Most of us enjoy the company of horse friends - people who love horses, who understand and encourage us. So it’s natural to want support from them. And, truth be known, our peers exert a lot of pressure on us, much as they did in high school.

Attend a clinic and listen to the people in the stands. Most are trying to learn. But others are trying to convince themselves (and whoever will listen) that they are right. In fact, they don’t know if they are on the right track. So they’re lobbying for their position and then taking a poll, hoping for reinforcement.

We all want to be be right. The problem is that discovering or learning “right” is hard work, so “herd think” often takes the place of real knowledge. If enough people agree, popular opinion is presumed to be truth.

Recall myths the horse world once accepted as true — “All horses need oats,” “Don’t let the horse know you’re afraid or he’ll take advantage of you,” “Feeding treats will teach a horse to bite.” Those bywords became accepted because they were repeated so often.

I’ve been aware of this phenomena for years, mostly because I don’t fit into herd think easily. I’m not contrary. I just tend to look through a different lens — and I see a different picture. I’m always amazed at how artists notice what a less visually oriented person misses. I’m not an artist, but I have my own brand of insight. And, because I know there’s often more than one “right” way, I’m less threatened by not fitting smoothly into the group think.

But it makes situations awkward, particularly when it comes to talking about horses or training. When I met John Lyons (about 1987) and talked with people who started training his way, they were frustrated. They were thrilled that the training worked, but they were disheartened by friends who insisted they were going to get themselves killed by using only a snaffle bit, or by teaching a horse to drop his head (after all, they reasoned, when a horse drops his head, he’s preparing to buck). In addition, John advocated that with the right help, they could train their own horse. It was definitely threatening to people who had convinced themselves that only horse trainers could train.

Fast forward to 2009 where John and many other trainers have done a great job of changing that older mindset. Ordinary people are realizing that every ride trains a horse, and even if they send a horse to a trainer for a few months, it’s up to them to maintain his training when he comes home. Non-pros are adopting mustangs and competing them successfully, and lots of everyday riders pack up on weekends to go camping with their horses. It’s mainstream now to know that asking a horse to drop his head is one way to help him to calm down. The herd think of 2009 is different from the herd think of 1987.

But people haven’t changed. As I consult with trainers and other professionals in the horse industry, I hear their frustration. They feel pressed to deliver the new herd think service, whether it’s bitless bridles and treeless saddles, this training method, or that shoeing method. As always, there’s tension between doing what they know and doing what is popular.

I assure them that tension can be a good thing. We should consider why we do something, especially when it comes to training.

Usually, the more easily someone feels threatened, the more important herd think is to him or her. It happens in all areas of life, not just horses. I like to encourage trainers and others to listen to it — evaluate if there’s a better way to do what you’re doing — but don’t let it push you around.

Lots of techniques we term inappropriate today were all the rage once. And many of the trainers who adopted them tell me they had reservations the first time they did it. But eventually they let herd think convince them (especially when pushed by clients who threatened to go to a trainer down the road). Bitting techniques, such as tying a horse’s head around to the side, come to mind. Years later, the tide of herd think changed, and that training practice has fallen out of favor.

It’s hard to take your own path. But you don’t have to be like everyone else. Ansel Adams became famous for his black and white photography of nature. He resisted the trend to include people in his photos or to use vibrant color. Appealing to the masses wasn’t his purpose. As a result, he saw what others weren’t looking at. And photography is the better for his not being bullied by herd think.

If you decide to go your own way, don’t feel you have to convince others. You don’t have to change their thinking. Just do what you believe is right.

Other people don’t necessarily know what’s best for you, your family, your business, or your horse. If you’re trying to make it in a business, be the best at that service. Don’t try to be like everyone else. They’re not all making it. Great people often do their own thing.