new and different.

Almost everything really falls under #1.  However, that doesn't matter.  You need to see this for yourself.
There are also many, many contradictions in horse training.  Ask yourself why this is.  Look for the new and different.  This is easy because there is very, very little that is new and different.

Once you have done all this, and have a thorough knowledge of horse training theory, philosophy and method, throw it all out.


Only then can you trust yourself and realize that you know what you need to know already, the tools are there.

However, you won't believe this until you read everything there is first.

Only then can you rise above and attain true knowledge.

And come home again.