I want to make a helpful tip.

When I watch a video of a horse being worked, I watch it twice. The first time is with the sound turned off so the commentary is muted. The second is with the sound on, so I can hear the trainer’s commentary.

It may be extra work, but it can be very insightful and invaluable as a learning tool.

Firstly, by watching a clip with muted sound, it tests and hones my observational skills. I can concentrate on what the horse is doing, thinking and feeling without being fed this information by the commentator. It helps me get a better eye for what I am seeing.

Secondly, it helps me evaluate the observational skills, training, and teaching of the trainer.

By comparing and contrasting what I thought the video was about with what the trainer is telling me the video is about, I can both better question my skills and the trainer’s skills.

We are a species that largely relies on voice to communicate. This means we are susceptible to being convinced by the words we hear and dismissive of the body language before our eyes. It’s just who we are as a species. It takes time and effort to develop the observational skills to critically evaluate and question the voice we hear. We doubt our eyes more than we doubt a trainer’s commentary.

Give it a try. What do you have to lose?