It Takes Time

One thing I’ve learned over the years is to do your best to try and ignore those that only have negative things to say. I’m not talking about the ones that give honest feedback, I’m talking about the ones that never acknowledge any improvement.

When I bought my first mare as an almost 2 year old in 2012, I didn’t have a damn clue what to do. I worked with a trainer who taught me how to teach her. I suddenly had tools in my tool box, and that tool box continues to grow. I’m never “done” learning. 

Many people tend to project their own emotions when giving criticism. They don’t see you as capable of handling that behavior because they wouldn’t/couldn’t deal with it themselves. And maybe it was true to begin with. But we put the work in and get better. Improvement is then seen in our horse. 

But it takes time, and many people just see what’s going on in the moment. This is how judges operate as well. Your horse may have had its head up in the clouds during a test, but it’s a vast improvement from last year where they spooked and bolted at everything. The judge won’t know that, and neither will the people on the sidelines. But you know, and that’s enough. Just have faith in your ability and know that it’s a journey.