GenerationEQ is Street to Stable's column addressing the intersection of topics that relate to all ages of equestrians.
It has taken me a bit of time to process the events that have provided the content for the topic of this installment: RESILIENCE.
In the last column titled “Overcoming Perceived Failure” I addressed the steps to regain confidence. I had a fall from my hunter that was the first one in years that truly scared me. I applied the steps recommended by experts, including completing a post motorm to identify the cause of the problem and I also relied on my trainer as a credible source of knowledge. It is true that sometimes you have to go backwards to move forwards.
We worked slowly through my next lessons and identified and fixed a couple of core fundamentals that were hindering my skill set. Just a few weeks later I answered one of the phone calls you don’t want to receive from your trainer at 7:30 am. Sazerac, my hunter, was supposed to load on the trailer that morning to leave for three weeks of shows. As he was being groomed and prepared to load, it was discovered that his right front leg was swollen. My trainer errored on the sign of prudence and made the decision of a true horsewoman. Instead of shipping him, she called and met our vet for an early emergency farm call. The x-rays and ultrasound were clear, but something was obviously wrong. An MRI was ordered and it was discovered that he had soft tissue injuries that were most likely old. The prognosis is positive, but the timing for a solid recovery includes 2 months of stall rest and 7 more of rehab, along with medical therapies.
My first concern was Sazerac’s comfort. Second, I was relieved that my trainer truly cares about each horses well-being in her care and immedietly called the vet and pulled him from shipping. Lastly, I felt disheartened from 2 major long-term health setbacks, including colic surgery two years prior. Sazerac’s colic surgery occurred during a freezing spell in Idaho just 6 months after purchasing him. Our vet recommended that he stay in a consistent program of work all year long and since Idaho is limited in indoor facilities, the decision was made to send him to a trainer I trust implicitly in Arizona. I love having my horse near me, but I knew this was the best choice for his health.
For the second time in two years, I had to dig deep to find the mental “grit” to stay optimistic. I needed a plan for myself. In an article titled, "Developing Resilience, Overcoming and Growing From Setbacks", Dr. Cal Crow, the co-founder and Program Director of the Center for Learning Connections, identified several attributes that are common in resilient people:
• Resilient people have a positive image of the future. That is, they maintain a positive outlook, and envision brighter days ahead.
• Resilient people have solid goals, and a desire to achieve those goals.
• Resilient people are empathetic and compassionate, however, they don't waste time worrying what others think of them. They maintain healthy relationships, but don't bow to peer pressure.
• Resilient people never think of themselves as victims – they focus their time and energy on changing the things that they have control over. (1)
I have taken the traits from above very seriously. As a result of this last injury, I have grown VERY thick skin to deflect unsolicited advice on Sazerac’s future and the decisions I have made for his rehabilitation. I am also using the time to strengthen my physical weaknesses and cross train in the gym to become a more effective rider. I also study videos of other riders that I admire. As of right now, my competitive goals have not changed because the prognosis for Sazerac’s recovery is very positive. If anything changes, then I will need to work with professionals to formulate a new plan. As of now, I am going to use this time to build my riding skills both mentally and physically out of the saddle and by riding other horses as they become available. With this sport, there is always something to learn.
I do believe that we will come out of this injury stronger. My budget allows for one show horse and I realize that this is a privelage and an opportunity that many people would love to have. Along with the rewards of ownership are a multitude of risks and it is our responsibility as owners to provide the best care possible. The lessons we learn as horsemen are much deeper than riding skills.
(1) Developing Resilience Overcoming and Growing From Setbacks, by the Mind Skills Content Team, downloaded from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/resilience.htm downloaded Dec. 2017.