"Synergy is key – I have synergy with Jen as my coach and also my business partner in J&J Reining Inc.," Sharon Jones.
When you think about partnerships you may consider your own romantic partner; you may also think about a very good friend, or a business partner.
The most important thing with any partnership if it is to succeed is it has to begin with synergy. Something about that other person, clicks with you and you with them.
We all probably know at least one person who spent years with the wrong partner, yet they kept trying to make it work. As humans we don’t like to give up and the start of the relationship may have felt so promising. That person really wanted it to work and the more time they invest in it the more difficult it can be to give it up. This can happen with other relationships we have too, with our doctor, dentist, podiatrist, chiropractor, CrossFit instructor, and on it goes. Each time we connect with other humans are we going to click with them?
Jen and horse in training
It’s the same with our horses. Sometimes we fall in love with a horse because it’s pretty – they have the most gorgeous colour and eyes and you drool looking at them. And maybe they move like a dream, when someone else is riding them.
The horse as a sentient being, also clicks with some people and not others. But the horse isn’t the one in charge of that decision making and if you’re making out like Pepé Le Pew with your horse and your horse is behaving like the cat that wants to get away – maybe it’s time to look for a new equine partner!
Whatever your goals are with your horse they will be easier to attain if you and your horse have synergy and you are both capable in your chosen sport. Again, the horse does not get to choose the sport we select for it – but recognising that your horse would be better at something else the kindest thing to do for the horse – even if you do like each other – is to find them a new partner who does the sport the horse is likely to be good at and shows aptitude for.
Jen and Sharon in synergy watching the Derby
Sharon: My previous two horses, Bentley and Razor, I trained from the start under the guidance of Jen. Both horses turned out great but neither of them really wanted to do Reining! Bentley and I did click – we were quite alike which isn’t always the best but I had a lot of fun training her. Despite us coming third in Novice Horse in Quebec (Reining) she went on to tell me she did NOT want to rein, by bucking mid pattern. She never bucked anywhere else. She did, however; excel in Ranch which I enjoy but is not my main goal. Razor is a beautiful soul of a horse, laid back and chilled – the opposite of me. I had him for 2 years and Jen helped me do a great job with him – and when he was sold to a little girl I was so thrilled for him. He is a beautiful mover and will also make a great ranch horse.
Synergy is key – I have synergy with Jen as my coach and also my business partner in J&J Reining Inc. We’re very different but share similar values. Synergy isn’t always immediate and can take time to be seen – I have a new horse for this year, it remains to be seen whether I am Pepé Le Pew.
Sharon and Bentley
Jen: I feel this is where true horsemanship comes into perspective. The ability to recognize each horse’s abilities and treat them as individuals in their training. When I’m riding a horse, I’m always thinking about their personalities and what works best for them to learn, just like working with or coaching people.
Some need more of a slower approach while others can take more of a push approach. When you recognise each strength and area of challenge of the horse, you can then help them learn in a more productive way. Because of my job as a trainer, I don’t always achieve synergy 100% of the time with every horse, but I do adapt to the horse.
It is our job as horsewomen & horsemen to make sure our horses are happy, willing and sound both physically and mentally to perform at their best in whatever discipline that suits them. That should always be our end goal and for me, if I have synergy it’s a fabulous bonus!
Pro and Non-Pro articles written by Jen Jonas of Jonas Performance Horses (Pro) and Sharon Jones of Be A Better You (Non-Pro). Together, they are J&J Reining Inc. Both Jen and Sharon are believers in continual learning – if you’re not learning you’re not growing.