Horse-man-ship Mentality - Horsemanship Lie By Dennis Cappel

Horse-man-ship Mentality - Horsemanship Lie

Cappel Cowboy Wisdom

What’s Stopping You from Achieving Your Goals with Your Horse?

Have you ever asked yourself what’s truly holding you back from achieving what you want with your horse?

The honest answer? Nothing. No one. No obstacle—except the ones we believe in.

So if that’s true, why do so many of us struggle to reach our deepest desires in horsemanship?

Could it be that we’ve bought into a lie that clouds our truth?

The fact is, horsemanship is a learned skill. Like any art form, it requires dedication, practice, and an unrelenting desire to improve. How far you go is entirely up to you. It will demand your time, energy, and commitment—but the journey is yours to shape.

So what’s the real roadblock? Not an external force, but a belief system we’ve inherited—often without realizing it.

Let me explain.

In an old episode of Seinfeld, there’s a moment where Elaine looks at George, who’s being his usual irrational, dramatic self, and says, “What kind of a number did your mom and dad do on you?”

Now, before you think I’m blaming our struggles on our parents, hear me out.

The real culprit? Criticism.

It doesn’t always come from parents. It could be a childhood classmate, a harsh teacher, or even an embarrassing moment that stuck with you. But more often than not, the most destructive criticism comes from within.

Self-criticism is a defense mechanism—a way our mind tries to protect us from failure. But in reality, it only fuels fear:

Fear of not measuring up.
Fear of embarrassment.
Fear of failure.
Fear of whatever your mind decides to throw at you.

But here’s the thing: Fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real—a bully that only has power if we let it.

So the next time you feel like something is holding you back, ask yourself: Is it really an obstacle, or just a belief you’ve been carrying for too long?

The choice to break free is yours.

Mindful Riding,

Dennis Cappel - Master Horseman

www.cappeltrainingandshoeng.com