Rural Heritage June/July 2025

Nine. Leave the gate how you found it. Whether it’s a gate or a barn door, if it’s closed when you get there, there’s a reason for that — so be sure to close it behind you (and vice versa with open doors). This is especially important with animals. A door left open when it shouldn’t be may allow animals to escape, with potentially dire consequences. It also applies to other things in life: How many arguments could be avoided if people applied this idea to toilet paper rolls and toilet seats and lids? There are exceptions, of course — if something is left in a dangerous condition (a barn door swinging open), or appears unintentional (a downed gate), investigate and figure out a solution.

setbacks abound. Stay the course. Sometimes you reach a plateau or feel blocked. In training a horse, perhaps you can’t get the response you’re looking for, like getting past startling, or a response to the bit or other cues. Whether training animals, working with people, or managing yourself, keep calm and persevere. Change takes time and patience. A side note, however: My dad has written that practice doesn’t necessarily make perfect— instead, “practice makes permanent.” So be sure that “patience” doesn’t equate to doing the same ineffective thing repeatedly. Assess whether you’re making at least some progress. Figure out other ways to go about the task, use a different strategy if necessary, and remember, third time (or 30th!) is a charm. Seven. Keep the workload manageable. Whether working in the harness or in the saddle, give your horses a job they can accomplish. Don’t ask your horse to pull or carry too much weight, for too far, for too long. Break it into components to make it doable. This will help with the next goal.

Ten. Leave a place the way you found it — or better. Whether riding down the road, leaving a campsite, or visiting someone’s home, always be aware of your impact. Don’t leave behind a mess. Other people aren’t your housemaids! Clean up and leave things in good shape for the next person. Gathering firewood and storing kindling where it can stay dry is an appreciated act of kindness for the next camper. Tidying up or helping with dishes is a great way for a guest to show gratitude to hosts—and perhaps increase the likelihood of another invitation. Eleven. Pick up your trash! And other people’s, too. This is a subset of the previous rule, but worth mentioning separately. Scouts, hikers and campers have all heard this: Don’t be a litterbug! Still, it’s surprising how often candy wrappers and beverage bottles are tossed alongside park trails and rural roads. Hold onto your trash—never throw it out the car window! And always carry a bag to gather trash you find. Leather gloves are useful when you

Eight. Leave yourself (or your trainee) with a win. When you hitch your horses to a load that’s too heavy for them to pull, don’t stop when they give up. Instead, take a break, lighten the load, and ask them to try again with something they can pull. Ending with a failure makes it more likely they will sour on the next job and give up too soon. Ending with a success will motivate them for next time. Similarly, when working with other people or on your projects, find some way to eke out an accomplishment, so you finish your task ready for the next thing, rather than discouraged for not having accomplished the job.

Rural Heritage

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