Life lessons which have helped me in business: 6 things my pony taught me

It's seems a right of passage for girls to love ponies. It doesn't matter how big or small, pretty or ugly, agile or sluggish, the affection towards these creatures is powerful. And then there comes a time for some where the affections walk on 2 legs and not 4, as girls discover boys, their days smelling of hay and horse manure become fewer and eventually it's only the die-hards that are still actively riding.

My first love came in the form of a cross-breed Arabian and an American saddle horse called Moonlight. He had a hideously put-together body but the beautiful Arab 'dished' face, and him and I were set to conquer the world. Ponies are notoriously strong-willed, independent, and stubborn and, though he also bailed me out of some tricky situations, the lessons this camel-looking boy taught me have helped me as a business owner.

1) Take the jump!

You sometimes don't need to do much more than assess the take off and landing ground for safety before actually taking the jump. Overplanning can often paralyse one, and is the reason a lot of businesses or projects never leave the start gates. I'm not implying that planning isn't incredibly important, especially in business, and especially where a strict budget is concerned, but 'analysis paralysis' is merely a form of procrastination.

Sometimes you just need to point your nose towards the obstacle and go!

2) Keep your eyes on the road ahead

Ponies have a tendency to shy at plastic bags blowing in trees, or to do a swift about turn and cart you home if a dog rushed out at them, sometimes bucking you off in the process. I grew up in Port Elizabeth, the Windy City, so there was always some piece of litter that had embedded against a fence or caught in the branches, and would crackle at the most inopportune time. Moonlight himself was pretty bomb proof and didn't really bat an eyelid most days, but there was a particular house on the street corner where he didn't see eye to eye with their pack of dogs. He would start jogging on the spot before we got there and hop and buck as soon as their barking started. I would tense up well before the time, my stiff posture putting me in a vulnerable position to be unseated by the unpredictable movements.

There's a certain awareness you need at all times when riding, and in business. Watch the road ahead, glance behind you every now and then, steadily move forward while anticipating the plastic bags blowing in the trees, but don't let anticipation make you tense.

Instead, set a deep, steady seat and hold firm until you're past the critter.

3) The rear view will only get you kicked

I 'm not implying you shouldn't use the lessons of hindsight to move forward in a productive way. I mean don't stand there.

You won't gain anything by dwelling on the past. "If only..." "Remember when..."

The rear is a dangerous place to stand, so glance from a safe distance and go back to the front.

4) Groom your own pony

True relationships take hard work. Somehow, the hours spent trying to catch your pony in the paddock strengthens those bonds (first makes you want to break them, but the moment you slip that halter over his head and he nuzzles into your pocket, all annoyance is lost). Over time, he whickers when he sees you (melting your heart just a little), doesn't bite you when you tighten the girth, and the team performs better under saddle as a result.

Relationships in business take time and effort. And not every colleague or employee will fit together in the team. It took me a long time to learn this lesson. Sometimes the team members you hire for the role may not be a good fit for the team. You put in a lot of effort and time to build the relationship, and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. And then it's about knowing that not all pony and rider combinations are compatible.

Work on your business relationships. You may need to accept a few nips along the way in order to strengthen the connection. But pull your hand away before you lose a finger.

5) If there's a problem, first look at yourself

Rider error counts for most of the issues you experience when schooling your pony. There's point in whipping him or screaming at him until you've taken a look at yourself. Are you off balance in your seat? Are you not giving clear instructions? Do you have unrealistic expectations without adequate training?

Your team at work are the same. If they consistently underperform, first look at yourself.

Do they understand what it is they are being required to do? Have they received the correct training for that task? Do they need a carrot dangled ahead, or some slightly firmer encouragement? Or, are they just lazy?

It's also important to remember that everyone sees the world differently, so they simply may not have seen it from your perspective. And need I mention patience?

Seek first to understand! Plus, it's also ok to ask for help!

6) Sometimes you need a good gallop

One often forgets to have fun, spending every session with your pony striving to do something better; schooling him at dressage, attempting bigger jumps or training him to do something new. Teaching old ponies new tricks can be exhausting at times, and can make both you and him feel stagnant at times. Many ponies go 'stale' from overjumping, their boredom resulting in them reluctant to walk over a pole on the ground eventually. Sometimes you just to free the reins and feel the wind through your hair. Go for a good gallop, and come back refreshed. Enjoy the moment.

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