Better
So lately I've been mentioning goals. That I have them, that at times they seem completely insurmountable, and that they are the driving force of everything I try to pursue. But since spring I noticed that I haven't exactly been setting myself up for a huge amount of success with them. The amount of pressure I've been exerting on myself has been detrimental to any sort of success that came my way. So I forced myself to take a step back and evaluate exactly how I've been approaching my situation. I found that that instead of hyper focusing on everything I should only
Back to Work
As I mentioned in my last post I was kind of stuck in a rut for a bit when it came to my training, today I think I took a step forward. I've said multiple times that I have high expectations for my horse but more so for me, and in the past and sometimes present these expectations have been detrimental. I think the biggest lesson I have managed to learn so far is that sometimes it's those small inconsequential moments that matter more than the endgame. That enjoying the journey and staying in the present is far more important than over thinking
Tested
There comes a time I think in everyone's training journey when you feel this immense sense of faithlessness. Because, lets face it training can be a thankless process at times. You work on something at tedium and results may not show up until weeks or even months later. Our culture is that of instant gratitude so it's only natural to feel some frustration. And it's in this limbo that I've been stuck in since summer. I have high expectations for myself and my horse and when I feel they aren't met it's hard for me to process. At times like this, when I feel
CANTER
Today I wasn't able to make it out to the barn. I have seasonal allergies and unfortunately they were out full force. So instead of talking about the training Achates and I have been doing I wanted to take a second to highlight the wonderful organization I got my horse from. CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) is a great organization that helps place ex-racehorses in loving homes. For horses who aren't able to be purchased right away, due to an injury or any other physical condition, they take the time to rehab them and get them to the point where
Wash Stall!
Today our barn added a wonderful new feature . . . a wash stall! Can't even explain how excited this makes me. Of course Achates and I had to try it out. This takes a bunch of the hassle out of trying to hose him off. I can't wait to give him a bath in it tomorrow, if the weather holds up. In other, less exciting news I've started to take inventory of all of my equipment. And it has been the most annoying/tedious task I've had to do in a long time. I know what you're thinking, is that really necessary, and yes,
Funny Business
I'll be the first person to acknowledge that I'm serious in my training and at times a bit too serious. To me every moment that I'm around my horse is usually spent trying to figure out how I can better the both of us. Or more accurately what I can be doing better. So I'm surprised to say that our training has become a bit more playful over the past week or so. I'm even more surprised to say that his training is progressing faster since we made this shift. Admittedly, I do get arena bound. And with show season coming up my focus
Reflection
So it has been a REALLY long time since I updated this blog. I honestly don't have an excuse for this laziness, but a couple of events have been key in keeping me away. About a week after my last post my trainer was rushed to the hospital. As much as I don't want to admit it this event shook up my world more than I care to admit. My trainer, Dorothy, has been a major part of my life since I was 18. The thought, or idea that she wouldn't or might not ever be there again seemed unfathomable. Aside from my
Less is More
After working Achates today I also worked with one of my trainer's horses. Bling is an adorable paint pony who is as sassy as he is cute. Whenever I'm working a horse in our indoor arena he comes up by the back gate and scrapes his teeth on it incessantly until I look up and acknowledge him. I haven't worked with him to much so I decided to stick to lunging him for right now. This way I was able to see how he was moving and balancing himself. I decided to use some side reins as a training aid. I know, when
Breakthrough Moments
I've been really reluctant to post anything for the past couple of days. Mostly because I wanted to hold on to the wonderful feeling that these past few days of training Achates has given me. As anybody who works with or trains horses will know, not everyday is a "breakthrough day". Most days are like chipping away at a block of marble. You have the finished image of what the sculpture will look like in your mind, but the actuality of what's in front of you is far from it. But every once in a while something will come upon you out of
Mental
Today I wasn't able to get to the barn. When I texted my trainer about my disappointment she brought up something I rarely put into action. She told me to ride mentally. Why I've never put this idea into effect is beyond me, it seems like the obvious way to keep your mind engaged even when you're away from your horse. Since my main issue with Achates is getting him to come through and forward I pictured myself riding him this way. I felt him moving balanced underneath me, and light in my hands. I went through an Intro level test and rode