“The horse’s eyes are said to be the window to his soul”.
“The horse’s eyes are said to be the window to his soul”.
The Right Temperament
Because I travel, perform and do clinics the horse must be well mannered and manageable while on the road. It isn’t enough that he be talented, beautiful, charismatic and good minded. He must eat, drink and function well while traveling. He must easily adjust to strange places and stressful
situations maintaining his “cool” and a willingness to perform. The horse must love an audience and spectators and play to them as much as I do. It is a lot to ask from a horse and it is a long process to create them. You may put years of training into one only to find out he can do the maneuvers but can’t take the stress.
You put your life and blood into a horse and must not begrudge him if he fails. You must know when to quit and move on. Only time gives you the answers as to if you have made the right choice and investment. If I am wrong in the assessment of a horse I take what he has taught me and say, “Thank You.”
I think the most important quality that is not easily seen with the eye or felt with the touch of a hand. It is a quality that all great horses are made of. It is called “heart.” Perhaps if it can be seen at all it is through the eye of the horse. The eyes are said to be the window to of the soul.
I have found that with every great horse there is a good horseman/horsewoman close at hand. Good conformation, training and talent can take you as far as you want to go. But for those of us who ask a horse to go beyond the norm, to go that extra distance, the fulfillment comes from the “heart” of not just the horse, but the rider as well.
So when you are looking for a prospect, try looking on the inside of a horse as well as the outside. You will find the fine line of success sleeps inside a horse’s heart, waiting to be awakened by just the right horseman or horsewoman.
