JULY 2022 THE RIDER /13 We Can Hustle: Leadership lessons learnt through horses


By Shelby Olyschlager Make the right thing easy and the


wrong thing hard. The path of least resistance is real. We


see it all around us, from the rain running down in a stream away from our barn, to the natural ways we can train and work our horses. We have to approach our day to day in a way that will set us up for success. At the end of the day we want to feel accom- plished and successful, right? I know I sure do. So how can we better our odds of feel- ing this way after work, after a day at a race or competition, or a training session with our horses? How can we apply the principle of


“make the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard” to our advantage? How can we use our own path of least resistance to set ourselves and our horses up for success? This idea is something I learnt from training barrel horses and something my mom has taught me from her time training dogs. The more I thought about it, the more I realized it applies in many areas of our life. Let’s uncover how it works! Imagine


again the path of least resistance, it’s easy right? It flows naturally, it all goes in the natural direction. Meaning, you can get the work done with the least amount of effort and struggle potentially involved. There are simply less obstacles for you to overcome. Meaning, we can control and structure our days and training sessions in that way. We can make the right thing easy like the path of least resistance and the hard thing full of it, with all the obstacles and resistance. This is a part of the foundation to train-


ing horses. We want to show our horses the path we want them to take, we have to clearly identify the path of least resistance. It doesn’t matter what discipline, but we al- ways have to remind ourselves of this prin- ciple. A riding example is making perfect cir-


cles. They’re important for me as far as training barrel horses, but choose whatever aspect of training you’re working towards. But here, our goal is perfect circles. We want to think of the circle as the path of least resistance or the most comfortable path for our horses. We begin by setting up our circle correctly, once they are going we allow them to go on their own, but if they fall out or into the circle, we correct with our leg and/or rein which is a resistance for them. But once they are in the proper posi- tion again, we give them the opportunity to hold themselves naturally in a way that is the most comfortable for them. Eventually the horse knows that that


path of least resistance is to hold the circle correctly on their own. The cool thing about this is we allow for mistakes, we allow for things to go off track and we give ourselves the opportunity to correct as we go. This ap- proach helps me understand how I am in- fluencing my horses. Am I being fair and giving them the chance to decide what the path of least resistance is for them? Am i al- lowing for them to make the mistake before i guide them on the better path? This way they, like us will actually learn through our process and develop a better understanding of right an wrong. When I apply this idea to my own per-


sonal life, I feel my goals are more attain- able because i know which path is the least resistant and i try to strategize my days to make it happen!. We have the control to plan our days to allow for success, just one small successful step is all it takes. Eventually with consistent effort, we


will be able to set up everything in our lives to guide us down the path of least resist- ance. We can accomplish the things we set out to do, we just have to set ourselves up for success by making the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard.


Shelby invites you to a Weekend Re-


treat for the riders who feel they are getting in their own way of success. August 20-21


we are hosting a weekend riding and wellness retreat in Caledonia Ontario. Tap into your deeper senses to learn how to become the leader you and your horse need. We can let go of the fear and start showing up how we know we can, full of confidence, positive talk, calm, unbothered by things that maybe used to throw you off your game. This is for riders of all levels, please learn more by reaching out t We Can Hustle on all platforms or this link: https://linktr.ee/wecanhustle


Shelby Olyschlager Bio: Shelby is the host of the We Can Hustle Podcast. She strives to


deliver weekly support, education and connection for everyone going through their own unique journey with horses. As a barrel racer, she has learnt through her own trial and error how to create real changes within ourselves and within our equine partners. She shares her les- sons and the lessons of guests on her show and social channels. “It


all starts with ourselves. If we can approach life with empa-


thy, an open mind and deter- mination; we can all achieve


what we set out to do.”


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