Own It

It’s been a long time since I went to college.   

Back then, it was expensive. I took out loans, I leaned into my classwork, I did my at-home assignments, I took time off, fired back up and eventually, walked out of there with a piece of paper that said I did it. Done and dusted. I can only imagine what it costs now.    

That paper (my degree) represents knowledge gained. Time and money spent. It states that I have experience under my belt and that this should grant me the ability to move forward with more confidence, training and wisdom. We all understand that college costs money, and it’s going to take a lot of effort to be successful. We may not even really have use for it all by the time it’s said and done. But it’s part of what we do.   

Our education in horsemanship is, truthfully, no different. It’s a process that encompasses lots of time with animals, life lessons and knowledge from other professionals and experts. It’s an experience-based, trial-and-error tweaking that continues throughout our lives. And it’s often viewed as expensive, too.   

I see a lot of horse trainers who struggle with this very thing. They want a good horse to bring along, train and possibly show, but they can’t justify the risks and costs that go with it. They don’t want to buy it, maintain it, enter it and then face not getting their money back if they don’t do well. They stress over potential vet bills, the cost of what a “good one” will take out of pocket, and the WHAT IFs of money not recuperated.   

But the truth of it is, even if the situation doesn’t turn out as successful as one wants, even if the money is lost and the horse doesn’t get trained well enough to be shown, the experience and knowledge gained from the process are huge. Potentially life-changing. See, when I think about all the money I’ve wasted on horses, I realize I’m still money ahead. All the ones I’ve bought and sold, raised and ruined, trained and attempted to train, bettered and worsened, they’ve all contributed to what I know and who I’ve met and where I am today. It’s not over yet. It’s exciting to think of what’s to come, and yes, I understand that the worst-case scenario might cripple me a little financially.   

But the best part is that there is generally still some value left in these situations. The horse still carries some sort of number with it – sometimes extremely profitable and sometimes not, and might still make a good pony down the road. A lot of the costs can be recouped, and the knowledge is still under one’s belt.   

A big percentage of open trainers show, train and sell other people’s horses. They don’t raise their own, they don’t shoulder the risks on their own dime, and they don’t pay their entry fees and travel expenses. I understand this, and I don’t blame them a bit. Why spend money that you barely have when someone else can bring stronger horsepower to your program and pay you to go learn, train and show?  

Well, one answer is that owning your own creates a different timeline and pressure. You have no one to let down but yourself. You are forced to be open, honest and accurate with your talents and limitations, and your horse’s too. If you are a trainer who takes in horses for the public, owning your own horse and putting your own money into it will create a stronger empathy for your customers’ situations, too. You learn to pivot. You learn when to call it in a certain situation. You learn what it’s like to be excited and disappointed. And, good or bad, you should believe in yourself enough to try it again.   

I’ve written about these things for years now. Every horse brings something to the table for us to learn. Every time we lean in and get uncomfortable pursuing our passion, we are exposed to people who can help us and experiences that can shape us. No, it doesn’t always work out. But there’s a value in the education of that, too. If you can start seeing the money you spend on yourself as part of your costs of school, you might find that it’s less of a risk than you think to bring your own horse along.   

In truth, my college education went stagnant. I invested in a world that changes with the times, and I’m still stuck in 2009. I’m glad I spent the money and did the work, but honestly, I started growing moss when I didn’t continue my education. On the flip side, the moments that all of my horses have brought me, from breeding choices to big mistakes, to health issues to big wins, have all contributed to a stronger, more knowledgeable and confident me. And I’m just a non-pro.   

So, if you’re a trainer wanting to invest in something, invest in yourself. Take the leap. Own a horse. Make mistakes. Fix ‘em. Enter up. Sell them when it makes sense, and don’t be afraid to keep them even if it doesn’t. Do a good job for your customers, but do a good job for yourself, too.   

Because honestly, you can’t afford not to.