By PJ Campbell
In one word, what have you learned from horses? Julie Picot’s immediate response… “Humility.”
Julie Picot started riding when she was just 6 years of age living in Lakeside, CA. From that moment, she has never looked back, and has always had horses in her life…they are her life.
At 9 years old she saved $350 and bought her first horse, a pony. As Picot recalled with laughter in her voice, “…that pony, Sittin on the Ritz was feisty and liked to ‘jump and dump’ me on a regular basis, but I loved him. We were either winning at horse shows or getting kicked out of the arena for his naughty behavior.”
Then there was Kevin, a Thoroughbred who knew nothing about being a ‘real’ horse. A sensitive, high energy and full-hearted horse that was trained as a hunter/jumper, but Julie wasn’t convinced that was all Kevin was interested in. She quickly started taking him on trail rides. He took to it like sugar cubes.
Francis, the mule holds a very soft spot in Picot’s heart; in fact he’s her favorite, but don’t tell the other horses. In 2004 Francis and Julie happened to be at the same Draft a Mule Show. Meeting Francis’ then owner who had never shown him before, offered Julie the chance to show him right then and there; she did just that. Francis placed 6th. Picot was proud and held her own. (Little known fact…mules are very smart and yes, they do have a stubborn side, but their keen wit makes up for any shenanigans they may want to demonstrate.) Francis also ran for Mayor of Valley Center as a way to raise funds for the Valley Center Vaqueros of which Picot runs their Young Riders’ program. Francis did quite well with fundraising, but dropped out of the Mayor‘s race. His ego just couldn’t take losing several times in a row.
It comes as no surprise that Picot has rescued many horses over the years and works on-going with Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue. One such rescue, Puddin Pop came to Picot emaciated, laden with lice, a variety of curious brands and clearly hadn’t been handled kindly. Her son, Johnny was about 2 years old back then and didn’t verbalize much. When Johnny was nearby, Puddin would just stare at him. Johnny always made it a point to pet her and give her love. At that time, Johnny was in speech therapy and started to talk about Puddin and their adventures. Picot is convinced that because of her son’s relationship with Puddin, Johnny started to be more social. By the way, although Johnny is now a young adult, Puddin remains on Picot’s ranch where their relationship continues.
Blossom was a Belgian Draft horse and a PMU rescue that reminded Picot it was time, once again, to allow the horse to teach her a thing or two. “When I first got her she was so rank…she jumped out of her corral several times when I would try to catch her. Once I got her broke to ride and drive, she won the title of 2004 LA County Fair High Point Draft Horse.” As Julie reflected on her early experiences with Blossom, she said, “Blossom would be looking like Eeyore with her head drooping, falling asleep and completely disinterested while she was in the stall, but once she stepped into the ring, she perked up, raised her head and ears were at attention. She was on point.”
The horse needs to find their job and niche; it’s up to the owner/rider to keep it fresh. The horse will let you know if you’re willing to let go of your preconceived notions and ideas of what your horse will be good at or what you want it to do. Picot reminds us that, “Knowledge is knowledge, but sometimes you have to let go and step aside so the horse can exhibit what it wants.” No different than humans, horses feel better when they have a sense of being worthwhile. We all need a purpose. “Horses want to please and want to be good, but if you’re not being a helpful leader they get confused. Clear direction can solve many behavioral challenges.”
Picot’s no nonsense approach, “Do a bit of everything and pretty soon if you’re truly in the present moment and paying attention that horse is going to express what it is eager to do. The more a rider rides their horse, the better. They will build confidence and trust with each other. If you’re timid, the horse will let you know it wants to be led. If you’re over confident, the horse will humble you. As in any relationship it takes time and effort.”
Picot’s way is to ‘keep it simple.’ “I love to see what a horse is trying to tell me. Whether it’s about a past trauma they have had, their physical limitations, or what they want to be when they ‘grow up’.” She doesn’t see herself as a ‘horse whisperer’. According to Picot, that connotation stirs thoughts of fairy-dust. “I’m a problem solver. I learn a lot about how confident a horse is by observing its interaction with other horses and in particular when they are turned-out together.”
Julie Picot is an unassuming hero in life. She’s a mother of two children, exceptional horse trainer of 20+ years (she also trains humans), an award-winning rider, Valley Center Citizen of the Year 2015, rode in the 2018 Rose Bowl Parade with the Vaqueros, oversees the Valley Center Stamped Rodeo Queen Pageant http://www.vcrodeoqueen.com/, a strong and worthy competitor. She is consistently with her horses, whether they belong to her or not, it makes no difference.
Whether we’re talking about horses or life, I believe we all need a sense of humility and a reminder to be grateful for all that we are and have in our everyday lives. Julie Picot is that reminder for all of us.
Julie can be reached at: Home (juliepicothorsetraining.com)
