Everyone who has worked with me pretty much knows that I trained with John Lyons. Some know that I worked even more with Josh Lyons. A few know that I’ve worked with Richard Shrake and even fewer know that I have an extensive video/dvd collection of almost all the top clinicians and some teachers not so much heard of. I also use my DVR to record nearly every horse show that pops up on TV, read most of the articles in the 8 different equine magazines I receive each month, travel long distances to watch clinics and demonstrations, and read up on new training techniques found on the web. And then there’s the horse and its owner and their support team (vets, farriers, etc.). You can’t believe how much I learn from them!
Why? Because I want to see how everybody else is doing it. What new valuable tool have they discovered that could really help me in my constant search to find the easiest and safest way to work with my horse? Is it easier for me, easier for the horse, or both?
When I watch other trainers I try to look at the technique from the horse’s point of view. Does it make sense to the horse? Is it fair? Does it involve pain? The horse tells me if the technique will work and is a good addition to my training routine. Does the technique allow me to shorten my training time with out sacrificing the horse? If there are aids used such as tie downs and martingales I won’t use it. Not that they don’t work but rather because I sort of see it as a band aid and it’s not how I like to resolve problems. I like getting the most positive results with the least amount of aids.
Watching other trainers gives me more tools in my bag. I love good tools and the more, the better! (Just look at my workshop!) Having different tools for the same situation allows me to adjust my training to the horse and to the owner. One method may work better for one horse while another will work better for another.
In my profession being able to explain things to different people is crucial. Watching other trainers allows me to hear different ways of explaining the same thing. This in turn makes me a better communicator. Not only to people, but also to the horse.
When watching other people work with horses, whether they are clinicians, trainers or owners, it’s really easy to find what you don’t like. Some make it easier than others, but watching closely you can almost always find something you do like. This is the hard part. Keep an open mind when watching other people work with a horse. Realize that if they are in the equine business there’s a pretty good chance that they have something to offer. It may or may not be to your liking but sometimes our most valuable lessons in life are learning what NOT to do. If you close your mind to other theories or techniques you are only hurting the chances of growth with you and your horse.
There are always lessons to be learned!
