Apt To Teach

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body . . . Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! - James 3:3,5

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Laurie clenched the saddle horn with her small fists, her eyes brimming with tears. She was a beginning rider, and we had been practicing at a low trot in the arena. The mistakes common in younger riders---pulling in on the reins, grasping the saddle horn, kicking the horse in the kidneys---had all surfaced during Laurie's lesson. In her fright and frustration, she began yelling at Bugsy, her experienced bay, blaming him for going too fast. When he pranced a little, none too happy at being yelled at, Laurie shrieked.

I told her to dismount and untied Bugsy's lead rope, disappointment in my pupil showing in my jerky movements. I loosened the cinch and watched as Laurie removed the horse's bridle. When I saw how she carelessly tugged the leather strap over Bugsy's ear, my anger bubbled to the surface.

"When are you going to learn to have some consideration for your animal, Laurie? If you want the horse to do something for you, you have to ask him nicely. Communicate clearly with him, the way you learned. If he's doing well, tell him so. Let him know you appreciate him. If he misbehaves, correct the problem and move on. You can't expect him to be perfect."

Laurie sniffed and mumbled something into the tack she was carrying.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you. What did you say?"

The little rider sighed and said, "That goes for people, too."

She was right: I had been guilty of the very things I had warned her against. Softly, I apologized. It took another couple of lessons before Laurie trotted well, but she got there. And in the meantime, Bugsy and Laurie were both a lot happier with each other and with their teacher, who learned that there was a lot more to teaching a skill than just knowing how to do it.

Father, when I try to teach others, teach me that love comes before knowledge.

Kjerstin Easton

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And the servant the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient... - 2 Timothy 2:24