I got an email from one of my students this past weekend about her horse and her friend. She was working with her horse when her friend showed up and started to tell her she was doing everything wrong. I call this the Ford Syndrome, They always have a better idea. That can be hard to deal with when you are working hard and you see the progress that your horse is making using a method you like and works good for you and your horse. What do you do? Well you have lots of options. You could tell them to take a hike, get off the place or a whole host of other unkind comments, but they are your friend after all. Or, you could thank them for their observations and forget about it, or you might be able to find something in their comment that you can use.
I know when I put on clinics folks are paying money for me to tell them what I think and to help them, so I am pretty straight forward with them cause I want to help them. But there are other times when I am watching someone work their horse and I see that they could do things a little different, I keep my big mouth shut. They have a plan, a program, may not be the plan or program that I would use but it's not my horse. I have no idea what they are doing, well I do but, or how long they have been at it or the progress that they think their horse has made. They did not ask for my advice so who am I to think they want it. I watch and I try to learn something, either what to do, or, what not to do...
It has happened to me too. I have put on clinics where someone in the crowed watching would try to tell me how to do a certain thing. My usual comment is. "If it were your horse you could do what you wanted, but it's not, and it's my responsibility to make sure this horse gets trained and stays safe so." That's usually good enough but not always. Here's the deal. Their idea probably will work. Shoot I have seen lots of things done that I would never do like, teach a horse to lead by tying the horse to your truck and driving down the road. It works, but I think there is a better, kinder way to get the same thing done. I have seen tons of stuff just like this , done to and, believe it or not they say, for horses. And folk can do that, it's just not how I would do it. There is a reason why I do what I do the way I do it. And folks who have worked with me or are working with me know those reasons and see the value of it. You can't just walk in off the street and start giving advice if you don't have a clue. But, lots of folks do.
There is a great radio program on, on Sundays at 6 pm our time. It's hosted by a good friend of mine back in Tulsa Okla. and I just wanted to pass on the info to you if you are interested. It is a bluegrass show and he plays some of my tunes from time to time.. You really need to check it out...Time to get ready for lessons and have a pot of coffee.
http://www.redneckradio101.com/main.html
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