Forgiveness

As positive reinforcement trainers we often hold ourselves to extremely high standards, I think. We're on this journey due to a desire to do the right thing by our animals ethically-speaking (and we all know that path has virtually no end, there's always *something* we could be doing better). We often spend time pondering our personal training philosophies, ideals and ethical standpoints, and all of this can sometimes lead to a bit of mental self-flagellation.
Idealism can be a beautiful thing but pragmatism doesn't have to be sacrificed on the altar of noble principles. Sometimes life happens, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and a bit of self-love and forgiveness go a long way.
So if you didn't quite manage that training situation the way you'd have liked, if you accidentally forgot to check your emotional baggage at the paddock gate, if you got impatient or lost your temper, then so be it. 
Apologise. Make it right. Learn something. Let it go.

Photo credit: Bridie Rose Photography