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Monday, June 06 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

Being an Empathic Professional to Equine Athletes

By Rob Jacobs

 

 

Equestrian sport is unique in that the athletes are both the horse and the rider. Having an animal as an athletic partner adds challenges that may differ compared to other sports with only human partners. As a trainer of both horses and riders, I have found it beneficial to incorporate empathy into my training methods. I have a direct yet calm style when I’m working with horses and riders. Through the years, I’ve found it beneficial to understand and share the feelings of the horses and riders. This is a skill not everyone has naturally, but may be strengthened once more aware and practiced.

 

As I work in the industry, I recognize there will be days when either athlete may not perform to the best of their ability for a variety of reasons, whether mental, physical or emotional. I take time to read body language and I listen to the types of questions asked. We should acknowledge that questions are both verbal and non-verbal. An example of a non-verbal question would be a horse slowing down cautiously to the first jump on course as the wind blows the flowers around. The horse is asking if it’s OK to jump given the way the flowers are blowing at the base of it. This is a question a rider with feel is able to promptly and accurately answer.

 

Having the capacity to understand and share the feelings of horses and riders I believe serves professionals well. I believe it fosters trust in the trainer-to-client partnership, as well as the trainer-to-horse partnership. Trust and confidence play a significant role in our industry. As human beings, we want to feel heard and understood, as do our equine athletes. There is short-term and long-term value in taking the time to hear and understand those whom we train. It may dictate the rate of progression an athlete will experience. Although as an equine professional we know each athlete will progress at their own speed, we do want consistency and growth.

 

A component of being empathic is being flexible. During training sessions, it’s possible that either horse or rider may perform less than expected. An empathic professional is able to pick up on this and also potentially understand why. Altering the original plan to suit the particular day is wise in those situations. Over the years, I’ve learned when and how hard to challenge an athlete. With this said, professionals still get it wrong and learn from each training session. I believe the continued learning is one of the main reasons many people become interested in horses for the duration of their lives.

 

Rob gives his horse a pat as they enter the warm up ring.

Photo by Sara Shier Photography

 

 

The main concern I have with unempathic equine professionals is the increased risk of improper training and safety methods. In my opinion, this may lead to loss of confidence or even injury. Professionals may either lack the skills needed to be empathetic, or their experiences may have led them to lose empathy for the equine and human athletes. Lack of fulfillment in their role is another possible reason a professional may become less empathic. This is something I have seen throughout my journey in the industry, and something I want to be aware of and work to protect myself from. We all have areas we can grow in, and I work at being aware of how I can make progress and serve the industry better each year.

 

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Tagged under: equestrian, horses, hunter-jumper, Rob Jacobs

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Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and h Emily Dulin has always been an animal lover, and helping others is in her blood. She’s the daughter of a Venezuelan ambassador and has spent much of her professional career working in social services and animal welfare. In 2015, Emily took on the role of chief executive officer of Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules, and helping the people that depend on them for survival worldwide. 

“We are making a difference,” Emily said. “We will evaluate an animal at the start of a new program, and then just one, two and then five years later, we see marked improvements in terms of how they are handled, husbandry practices, what they eat and even how crops are being grown just to feed their animals—how feed is stored—and more. To see that end result firsthand is what I find most satisfying.”

Get to know Emily and how she helps working equines as the leader of @brooke_usa at the link in our bio!

Thank you to Brooke and Cody Holcomb of Wyco Ranch in Ft. Pierce, Florida, for the use of your farm, donkeys and horses for the Sidelines photo shoot.

📸 Melissa Fuller #equine #horse #equestrian #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrianlife #horseriding #dressage #instahorse #pony #horselove #pferd #equinephotography #showjumping #horselover #horselife #cheval #horsebackriding #horsephotography #equestrianstyle #donkey #pferde #horseofinstagram #equestriansofinstagram #riding #photography #equinesofinstagram #caballo #dressagehorse #sidelinesmagazine
The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here a The February issue of Sidelines Magazine is here and it's filled with love - including the love story of dressage riders Sarah Lockman Tubman and Lee Tubman! Thanks to photographer Kristen Scott-Crocker for the beautiful photos and Kimberly Gatto for sharing Sarah and Lee's story. 

We have so many amazing stories in this issue—get to know Sharn Wordley and Craig Martin of Wordley Martin Equestrian, LLC, the two Kiwis have had a fascinating journey in the equestrian world! And meet three day eventer Liz Lund who not only has a great story but wins the award for holding the most horses in one photo taken by Sidelines photographer Melissa Fuller. Hint, it's more than five but less than seven - and everyone had their ears up!! Amazing! 

Also meet hunter-jumper rider and photographer Kirsten Hannah Lafforthun, artist Vanessa Whittell Equine-art, dressage rider Brett Ingram and Emily Marquez-Dulin of Brooke USA, which is a great organization to support - make sure to visit them! 

Meet Madison Ibach and Reagan Ibach, sisters who work at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort and have a huge social media presence - make sure to follow them on Instagram! We are excited to continue our Women Entrepreneur stories and introduce you to Gigi Stetler, President/CEO of Broward RV. 

We also feature three great breeding and stallion stories and introduce you to John Almond and Margaret Hoffecker Almond of Loafers Lodge Welsh, and Craig Heckert and Patty Larson of Rivervale Farm, and Kelly Sigler Patterson of Looking Glass Farm. Mary Choate has great answers to share in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists Rob R.L. Jacobs, George Williams, Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing and Margie Sugarman. 

Make sure to sign up for a year's subscription to Sidelines by visiting our website, www.sidelinesmagazine.com so you can get a copy of the magazine sent to your house or barn every month! Enjoy reading this issue now - link in bio!
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#equestrianrealestate #realestate #luxuryrealestate #commercialdevelopment  #commercialrealestate #developmentrealestate #development #commercial #land #agland #agriculturalland #equestrianland #horseproperty #milliondollarlisting #equestrian #equestrianestate #pond #pondproperty #equestrianlife #dreamhouse #equestrianlifestyle #horselife #equestrianproperty #horsefarmforsale #horses #sidelinesmagazine
Warning, this column addresses the need for more v Warning, this column addresses the need for more volunteers! 

"However, I’m not talking about stuffing envelopes or other similar tasks. Don’t get me wrong, those are essential jobs and I’m grateful to those who do them," said Sidelines columnist, George Williams. 

"This column is for those of you who want to play a role in the direction of our sport, see areas needing improvement, or perhaps have a vision of where you want it to go in the future.

It’s true that over the years our organizations have matured and now seem more like institutions. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a tremendous need for volunteers. Perhaps in some ways there is more need than ever. Like most institutions that become settled in their ways, they need innovation, revitalization and sometimes even reinvention to keep them fresh and relevant in order to meet the needs of their constituents and/or adapt to new societal norms. 

There are constantly new challenges, and as so often has been the case in the past, it takes the different perspectives that come from a mix of knowledgeable staff and good volunteers who can bring those fresh ideas and innovations needed to continue moving forward," George said. 

"If you’re interested in getting involved, never fear—there’s still a lot of rewarding work to be done."

Read the full column at the link in our bio!

📸 Ruby Tevis #dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #volunteer #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #sidelinesmagazine
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