The Larsen Group

Circles of Change:  Conversations with Dr. Zara Larsen

 on Change Leadership and Career Fulfillment

March 23, 2008

“The Groundwork of Change:  Hold Your Heart in Your Hand”

Guest:  Clay Harper, Natural Horse Trainer, Clay Harper, Inc. 

Anchoring Points:

1. My ultimate goal – my dream – was to become a professional horse trainer, but I didn’t know how or when this would happen.

• A journey of over 40 years, from my first ride at age three to saving every penny to rent horses, to ultimately rodeo-ing and wrangling part or full time while living in four states.  Arizona, Wyoming, California, Colorado.
• I didn’t know as much as I thought I knew, so I returned to school in 2000.

2. There are times when we all need to separate ourselves from our childhoods, upbringings and professional pasts, but in time, accepting everything as part of who we are.

• A feisty Appaloosa at a stable below the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles saved my life, and I saved his.

3. My forte became working with problem horses “on the ground”, eye-to-eye, getting into their heads to uncover the holes and rebuild trust, respect, and work with me in a transformative experience.  Most have been pushed too hard, too fast and never given a chance to trust.

• Holding your heart in your hand changes YOUR demeanor. When you hold your heart in your hand and understand what it is, you will know what to do at any time in any situation, to help your horse be all he can be.
• This isn’t a hierarchy or control from the saddle.  We are side-by-side.
• As it unfolds, my work isn’t just about the horse, it’s about helping people, too, to be better people.

4. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Don’t put any negative energy out there, nor take advantage of others ever.  Period.

5. When one door closes, another door opens. Circumstances force us to be open to change.  Angels do appear, so long as you don’t become paralyzed by your fears. We just have to move on.

Additional Thoughts from Dr. Zara Larsen: 

1. “It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts.” John Wooden
2. We can’t let the good get in the way of the better, even though we may not know what the better is yet.  As sailors know, you can’t cross the ocean without loosing sight of the shore.
3. Your calling may be right in front of you, but you may not see it nor hear how others are guiding you towards it because you are distracted or, on the other hand, trying to force it to surface.  Consider patience, surrendering to a process, and believing that your life is a miracle unfolding.