I ride. My readers may have deduced this from the many references to an odoriferous, organic by-product of equestrian affinity which have appeared in this column. Nevertheless, riding expertise is about the least of what I have gained from a lifetime of working with large animals. (I do not refer to other lawyers). I have learned some useful things from horses, my own and those belonging to others, which help me in the practice of law. This seems unlikely, but given the proliferation of books about how kindergarten started authors on the way to careers in philosophy, and the Buddhist qualities of armadillos, I thought I would weigh in.
1) Pay attention: My horse is always trying to tell me something. When I pay attention to the communications coming from him, through the reins, facial expressions (often equivalent to Academy Award-level acting), grunts, snorts and other expressions of approval, distaste, apprehension, delight or revulsion, I always learn something. Sometimes unexpected Gestalts occur. Paying attention is invaluable in the law. I have learned more from watching and listening sometimes than I could have imagined possible. Sometimes, however, the message is: “Got carrots?”
