An Unpopular Wishlist For The Horse World For 2023

The year 2022 has been a bit of a journey for me. My horse spent the majority of it on rest and in rehab for an injury. While he’s on his way to recovery and I’m grateful for that, it’s been an agonizing, albeit humbling experience.

In a lot of ways, it’s made me look at the way I approach riding and horse sport in a new light. It’s taught me to trust my gut over anyone else, and to listen to what my horse is telling me. In retrospect, I wish I’d experienced these kind of revelations much sooner.

Here are some rambling thoughts.

Be Kind.

At horse shows, in lessons or clinics, at the tack store – anywhere. You don’t know what someone is going through on any given day. I’ve spent more time volunteering this year since I’m out of the tack, and it’s so interesting to people watch. I don’t know why we, as a collective group of horse lovers, feel the need to criticize others and the way they handle their horses. There’s so much of that in the ‘real’ world – we don’t need any more of it in our ‘happy place’. So if you take anything away from reading this article today I hope it’s to remember to be kind – to other people, and to horses. When you are frustrated or confused, assume the best of your horse. Take a minute to step back and think about it instead of reacting in a way that could cause a negative experience.

Spend Less Time On Instagram.

Social media is great – I’ve met and made lasting friendships with riders from all over thanks to Instagram. But in many ways, it’s evil. I can’t begin to express the #FOMO I felt as my friends were out competing while I was icing legs and paying for ultrasounds. But that’s just the way it goes sometimes. Taking a break from social media did wonders for my mental health when I was experiencing something emotionally difficult. It made me realize that maybe, just maybe, some substantial breaks from my phone screen isn’t a bad thing, and I should do more often.

Be Present.

I’ve spent more time with my horse this year than ever before, even though we don’t really get to do anything exciting. I like to think that we’re closer than ever. Spending time on the ground with him has taught me to be present. I don’t have my headphones in while I’m grooming. I’m not firing off some last emails for work before getting on at the mounting block. I’m watching my horse, noticing new things about him and his habits, and finding new ways to connect with him.

Realize That Your Horse ‘Won’t Work Out Of It’

How many times have we heard this? He’s stiff. He’s three-legged. But in 20 minutes, the lameness doesn’t look quite so prevalent. That doesn’t mean your horse isn’t in pain. The gold standard is you shouldn’t ride a lame horse. Unpopular opinion: If you are riding a horse that is off at the start of your ride, you are riding a lame horse. You owe it to him to get to the bottom of why he’s stiff or sore, and to give him the necessary time to fully recover from that before you throw a saddle on his back again. #endrant.

Stop Buying Stuff Just Because It’s Trendy

Earlier this year we published a hot take about not buying into the matchy-matchy saddle pad trend. It sparked a heated discussion. I’ve got nothing against riders wanting to look and feel good while riding, but there is a side of this that is just blatant consumer waste that we don’t talk about. Fast fashion and its negative effects on the environment has been long reported. Why do we need 50 matching saddle pads and sun shirts when half of that will do? Think about where and how the products you buy are made. Your horse really doesn’t care how many matching polo sets he has, I swear.

Spend At Least One Night Mucking Stalls

One night honestly doesn’t feel like enough, but I’m setting the bar low here. No matter where or how much you ride, if you’re a self-board, full-board, training-board horse owner, or you muck stalls every night because your horses live in the backyard, I fully think everyone should have to do it every now again. Not only for the peace and mental cleanse it offers, but for the appreciation and understanding of the people who do it every day, sometimes twice a day, on behalf of your horse and their care. It’s the same argument of ‘everyone should have to work in retail or hospitality’ – before you complain or rant on the internet, understand what the workload is like.

Scratch From The Show

I know this one is going to get me into trouble. But hear me out. In January, my horse and I went to an event that happens only once a year – I was very excited to finally compete at this prestigious venue. Then my horse went lame in the dressage warm-up, beginning my year-long agony of diagnosing and treating a soft-tissue injury. I had already paid for the horse trial and wasn’t getting my money back. I had traveled with a friend and fellow competitor, so we were stuck at the show grounds for the remainder of the weekend, trying to smile through the grief that came with having to scratch from the show. It was awful. But after the fact, I can say I learned a lot from that experience. Showing poise and calm in the wake of something ugly is a hard thing to do. But boy is it a good skill to have.

Keep Learning To Be Better.

I’ve ridden more horses this year than probably any other time of my life, thanks to the many generous horse people in my orbit who have been willing to share with me. Through these opportunities I’ve been able to learn from people who ride in different disciplines, have been schooled in drastically different ways and approach training from varying world views. I’ve went into this with an open mind and am so glad I did. I’ve learned so much, and will apply these new ways of thinking with my own horses going forward.

Maybe these are my 2023 resolutions. Or maybe they’re just some things I’ve learned during a down period in my life. Either way, I’ve come to these realizations, and hope to stick by them into the future.