Like a treasure map leading to untold riches, Joe Camp’s The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd (Harmony Books/Random House, $24.95) presents the majesty of equines in a way that cuts deep into the heart.
Camp weaves an engaging tapestry of writings that explores the evolutionary development of horses and his present day relationship with the horses that have chosen him as their leader. He and his wife, Kathleen, experience a captivating journey towards truly understanding how a horse thinks and how to earn a horse’s respect and friendship.
The most engaging portion of the book for me was the moment that Cash, an 11-year old Arab and the clever star of The Soul of a Horse, allows Camp to be his leader. Using teaching methods from Monty Roberts’ Join Up program, Camp intentionally puffs himself up before his beloved horse to appear large and threatening. In innate response to this perceived danger, Cash immediately runs away from Camp. Almost immediately, directly after this expression of strength and power, Camp turns his back to Cash, slumps his shoulders, and waits humbly. The purpose of this stage of the Join Up method is to allow the horse to choose you, the human, by recognizing that although you are strong, you do not wish him any harm. You are approachable. As Camp waits, for what seems an eternity, almost giving up on any hope that the horse will want to have any further contact with him, he hears Cash’s approach, the steady breathing from his nostrils, and finally his gentle nudge of approval. At that moment, the horse has declared “I choose you.”
Camp’s breakthrough is our epiphany. We are all at some critical juncture in our lives. We’ve started our own business or we have taken that leap of faith into unknown territory with a new project, a political campaign or a commercial merger. We are perceived as strong from our accomplishments. So what do we do from this point of success? Many of us push even harder. Is that really the way to draw others or success to ourselves? After jumping the hurdle in a relationship, whether personal or business, there comes a time when it is good and appropriate to wait. Waiting is not a sign of weakness, instead it shows great wisdom.
Success is a lot like an untamed horse. It has great power and speed and its very nature is unpredictable. You can attempt to bring success into submission by being aggressive and overpowering but you will always be fearful that success will run from you, fleeing to run across greener pastures. However, if after you have established yourself as a leader and people know that you are there to help and not harm. It is time to actively wait with expectancy. I repeat, actively. Waiting is a verb, and it does not mean being idle, instead, I define it as purposefully maintaining your position, a place where success can approach you.
Camp, acclaimed director and producer of the Benji films, says, “The key point in the book is that in life it is important to see things from another’s perspective. Not demanding your own way.” Active waiting offers others to come to you without coercion or fear. You will discover that they will want to help you accomplish your goals. Success may seem wild and elusive, at times; however, with consistent, patient and active waiting, you just might find success nudging at your shoulder, saying “I choose you.