Flicka Syndrome

Last night I mentioned that a friend of mine had some concerns about a young girl who had recently purchased a young, very green, and very obstinate mare that she feels is an accident waiting to happen. It is very clear to both the parents and everyone involved that while this teen has plenty of bravado (and a high opinion of her ability), she has no real tools or skills to deal with such a difficult horse and as such has had a very difficult first few days. My friend felt compelled to speak with the parents (as they are not horseman) and voice her concern about their daughter’s safety. Both my friend and I were raised in essentially non “horsey” families and so understand how even a well meaning parent can be unaware of some of the danger and confidence issues such a horse can present. She also told the parents that even she, with some 30 years experience owning and caring for horses, found this mare a real challenge to work with (and not at all trustworthy). And so it came as a bit of a surprise to find, just the very next day, this girl attempting to work with her mare in the arena…. with a very proud parent looking on. It would seem that they are very “proud of their daughter for sticking with it” and they have every confidence that their daughter will be able to “tame” her soon-to-be best friend.


While I certainly can not understand why it is some horse savvy parents (who should know better) are willing to put their children on mounts that not even an adult professional would ride, I find it equally baffling why two, reasonable, caring parents would disregard the concern of an experienced horseman to appease the ego of a daughter who, blinded by the beauty of a pretty horse and full of youthful bravado, is sorely lacking for a mature voice of reason. What were they thinking? Well, I think I found the answer….

Flicka Syndrome.

As in the classic movie “My Friend Flicka” about a young boy who tamed a bright sorrel filly his father determined to be “wild”. You could also call it, “Black Stallion Syndrome” for much the same reason- Hollywood’s version of a young child who magically captures the heart of a wild stead. Even Seabiscuit has an element of such a comeback, though at least in his case they were all experienced horsemen. The story of a bad or lame horse turned good and whole through the love and care of a child runs through some of the greatest horse stores of all time- including the oldest (Bucephalus and Alexander the Great.)

And so is it any wonder why this girl’s father stood proudly by and watched his daughter angrily attempt to lunge her horse with nothing but determination, (though no actual skill) and no coach to guide her or offer practical advice?

I do believe Pop’s has seen “My Friend Flicka” one to many times and thinks that if his daughter tries hard enough, she will, though grit alone, be able to master this wild beast ....

*cue Free Willy soundtract*

Pop’s is adamant that his lovely little daughter has a special spiritual affinity with horses... a rare talent to communicate with them...and he is confident that they will learn and grow together *butterflies flutter in the air and harps sing* …I don’t know what happens next in his fairy tale… perhaps this mare will turn into a unicorn, sprout wings and fly off into the sunset.

The problem is that this mare is a bully! A sticky, pushy, dominant, bitchy mare by nature. She has not been abused. She's not scared or wild eyed. She's a young, untrained brat of a horse who needs a very firm handler and the occasional ass kicking. This is coming from a NHer! What she does not need is a 90-pound, 16 year old girl with love in her heart. Do I sound like a cynical bitch yet? Good! Because I know that we, as horsemen, are largely a romantic minded and wistful lot who are prone towards unrealistic boughts of hope and faith….

I "get" it...really, I do! I guess this situation strikes a nerve in me because I feel this girl is being set up for failure and to have her dreams decimated…. I feel that way because for so many years I beat my head against the wall believing that determination and love was all I needed to train or ride a horse. When I learned that one actually needs tools, techniques, and to THINK through a horses training or behavior issue, (that the “try” in a rider is not enough) I felt as though I'd been set free! Subconsciously I thought that my failure to “become one” and have my horse do my “bidding” (by pure love alone) was as a result of my lack of effort and determination, rather than a simple lack of practical knowledge or skill.

Yes, there are kids out there who ride wild horses without getting hurt... Yes, we all want to be that girl in National Velvet, Sylvester or that boy in the Black Stallion. Yes, riding and training a horse takes a lot of heart and effort and some kids have a touch... we all know a story or two, (or five) about those horses or people who managed to overcome seemingly unconquerable odds. I do think there is a possibility that this girl and this horse will work things out....

There is a actually a chance that she wont get hurt, loose her confidence, love for horses or life while riding this horse. But just because such a conclusion is possible and maybe you, me or your Granpappy grew up getting bucked off rank horses (and that’s what made them into such great horsemen), doesn’t mean that having such a horse is the fairest, best, safest, or smartest option for this girl. In real life shit happens and having horses isn’t all fairy tales and unicorns. This kids not going to win an Olympic medal or a National Grand Prix because her Pop’s bought her a green broke nag for her 16th birthday!

*big gasping breathe*

Okay...I'll calm down.

I too have felt the pull of Flicka Syndrome. I've rescued horses. I've seen miracles. I've watched the angry, abused and violent become passive, sweet and happy... It can happen....

But for heavens sake for every one troubled horse successfully trained by an inexperienced rider there are a probably a hundred people out there who were left with broken bones, concussions, torn tendons, blood wounds or worse, dead! Parents, "horsey" or not, need to get their heads out of their asses and put the safety of their children before romantic notions best left to the movies.