VC Blog Hop: Naivete

Coffee is life

Some how I missed L's original Blog Hop on this (link) but I caught it when M posted her version, and I totally love the idea of this.  L's question is essentially, "What Horse Related Thing did you once believe, and later find out it's incorrect?"

So before I jump into this, I feel the need to say WHY I love this question.  In the equestrian industry, we are so stuck on defending ourselves, and many of us often feel the need to be 'right'.  Besides, if someone else said it it must be true, right?  Wrong. On the contrary, I love this question because it allows us to identify with our stupidity naivete, and own our mistakes.  Just think, in another 10 years we could come back to this and probably find even more things that we once believed in, to be incorrect!

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I once believed
That anyone who competed a higher level than me, or showed some sort of 'status' in ways of a nice trailer, expensive horse, etc, was immediately 'better' than me

I have since learned
No matter how much money is invested, you've still got to be able to ride that expensive horse, or keep your butt in that fancy saddle. On the flip side, jealousy is cruel and detrimental, and quite frankly, a total waste of time.

__________________________________________________

I once believed
That breeding was a fun and exciting venture

I have since learned
While I think it will be worth it in the long run, but as of right now it's nothing but stressful and expensive lol!__________________________________________________

I once believed

If my horse's nose was ATV, I needed a stronger bit, or to see-saw harder, or both

I have since learned
The beauty and power felt when a horse engages itself correctly, lifts its back and reaches for the contact.__________________________________________________

I once believed

That I knew what a successful half-halt was

I have since learned
I had no fcking idea up until the past few years what a truly successful half-halt felt like.  Ever since, it has been the forefront of my Coaching Program for my students who are capable of this.__________________________________________________

I once believed

I was useless to the Equine Community; just another hum-drum rider following the masses, offering nothing of value to improving the community or my own self

I have since learned
I was so wrong to think so poorly of myself.  In recent years I feel as though I have really flourished as a Coach, Rider, Leader, Wife and Friend.

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I'm sure I could go on forever with this, because lets face it, who can't? But I decided to cap it at 5 important learning curves I have come to realize over the years, and i'm sure there will be many more in the future!

This needs no explanation. My Dog is adorable.