Psych Saturday: Principles

Last weekend Justin and I presented at the Horses and Humans Research Foundation’s annual conference. It was Justin’s first professional presentation without a horse in his hand. In addition to giving me forty five minutes of proud papa moments, his talk shined a light on and gave voice to the core of what Riding Far stands for. Principles and values first.

In an equestrian world where everyone is jockeying for attention and market share, information that has been developed and refined over millennia gets tweaked, packaged, and repackaged. Complex and meaningful challenges are often simplified into a short lesson or a meme that promises amazing results. I know this because I have done it myself.

Personalities emerge as the face of each brand. They wow crowds with their skill and ability. Do not get me wrong. Some of these horsewomen and men are extraordinary. I am entertained and inspired by many of them. Yet a foundational truth is often sidestepped in the slick packaging and flashy expo demonstrations.

As M. Scott Peck wrote in the opening lines of his best seller The Road Less Traveled, “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths.”

Relationships between humans and horses are filled with challenges, complexity, and uncertainty even under the best of conditions. In our search for answers we are drawn, through our need to feel competent and safe in our sense of self, toward simplified versions of almost everything.

This includes training systems, gadgets, tack, tools, and even ideology. Then, in order to preserve our self esteem, we double down on our perspectives and opinions as if questioning our thinking or our work somehow questions who we are as people. I believe the contentious battles that fill our social media feeds are born and fueled in this dynamic.

When Justin and I started working together more than eight years ago, we talked about building Riding Far not as a cult of personality but as a values driven business in the equestrian world. Over the years we have worked to give that vision and those values a clear voice. Our language has evolved and we continue to learn from the many side roads we travel.

What do we seek for ourselves, our horses, and the equestrian world?

Regulation. Emotional, behavioral, relational, spiritual, and energetic.

The how is always guided by principles and values. Gentle and effective. In alignment with the nature of horses and humans.

Thank you Justin for this insight and this language. ~ Paul

PC – Erin Gilmore Photography

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