Horsey New Year Goals

The beginning of the year! Resolutions are almost a cliché, however there is nothing wrong with making goals and setting the New Year out as a timeline to accomplish them. My Mom always stressed that we should make physical goals, academic goals, relationship goals and spiritual goals. Well, I’m adding to that list with my five “horsey” goals for the New Year.

   1.    Learn how to braid and clip (well)

This one is a little embarrassing because I feel like everyone in the horse industry has known how to braid and clip horses for ages. Except for me. I’ve read articles and read books on how to braid and clip but I have never taken the time practice and learn it hands on. This goal will take time and patience, not only on my part but on my horse’s as well. A fidgety horse would give me good practice right? Also, looking past my pride and asking friends at the barn who have experience in grooming to teach me will be an important step in achieving this goal.

   2.   Stop leaning when I jump

I hear this almost every time I have a jumping lesson. I forget until the horse stops, we rush the jump and especially when my coach yells at me. Making sure that I focus on not leaning, especially when practicing on my own. I have a fear of the horse stopping in front of or (even better) in mid jump. This has resulted in my lean-and-run-at-the-jump approach (I don’t recommend it). I’m planning on having friends video me so I can review my practice and hopefully see some progress.

   3.     Relax when I have lessons

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More confessions, I have this weird habit of trying so hard to get my position right that my entire body tenses up and I work against the horse. Then I add this extra movement in my post that my coach calls a “double post.” Usually, the horse picks up on my stiffness and the ride goes south. Before every ride I’m hoping to stretch or loosen up so that my lessons can be productive.

   4.     Get to Zone competitions in IHSA

I finally qualified for regionals in Novice on the flat and over fences. I know I’m not the best but I want to work at it and get better. I’m hoping my work and progress will help me get first or second place at the Regional show and get me to Zones!

   5.     Do at least 15 minutes of no stirrup work when I ride

This might be the hardest one for me to keep. Though when I think about it no stirrup work is smart, helpful and a great tool for improvement, when I get on a horse it somehow seems like something I should do tomorrow. No more! Even if I don’t get no stirrup time during lessons, I will try and make my self ride stirrupless for at least 15 minutes when I practice on my own. And not all at a walk either.

So here’s to the New Year and new goals. Hopefully, I’ll remember to revisit these come December and have improved. What are your horsey resolutions? Any tips on how to keep up with them? Comment below!

Losing a Horse

 

  Leaving a horse because you sell, move, stop leasing or through various other reasons is always hard. But, having to put a horse down is the hardest. I have had many pets and understand the grief and loss that comes with losing a pet. However, the bond that one has built with a horse through riding and working with them often brings the loss to a different level. I have known a few horses that have had to be put down, however until recently I had not actually witnessed the process. This changed when a horse I had just started riding shattered her leg and needed to be euthanized. The circumstances were extenuating and the barn managers made the decision they thought was best.             Anyways, after we spent a little time with her and gave her all the treats she wanted, the vet and barn staff took her out and put her down. As she went down I felt a sadness that I hadn't felt since my first rabbit died. Though it was a somber day, I learned a few things along the way.

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    Don't feel like you have to hold it in

 Everyone expresses sadness differently and everyone bonds with horses in their own way. Just because someone is not openly emotional does not mean you cannot shed tears and vice versa.

 Learn but don't dwell on it

There are so many ways which you could blame yourself for the loss of a horse.  Though you should learn from any mistakes and try your best to improve, you cannot dwell on the past and what could have happened. Learn and move on to the best of your ability.

Don't try to replace them.

You may feel the need to immediately get another or and feel frustrated when you can't seem to bond with one right away. More often than not, these things take time. Comparing every horse you come across with your old one won't help with the grieving process. Appreciate each horse for what they are.

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Remember the good times

All things pass over the course of time. Every horse, show, and good experience often end in order to make way for the future. Even bad times help us grow and appreciate the good ones. The best way to handle your loss is to smile fondly on the good times and look forward to those that are ahead.

                                                                                       Devon -May 4 2015                   

Have you lost a horse that you loved? How did you deal with it? Tell me in the comments and please subscribe.

All I Needed to Know I Learned From Horses

         

    Most horse people will tell you that horses can teach you much more than just riding skills and animal care. The atmosphere, experiences and environment if the horse world is practically a breeding ground for life lessons. Here are some of the best (and sometimes hardest) lessons I have learned while pursuing my love of horses.

Try Again - Patience

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       Practice is a staple in horse riding because nothing will ever go the same way twice. You and your horse may gel one day and the next be on opposite ends of a the ring (in more ways than one). Trying again and being patient with yourself and your horse is essential to growth. In life, patience helps you get through rough days, deal with people that are on your nerves and achieve heights that others have given up on.

Breathe - Stay Calm

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      The horse world can be extremely irritating and hectic. Horses stepping on our toes, running us over, horse show bustle and everything else can overwhelm and crush us if we do not stay calm. Especially before IHSA shows or riding a sassy horse I have learned that taking a deep breathe and saying a prayer helps me to refocus and remember my true goals. Apart from the barn, there are many things that can harry us as well. Because of the calming techniques i have learned from riding, I can breathe, pray and recalibrate my thinking faster in hectic situations so that the situation cannot control me.

Getting Back On - Resilience

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      Everyone falls but not everyone gets back on. Whenever I fall off, my instructor always makes me get back on and work through my fears. If you know you can get up off of the ground and get back on a animal that is 10 times bigger than you and ride through it, it is easier to bounce back from a bad grade, bad news and other besetting events in life.

Work First, Play Later - Responsibility

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     It is so easy to put your own wants and feelings before others and even your horse. But every good rider know that you must take care of your horse before you relax. Even in training horses you have to establish good ground work and drill the basics before you can trust your horse to play around. If you constantly put fun before work, no work will get done and the fun will quickly pass. Working on your horse, with your horse and for your horse teaches you to work hard and gives you more appreciation for the free time that follows.

Hurry Up and Wait - Flexibility

                                                           wikipedia.com

      You will hear the classic "hurry up and wait" to describe any horse show. Because of the massive amount of variables nothing will go exactly to plan. In order to stay calm and focused you have to be ready for everything and go with what the day brings. In life, there are few things that go according to our wishes. Flexibility gives us the shocks to keep going on the bumpy road of life.

Pretty Mean Horse - Don't judge the outside

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    Sometimes, the prettiest horses have the sourest attitudes and the plainest ponies consistently place well. Though one can learn so much from those difficult equines, the steady horses are superheroes in a lesson program and in teaching the essential basics. Because one of our first senses that we perceive the world around us is our sight, it is difficult for us not to judge by first impressions. However, one cannot judge people or horses by their looks. Being open and ready to get to know others before labeling them will help you to get friends and influence people in a positive way. 

Sit Back and Look Up - Staying grounded and positive

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    One of the most important lessons that I have learned in horse riding that applies so well in daily experiences in to sit back and look up. Sitting back puts your center of balance in your seat and heels making you balanced and in tune with your horse. Looking up gives you direction and clarity on what needs to be done. Sometimes, when the going gets tough, the best thing to do is sit back to ground yourself in what you believe, look up at your goals and hang on.

     So, just as I told my parents when I was convincing them to let me take horse riding lessons, I learned a lot of character traits and life lessons as I rode. Of course, I am still working on learning and understanding these lessons but the horse world has given me a jump start on them. What lessons have you learned in your experiences with horses? What lessons are you working on right now? Comment below and subscribe!