Might be best for some of you boys to roll up the windows and fasten your seat belts. OK. ‘Short and sweet’ meaning; dealt with very quickly; to the point. Which, (at least to my understanding) is the way any man worth his salt would like it; in your face, point-blank direct, down to-earth, no ‘kid gloves.’
First, let’s take a quick peek or two at the dark side from Psychology. Please bear with me. What the following ‘has to do with the price of tea in China’ will be self-explanatory forthwith. A description of those afflicted with what is called Narcissistic Personality Disorder. “They want to be the center of attention in every situation. They want admiration. What is narcissistic personality disorder without large doses of boasting, bragging, exaggerating and making themselves out to be the best at everything.
Another of the symptoms of Narcissistic Personality Disorder shows up if they can’t have what you have (for example, a skill or ability). In this case they will often set out to ridicule or destroy you in some way so that you can’t use that skill either. In general they will lie, cheat, exaggerate, deceive and con people to have a regular narcissistic supply: praise, adoration, gifts, compliments, reassurance, money, the pleasure of being able to dominate, control or even destroy others etc.”
Then this from researchers Dr, Stephen Kellert and Dr. Alan Felthous who extensively studied the animal abuse phenomenon. They discovered several motivations that helped to characterize adult animal cruelty. Some motivations are:
- To enhance one’s own aggressiveness.
- To shock people for amusement.
- Controlling an animal through inflicting pain as a result of the sense of loss of full control in one’s own life. (Physically abused as a child by parents or other adults.)
- Retaliation against a person by hurting their pet.
- To experience sadism (the suffering experienced by the animal).
Lastly, from Dr. Rachel Touroo DVM, who has assisted with crime scene investigations in animal cruelty cases throughout the United States and described the importance of veterinary involvement in these cases at the 2016 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held December 3-7 in Orlando, Florida. “Crimes against animals affect more than just animals,” she said. “There is a strong and established link between human violence and animal cruelty. Crimes against animals can be a warning sign of future violent acts, and individuals who witness animal cruelty can become desensitized to violence. Animal abuse may also occur in conjunction with other crimes such as domestic violence and the illegal sales of drugs and guns.”
Think about that for a minute fellas, before reading on. Maybe more than a minute…
Ready? Good. Next, Sociology, (the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society, and/or the study of social problems). This is an excerpt from ‘The Masculinity Script’ by sociologist Robert Brannon:
“No Sissy Stuff – men are to avoid being feminine, show no weaknesses and hide intimate aspects of their lives.”
“The Big Wheel – men must gain and retain respect and power and are expected to seek success in all they do.”
“The Sturdy Oak – men are to be ‘the strong, silent type’ by projecting an air of confidence and remaining calm no matter what.”
“Give ‘em Hell – men are to be tough, adventurous, never give up and live life on the edge.”
Shucks, I’ll drink to that! What man worth his salt wouldn’t? Hell, being teethed on Humphrey Bogart, (a hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz) and raised on John Wayne, (courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway) I’ll even buy the next round!!
But guys, we do have a problem. A serious problem so ‘off the wall’ that many of you may find it be difficult to believe. While most all of us prefer to ‘settle our differences out behind the barn’ like gentlemen, it doesn’t mean we are low-IQed, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing spear throwers. Well, hopefully it doesn’t! Nonetheless, there is a vicious, unfounded rumor going around that some of us still have their heads deeply embedded in their rectum using antiquated, outmoded methods of horse training!
I realize that these utterly ridiculous accusations are probably the deviant work of radical airy-fairy, pie-in-the-sky, kissy-poo, tree-hugging ‘horse lovers.’ In reality, we know that it is utterly preposterous that ANY man alive is still using the outdated, Alpha/leader/dominance/submission, ‘show ’em who’s boss’ crap to train a horse in this day and age!
But JUST to be on the safe side, (and hopefully quell those specious rumors) it may be best to ‘cover all our bases’ in the event that there may be one or two of us out there who unbelievably may have somehow completely ‘missed the boat.’
So, for that mythical handful of men out there who possibly still may not know, here’s the news flash.
- Horses are being, very successfully trained all over the world without using ropes, whips, sticks, or gadgets.
- Horses are being, very successfully trained all over the world without trapping and chasing them in round pens, picaderos, corals, etc, (or ‘lunging’ them in circles with a halter and rope).
As we know, those are widely accepted, stone-cold, rock-hard facts being proven day in and day out all over the world.
So, there it is. That ‘come to Jesus’ moment in time of making a choice. After all, life IS ‘a matter of choices,’ right? Of course it is. We ALL know that. And now that you few supposed misbegotten souls KNOW, what are you going to do? What’s your choice? Keep on, keepin’ on? Same old, same old? Ignore the facts? What the Hell would motivate anybody in their right mind to make such a stupid choice?
Well, let’s see. Some of them might make their living ‘training horses’ using those antiquated methods. So, we can understand their ‘resistance to change.’ Heck, everybody’s got to make a living somehow. Sure as hell can’t condone it. But I can understand it. Greed and avarice can be dam strong ‘motivations.’ Doesn’t say much for their morals, ethics or IQ. Then again, they might want to reread those ‘motivations’ mentioned earlier a second time.
Even if they don’t mind being laughed at and ridiculed behind their back, (and sometimes openly) they might seriously reconsider ‘why’ they feel they have to blindly follow the same old ‘monkey see, monkey do’ archaic training methods that have been used for thousands of years. Or maybe that’s not it at all. Maybe it’s a deeply reverent respect for our unique Western Horsemanship heritage that weighs heavy on your mind. And I sure can understand that too. In fact, I’ve idolized our early western cowboys from the ranks of Red Ryder, Tom Mix, Lash LaRue and many others since I was ‘knee high to a grasshopper.’ And that is long, long time. Heck, I wanted to ride so bad as a small child that my first horse was a Jersey cow! So, I do understand, and share that deep feeling of reverence for our unique Western heritage.
BUT, I find it hard to believe that there is a cowboy alive, (or even a cowboy wannabe) that would turn down using safer, easier, less time-consuming ways of training their horses. Least ways, none that were accustomed to using the brains they were born with, (assuming they were confident with their masculinity). Of course if they weren’t confident and had to be the ‘bigshot boss horse trainer’ to assure themselves and others they were a real ‘he man,’ that would be another story. If a man does have deep feelings of insecurity that their manhood is lacking and still need to ‘show off and be the tough guy conquering the big dangerous horse’ it would be laughable, if it wasn’t so pathetic.
*A metaphoric idiom that dates from the 12th century and was in the proverb collection of John Heywood in the year 1546 states; “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.” So, there ya go. You were ‘led to water.’ It’s up to you now. It just might be time to ‘get smart’ and use the brains you were born with.
Please bear in mind that the above is directed only to that hypothetical handful of men who, (for what ever reason) may have inadvertently ‘missed the boat.’ This does not mean that in any way we should be ‘taking names and kicking ass.’ Quite the contrary! If said individuals really DO exist, they should be given the same patience and support we would give to any fellow brother who is ‘lost in the wilderness fog of blissful ignorance’). All we have to do is simply explain to them in regards to archaic, assbackwards horse training methods, ‘that dog just don’t hunt no more.’ After all, it’s time for them to ‘put on the big boy pants’ now.
In closing, I’ll leave you with one more quote from John Wayne, “Life is hard. It’s a lot harder if you’re stupid.”
Cowboy UP!
Roundpenning a Stallion
The Stupid Horse
Backwards!