"How the history of horses can help you find a niche"

Would you like to know how....

the history of horses is influencing your personal (riding)success with horses today?

The horse’s importance is evident in our history and civilization. It is one of the most important animals ever domesticated; about 6,000 years ago. Throughout much of our history, they have provided humans with transportation and have served in agriculture, warfare, and competition sports.

Today's domestic horse population is around 60 million!

Let's look at how horses are/were used by mankind. Think about the important roles horses have played in our history and heritage. Think about all the things in history we would have never been able to accomplish without horses. Think about the sufferings. Think about the triumphs. Here are some examples of different ways in which we use horses (past and present).

{PLEASE NOTE: The below mentioned activities are just observations and facts; They are not based on my approval of them}

A horse has been used in ways of:

transportation;

• Ranch hand/wrangler
• tourists trail ride
• Amish lifestyle
• chuck wagon
• packing horses and mules, etc

• chariot racing
• dressage
• team penning
• polo
• jumping
• jousting
• team-roping, etc.

• pioneers
• casual riding
• trail riding
• camping
• 'natural horsemanship',etc.

• vaquero's
• circus
• drill team/quadrille
• mounted shooting
• vaulting
• bullfighting,etc.

• companion outdoor pet
• pasture horses
• horse retirement home,etc.

• riding stables,trainers,instructors
• working ranch/wranglers
• horse racing
• horse rentals
• breeding,selling,etc.

• plowing fields
• logging
• mounted park ranger
• expeditions,etc.

• miniature guide horse for the blind
• therapeutic riding for mentally or physically challenged
• sheriff's posse
• search and rescue,etc.

• mounted police force
• knights
• calvery

• human food source
• pet food
• game farms/ wildlife reservations,etc.

• abuse
• beastiality
• inhumane slaughter
• neglect,etc.

{PLEASE NOTE: The above mentioned activities are just observations and facts; They are not based on my approval of them}

Now, I hope that you have a 'new respect' for horses in general. I don't want you to feel sorrow or guilt, just respect.
It's the general willingness and adaptive nature of the horse that has carried us through history and left us with a memorable heritage.

Keep this in mind at times, when you ride or train your horse. Because we sometimes get frustrated and do our horse injustice, which they don't deserve.

The reason I wanted you to know a little about horse history is because we 'lost' something. Purpose and dependence. Most of us are no longer relying on horses for transportation or warfare for example. When something has a purpose, you are most likely to put in the effort to 'make it work or run' as best possible, because you are depending on it. It will also give the horse value (if you stole a $100 horse in the old west, you may have been punished with the death penalty!- This clearly shows how valuable horses were.)

When you depend on your horse (to win a war, brand cattle, harvest your land or win the Olympics) you will provide the best possible care. It gives you drive and motivation to improve and optimize performance and communication with the horse. This is the key to success.

Horsemanship in history was a necessity, not an option. That's why modern horsemen look back in history and reinvent the wheel. One example is 'natural horsemanship'. It's nothing 'new' or 'natural'. It's a way of human communication at the intelligence and language level and of the horse. Although the methods of horsemanship have greatly improved in modern times, it's roots lay thousands of years back in history.

So, although we have a lot more knowledge today about 'gentle' horse training, we seem to have a lot more trouble to reach our goals. Why? because we can avoid it! Today it seems a big deal to teach your horse to cross water, get used to sound of a shotgun, or a spooky object. Because we can always put training our horses off until tomorrow (procrastinate). If you had to cross water with your horse to get to town for groceries, you will somehow get the horse trained to cross water, unless you want to starve. Today, we just grab our car to get groceries, and think about teaching our horse to cross water when the time is right. If you want to book success with your horses, the best time is right now.

I think that's why it's so important to find a purpose for your horse, and start with something small. Because then you want to reach your goals with horses, which then will lead you to a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment and success. Think of one tiny little mini-goal you'd like to reach and work on it, today! (Sample; my horse doesn't cross water, today work on getting close to water)

Finding your horse niche and way to success

• social: team activities,team sports
• loving: companion, service
• outdoor: recreation

• competitive: All horse sports, horse business
• adventurous: cattle drive, back country trail riding
• good observer: training horses, teaching students

• Police officer: mounted shooting, search and rescue, sheriff's posse
• Actor: drill team/quadrille, trick training, medieval re-enactments
• Nurse: horse rescue and rehabilitation, volunteer at therapeutic riding organization
• kinder garden teacher: youth horse camps

• Gambling: horse racing, breeding
• Gardening: pasture horses, manure composting, trail riding
• Yoga: dressage, massage therapy for horses, vaulting

• Wheelchair bound: miniature horse, natural horsemanship ground work, trick training, therpeutic horseback riding
• Time: weekly riding lessons or half-lease, instead of owning a horse yourself
• Money: volunteer at rodeo's, groom/braid at shows, help with non-profit horse activities

These are just samples, you should make your own list. You may be surprised what direction you will point yourself to. You may come up with ideas you'd never thought of before. Why not use your personal strengths and interests, so becoming 'good at it' will come more natural to you?
Conclusion: Maybe you now suddenly realize that you have zero competitive personality, and therefor may not excel in competition show jumping. Or, you just now realized, why you've been showing for years and never won a first place. Should that keep you from show jumping? No, as long as you enjoy it, and feel like a winner, regardless of the placing. But maybe you got into show jumping, because you love to watch it, the atmosphere and making your horse pretty for the show..... hmmmm....maybe you will 'sparkle' more as a groom, braiding mane, helping your friends get ready, as this is what you are good at and maybe enjoy this even better, who knows!

You see, sometimes, your niche finds you instead. Open your eyes, and see the endless possibilities!