| y"> | | | | What are your Physical assets? This includes the riding |
| Training your horse is a remarkable journey. The | | | | tack and horse equipment you own, as well as the |
| training process is full of unexpected twists and turns | | | | arena, trails, and other spaces available to ride in. If you |
| that challenge both you and your equine partner-- or | | | | have access to a horse trailer, list all the additional |
| threaten to throw you off-course entirely. Like any | | | | possible riding spaces and experiences, including horse |
| journey, the destination is reached and misadventures | | | | shows and riding clinics within a comfortable driving |
| are minimized by careful mapping from the get-go. | | | | distance. |
| - Where does the horse training journey begin? Is your | | | | What are your human assets? This includes trainers, |
| horse a green youngster with minimal handling... or a | | | | coaches and mentors. Human assets are not |
| seasoned veteran needing a springtime tune-up or | | | | necessarily limited to equestrians! |
| learning a new discipline. Are you an experienced | | | | What are your personal assets? You began |
| equestrian... or a committed novice? What skills and | | | | considering this in the first step. Again, do not limit |
| abilities do you and your horse already possess? | | | | yourself to horse-specific traits. Successful horse |
| - What is your horse training destination? Examine | | | | trainers are rich in a variety of characteristics! Perhaps |
| your definition of "success." Do you want to disappear | | | | you have incredible determination. Maybe you are |
| for hours trail riding through nature's wild beauty and | | | | laser-sharp organizer. Ask some close friends for their |
| solitude? Is your heart set on beating the competition | | | | input as well-often we can't see the strengths inside |
| at local or national horse shows? Do you simply want | | | | ourselves. |
| to develop a closer bond with your horse? There is no | | | | Invest a few minutes or even a few hours examining |
| right answer, only the answer right for you. | | | | these points of the journey. If you have a riding |
| - What are your horse training assets? List the | | | | instructor or a horse trainer, ask for her input. You will |
| treasury or resources around you. Remember to list | | | | discover assets, abilities and access to resources you |
| non-"horsey" assets that may support the process or | | | | never realized you had. These new discoveries will |
| the participants! | | | | highlight potential pitfalls, offer "alternative routes," and |
| What are your educational assets? This includes your | | | | speed your way to success. |
| most helpful books or horse training DVDs. | | | | Happy horse training! |