So Right It’s Wrong By Lydia Fairchok
your horse and you’re a horrible human being
decision. It’s a personal one. And personal
join her in a social media fast this month.
if you use it. I don’t “train” my horse—I am my
decisions have wide latitude for disagreement
I’m a fan of healthy fasting as a way to im-
horse’s partner and I only do things he gives me
without any person being incorrect because
prove mental clarity and self-control, so of
permission to do. Feed this supplement. Your
there is no “correct” answer.
course I agreed. It didn’t surprise me that it
horse will colic if you feed that supplement. Your
was fairly easy to stay away from my lone
horse doesn’t need a supplement, he needs
But what about this equipment? And that
social media account; I spend very little
his saddle fit checked. It’s not a saddle issue,
riding style? Shouldn’t we speak up on
time online as it is. What did surprise me
he’s just disrespecting you. Go back to ground
behalf of horses who are suffering physical
was how relieved I was to have a break from
work. Have you tried chiropractic?
and psychological damage from misguided
A young adult whom I mentor asked me to
methods? Maybe. Remember that inasmuch
equestrian group posts. Does this sound familiar to anyone? It’s
as we have logical, emotional, and ethical
Once upon a time as a young horse owner I
not limited to discussion threads. Boarding
reasons for choosing the way we do things,
spent hours reading, writing, and responding
barn aisles, tack stores, and ringside seating
so do the people who are doing the things we
to discussion boards about horses and riding.
are filled with deeply-held convictions and
hate. Their logic may stem from incorrect
When I gained a professional network and
opinions. Sometimes these beliefs are shared
or incomplete information. Their emotions
changed how I managed my internet usage,
in a respectful way with helpful intent, but all
may be untampered by facts. Their ethics
social media groups fell by the wayside. Only
too often they are wielded like weapons and
may be based on a different community
a few still surface in my media feed, where I
used to accuse, tear each other down, and
standard than ours. Regardless, their
have a strict read-only policy. What I see there
prove that the speaker is right at the expense
thought process has been developed in
over and over again highlights a problem as
of everyone else.
a manner that is acceptable to them, and they will continue with it until and unless
old as time: Everyone thinks they are right. The funny thing is, most of the time no one is
something changes their mind. In case
Use this bit. Don’t use that bit. Don’t use any
exclusively right. Apart from issues of animal
you were wondering, that “something”
bit! This training method is the only one you
cruelty or abuse, the exact method of riding,
probably won’t be an accusatory Facebook
should use. This training method will hurt
training, and owning a horse isn’t a moral
message or tack room gossip-fest.
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Winter 2021 | Riding Instructor
