Page 18 Steppin’ Out December 1998
For Your Consideration:
An Open Letter to Sore Horse Trainers from an Ex-Sore Horse Trainer
By Jennie Jackson
"Without a doubt, the most common error of all human beings is, the mistake of leaving our minds open to
the negative influence of others...
I'm an ex-sore horse trainer. Starting in 1979 and through 1984, I got caught up in the excitement of getting my
horse higher, deeper and freakier than the next, by any means that I could get away with. Part of the rush came
from getting my horse in and out of the DQP inspection. I have used everything and then some of what was
available that would keep my horse still on its feet but performing.
I had friends who loved me and would constantly point out to me the error of my ways, but I didn't want to listen.
To do without fixing my horse meant I would not be winning or be competitive and that would translate into not
having any customers. We all knew that our customers liked winning.
But the time came when God started pointing out to me the error of my ways; this was not as easy to ignore or
justify as it was to my friends. It wasn't a rolling thundercloud with a booming voice declaring to me to heed His
way; rather it was a small, still, inner voice that left me with nagging questions about what I thought I was doing. I
found myself arguing with myself in such a way that I could not deny that what I was doing was not what God
intended for this horse of for his use.
It wasn't easy to walk away from my lifestyle; it was a true addiction. I had to sore horses. It seemed the more
conviction I was getting inside, the more I started to win. I'd get that one great horse that was really comm' on so I
couldn't stop now! I was on a streak! There is always opposition to every Godly plan.
When I decided to kick the habit it didn't happen overnight. I'd work a horse without 'touching it' and would get
frustrated at its performance. I'd figure just a little dab would do. Back to my trunk I would go, back to my little bag
of tricks. I had many little relapses. But, my horses started telling me what they thought of what I was doing to
them. When they were eating better, running and jumping around with a gleam in their eyes, just healthier horses
all around, I really started to like to see my horses happy. I was just fooling myself into thinking that they were
happy the other way. Think about it for a minute. We know when our dogs or cats are off. We see it right away.
But we put our blinders on when it comes to our horses. The truth be known, we also know when they aren't
happy or healthy in mind, body and spirit.
I learned that no matter what you've got to do to get through it [stop soring horses]. Once you accept the fact that
you've got to get through it, you've got to try to get through it as gracefully as you can. My choices made me
unpopular with my group of fellow abusers. I lost a few customers only to have their horses being shown against
me by someone else. I made that horse!, I'd think. "Now someone else is getting the credit for its performance."
To this day some people look at me and wonder if I haven't relapsed with soring. I went back to my roots with
dressage, which really tested my skills as a horseman, rather than as a chemist. I started using dressage and
working with horses through cues of the legs and centered balanced riding rather than just riding from my
hands. I started to realize that this wonderful breed I was working with was really responsive to what I was asking
of them, demanding was not necessary any more. Those that I could, I took off their pads and started working with
them, eventually phasing all the horses that needed pads out of my herd and breeding for the natural walking
horse.
This was more satisfying than "making" a horse. I really felt that a 12 step type program should be started for
those who sore. This addiction has been passed down from generations and is just as destructive as putting a
needle in your arm or a bottle to your lips.
The first steps are these:
Believe not because some old manuscripts are produced
Believe not because it is your national belief
Believe not because you have been made to believe from your childhood,
But reason truth out, and after you have analyzed it, then if you find it will do good to one and all.
Believe it, live up to it and help others to live up to it.
From this we all need to be a continual source of encouragement to anyone trying to quit. Who benefits from this
change in behavior? The Breed's image, The Horse, The Owner, The Exhibitor, and The Spectators. Let me tell
you of the not so obvious abuser in this mess, it's the spectator who likes to see all of this freaky unnatural action
in their horses! We have to start weaning ourselves off of this type of horse as the winner and start accepting the
naturalness in the action of the horses. Praise, yell and root for the best "natural" horse in the ring and we'll start
seeing a change in what gets shown in the ring.
I wrote this to that person contemplating not soring next season. I'm not saying it's easy and a piece of cake, but it
is the right thing to do. You will be blessed for your efforts if nothing more than not being cursed for doing it. I
leave my phone open to talk privately and in total confidence with, not to, anyone who just wants to talk about it.
May God bless all who turn away from this evil.
From the editor: Jennie Jackson. A California based trainer, is the trainer of Champagne Watchout,
Triumphant and other flat shod performers. She may be reached at (209) 785-2844 and welcomes calls from
people who want to turn away from chemical enhancement as a training tool in the walking horse industry.
For Your Consideration:
An Open Letter to Sore Horse Trainers from an Ex-Sore Horse Trainer
By Jennie Jackson
"Without a doubt, the most common error of all human beings is, the mistake of leaving our minds open to
the negative influence of others...
I'm an ex-sore horse trainer. Starting in 1979 and through 1984, I got caught up in the excitement of getting my
horse higher, deeper and freakier than the next, by any means that I could get away with. Part of the rush came
from getting my horse in and out of the DQP inspection. I have used everything and then some of what was
available that would keep my horse still on its feet but performing.
I had friends who loved me and would constantly point out to me the error of my ways, but I didn't want to listen.
To do without fixing my horse meant I would not be winning or be competitive and that would translate into not
having any customers. We all knew that our customers liked winning.
But the time came when God started pointing out to me the error of my ways; this was not as easy to ignore or
justify as it was to my friends. It wasn't a rolling thundercloud with a booming voice declaring to me to heed His
way; rather it was a small, still, inner voice that left me with nagging questions about what I thought I was doing. I
found myself arguing with myself in such a way that I could not deny that what I was doing was not what God
intended for this horse of for his use.
It wasn't easy to walk away from my lifestyle; it was a true addiction. I had to sore horses. It seemed the more
conviction I was getting inside, the more I started to win. I'd get that one great horse that was really comm' on so I
couldn't stop now! I was on a streak! There is always opposition to every Godly plan.
When I decided to kick the habit it didn't happen overnight. I'd work a horse without 'touching it' and would get
frustrated at its performance. I'd figure just a little dab would do. Back to my trunk I would go, back to my little bag
of tricks. I had many little relapses. But, my horses started telling me what they thought of what I was doing to
them. When they were eating better, running and jumping around with a gleam in their eyes, just healthier horses
all around, I really started to like to see my horses happy. I was just fooling myself into thinking that they were
happy the other way. Think about it for a minute. We know when our dogs or cats are off. We see it right away.
But we put our blinders on when it comes to our horses. The truth be known, we also know when they aren't
happy or healthy in mind, body and spirit.
I learned that no matter what you've got to do to get through it [stop soring horses]. Once you accept the fact that
you've got to get through it, you've got to try to get through it as gracefully as you can. My choices made me
unpopular with my group of fellow abusers. I lost a few customers only to have their horses being shown against
me by someone else. I made that horse!, I'd think. "Now someone else is getting the credit for its performance."
To this day some people look at me and wonder if I haven't relapsed with soring. I went back to my roots with
dressage, which really tested my skills as a horseman, rather than as a chemist. I started using dressage and
working with horses through cues of the legs and centered balanced riding rather than just riding from my
hands. I started to realize that this wonderful breed I was working with was really responsive to what I was asking
of them, demanding was not necessary any more. Those that I could, I took off their pads and started working with
them, eventually phasing all the horses that needed pads out of my herd and breeding for the natural walking
horse.
This was more satisfying than "making" a horse. I really felt that a 12 step type program should be started for
those who sore. This addiction has been passed down from generations and is just as destructive as putting a
needle in your arm or a bottle to your lips.
The first steps are these:
Believe not because some old manuscripts are produced
Believe not because it is your national belief
Believe not because you have been made to believe from your childhood,
But reason truth out, and after you have analyzed it, then if you find it will do good to one and all.
Believe it, live up to it and help others to live up to it.
From this we all need to be a continual source of encouragement to anyone trying to quit. Who benefits from this
change in behavior? The Breed's image, The Horse, The Owner, The Exhibitor, and The Spectators. Let me tell
you of the not so obvious abuser in this mess, it's the spectator who likes to see all of this freaky unnatural action
in their horses! We have to start weaning ourselves off of this type of horse as the winner and start accepting the
naturalness in the action of the horses. Praise, yell and root for the best "natural" horse in the ring and we'll start
seeing a change in what gets shown in the ring.
I wrote this to that person contemplating not soring next season. I'm not saying it's easy and a piece of cake, but it
is the right thing to do. You will be blessed for your efforts if nothing more than not being cursed for doing it. I
leave my phone open to talk privately and in total confidence with, not to, anyone who just wants to talk about it.
May God bless all who turn away from this evil.
From the editor: Jennie Jackson. A California based trainer, is the trainer of Champagne Watchout,
Triumphant and other flat shod performers. She may be reached at (209) 785-2844 and welcomes calls from
people who want to turn away from chemical enhancement as a training tool in the walking horse industry.
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