“Do you see a glass “half-full”, or a glass “half-empty”?

Changing your perceptions about your horse’s current state makes all the difference

Firstly, let me state that I struggle every day with feelings of doubt, dread, and failure. Someone who is truly passionate about what they do will spend an enormous amount of time, and effort assessing results, and perceived progress. I love my horses, and any horse I can have the privilege to work with. With that comes disappointments, and rewards. Hopefully, more of the latter.

Recently, I was analyzing some video from the day’s session with my horses. I found myself drifting towards a negative state of mind. Doubt, and disappointment started to creep in. As I continued to watch the video for “what” I was looking to see, as far as progress was concerned, I began to question what I was doing in the arena at all. I heard words like, “What are you doing? Do you even know this stuff, or not! Why aren’t they doing the steps?”…etc., etc., etc….We’ve all been there.

After, taking a deep breath, and some sage advice from my dear, sweet husband I took a step back. I took a moment, and paused the video. Instead of looking for the “what should be happening”, I began to notice what I DIDN’T see happening…The glass half-full! Sound confusing? It is too a point, until you ask yourself “what is the overall goal here?”.

It was at that moment I realized I was my own worst enemy, and my horses enemy for that matter. The problem was me. I was so focused on what I was trying to accomplish right THEN that I neglected to see the progress they had made. I was clouded in my own head. So all I could perceive at that moment in time was a glass half-empty.

I don’t know what day of the week it was, but clearly I had forgotten how many sessions prior to that day there had been. Days in which I had asked much of the horses. “Do this”, “not that”, “go here”, “not there”, “bend”, “flex”, “back up”, and so on. The vast amount of information I had given them was still being processed, and I totally missed it. They were actually communicating everything I had asked of them. Because of my negative mindset, negative self-talk, and self-doubt I neglected to see their comprehension of the concepts. I was so focused on “today’s goals” I forgot to evaluate, and check in with them.

Each day presents new things. Whether from progress, release of tension, newness, or just an acceptance of something. The horse you have “today”, in the moment, is the horse you have to work with. Who they were yesterday is past. Who they are today is a totally new horse. Hopefully, because of caring, thoughtful, loving, and purposeful instruction, a happy horse.

So, by taking a step back and looking at the glass “half full”, instead of “half-empty” I was able to see that the horses were actually doing something I had previously asked them to accept. They were not refusing to do what I was currently asking, but rather something they understood from prior sessions. The pieces were coming together to formulate a whole picture. An entire masterpiece with vibrant colors, textures, and elements of art.

In conclusion, my new set of standards when I go to the barn are…there are NO standards. The horse I have today is the horse I have. I begin with what they currently know, understand, and can willingly do without stress. Stress causes tension, and tension causes bracing.

My overall dream is to have horses who are happy, and love connecting with me out of mutual respect. “Glass Half-Full”!

As always I wish all of you the very best. I hope this serves as encouragement for you to be kinder to yourself.

May God Bless you on your journey!-Annie 🙂