Equine Etiquette

June 1997

Horsemanship classes at a community college reconnected me back to horses. I eagerly enrolled in two semesters of horsemanship lessons at our local community college. These classes weren’t solely focused on riding; they encompassed the essential skills of handling, tacking, and managing horses before even mounting them. Given my demanding work schedule, these classes were the perfect fit, allowing me to reconnect with these magnificent creatures that had always held a special place in my heart.

My equine companion for the course was a tall bay gelding named “Loblolly.” Loblolly proved to be an exceptional teacher, demanding my complete attention and presence whenever I was with him. There was no room for distractions from work or personal life. If I failed to leave these outside the stable door, Loblolly would take advantage of my lack of focus, making my time with him more of a challenge than anything else.

Our instructor, a retired horse-mounted officer from the sheriff’s department, was as stern as they come. It wasn’t until midway through the first semester that I began to grasp the underlying issue causing all my struggles with Loblolly. It was a day when my frustration brought me to tears, that I mustered the courage to approach the instructor and ask him to momentarily take charge of Loblolly. I needed to clear my head and show up better, to become the leader Loblolly was asking me to be.

In that vulnerable moment, the instructor gave me a firm cowboy pat on the back, accompanied by a comment that lingered in my mind. He remarked that he had been wondering how long it would take me to realize that it wasn’t the horse who needed to change, but rather myself. He emphasized that some people never grasp this vital aspect of horsemanship.

That day marked a turning point in my journey with horses. It was a profound realization that horsemanship required more than just technical skills; it demanded true leadership and a deep connection to yourself in order to understand the horse’s needs. From that moment forward, I approached my time with Loblolly with renewed determination, seeking to become the leader he deserved and to forge a bond built on trust and respect.