New years always feels like a fresh start; a "restart", if you will. With our equine partners, we look forwards to what is possible and the goals we want to achieve. Many set goals such as "overnight trail ride" or "show novice eventing" or even "Teach my horse changes".
These are all great goals, and will guide your path and direction for the year. This year though, I encourage you to consider setting EXPERIENCES with your horse, instead of GOALS. What is the difference? Well let us as Merriam Webster:
Definition of a Goal: The result of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result
Definition of an Experience: The fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation.
Performance sounds a lot like GOALS.
Partnership sounds a lot like EXPERIENCES.
Let's apply this to the example goals that were set earlier and turn them into experiences:
"Experience an overnight trail ride"
"Experience showing in the novice division"
"Experience riding changes with my horse"
What comes up for you when you read this statements in an "Experience" form, rather than a "Goal" form?
For me, I feel like there are a lot more emotions involved in the experience realm, while the goals (while same outcome) seem cold and task oriented.
I'm envisioning what it's like to share an overnight trail ride with my equine partner, staring up at the stars around a campfire with the sound of horses softly munching in the background.
I'm soaking in all the hard work and training it took for me and my horse to make it into the novice show ring. Not so much how we performed at the show, but the how we grew as a team in connection and direction.
There is nothing wrong with setting big, ambitious goals for 2024 with your horse, in fact I encourage it! But consider formatting them as experiences instead to bring in a richer, shared experience and sense of accomplishment at the wonderous places our equine partners are willing to take us.
Happy Partnerships!
