There are many rewarding things I like about my life’s work, and many I could do without.

I love teaching and training. I used to love breaking babies. I love the interaction with the horses, but confronting their owners about a problem falls at the bottom of the list. Well I guess if it’s a problem that brings them to a positive end, it’s a good thing. The ones that fall into the other category stink.

When you’re working with a horse and rider you come across a lot of situations that can be worked out, but then there are those that look like they’re leading to a bad ending. It is your responsibility to stand up and be honest before someone gets hurt. Speak the truth in love.

I’ve recently witness, horses that were sold, with the best of intentions, to willing innocent people. Some who will spend tons of money to straighten the problem out, and some that are left with a horse that they can’t do anything with. Sometime the seller isn’t aware of the underlying issue. Sometimes the horse is just plain dangerous, to themselves and others. Sometimes these horses cannot be fixed. After spending tons of money on the purchase price and the numerous people involved in trying to fix it, the only option is to put the animal down. If you do sell it, give a full disclosure.

It’s the owners ultimate decision, but somehow many of them turn to me for my opinion. I Hate That! You gather and list the facts, explain them to the owner and throw the ball back in their court. It’s like having a horse vetted. The vet is not there to tell the owner to buy it or not. The vet is there to list the issues they have found and tell the buyer if the horse can handle what the buyer intends to use the horse for.

But what if the person already owns the horse? What if you are the instructor/trainer? What if the horse is unsafe for that person to be riding? What if the owner really loves the horse and doesn’t want to get rid of it? AND here is the part I hate – once again you list all the facts. You tell the person that it is a wonderful horse, but just not the right horse for them. It’s tough to tell the person that their riding ability is not good enough for this particular horse. Sometimes they know it, but don’t want to admit it.

There are times that you can work with a horse and rider to bring the rider up to par, and train the horse down. Then there are times that you really have to explain to the rider that it’s not fair to the horse or the rider to continue the relationship. Sometimes the owner will go to another instructor/trainer who will tell them what they want to hear, tranquilize the horse before the owner gets there and let them have a successful ride, just to get their money. I’m not that person.

Then there is the owner who wants to stay and have you work with or around the problem.

If the horse comes to you, down in it’s weight, ulcers, poor health, needing several adjustments, you heal that horse and give it groceries, medications, adjustments, and plenty of water, all of a sudden you have a healthy, happy horse who wants to celebrate. Sometimes throwing a rodeo buck sending the rider flying through the air to hit the ground like a rock. This is not good.

So comes the time you have to say – this is not the horse for you, you are going to get really hurt. When you’re young you bounce better then when you are longer in the tooth. My job is to keep you safe and bring you and your horse along to enjoy each other, but I’ve seen two people killed on the hunt field and it’s not going to happen again on my watch.

When it comes down to them not wanting to change the situation, and me not wanting to watch, I have to ask them to move out of my barn. I hate that job. I know I haven’t failed, there are some horses that need a more experienced rider. There are some relationships, both between humans, and between humans and animals that are just not going to work.

To the trainers who just want in for the money, I hope you can live with yourselves. I have to have a clear conscious and know that I have done my best for both the person and horse.

My one friend went through several trainers who tried to help her and her horse before the last one finally pulled her off her horse and reached her. They all told her what I did, but it finally sunk in. She is safe and has a wonderful horse who takes care of her. We never discuss the situation, but we all just had her safety in mind.

Don’t ever tell the person what they want to hear. Tell the person the truth. You will sleep better, they will be safe, and hopefully someone will finally break through the illusion.

Stay strong and firm in your beliefs.