To the person who is about to judge..

..the woman with the skinny, underweight horse. Did you know this horse was rescued at an auction three weeks ago, in a horrible condition? That she has already spent $$$$ on vet and dentist visits since then? That this horse has already started to gain weight? That this horse greets her everyday with a gentle nicker, and is growing in confidence every day they are together?

..the girl who’s always at the yard with her horse, rain or shine. Did you know that she is being bullied at work by her boss? Did you know that spending time with her horse is her way to get away from it all? That being with her horse is her way of surviving?

.. the girl who hasn’t ridden her three year old mare yet. Did you know that even though her barn friends sneer at her, she refuses to ride her horse this year and instead will wait at least another year or longer, while doing groundwork instead? Did you know that she knows that the earliest a horse’s back is fully mature is 5.5 years of age at the minimum? Did you know how much it hurts to be the ‘odd one out’ when everyone else at her barn is already riding their 2 and 3 year olds?

..the girl who never canters her horse. Did you know that she started riding again recently for the first time in 24 years? That owning her first ever horse is a lifelong dream come true? That she regularly feels scared and nervous before she rides, but she tacks up anyway? Did you know that every day a tiny piece of her worry disappears?

..the girl walking on foot beside her horse. Did you know that this horse can no longer be ridden? That he retired due to health issues? Did you know that he loves his daily walks? That he feels valued and special on these walks? Did you know that by spending that time with her horse, it has helped this girl cope with a very nasty divorce and toxic home environment?

..the girl doing groundwork with her horse in the arena. Did you know that she has learned that true collection will help improve her horse’s long term physical health, and that is doesn’t include forcing your horse to hold an unnaturally low head position? That she committed to begin teaching her horse shoulder out and in on the ground, because it is one of the best ways to begin collection with her horse?

.. the girl who uses a bitless bridle. Did you know that when a bit is put into her horses mouth, it hits off her horse’s canine teeth and causes him pain? Or that that since she switched to a bitless bridle, her horse has become much more relaxed and happy? Did you know that even though she can’t compete in local shows anymore, that she will never put a bit in her horse’s mouth again?

So, to the person who is about to judge.. Don’t.

Elaine Heney

To learn more about Elaine’s work, get inspired by 70+ of the world’s most inspiring horsemen & women, get a free ticket to watch episode 1 of the award-winning documentary Listening to the Horse.

The 26 characteristics of a great horseman & horsewoman