Inspiration & Leadership: Inspiration & Leadership, #3

By Don Jessop

In the world of horse training, there are thousands upon thousands of little details that inspire and ignite the imagination. The pages within hold some of those little fire starters.

Are you ready to learn, live, and love every minute of your life with horses? If so, you'll find what you're looking for here. Some stories are technical and some are about you and your own psychology related to leadership. These stories are compiled from years of writing for my wonderful horse-loving audiences. Thank you for reading, thanks for inspiring me to write. God bless ~ Don Jessop

 

"I love your articles, you have such a heart and so much good information. I thank you so much." ~ Susan. 

"Firstly, thanks for your words of Wisdom. I LOVE reading your articles every week, you have so much knowledge, understanding and skill and I always get something from them." ~ Sandy"

Hmm, it's like you've been watching me from above ." ~ Christine

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Don Jessop
• Release date: Apr 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9780982730591

Book preview

INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP VOLUME III

Copyright © 2021 - Don Jessop Mastery Horsemanship

Photographs with thanks and copyright © 2021 Carolyn Rae Maier, Christina Hirst.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher or copyright holder, except for a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other, without written permission from the publisher or copyright holder.

ISBN 13: 978-0-9827305-9-1

For more information visit

www.MasteryHorsemanship.com

ABOUT DON JESSOP

IMG_0502.JPG

Don Jessop, a Montana native, is the author of the book "Leadership and Horses," a Master Horseman and teacher who travels the world helping people with their horses while improving upon their own life skills. His natural, motivational attitude has inspired many people to achieve more in their studies and feel more confident. His teaching and horsemanship are drama free and he shares information with purpose and humor. His gentle, yet effective manner allows clients and clinic participants to listen, think and apply what they learn. With more than two decades in the horse industry, training, teaching and traveling around the world, Don has helped thousands of people live and achieve their desire to ride and compete. 

As an animal behavior authority, Don has been teaching and training leadership skills in two unique industries. First, in the horse industry. After decades of studying behavior science with the best in the field, including over ten years in person, with Pat and Linda Parelli, and private classes with the late Ray Hunt, a horse Master, Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), Lynn Eisenhart (World Class Dolphin Trainer) Anthony Robbins (Peak Performance Coach) T-Harv Ekar (Secrets of the Millionaire Mind) and more, Don has worked to master the skills necessary to help address negative behavior, or what he calls the emotional brain.

Don Jessop’s two decades of honing horse development skills make him a very relatable clinician. His skills as a colt starter, horse development specialist, and teacher will move and inspire you. Spend some time with Don and forever change your perspective on how to get your horse into a learning frame of mind, build respect and tune up your equine partner for competition. He understands how to get human and horse to communicate fairly with his friendly manner and style. Don trains in the style of Ray Hunt and the Dorrance brothers, with a deep understanding of why our horses react and respond the way they do . 

Don’s skills have been called upon by Olympic riders, peak performance coaches, and everyday people from all over the world. What he teaches are the skills necessary to train people and their animals to reach their own goals and break through fears and limitations.

Don and his wife Rachel have traveled through every state in the United States and also England, New Zealand, and Australia teaching leadership courses and horsemanship mastery classes.

I owe it all to the people who walked before me and the people who walk with me now. It seems even when I think I’ve got it all together I’m reminded how we can’t do anything alone. Don Jessop

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

EAGER TO LEARN BY DON JESSOP 2021

DOES YOUR HORSE LOVE YOU... ENOUGH?

PART 2 - DOES YOUR HORSE LOVE YOU ENOUGH?

WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT - SNAPPY OR SMOOTH?

3 GOALS EVERY HORSE OWNER HAS

THE CORRECT WAY TO STEER YOUR HORSE

CAN HORSES BE BI-POLAR?

FOUR NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PITFALLS

STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP

DRESS UP TODAY

ARE YOU TOO BIG FOR YOUR HORSE?

5 MASTER STEPS FOR TEACHING AT LIBERTY

HORSE JOURNALING

THE HORSE THAT HATES PEOPLE

PRESSURED TO RIDE

DOLPHIN TRAINER VS HORSE TRAINER (WHO WINS?)

WHAT FALLEN RIDERS CAN TEACH US

WHY HORSES BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY AT THE SHOW

INADVERTENTLY REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR

HOW TO LEAD YOUR HORSE CORRECTLY

TAIL SWISHER

WHEN IS IT TIME TO PUT YOUR HORSE DOWN?

THE RIDE OF MY LIFE

A FIRM LEADER WHO CARES DEEPLY

WHY SOME TRAINERS HATE USING TREATS

STUCK IN THE MUD

I FAILED TODAY

HOW TO HELP FACILITY OWNERS WHO JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THEIR HORSES

THE INSTANT EXPERT SYNDROME

WHAT PERFORMANCE AND NATURAL RIDERS CAN LEARN FROM EACH OTHER

ARE YOU ABUSIVE TO YOUR HORSE? 4 MINUTE QUIZ

THE REASON I WEAR A HELMET

THE UGLY BEGINNING

WHY IT'S SO HARD TO MAKE REAL FRIENDS AMONG HORSE PEOPLE

THE HORSE THAT NEARLY KILLED HIM...SAVED HIM

HOW TO MAKE HARD THINGS FUN

6 THINGS TO HELP YOU GET BACK IN THE SADDLE

THE REASON I LEFT PARELLI

HOW TO GET YOUR HUSBAND RIDING AGAIN

ONE FALL AWAY FROM NEVER RIDING AGAIN

ADVANCING YOUR HORSEMANSHIP WITHOUT DESTROYING YOUR HORSE

FAILURE AND SUCCESS

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT, I’M NOT

SPAGHETTI HAPPENS

LOOK IN THE MIRROR

REWARD ORIENTED TRAINING IS FAR SUPERIOR TO CONSEQUENCE ORIENTED TRAINING

FISHING ON HORSES

DO HORSES SUFFER FROM PTSD

ARE HORSES LOSING THEIR VALUE IN TODAY'S WORLD?

ONE THING YOU SHOULD NEVER DO WITH HORSES

THE HORSES I COULDN’T HELP!

IS RIDING HORSES ETHICAL?

BE WARY OF POSSESSIVE INSTRUCTORS

HOW TO FIND A GOOD HORSE TRAINER

SHE DIVORCED HER HUSBAND TO FOLLOW HER PASSION WITH HORSES

INTRODUCTION

OVER THE COURSE OF many years I’ve compiled hundreds of articles pertaining to leadership and training with horses and people. This book contains a portion of those stories that will both inspire and educate.

Like all literature, there is much room for interpretation and expression of your own experience. You must always take your safety-conscious, heartfelt assessments as primary tools for navigating any training exercise and new information. At no time do I pretend to have all the knowledge in the world. I have been fortunate enough to study and learn from the best in the world, with both people and horses. And I’ve been bold enough to experiment like a true scientist and psychologist. 

My dream in sharing this book is to inspire you, to challenge norms, and build bridges between people and horses. To build toward a bright and healthy world where horses and people, from every part of the world, live free of criticism and judgment, with opportunities for growth and contribution within their own circles. 

EAGER TO LEARN BY DON JESSOP 2021

Thump, thump, went my beating heart, deep in my chest as it boomed.

At the edge of my seat, adrenaline up, second guessing I'd started too soon.

Not the first time I’d been there, sweaty and tired, feeling it crash all around.

I’ll be there again, in more heated moments, and my feet far from the ground.

It’s the nature of learning and now I accept that darkness comes before dawn.

Afraid and alone, inside a tornado with only my wits, my heart and my song.

I am brave and capable, I’d sing to myself as the world crashes around me.

"I'm calm in the storm and in my mind. I can do this. I'm stronger than I think!"

"They said it'd be hard, and too hard for me, a long road, so dusty and dirty.

But they don’t know me, or my dreams unwavering, solid, strong, and sturdy."

At the end of the hour I stood on flat ground and looked at the trail behind.

How tough it seemed then and how far I'd come, to learn, grow, and remind.

That in each moment lies bitter-sweet life and my heart open wide and yearning.

And day by day when new challenges rise, I'm willing and eager for learning. 

I don't just stand at the door and not open, at the fireplace and not keep it lit.

I'm a survivor and passionate driver for knowledge and all that is worth it.

And you, brave doer, mountain mover, are you up for new life, energy bounding?

Then tackle hard things and darkness before you, eager for lessons resounding. 

It’s in the process that makes you more human, not the last day or finishing end. 

It’s you on the inside, who traversed that valley, and stood in the arena again.

Thump, let it go, let your heart beat out your chest and trust that you won’t die.

Let moments surround you, bathe you in glory, and on new winds, learn to fly.

You can make up your own song or take mine with you, believe and never doubt.

The person inside you, whose bravery is boundless, is something you’re all about.

DOES YOUR HORSE LOVE YOU... ENOUGH?

I KNOW YOU MUST LOVE your horse. If you're like me, you're probably a little addicted to horses. But does your horse love you? How can you tell?

It was 7:30 on a bright, crisp May morning. I didn't sleep well the previous night because all I could think about was the adventure my horse and I was about to undertake. As I stepped outside my little rented cabin on the hillside, I felt the new sun shining brightly through the thin, seven thousand foot plus elevated atmosphere. My cabin was positioned nearly a quarter-mile away from my horse, but I could see him from where I stood. He was a small white Arabian gelding, made even smaller by the distance that stood between us. He looked like a toy horse from where I stood. When he saw me, he came to life, like the toy horse in the old Indian in the Cupboard" story. He whinnied in my direction, even though I was a great distance from him.

To be honest, I didn't know he was calling out to me, for nearly a week. I thought he was just calling out in general. It wasn't until I talked to a friend several days later about him, that I was told he does that every single time I step out of my cabin. When she told me that, I started to pay attention and sure enough, he called every single day. He would nicker, every time I approached. He would watch as I walked down the aisle to his stall and be waiting at the gate. I loved it. He made me feel wanted. He made me feel like I was a good leader. I felt he truly loved me."

That was the first time I had ever felt that deep connection with a horse. He and I could do anything together. I mean anything. From that time forward, I decided I wanted to have that relationship with every horse I owned. I wanted the same thing for every student I interacted with as a professional.

As time passed, however, I realized that many people shared the same kind of relationship, except they couldn't do anything progressive. Their relationship was limited to mediocre activities. I mean, that many people get to a point where their horse will meet them at the gate, or call to them when the door opens, but if they ride for three days in a row, their horse starts to ignore them. In other words, their horse loves them unless they do something challenging. 

So I started asking myself the question: How do I get people to make progress without screwing up the relationship?

But before I answer this question I've contemplated for most of my horse career. I wonder if you could answer the question for yourself. Ask yourself... How can I be progressive, try new things, take on new challenges, and... keep a true bond with my horse?

Can you think of the answer?

PART 2 - DOES YOUR HORSE LOVE YOU ENOUGH?

PEOPLE INSTINCTIVELY know how to maintain the bond with a horse. You simply have to dedicate time in between tasks to either treat, groom, praise, or rest the horse. A great horse trainer tries to balance training and bonding. You have to keep the connection and reward it constantly. In my book, Leadership and Horses, I talk about the 50/50 training to bonding ratio, and how important it is. 

And... I also suspected from the article, there wouldn't be many, if any, comments about how to make progress while maintaining the relationship. 

Wait: Aren't they the same thing? Isn't, maintaining the bond while making progress, the same as, making progress while maintaining the bond?

Answer: Yes and No.

It's fairly easy for us to think about how to neutralize an already stressful environment. In other words, when we notice we're putting too much stress on the horse, we back off and take a little more time. But what about those who aren't making a lot of progress? What about those who look back over the past year or two, or five, and notice that what they're doing with their horse today is almost no different than what they were doing years ago? What about the personality that reads up on all the coolest horse ideas, watches all the videos, but fails to walk out the door and work toward it? What about progress?

Of course, the scary thing about progress, is that it can screw up what you already have. Many of us have put hours and days and months and years into the relationship. The last thing we want to do is screw it up. Ironically, good old 'Father Time' will screw it up too... even if you don't try for progress. By making the decision to not make progress, we're making the decision to allow mediocre and complacent behavior in our horses and in ourselves. So I always say; If you're going to screw things up, try to screw things up the way you want them screwed up. Be direct in your thinking and clear in your goals. This way, you have some semblance of control over your future. And then, as you begin to make progress, allow your natural, reward oriented personality to shine. This will keep the relationship intact.

So the answer to how to make progress while maintaining the bond is two-fold. Number one: You have to have goals! Clear direct goals! Map out your goals and dedicate time to them, even if they screw up what you already have. That map must also indicate logical next steps. Not just dreamlike visions, but more like a pathway to get to those visions. Do you know the next steps forward in your journey? Do you know how to make progress today?

And number two is: You have to reward the socks off your horse before, in between, and after every single task you do. 

Recently, I was speaking with a Mastery Coaching student who asked me if she was being too rewarding with her horse. From the outside looking in, I saw a beautiful relationship. Her horse is sweet, calm, willing, happy. Truly, a great partner. What I told her, is what I tell everyone. "You can never be too rewarding! But... you can easily be too complacent in your goals! You can easily settle for what you have and forget about what's possible. You can forget to dream a little."

What do you dream of doing?

Cantering on the beach! Following a trail up the mountain with friends! Driving a herd of cattle across the plains! Winning first place at the dressage show or jumping show! Becoming the trainer that everyone looks to for advice!

What is it that you wish to accomplish? If you wish for something, go after it. Don't wait until you think everything is perfectly lined up. Take a chance on progress and rely on your