Unbeatable Betty: How Bucking Stereotypes Leads to Personal Bests

When Betty Nagle enters the show ring, people watching from a distance may mistake her slim profile for a much younger competitor. It isn’t until she nears the grandstand area that a glimpse of white hair peeking out from under her black Stetson gives away her seniority. But assisted living and AARP were probably the last things on this grandmother’s mind as she proudly claimed the 2008 MM Training and Consulting Versatility Award Competition belt buckle, beating out several top competitors in the Potlatch area, all many years her junior.

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Getting In and Getting Out

Many of you have heard the terminology, “getting in and getting out,” when describing the correction for our horses. The other day I was reminded of this concept when I ran across the following quote from Aristotle.“It is easy to fly into a passion—anybody can do that—but to be angry with the right person to the right extent and at the right time and with the right object and in the right way—that is not easy, and it is not everyone who can do it.”​

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The Bobtailed Nag Isn't Always a Horse!

There’s a common element among moms who ride and who also have kids that ride. That element is known as the NAG Syndrome, and both parties fall prey to it. For moms, the NAG Syndrome is complex and originates from having made a substantial investment of time, emotion and money to provide a horse for their child or children. For moms who have horse experience or who may even be trainers themselves, outfitting their child with a horse and all the accoutrements carries a certain sense of pride and level of expectation. In one sense, the child is now a reflection of the mom’s horseman ship and her position in the horse community. This often is the trigger for the NAG Syndrome, an acronym which breaks down to NOW! ASPIRE! GOALS! These three words mean a lot to the mom—but to the child—not so much.

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Enhancing Life’s Relationships Through the Color Tool

The barn was chilly and the lighting dim. Small puffs of dust rose up from the horse’s hooves as my friend, Janie, led the gelding around the indoor arena. The owner of the horse and I watched from the sidelines as the pair went through a leading exercise. Apparently, the horse did not have a lot of ground training. He wasn’t jumpy, nervous or excited; he was simply disrespectful. The gelding stepped into Janie’s space and ignored her signals to move away. Janie led the horse in my direction, and they came to an undisciplined stop, the horse lagging behind.“He’s awfully red sorrel,” Janie said, glancing at me while keeping the horse in her vision.“Actually, I believe he’s gray,” I replied.

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Greetings Barn Buddies!

I hope our newsletter finds everyone filled with cheer. I know that my cup is overflowing because I have so many things to be grateful for. My gratitude list could go on and on, but the one blessing that I want all of you to know is that YOU are all at the top of my list. MM Training and Consulting has so many extraordinary clients. I am continually fascinated by the interesting, funny and loving people that this business puts me in contact with. You all truly make my day, and I am honored to work with each and every one of you. So, to start this newsletter off right, I would like to give thanks where thanks are due and say, “Thank you Barn Buddies for being my blessing.”

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