Faithfulness

By Elisha Bradburn Photos by Denver Deschenes

I am hoping if you have had a chance to read a couple of my previous articles you are starting to see a bit of a theme to the articles. For now, and for our purposes, I will sum the articles up to date as focusing on the qualities of a horseman. You may notice that there isn’t a lot of academic direction, techniques, or exercises I recommend in the articles so far.

Elisha and Boone navigating obstacles at James Creek Ranch

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What I hope to impart is also less attainable than a purely academic article, because you have to really have to want in the deepest, truest, part of yourself, to be a better person. It requires more of you, than to just want the skills or techniques to get the desired results from the horse. It requires humble self examination and ownership of the state of the relationship you currently have with your horse. Then, to whole heartedly, unselfishly, and vulnerably seek to grow all of these qualities in yourself. The coolest thing is, like God, horses are full of grace. They freely forgive us when we fall short of these qualities, lose our patience, and run out of knowledge or skill. So, with this grace, we can keep going, even when we slip up.

A friend of mine says that we can only do the best we can with what we know at the time. This saying has helped me be patient both with myself, and others. It is never too late to do better. That leads well into the quality I want to run by you this month, faithfulness.

Horsemen need to be very faithful to be able to harvest growth in themselves and their horses.

Faith in horsemanship is one of those crucial intangibles. You need to be able to picture the desired outcome with your horse and then go forth and execute it. Sure, you

need some feel, timing and skill, the more the better, but you also need to be bold, have faith that you and your horse can do it, and step out with confidence. Your horse can feel your conviction, or lack thereof.

I always loved this saying – whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re probably right. I hope that sums up the idea here.

If you don’t have faith you can do it, you won’t execute with clarity and conviction, and your horse will feel this, and it most likely won’t happen. If you don’t have faith you can do it, it is best to get to the root of why, and address it. It is only when all the reasons you don’t feel confident are addressed that you can have the faith to execute successfully. Obviously I am not speaking of just blind faith here. This is the kind of faith that comes when you have worked on the appropriate ingredients, and you believe you can make something good out of them. If we look into any sort of sports psychology, somewhere it will most likely touch on the belief you must have that what you hope for can actually be realized. This is faith to me, knowing what you hope for can be your reality. Faithfulness also has so many more applications to horsemanship. As I said earlier, as horsemen, we must be faithful.

Faithful to keep going when the going gets tough. Faithful to be satisfied with incremental progression. Faithful to put the principle before the goal. Faithful to quit and give the horse a break when he tries for you with real heart, even if it isn’t perfect or pretty, just be happy with better for now. Faithful to keep trying, to understand and innovate your communication when needed. Faithful to be humble, and get help when you need it. Faithful to keep learning, keep trying, keep loving, keep forgiving and for heaven’s sake - keep going. Even when keeping going means quitting for the day. Sometimes it is the kindest thing for the horse because you just aren’t in the frame of mind to be the teacher he needs that day. Faithfulness beyond reason. Faithful to stick with that horse or dream you have when others tell you you ought to give up. Faithful to be strong enough to be gentle, and wait a minute for the horse to think about what you are asking, when others might go at the horse with more force to “get it done.” Faithful to go do your chores and feed when you’re tired and weary from life, and what it has dished you up that day. Faithfulness to keep going when the odds and circumstances are stacked against you. This is Faithfulness, and I think you need it to be a truly great horseman.

God never quits on me, so I won’t quit on others, my horse or myself either, this is faithfulness. Stay faithful, the best is yet to come. And stay faithful in your pursuit of the qualities that will help you be a better horseman… and person. They don’t come easy, but what [qualities] worth pursuing ever did?! Enjoy the journey and the wonders of spring! Elisha Bradburn and her husband, Clay, own Faithful Farm, an equestrian center in the Fraser Valley. Elisha’s passion with horses lies in psychology based horsemanship, with a strong consideration for the horse’s point of view. Elisha is available for clinics and speaking engagements and can be followed on her Legacy Horsemanship pages on Facebook and Instagram or e-mailed at legacyhorsemanship@ shaw.ca

(See her listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS)