WHY ARE SOME HORSE TRAINERS SO ARROGANT?
WHY ARE SOME HORSE TRAINERS SO ARROGANT?
by Don Jessop
Not all horse trainers are full of themselves, but why do some horse trainers act like they know everything and everyone else does it wrong? I have my ideas, but I want to hear yours?
For one, I think some people are genuinely insecure and project arrogant behavior to seem more secure or show bravado. I also think that, on a technical level, being a horse trainer requires a level of certainty and control just to stay safe, and that could also play into some personality aspects. I think the biggest issue is a closed mind to new ideas. I think some people can't see past their own way of doing things. I personally know that if you use a different halter from me, it's okay. I also know that if you think paint horses are smarter than Arabian horses, it's also okay. But not everyone shares my open mindedness.
I think it's unfortunate that we can't all see that these differences like choice in breed or technique or tools are just minor details in personal preference, that don't truly matter. What really matters is that we agree on important issues. For instance, we need to all agree that horses need a special kind of leader. Someone who cares deeply and responds to tough situations with clarity and certainty. Horses need someone who's willing to look at things from multiple points of view to help give them the best experience possible.
I wish we could see past our minor differences in equipment choices, breed, and even techniques and look to finding similarities in the way we connect and bond, and lead our horses to the next level with class and integrity. I'd love to hear your opinion.
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3 Responses
Jim Russell
Great subject: Take any field and you’ll find commercial gurus. In my experience, Self appointed or acclaimed gurus share one thing in common. When they publish, record their videos or offer their seminars for money, their advice automatically becomes dated and stale. The tendency is then for them to hang on to that dated info to sell more books, videos and clinics professing dated material even though others may have leap frogged over their, valid for some applications, techniques which, are often built on excellent foundational principals. Absolute truths are rare and professional arrogance fails to appreciate that things change and the best way to keep up is to remain humble and curious. Horses are great at keeping us humble. It’s up to us to remain curious. This is why I like Don’s willingness to shared his recent mustang experience. It shows what does and doesn’t work in real time based on years of experience. It’s fresh and humble.
Andrew Turnbull
Don,
First of all, arrogant trainers don’t get either my wife’s nor my business twice. We know many (like you) who leave their ego at the door.
I could wax philosophical about the “why” some behave that way, and I can’t always see it until I am a student in a clinic, but at least out here in California, we have many great choices.
Through the International Horsemanship Association, horse enthusiasts everywhere will have access to those who have Confidence without Attitude.
Jim Russell
September 04, 2019
Great subject: Take any field and you’ll find commercial gurus. In my experience, Self appointed or acclaimed gurus share one thing in common. When they publish, record their videos or offer their seminars for money, their advice automatically becomes dated and stale. The tendency is then for them to hang on to that dated info to sell more books, videos and clinics professing dated material even though others may have leap frogged over their, valid for some applications, techniques which, are often built on excellent foundational principals. Absolute truths are rare and professional arrogance fails to appreciate that things change and the best way to keep up is to remain humble and curious. Horses are great at keeping us humble. It’s up to us to remain curious. This is why I like Don’s willingness to shared his recent mustang experience. It shows what does and doesn’t work in real time based on years of experience. It’s fresh and humble.