29/10/2024
So true!
Jumping on a bandwagon! Becks Nairn and I were discussing this the other day and definitely gives food for thought…
There are so many bandwagons to jump on your spoilt for choice! 😉
It’s amazing that we have access to so much information in every facet of horse keeping as well as the people out there keeping the research flowing in from all directions. It can be bloody overwhelming at times can’t it? If your ever questioning an aspect of your horse knowledge you’ll sure as hell find information to support what your doing and ease your worry. On the flip side you’ll find just as much information to support the fact your doing it all completely wrong. How comforting!! 😅💁♀️
I think the biggest risk with all the information out there is when it comes in a cult like format. The cult will enrol people to jump on their bandwagon and shun the people who don’t comply. This very closed minded approach comes with risk! The risk of being shut off to knowledge or options that you or your horse may really need.
I also believe we often want to be apart of something that is bigger than ourselves. It gives us a wee sense of identity to associate ourselves with a method or group of people who believe in a particular way. You get support of like-minded people and it feels very inclusive once your “in”. I totally get that! 🙋♀️
It’s to easy to think of a float load of examples of bandwagons in the equine world…
Here’s a very easy example. Barefoot vs Shoes - it’s not a secret that I used to have my horses solely barefoot. Shoeing (especially nailing steal shoes) was an absolute crime against horse welfare! I was very much of the barefoot bandwagon. I began to come across horses that struggled barefoot or never seemed to follow the healing journey of barefoot trimming (there are alot of factors that need to line up to have a horse truely sound barefoot that are often out of the trimmers control) I started to look at alternatives. Beginning to learn the art of glueing and nailing on composite shoes has been a game changer for some of my horses.
Shoeing is not the devil - bad shoeing is. Barefoot is not neglect - badly managed barefoot is neglect.
Another one close to my heart is the Classical dressage vs modern dressage debate… some classical trainers can be so die-hard classical they maybe close doors for people to learn alternatives that truely benefit their horses way of going. I’ve recently had lessons with what you’d say is more a modern dressage approach but I’ve taken away some really really valuable learnings.
Modern or classical dressage is not abuse - poorly executed dressage is abuse.
Then there is the bitless and the bitted communities… The ba****ck pad/treeless saddle or the treed saddle communities… The anti rug brigade or the rug hoarding addicts… It extends to bodywork, the age we start our horses, the way we feed, worm, vaccinate… the list is endless really.
I honestly believe the best mindset is to remain open to learning. Being closed minded and shut off to alternatives is the biggest mistake you could make because don’t know what you don’t know.
I am NOT trying to illustrate that there is never a wrong and right thing to do in a given situation and that you should let people talk you into trying things that absolutely do not sit right with you. There will always be things in your heart of hearts that stand very true for you. But rather be open to learning and listening. Decide for yourself what is best for you and your horse once you have all the information at hand.
Moral of the story…
Be teachable. You are not always right.
Sam xx
