The Magic of Horsecraft

ZEN COWBOY

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ZEN COWBOY

Justin Dunn; On The Evolution of Horsecraft and Humanity

Paige Lockton

Nov 15, 2024

Transcript

ZEN COWBOY: THE EVOLUTION OF HORSECRAFT AND DEBUNKING DOMINANCE THEORY

Join Justin Dunn and I for a deep dive into all things Cowboy and Zen.

Wait! WHAAAAAT? Do those things even go together???

Yes, they do.

But who’d a thunk it? Not THIS cowgirl!

Turns out, I have been waiting my whole life for this interview, I just didn’t know it yet.

Join me for a chat with Justin Dunn - or 'The Zen Cowboy' as I have dubbed him - owner/operator/founder of The American Mustang School located in Aberdeen, North Carolina.

There, Justin works exclusively with American Mustangs and veterans, military, first responders and youth therapy programs. He also provides online and in-person training for people to develop a closer relationship with their horses and help resolve behavioral problems. Check out: https://www.justindunnhorsemanship.com/ for his services.

Finding Justin Dunn

The Algorithm Gods dropped Justin into my unsuspecting lap with THIS video on The Law of Transmutation of Energy.

I was just scrolling along, minding my own business, when THIS guy pops up - wearing jeans and a baseball cap in the middle of his North Carolina tackroom full of Western saddles - and starts talking about ascending to a higher level of consciousness.

I stopped scrolling and listened.

What I heard blew my mind and opened my heart - there WAS hope! I KNEW it!

"Hang in there, Daddy - turns out, cowboys are allowed to be soft!”

If you have listened for long, you will know my Dad and I have a bit of a back-and-forth on the usefulness of these new-fangled ways of being I am most interested in exploring. Listen in, to find out why I, as the direct descendant of a stringy little cowboy known as Toughy Lockton, have a vested interest in hearing THIS cowboy speak to his strengths … or rather, to his softness.

We will debunk some myths about what it means to be a cowboy these days ... and look at how that ties in with the recent de-bunking of Dominance Theory.

Here are a few Justin Dunn quotes to wet your appetite and prime you to retain as much as possible:

On Horsemanship and what he most wants to share:
- “Horsemanship is the study of self.”
On judging others and yourself:
- “Judging others is judging yourself.”
On why we tend to use force:
- “Where intellect ends, violence begins.”
On doing things differently, and softer than others around him:
- “When they would get hard … I would get real soft.”
- “Then your out there by yourself.”
On The Law of Polarity:
- “It’s the same thing - just different degrees.”

Look for Justin’s book:

Music To My Ears

What Justin shared in this interview was music to my ears! And, if you know me well, you’ll know that music is very important to me. I incorporate it into my riding, my lessons, my clinics, and just generally whatever I can. This interview was no different!

Justin and I began getting to know each other through music and began our interview with a song. I asked which song he would choose to best represent himself in this moment. He shared The Cowboy Song by Thin Lizzy.

I chose Savage Daughter. I have included tow VERY different versions of that one!

At the end of our conversation we shared what we were grateful for, and on that note, I will share one more song that most reflects how I felt; Rachel Platten’s Better Place.

I am insanely lucky and very grateful to be able to do what I do, and so appreciative of my parents, and of my life with horses, and of humans like Justin, who allow me to spread the Magic of Horsecraft - you all help make the world a better place.

You can enjoy our playlist HERE:

Your Feedback on a Future Long Format Podcast

This interview felt like a river flowing quickly over some deep waters. Justin and I want to take deeper dives into some of the pools we skimmed over, and have a slower, meandering trip down the river of Horsecraft. Want to join us?

Who is in for a re-visit with the Zen Cowboy and for deep dive podcasts that run around 3 hours in length?

Leave us your thoughts and questions.

What do you want to hear more of? We’ll plan accordingly and let you know we’re getting back together, so you can shape our conversation and join us!

Your Support Makes A Difference

You can help me afford to keep doing this in a few easy ways - first and foremost - Caring is sharing! Or is it the other way around? Doesn’t matter -SHARE! SHARE! SHARE!

If you want to see a change in the horse industry we need to band together in numbers, and I need viewers by the thousands to attract the support I need to go to the next level … and get this show on the road!

You can make a difference, easy peasy, by sharing!

And, if you can, become a a paid subscriber and you could make the difference between having things like a car with working door handles … (true story)

Do what you can to spread the love - every little bit helps and is appreciated!

Take a chance,

Paige Lockton

P.S. ANYTHING is possible (together!)

Learn more and get in touch at:

www.themagicofhorsecraft.com

https://www.facebook.com/themagicofhorsecraft/

https://www.instagram.com/themagicofhorsecraft/

https://www.youtube.com/@themagicofhorsecraft

Download our freebie - Our #1 Tip to build trust with your horse: https://gift.themagicofhorsecraft.com

Discussion about this podcast

The Magic of Horsecraft

As the daughter of a veterinarian and a prodigy in international equestrian sport, it seemed like I was dipped in the Magic Sauce at birth, that allows ALL Wizards in the world of Horsecraft - no matter which discipline they practice - to connect with their horses like some kind of voo-doo Magic.

In my career as a coach, try as I might, I could NOT transmit this Magic to the beautiful 'Muggles' of the horse world (Humans not born into generations of Horsecraft who couldn’t access the ‘magic’ they were after with horses), no matter how much time and money they threw at me. Something was missing.

My father - an Equine Veterinarian and old time Horseman - argued that 'feel', or horsemanship, was something that could. not. be. taught. It was something passed down generation-to-generation that you were either born with ... or you weren't.

I say, "Neigh! Neigh!"

And who am I to argue that the Magic is teachable? That others can transform from ‘Muggle’ to Magician in the Magical art of Horsecraft and Life?

Long story short - I found out because I LOST the Magic!

Through bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, breast cancer, chemo, radiation, and isolation during the covid 19 lockdown; I went from Magician to Muggle and I am working my way back again, day-by-day.

How did I do that? In studying the ingredients I needed to pull my life out of the shitstorm I found myself in, I developed a cool new super power. Turns out, I can find joy in a shitstorm! And YOU CAN TOO!

It also turns out that the ingredients to make the Magic Sauce for finding joy in your shitstorms ... are THE SAME ingredients needed to connect with horses like a true Wizard. Who knew?

I cracked the code! And now I am on a mission to share! Through my social media posts, podcast, workshops and courses, I aim to save YOU from the heartache of miscommunication and the pain of mechanical riding. As a bonus, this will also allow you to develop the remarkable resilience you need to thrive in the midst of chaos and to find joy in the shitstorms of your life.

Hang on to your hats folks! The Magic is learnable, practice-able and teachable. It is even MEASURABLE with a handy dandy little device that monitors your nervous system state. Pretty cool, eh?

So buckle up and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times; it's is going to be a Wilde and raucous ride! I hope you will join me as I share conversations with old friends and mentors; some of the most powerful Wizards in the World of Horsecraft who are also the most resilient bunch of humans you will find on the planet.

Take a chance,

Paige

xoxox

ANYTHING is possible (together!)

Stories to help you move from Muggle to Magician in the art of Horsecraft ... and LIFE! Join me and my peers - veritable Magicians in the world of Horsecraft - to explore what it takes to develop resilience, to overcome fear, and to connect with horses. As the daughter of a veterinarian and a prodigy in international equestrian sport, it seemed like I was dipped in the Magic Sauce at birth, that allows ALL Wizards in the world of Horsecraft - no matter which discipline they practice - to connect with their horses like some kind of voo-doo Magic. In my career as a coach, try as I might, I could NOT transmit this Magic to the beautiful 'Muggles' of the horse world (Humans not born into generations of Horsecraft who couldn’t access the ‘magic’ they were after with horses), no matter how much time and money they threw at me. Something was missing. My father - an Equine Veterinarian and old time Horseman - argued that 'feel', or horsemanship, was something that could. not. be. taught. It was something passed down generation-to-generation that you were either born with ... or you weren't. I say, "Neigh! Neigh!" And who am I to argue that the Magic is teachable? That others can transform from ‘Muggle’ to Magician in the Magical art of Horsecraft and Life? Long story short - I found out because I LOST the Magic! Through bankruptcy, divorce, homelessness, breast cancer, chemo, radiation, and isolation during the covid 19 lockdown; I went from Magician to Muggle and I am working my way back again, day-by-day. How did I do that? In studying the ingredients I needed to pull my life out of the shitstorm I found myself in, I developed a cool new super power. Turns out, I can find joy in a shitstorm! And YOU CAN TOO! It also turns out that the ingredients to make the Magic Sauce for finding joy in your shitstorms ... are THE SAME ingredients needed to connect with horses like a true Wizard. Who knew? I cracked the code! And now I am on a mission to share! Through my social media posts, podcast, workshops and courses, I aim to save YOU from the heartache of miscommunication and the pain of mechanical riding. As a bonus, this will also allow you to develop the remarkable resilience you need to thrive in the midst of chaos and to find joy in the shitstorms of your life. Hang on to your hats folks! The Magic is learnable, practice-able and teachable. It is even MEASURABLE with a handy dandy little device that monitors your nervous system state. Pretty cool, eh? So buckle up and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times; it's is going to be a Wilde and raucous ride! I hope you will join me as I share conversations with old friends and mentors; some of the most powerful Wizards in the World of Horsecraft who are also the most resilient bunch of humans you will find on the planet. Take a chance, Paige xoxox ANYTHING is possible (together!)

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