Finding the Whole Elephant: Blending Horsemanship Traditions with Purpose

Over the last seven or so years, I have been on a transformative journey—delving deeper into horsemanship and striving to be a better human for my horses. For those of you on a similar path, you know it is filled with challenges, humbling precipices, and more crossroads than a college course catalog. This year ahead brings both excitement and trepidation as I commit to an intensive schedule of clinics and continuous lessons with instructors from various disciplines.

No matter the discipline, true horsemanship should always be rooted in horse-centered principles—prioritizing both the mental and physical development of the horse. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. I have witnessed, and participated in, heartbreaking moments where training methods are justified under the guise of “what’s best for the horse,” while in reality, they are ego-driven and human-centric. This imbalance remains prevalent in much of the equine industry. However, I also see a paradigm shift taking place. More and more people are questioning outdated methods and searching for better, more ethical answers. A growing number of horsemen and women are committed to learning and refining their approach, prioritizing the horse’s well-being over tradition or ego. It’s encouraging to see this shift, knowing that I am not alone on this journey and that a community of like-minded individuals is emerging, all striving for a better way forward.


Last week, I had the privilege of studying with Pippa Callanan, a gracious and insightful trainer who trained under the esteemed Philippe Karl in the art of French Classical Dressage. I first worked with her last fall and am fortunate to continue working with her this spring, in July and again in October. This recent clinic was an incredible experience, and I brought both Fiona, my three-year-old mounted shooting prospect, and Pilar, my Andalusian.  Having friends in attendance who were auditing, as well as one of my mentors, Joleen Duncan, provided valuable opportunities to debrief and discuss what we were learning. One common challenge that came up in conversation was the difficulty of weaving together different philosophies. Many training methods have been developed over decades—some even centuries—and each master truly believes in their heart that their approach is one of the best. And rightfully so; after all, why would they dedicate their lives to mastering and sharing their craft otherwise?

In discussing this challenge with my extremely intuitive and non-horsey husband, Christian, he reminded me of the ancient parable of the blind men and the elephant. In the story, a group of blind men encounter an elephant for the first time. Each one touches a different part of the animal and forms a conclusion based on their limited experience. One, feeling the trunk, declares that an elephant is like a thick snake. Another, touching its leg, insists that an elephant is like a tree trunk. The one who grasps its ear believes an elephant is like a fan, while another, holding its tail, compares it to a rope. They each argue, convinced their perception is correct, yet none of them fully understand the entire animal. Their individual experiences are valid within their own contexts, yet they fail to recognize that the truth is greater than their singular perspectives. Only by stepping back and considering the collective wisdom of each person’s insight can a fuller picture emerge.

This analogy fits beautifully into the horsemanship journey. Each discipline, method, and instructor offers a unique and valuable perspective, yet none encompass the whole picture of what horsemanship for each individual is. By recognizing that every approach holds a piece of the puzzle, we can cultivate a more well-rounded understanding rather than rigidly adhering to just one philosophy. Instead of dismissing conflicting perspectives, we should embrace them, taking the best from each while keeping the horse's well-being as our guiding principle. True growth in horsemanship comes from being open-minded, adaptable, and always willing to learn. If we can step back and see the bigger picture—combining different insights, techniques, science, and traditions—we move closer to a more complete and harmonious approach to working with our horses. Just as the blind men needed each other’s perspectives to understand the elephant, we as horsemen and women benefit from learning from multiple sources and integrating their wisdom into our own approach.

The journey continues, and I am eager to see where it leads. If you are on this path too, I encourage you to embrace the different perspectives, filter through the noise, and always, always put the horse first. However, it is equally important to establish your own guiding principles before adopting those of others. Without a clear foundation, it becomes easy to be swayed by the many conflicting opinions and methods in the horse world. Take the time to define what truly resonates with you and aligns with your values as a horseman. Once you have that grounding, you can more effectively integrate new knowledge while staying true to what you believe is best for your horse. At the end of the day, our horses are the best teachers—if we are willing to listen.

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