Let’s talk about making decisions.

As responsible horses carers, we have a lot of decisions to make, from the daily routine and feeding plan of our horses, to the big decisions that may influence the horse’s future.

The big and the small, but constant decision making processes can be quite stressful and worrying for many of us. We love our horses so much and we want to make sure we are doing the best thing for them, but that's not always so simple to know what is the best thing. We also have our own goals to consider and sometimes these two may seem to contradict each other.

So how can we make this less stressful and easier?

When I got back to working with horses, after a few years break, I made a decision that now seems to me to be so obvious, but sadly that wasn't the case in my earlier riding/teaching career, especially when it came to other people's horses. The decision was to always put the horses first. That means that the horse's needs should always come before my own desires when it comes to decisions that affect the horses. That doesn't mean I put my horses first in every aspect of my life. Giving my time to my human family is a priority for me, even if it means giving up on some equine time. Luckily I'm able to do both most weeks.

It also doesn't mean that my horses always get to call the shots and we don't do anything they don't want to. Like young children, domesticated horses don't always know what is best for them in the moment and it's our responsibility to make sure they get proper care, whatever that takes. For example, it's important for a domesticated horse to be used to touch all over their body, so if a vet examination is needed, the horse will be willing to cooperate. This means that it's our duty to get the horse used to their body being touched, even if they are not very keen on it to begin with. The thought behind it, is what's best for the horse. Having a job and being properly trained is also an important part of thriving in the domesticated world. So while I train my horses, I know I'm doing not only what I want for myself, but I'm also doing what is best for the horse. Of course, the training has to be correct and fair, and the decision the put the horse first is always on my mind, through every training session, and any interaction with my horses.

This balance between our own desires and the benefit of the horse is really put to test when working with beginners. In many riding schools I worked at in the past, the horses were overworked, their physical and emotional needs were completely ignored. In my own lesson program, after deciding to always put the horse first, I am now confident that my horses are happy and their physical and emotional needs are met. Of course it means the business is less profitable than an around-the-clock lesson program where horses work well beyond their mental capability, but money that came from suffering of another living being is not what I'm after.

To sum up, when having to make small and big decisions for your horse, remember to think what is best for the horse first. If you're not sure what's best for them, it's always good to consult someone else, a vet, a trainer, a farrier etc. Sometimes we may need more opinions. But if you get advice that puts our human desires before the needs of the horse, re-think this advice and ask yourself, is this putting the horse first? Is it fair and reasonable?