Professional Cutting Horse Trainer, Personal Performance Coach, Author, Clinician, and Equine Consultant. In 2012 Barbra was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
True confidence is also knowing that whatever choices I make, that I know I am doing the best I can. It’s knowing that every one of my decisions is never right or wrong. It’s just a choice of a direction.
It’s taken me a while to arrive at this peace and the faith in my personal brand of journey … and to get back to that peace and faith promptly when I feel off course … but I’m getting better. I’ll be practicing forever.
That’s the nature of our horse experiences. We never totally arrive. We are all just on a very personal journey. The true confidence to travel that journey with ease and energy comes from within … not from the outside.
So, my friend … whatever blessings you have … celebrate them. Be grateful. Whatever challenges you have, embrace them. Your journey is unique and meant just for you. Seek the gifts and the lessons. Return to true confidence.
Our horses are our great comforters, mentors and partners in our great personal adventure.
Happy trails!
24 / Sport and Trail Magazine
TRUE CONFIDENCE
By Barbra Schulte
How would you define “true confidence?” Would you find it in an award or recognition? Would you say it is a feeling of security when you get on your horse? Would you find true confidence if you were calm in most situations?
It’s pretty hard to nail down one definition of “true” confidence because it could be one or all of those things. And it’s so personal.
At this juncture of my life and career, I have an additional take on confidence. It is the most important definition of all … to me.
Just like you, I have my own trail of ups and downs, on and off of a horse. Sometimes they are technical challenges. Sometimes they are mental challenges. Sometimes they are more personal, like what decision to make.
I think “true confidence” comes from knowing that no matter what is going on around me (or within me) that I’m okay … that nothing can alter my faith that the journey of my life is perfect for me. It’s knowing that all of the setbacks, all of the changes and all of the fears I experience are meant just for me and I will do my best to respond in an empowering manner.
My approach is to be acutely aware of my challenges or fears and then figure out if they just need to be let go, or if I need to take a certain action.
True confidence is also knowing that whatever choices I make, that I know I am doing the best I can. It’s knowing that every one of my decisions is never right or wrong. It’s just a choice of a direction.
It’s taken me a while to arrive at this peace and the faith in my personal brand of journey … and to get back to that peace and faith promptly when I feel off course … but I’m getting better. I’ll be practicing forever.
That’s the nature of our horse experiences. We never totally arrive. We are all just on a very personal journey. The true confidence to travel that journey with ease and energy comes from within … not from the outside.
So, my friend … whatever blessings you have … celebrate them. Be grateful. Whatever challenges you have, embrace them. Your journey is unique and meant just for you. Seek the gifts and the lessons. Return to true confidence.
Our horses are our great comforters, mentors and partners in our great personal adventure.
Happy trails!
loosen his feet, and then ask him again to back up … or … you could use the side of your foot to tap his shoulder as you apply rein pressure. The energy of tapping on his shoulder creates movement (energy) in his feet.
Of course, as soon as he moves his feet backward in either scenario, release the stimuli of the reins or your feet to reinforce his behavior.
The rule of thumb is, if you have a challenge with your horse and feel stuck, ask him to move somewhere … anywhere … and it doesn’t have to be perfect. Create forward motion/energy. Then you can shape that energy into something more specific. Movement is a wonderful, simple next step for most training situations.
Just like moving forward in your life is always a way to let go of anything that holds you back, moving forward with your horse is the same. You look to what you want to create next. You create energy and focus on the next baby step of progress … the tiniest move in a positive direction.