Horse Lesson #013

Take a look at the picture... Read the caption.
I found it on Facebook on one of the horsie "feel good" pages.
Whatta crock o' crap.
OK, I understand the statement is meant to be taken in the broadest interpretation of life itself (even though it says "horse lesson"), but I still can't wrap my brain around the concept.

It seems to me that you are ALWAYS better than someone else, and someone else is ALWAYS better than you... it only makes logical sense that if you work hard at something, you'll develop better skills than someone who doesn't apply themselves; and by the same token, someone with a natural aptitude for a vocation will progress faster and farther than someone who works hard, but lacks the inherent ability.
I think the statement actually devalues the time and efforts of those who strive to be "better than the rest" at whatever it is they choose to do. 

Sorry, but the statement simply doesn't make sense to me...
and in my opinion, if something doesn't make sense, it isn't true.

It makes me cringe to think that our society has become so mollified and insecure that we need constant positive reinforcement to prop-up our sense of self worth; and by catering to the weaknesses of the underachievers, we endorse the behavior... indeed, we celebrate it... while simultaneously making those who work hard to excel feel ashamed of their accomplishments because it's all but taboo to be "better" than anyone else.

The current adults in our society have been conditioned from childhood to being rewarded for everything and nothing; they expect accolades for every non-accomplishment they make, and shrink from recognizing people who strive for better and achieve success.
A "feel good" society of people propping each other up on flimsy pedestals of praise in an effort to boost their own sense of self-worth.  

How does all this ranting apply to horsemanship?

Well, I attended a competitive event not too long ago where I noticed that as riders were dismissed from the arena (sometimes after downright embarrassing performances), they were "awarded" a light blue ribbon.
Light Blue is "almost" BLUE... right?
These horses and adult riders had just FAILED a test... they neither deserved, nor should they have wanted a ribbon.
Yet by accepting a (light) blue ribbon, they successfully assisted in degrading the efforts of the horse and rider who put forth the winning performance, while feeling good about themselves when they should have felt the agony of defeat.
IMO... Since everyone was a "winner", those who were truly BEST weren't recognized as they should have been.

Granted, on another day the order of finish might be different, but on that day, there was one rider who was the BEST, making them (at least for the moment) "better" than the rest, regardless of what Horse Lesson #013 claims.

Those clutching light-blue ribbons went home feeling good about themselves, able to disregard the fact that their poor performance was the direct result of a lack of preparation or skill, and with no real incentive to improve.... because even as losers, they were winners... and had a 29 cent strip of bling to prove it.

People... feeling defeated is a part of life that shouldn't be ignored or disregarded for it's value, although today's society seems to think it should be abolished.
Defeat builds character just as importantly as praise, and when you can identify your personal flaws and shortcomings it opens the door to making improvements.
Living in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, recieving praise for no good reason, offers little real-life incentive for improvement.
After all, why strive to be better at anything if "no one is better than anyone else" regardless of how much effort is expended towards reaching a specific goal?

During my years at the track as a jockey and trainer, the lines were very clear... you were either a winner or a loser.
If you didn't win, the crowd let you know their opinion in no uncertain terms through insulting jeers, and sometimes a thrown paper cup or shredded tote-ticket.  
You don't hear much about racehorses that finish 2nd (or worse) because losing isn't rewarded.
As horsemen and riders, it made us more aware of our mistakes, and kept us focused on improvement; something I didn't see much of in my work with clients later as a trainer of trail horses.

I understand there's a world of difference between the highly motivated world of horse racing and the casual trail rider, but the two disciplines beg to be compared during todays discussion because so many trail riders have absolutely no desire to improve their skills or knowledge... they strive to no goals, and generally are satisfied with "passenger status", feeling that each time they manage to hang-on and make it through the woods in one piece, they are riders (winners).

bzzzzt... wrong.
How erroneous to assume that the riding abilities of these passengers are on a par with a capable and dedicated rider who actually applies good horsemanship skills to enhance her ride!
Yet, in accordance with Horse Lesson #013, the rider in control of her horse and enjoying her ride is no "better" than the mere passenger hanging on for dear life and hoping for the best.
Hogwash...  I don't know about YOU, but I do know which of the two I want as my riding buddy (and who I don't).

Regardless of the prevailing tone, the point of this tirade is to encourage, not discourage... if you suspect that you *may* be one of the majority of hobbyist riders who have settled into the false comfort zone of believing the words of Horse Lesson #013, you have a problem to solve, goals to set, and work to do.

Even if your set goal is only to be better in your own riding next week than you are this week, you'll be making forward strides in developing stronger character, improving your skills, and escaping the grasp of the very unrealistic "feel good about yourself regardless of how crappy you really are" poppycock that prevails today.

Get real... step up to the plate, identify your weaknesses, and work on turning them into strengths.
Horse Lesson #013 is a lie... you are always better than someone else, even if that "someone" is YOU... all you need to do is recognize it, climb down from your false "feel good" pedestal, and get to work on improvements.