Transcript: Horsefulness Training podcast-episode 13

Title: Do you make excuses or do you make progress?

Date: [16-05-25]

Host: Karine Vandenborre

Hi, and welcome back to the Horsefulness Training Podcast.
My name is Karine Vandenborre, I’m a horse trainer, instructor, and the founder of Horsefulness Training.
I'm really happy you're here. This podcast is a place for inspiration and truth-telling, the kind that helps us grow as horsewomen.

And today’s topic... is one of those truths.
It’s not always comfortable.
But it is necessary.

Today we’re talking about excuses.
And the question I want to ask you is:
Do you make excuses — or do you make progress?

Let me tell you a little story.
Some years ago, a lady came to a 3-day workshop at my place in Belgium.
She brought her young horse - a 3-year-old gelding - and she told me she wanted to start with groundwork, after going through the liberty connection program.
Now that already made me happy, because groundwork builds trust in the human world, it prepares both body and mind for many things in the human world and it’s also a preparation for lunging, for work in hand, and for riding.
So we were all set for a beautiful beginning.
But... something kept getting in the way.
Not once. Not twice.
But the entire 3 days.

The first morning, she told me her horse was too energetic.
She said it would be impossible to do the kind of exercises I was showing, because he was just too wild.
Later, she shared that he had experienced trauma at the vet and that maybe, for that reason, this kind of training would be too difficult or even re-traumatizing.
When I asked about her plans for continuing the training at home, she said she didn’t have much time.
And when I tried to help her brainstorm ways to fit it in, she shifted the focus again , saying winter was coming soon, and she didn’t have an indoor arena. So it would all be too complicated anyway.

And you know, in the beginning I was trying to support her through all of these things.
Because I care. I want to help.
But as the days went by, I realized something important.

The problem wasn’t the energetic horse.
It wasn’t the trauma.
It wasn’t the lack of time, or the winter, or the arena.
The real problem… was fear.

And her way of dealing with that fear?
Was through excuses.
Now I want to say this with love, but also with clarity:
Excuses are not facts.

They are reasons we create to defend our inaction.
They feel real , but often, they are just protecting us from something deeper.
Sometimes, excuses show up as logic:
“I couldn’t train today because it was too cold.”
But when you look outside , it’s not that cold.
You could easily wear another sweater or jacket.
So what’s the real reason?
Usually… it’s fear.

Fear of making mistakes.
Fear of not being good enough.
Fear of being judged.
Fear that someone will laugh at us, or say we're doing it wrong.
Fear of failure.
Or even… fear of success.

And I want you to really sit with this.think about it!
Because if you recognize yourself in what I’m saying , if you notice that you often delay training, or avoid situations, or tell yourself “my horse is not ready” or “this won’t work for us” I want you to get very honest with yourself, very honest!!

Are you making progress…
or are you making excuses?
Now, this might feel a bit hard to hear.
That’s okay.
Growth often feels that way.
But here’s the beauty of it:

Once you become aware of your excuses, you can begin to shift them.
You can move from avoidance to action.
From fear to courage.
From limitation to possibility.

It starts with a simple but powerful choice: To take responsibility.
To say: “Yes, I’m scared , but I’m still going to show up.”
To say: “I don’t know everything, but I’m willing to learn.”
To say: “I don’t feel ready , but maybe I’ll never feel ready. And that’s okay.”
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You don’t need to feel confident all the time.
You just need to take the first step.
And then the next one.
And then the next.

Because every time you choose action over avoidance, you grow stronger.
You gain experience.
You learn something new.
You build confidence , for yourself and your horse.

Let me give you a few more examples I’ve heard:
• “But my horse is too old for this.”
• “But my horse is stiff, so we can’t train that way.”
• “But he has a trailer trauma, and he’ll never go into a trailer again.”
• “But my horse is different… too difficult… too sensitive… too much.”

I hear this so often.
But again , these are not facts.
They are fears.
And as long as you let fear dictate your actions, you will stay stuck.
But when you switch from excuses to action, things start to shift.
Even if it’s small steps. Even if it’s messy.
Even if it doesn’t look perfect.
Your horse will feel your energy.
Your intention.
Your willingness.
And that changes everything.

So if you're listening right now, and you recognize that you’ve been hiding behind excuses know that I’m not here to judge you.
I’m here to invite you.
To lovingly challenge you.
Because your horse is waiting for you.
Not the perfect version of you.
But the present version of you.

The version that says: “I’m here. I’m trying. I want to understand you.” That’s what matters.
So today, I want to leave you with this:
Take a moment and ask yourself:
Where have I been making excuses?
What am I afraid of?
And what is one small action I can take - today - to move towards progress?
And if you feel lost, or unsure, or just want to share what’s on your heart…

You’re welcome to email at info@horsefulnesstraining.com
I read every message, and I truly love hearing from you.
Sometimes, all it takes is one honest conversation to create a shift.
So don’t wait. Don’t hide. Don’t delay your growth.
Because the truth is…
You can do this.
You are capable of so much more than you think.

And your horse?
Your horse is not waiting for perfection.
Your horse is waiting for you.

Thank you so much for listening today.
If this episode touched you , then share it.
Send it to a friend who needs a little nudge.
Talk about it with other horsewomen
Let’s spread this message together.

I’ll see you next time on the Horsefulness Training Podcast.
And remember this: Better a little progress than a pocket full of excuses.
that hold you back. So Choose progress, no matter how small it may seem.

© Karine Vandenborre - Horsefulness Training.  All Rights Reserved