This is probably the toughest trait to develop that a true horseman should have. I tell people that if you can
master the art of patience you are better then probably 70% of all horse trainers out there. People are always
telling me they can't believe how patient I am with horses and I tell them it is horses that taught me the patience.
And I still have not completely mastered it. It is a true art, that takes time to master. The Bible says patience is a
virtue, that goes double when it comes to working with horses. And so many people training horses today lack it.
It doesn't just mean patience the day you are working with a horse. The hardest part is putting the reins on
yourself sometimes. Everybody hears the saying "all in the horses time" and they agree with it, but few actually
follow it. You have to contain yourself to were you don't advance until your horse is ready to advance, not when
you are ready to advance. I know there are times when I want something to happen right now and it doesn't,
then I have to thank God for teaching me more about patience. The more I can learn about it in my everyday life
the more it helps me with horses.

"It may seem like you will never get anything accomplished, but sometimes going slow is the quickest way to get
there."   Tom Dorrance


Back to home page