Unrealistic expectations- Horses don’t fit in boxes

Something I have noticed since I began my horse training career at a young age is that many of the horses that come in don’t have the issues they are said to have. The biggest issue is that the owner is wanting them to be something they are not. When I first started I was so money hungry and such a people pleaser that I would try my best to fit the horses into the unrealistic boxes that their owners demanded of them. I would tell the owners that I understood and agreed with them when in reality, I didn’t. As I got older and smarter I realized I don’t care if I upset the owner’s but out of respect to the horse I would never try to shove them into unfit boxes again. It’s ironic really because people seem to have such a negative opinion on selling horses, many act and believe as though you should keep a horse for its entire life. The problem with this is, many times as your life and goals change, your horse may not WANT to change with you. For example, owner buys a bad ass barrel horse bred and trained to do the job. The horse is young and loves to work. Owner shows and competes with the horse for years and then ends up getting pregnant. The owner changes their goals, they now just want to trail ride and enjoy the slow life. The horse however, doesn’t understand this change, they don’t understand why you would want them to plod slowly down the trail when their entire life has been about running barrels. Now of course this is a very general and broad example but, why would the owner try to force the horse into becoming a trail plug when it most definitely would rather run barrels. Why not find the horse a responsible and suitable home where it can be happy and get a horse more suited to your life. The answer is emotions and control. WE as humans tend to add extra emotions to everything involving our animals which, in many times can be good but, it can also be bad. Horses are much like people, while yes it is technically possible for all horses to be trail horses, barrel horses, dressage, or whatever it doesn’t mean that they will be good at it, enjoy it or be physically or mentally capable of it. It’s technically possible for me to be a lineman but, I can tell you one week in and I’d go nuts.
My wish for horses is that we stop involving our emotions and need for control in the negative ways and allow horses to have the best opportunities at success even if it hurts our feelings. Selfless decisions are hard.. just #getgritty
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