Ep 220: Making Your Best Horse Better
This episode is all about the concept of "focus on what you do well, and do it even better." In this segment, I'm sharing some ways that I am prioritizing the application of this philosophy to my horsemanship, as well as other areas of my life this year.
The Discipline of Improvement
This year, I’ve been reflecting on a key philosophy that could revolutionize the way trainers approach their work: what if making our best horse better became a priority? This concept encourages us to focus on refining and enhancing our top-performing horses rather than solely addressing the challenges of the struggling ones. While it may be tempting to focus our efforts on the “squeaky wheel,” at the end of the day, the horses that are a true reflection of our program are the best ones.
The Personal Revelation
Applying this concept to the horses in my own barn, there is one horse in particular that stands out as being one of my best, and that is Boone. Boone is a quick-footed and mentally mature six-year-old. Despite occasional inconsistencies in the past, Boone's potential as a standout horse has really began to show over the past year. This prompts the question again: what if, every year, the goal was to make Boone even better? What would that approach look like?
The Practical Approach
I’m a big believer that more complex doesn’t always mean more effective. When I look at ways to make my best horse better, I want to make sure I’m activating a simple, practical approach to achieving this goal. For example, lately, I’ve been working through some simple drills during my roping sessions with Boone, where the setup of the arena allows for focused training and pattern development. This kind of intentional practice not only benefits the horse but also improves my roping skills in a slow, controlled environment.
Discipline as the Driving Force
A key element in this journey of improvement is discipline. When I look at the goals I’ve set for myself in previous years, they are all great goals, but there are a lot of big goals. And quite frankly, they are somewhat unrealistic given the amount of time I have to dedicate to those goals. That’s why, this year, I decided to pick a focus word instead; one word that is going to guide my actions this year: discipline.
Discipline Generates Motivation
Many people think you need motivation to become disciplined. That is false. Discipline generates motivation. I have a personal commitment to regular workouts. And toward the end of last year, I had some physical challenges that impacted my motivation considerably. If I relied on motivation alone to complete those workouts, I wouldn’t have completed them. But because I was focused on being disciplined, I got myself off the couch and got it done. The same discipline must be applied to horse training to ensure we are making consistent progress with our horses.
Consistent Growth When You’ve Reached the Top
Some people may argue that once a horse has become great, there’s no reason to continue spending a lot of time on making them better. I disagree. I believe that once you reach an elite level in any area of life, you have to work just as hard–if not harder–to stay at the top of your game. I’ve never met a successful person who didn’t think they could continue to get 1% better than they are today. That philosophy needs to be applied to making our best horses better, as well.
Finding Your Niche
Finding success in the horse industry isn’t about being everything to everyone. Instead, it’s understanding the importance of recognizing one's niche and focusing on personal strengths. This mindset reinforces the idea that improvement doesn't mean trying to be the best at everything but honing in on the things you already do well and doing them even better.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the central theme of the podcast is summed up in the phrase: "Today and every day, let's be our best." Whether in the saddle or in life, the journey of improvement requires discipline, leadership, and a commitment to making the best even better.
“Be Your Best Horsemanship” is brought to you by Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery, Bluebonnet Feeds, HayChix, Better Horses Network, CINCH, Starbar, and Clarifly. These brands have been part of the Phil Haugen Horsemanship team for many years, and their products continue to play an integral role in the success of our performance horse training program. To support these brands, visit our Sponsors tab.
