I was that weird girl in high school obsessed with horses. I was also that weird girl in the horse community that practiced natural horsemanship. It's hard to understand if you aren't into horses yourself, but the best comparison I can give you is how someone who walks on Wall Street (the 'traditional' horse trainers and riders) would view hippies or clowns ('natural' horse trainers and riders). I've been studying and practicing natural horsemanship for more than seven years, and I've come to understand that the lessons learned in Natural Horsemanship can be applied to college and life! So here's something a little weird, a little new, and hopefully very cool!
1. WWTLMD? (What would the lead mare do?)
Always aspire to be the lead mare. She doesn't put up with unnecessary crap, she defends her personal space bubble and keeps the whole herd in line. What would a lead mare do? Would she let another horse run all over her? No. Would she leave a horse behind to die? No. (Well actually... OK, that's a whole other thing of horse psychology let's not go there.) Essentially, be a badass who demands respect and looks out for his or her herd.
2. Celebrate our mistakes.
Mistakes happen, and they will always happen because we are not perfect. It's especially hard when we make mistakes with our horses because it didn't just affect us, but our partner as well. So in accepting our mistakes, celebrating them and what we learn from them helps us keep moving forward, and avoid regret. To keep from making the same mistake again, even if it means we'll be making mistakes elsewhere... learning from mistakes elsewhere.
3. Body language is everything.
Body language is essential to working with horses. What people don't realize is what a big part body language plays when working with humans as well. Your energy level affects the energy of those around you. Where your belly button and feet point determine where your focus and energy is focused on. Be aware of your body and those around you and it can give you next-level insight into human behavior and situations.
4. Stop talking after you've said enough.
For horses, this is where "release" comes into play. We release when we stop asking for something. For us humans, I think it goes a little deeper. We are often so busy talking, conversing, writing. Sometimes we need to learn to tailor our words and realize when continuing to talk, to press an issue, will only make it worse. Make your words count, don't exhaust their weight.
5. Reaching your goals isn't the same as how you get there.
It is good to have goals -- amazing, even! Without goals, we can get stuck, become stagnant. However in the process of reaching those goals, we should pay attention to how we get there. For example, if one lies and cheats their way to a goal, casts off their friends along the way, then is the accomplishment a true one? Did that person deserve it? If we remain honest and pure in our journey to reach our accomplishments, doesn't it make it that much better when we get there?
6. "Take the time it takes, so it takes less time."
That quote is by Pat Parelli, by the way. What it means that if we take the time to build a solid foundation to make sure we have each building block when building towards a goal, building towards it tends to be faster and it won't crumble under from under us at inopportune times.
7. Horsemanship is more than just riding.
Horsemanship is more than just putting on a saddle and getting on, riding for a while and getting off. There is more to our relationship with horses. There should also be more to your friendships, your relationships, your life. There is more to you and your life than just your job. Just your school work. Just your partying. Be varied, be well-rounded.
8. Everyone always has something to learn.
No rider is perfect. No person is perfect. We are always improving and always learning. Remember that. You can, and will, always learn more.
9. Allow nothing to limit you.
I will be the first one to make excuses or go "yeah, but..." when it comes to trying something new. It gets harder and harder to do though, as I get older, and as I watch these amazing horse trainers accomplish more than I ever will from less than ideal circumstances. If they can do it, I can do it. And if I can do it, you can do it.
10. Have fun!
Working with horses is supposed to be fun -- for both you and the horse. Life should be the same way. Find time to have fun and relax through all the busyness. We only get one of these things, ya know.
