Last week when I was taking a lesson in preparation for my second working equitation show. Nubble started stepping short on her left hind. It gradually got worse, and then we noticed an odd swelling on her hindquarters on the left side near her hip. I knew it wasn’t there before we started the lesson. I jumped off, trailered her home, consulted with my vet and made a plan to care for her.
As things settled down I realized I needed to make a decision about her upcoming competition. I decided to evaluate the situation as we got closer to the show and, ultimately, Nubble’s lameness resolved quickly. I decided to attend the show with a modified plan. I made accommodations including more walking in my warm up and walking the parts of the obstacle course that would potentially stress her left hind. I also recruited Justin to watch carefully and let me know if he noticed any signs of unsoundness since he would see it before I might feel it.
Nubble was brilliant. Me not so much. (Did you know that if you forget to salute the judge before your Ease of Handling course and that you get docked 5 points? I do now!!!)
Last week, I talked about reverie and my intention to take a step back and allow my curiosity to wander in wonder, and that is what I did with this experience with my mare. I took the opportunity to explore my thoughts, reactions, and responses especially when I thought I might need to scratch Nubble from the competition. I was struck by the myriad of thoughts and emotions that surfaced when she came up lame just before a show. Naturally, I was worried about her, but there was also a part of me that was frustrated about potentially missing the competition. I found myself justifying ways to push through for my own gratification.
It was humbling and a bit frightening how easily my thoughts went to the dark side. Thinking about honoring my frustration rather than my values. It made me realize how easily I could get wrapped up in my own petty needs, even when the stakes are so low. I can only imagine the pressures in higher-stakes situations or if I didn’t have a strongly supportive community that prioritizes the welfare of the horse.
We make choices for our horses. Some times those choices serve our selfish interests but often, even when they fall short, they are driven by well-meaning intentions. As riders and caretakers, we educate ourselves, striving to ensure the welfare of our horses while engaging in the activities we love. It is so easy to judge each other and the choices we make, especially in this day and age of social media. However, these polarized debates over-simplify the issues and mask a more complex and less discussed aspect: namely, the internal processes of the humans involved.
Sure we can attempt to solve our problems by making more rules regarding horse welfare. There is certainly a place for this. But, I can’t help but wonder how much more quickly things might change for us and for our horses if we made an equal investment in understanding the people. An investment in understanding the impact of modern competition and training on equestrians young and old. An investment in exploring the internal struggles of both recreational and competitive equestrians, especially those who miss the mark. An investment in seeking and sharing knowledge regarding best practices in all corners of the equestrian world with particular attention to upper level competition. An investment in creating a culture that champions respect and the dignity of all sentient beings. And lastly, an investment in strong mutually supportive communities within and across disciplines.
The key issue here is not just about setting and enforcing rules but understanding the human element involved in these decisions. More than ever, I believe that the psychological community has a significant role to play in the equestrian world—not just in enhancing performance, addressing performance nerves, or treating emotional difficulties but in helping individuals and communities understand their internal processes.
I believe there is a pressing need for psychology professionals to partner with the equestrian community beyond the scope of traditional sport psychology. I am convinced that the integration of psychology professionals into the equestrian community is essential. This partnership can provide the tools and support needed to navigate the complex emotional landscape of horse care and competition, ultimately leading to healthier and more ethical practices within the industry. By focusing on knowledge, values, and community, we can foster an environment that supports better decision-making for both people and horses alike.
As always, I am open to and interested in your thoughts. ~ Paul
#toughchoices #judgments #gettingtothecoreoftheissue #equestrian #equestrianlife #sportpsych #equestriansportpsych #sportpsychology #equestriansportpsychology
Last week when I was taking a lesson in preparation for my second working equitation show. Nubble started stepping short on her left hind. It gradually got worse, and then we noticed an odd swelling on her hindquarters on the left side near her hip. I knew it wasn’t there before we started the lesson. I jumped off, trailered her home, consulted with my vet and made a plan to care for her.
As things settled down I realized I needed to make a decision about her upcoming competition. I decided to evaluate the situation as we got closer to the show and, ultimately, Nubble’s lameness resolved quickly. I decided to attend the show with a modified plan. I made accommodations including more walking in my warm up and walking the parts of the obstacle course that would potentially stress her left hind. I also recruited Justin to watch carefully and let me know if he noticed any signs of unsoundness since he would see it before I might feel it.
Nubble was brilliant. Me not so much. (Did you know that if you forget to salute the judge before your Ease of Handling course and that you get docked 5 points? I do now!!!)
Last week, I talked about reverie and my intention to take a step back and allow my curiosity to wander in wonder, and that is what I did with this experience with my mare. I took the opportunity to explore my thoughts, reactions, and responses especially when I thought I might need to scratch Nubble from the competition. I was struck by the myriad of thoughts and emotions that surfaced when she came up lame just before a show. Naturally, I was worried about her, but there was also a part of me that was frustrated about potentially missing the competition. I found myself justifying ways to push through for my own gratification.
It was humbling and a bit frightening how easily my thoughts went to the dark side. Thinking about honoring my frustration rather than my values. It made me realize how easily I could get wrapped up in my own petty needs, even when the stakes are so low. I can only imagine the pressures in higher-stakes situations or if I didn’t have a strongly supportive community that prioritizes the welfare of the horse.
We make choices for our horses. Some times those choices serve our selfish interests but often, even when they fall short, they are driven by well-meaning intentions. As riders and caretakers, we educate ourselves, striving to ensure the welfare of our horses while engaging in the activities we love. It is so easy to judge each other and the choices we make, especially in this day and age of social media. However, these polarized debates over-simplify the issues and mask a more complex and less discussed aspect: namely, the internal processes of the humans involved.
Sure we can attempt to solve our problems by making more rules regarding horse welfare. There is certainly a place for this. But, I can’t help but wonder how much more quickly things might change for us and for our horses if we made an equal investment in understanding the people. An investment in understanding the impact of modern competition and training on equestrians young and old. An investment in exploring the internal struggles of both recreational and competitive equestrians, especially those who miss the mark. An investment in seeking and sharing knowledge regarding best practices in all corners of the equestrian world with particular attention to upper level competition. An investment in creating a culture that champions respect and the dignity of all sentient beings. And lastly, an investment in strong mutually supportive communities within and across disciplines.
The key issue here is not just about setting and enforcing rules but understanding the human element involved in these decisions. More than ever, I believe that the psychological community has a significant role to play in the equestrian world—not just in enhancing performance, addressing performance nerves, or treating emotional difficulties but in helping individuals and communities understand their internal processes.
I believe there is a pressing need for psychology professionals to partner with the equestrian community beyond the scope of traditional sport psychology. I am convinced that the integration of psychology professionals into the equestrian community is essential. This partnership can provide the tools and support needed to navigate the complex emotional landscape of horse care and competition, ultimately leading to healthier and more ethical practices within the industry. By focusing on knowledge, values, and community, we can foster an environment that supports better decision-making for both people and horses alike.
As always, I am open to and interested in your thoughts. ~ Paul
#toughchoices #judgments #gettingtothecoreoftheissue #equestrian #equestrianlife #sportpsych #equestriansportpsych #sportpsychology #equestriansportpsychology
