It’s OK Not To Know Everything
Horses. Humbling us since the dawn of time. Once we master something with one horse, another comes along and provides us with a whole different set of challenges. Once we have finally fixed our floppy right elbow, our left leg starts acting up. Once we think we’ve been doing something correctly, our trainer tells us how we can do it better. The knowledge and education that comes along with working with horses is endless.
I’ve been working with horses for quite a few years now and have dabbled in a lot of different facets of the horse-world, including riding, working at multiple barns, working with broodmares, managing a dressage farm, the list goes on. What’s interesting is the more I learn about the industry and horses, the more I seriously think to myself, “Oh my gosh, I have SO much to learn. How am I ever going to know it all?!” It’s almost as if I am getting my mind blown every other week when I learn a new concept about riding or handling, learn something new about nutrition, or a specific bit.
Well, bingo – here’s the thing with working with these magnificent creatures. You will never know it all – and that’s totally OK. As I gain more experience and continue to work with horses, I have accepted this fact and it has actually made me more driven to learn as much as I can. I have found myself reading a lot more, listening to podcasts from a lot of well-known horsemen, and am signed up for two different online “academies” that both offer a plethora of educational videos and content both about riding and handling.
The true concern lies in those that think they know everything. When I meet someone who gives off that vibe I am almost immediately taken back. Even the greatest of horsemen and top professionals will admit they don’t know it all. Take a step back and realize not one person in this industry knows everything- and if you think you do, you’ve got a lot more learning to do. It’s okay to not know it all, as long as we keep trying to be the best version of ourselves for our horses and the sport.