A few months ago I happened to watch a documentary about a police women who solved a very complicated and drawn out serial murder case. She worked on the case mostly by herself because it was a cold case with few leads. Also, since the victims were mostly prostitutes, there was little pressure from friends, family or the public to solve the case.
At one point in the interview, the interviewer commented that many officers wouldn't have viewed this case as important and asked the police woman why she cared. She made a statement that has stuck with me ever since. She said, "You have to make a decision in life, either all of us are important or none of us are. I choose to believe that all of us are important."
So what does this story have to do with you?
I realize that police officers are public servants and that solving a case is a part of her job, but her level of commitment to serve the public and represent her profession so honorably is a personal choice.
I think that as horse professionals, we have similar choices. We can choose to only serve those whom we think can benefit our businesses and careers or we can chose to be ambassadors of our profession and strive to make every contact we have with the public (and each other) honor our profession.
We are all important. Our individual behavior and words reflect on the integrity of our profession as a whole. Our conduct shapes opinions about "horse people" and influences whether other people are attracted to the equestrian community or repelled by it.
Today, I ask myself, "What can I do to better honor my profession?"
Too many horse professionals tout themselves as being one of the few honest/good people in a stereotypically dishonest profession. It is one thing for those outside the profession to disparage it. However, it's quite another thing altogether when that disparagement comes from the inside. It is far more harmful.
Nevertheless, I believe many of us (myself included) have been guilty of this, to some degree or another, without thinking of the harm it causes. Regardless of riding discipline, breed, talent, success or failure, we are all part of the same profession, a word against one of us is a word against all of us.
It is easy to share horse business horror stories and be telling the absolute truth. But I believe we have to look at our motives. If we are sharing these stories for shock value or to make ourselves look better, then I think we should leave most of these stories untold.
On the other hand, I don't think we should ignore the problems. A good rule to live by is to only share problems with the people who can actually help you to solve them. It is the most practical and positive way to effect a change.
It is not an easy choice to live by. The minute you are sitting with your customers and see another horse professional engaging in a training method you disagree with, or meet potential customers who are considering a riding discipline other than your own, you may find yourself sorely tempted to abandon your code.
Just remember, in many cases, it is a single contact with one horse professional that influences how a person views the entire industry. If we are to be true ambassadors for our horses and profession, our goal should be to build respect for our profession.
This means doing our individual best but also, I think, it involves changing how we view and represent each other. What prejudices or opinions do we need to let go of? What common ground can we find? What issues do we need to unite on? How can we do a better job of seeking out what is good and honorable about each other and be proud to share it?
Equestrian Professional's
State of the Horse Business
Survey 2011
The horse business has always been tough but....
Over the last couple of years, horse professionals have been dealing with a very difficult business climate. However, it seems like things are starting to improve a bit.
We want to know how you are doing. If you are a horse trainer, riding instructor, breeder, stable operator or professional rider - please take a moment to tell us your thoughts!
We will share the results of this survey in our newsletter and during the Rethinking the Horse Business 2012 seminar.
It will be interesting and helpful for all of you to see economic indicators from hundreds of other horse business owners (rather than completely random businesses.) Last year over 600 horse professionals participated in this survey and the answers helped everyone to make more informed decisions for the upcoming year. So please encourage your friends in the horse business to participate!
Go to http://www.equestrianprofessionals.com for more information.
Press release written by Elisabeth McMillan, founder of equestrianprofessionals.com