Going the Extra Mile...

...Going the extra mile and it's NOT just for Christmas! 

I'm always reflective and a little restless at this time of year.  As I mused my way to London and back today I was considering how each Christmas brings something very different for me and for my small herd.

Last Christmas I had moved the horses to be living 1 mile from my front door which was great for me.  This Christmas I have moved them to be 12 miles from my front door - not so great for me!

I still see them every day, some days twice such as this week as Essy has a cold, bless him.  A right snotty nose.  But after 24 hours of Essential Oils (Garlic, Eucalyptus and Seaweed), the mucous seems to be abating so it wont be the feature of this posting.

The best thing about this Christmas is that despite now being 12 miles away from me, where they are is actually the best Christmas present I could have wished for, for all of us.  Here are just some of the reasons why...

It's hard to put into words the value of finding a livery manager who cares for your horses as if they were her own, and means it!  A lot throw the sentence around like confetti, but do not mean it.  Of course you don't' find out till you move in!  Some mean it when they say it, but once you've moved in you realise its an empty promise - as how they look after their horse is a marathon short of your own expectations.

This year we four have a yard manager who cares in so many ways for the well being of horses - hers or her customers. When it comes to my horses and how I like them to be cared for, nothing has been too much trouble and not once have I had to ask twice!

1. She's put down rubber matting across the yard to help them avoid walking barefoot on stones
2. She's happy with me putting buckets into the fields with essential oils in - peppermint and garlic
3. She notices any lump, bump, bang and knock and takes photos immediately to send to me for discussion
4. She pre-empts my every wish including on 'stable day's' giving them lucie brix to munch on as a change from hay
5. We've only had one 'in day' so far this winter!  She get's it - that horses need to be out roaming in fields not coped up in stables
6. She never complains about the long list of health supplements (care of Mr James Hart's wonderful solutions), to be added to feeds
7. She allows hay in the field on frosty days
8. She feeds ad lib hay and on the floor - no fan-dangle devises, hay nets, hay bars or other unnatural contraptions
9. She's open minded and eager to learn about barefoot, massage, working with herbs and oils and homeopathy
10. Shes smiley, positive and up beat all the time  - no moods, no sulks, no game playing
11. She doesn't go 'rule crazy
12. She doesn't rip off her customers and mark up wormers, or charge for her time holding a horse

But.... despite how awesome the above list feels, its topped by the depth of how much she cares.  Here's how....

1. When Essy's nose bleeds started up again 3 weeks ago (and far worse than ever before), she did her own Internet research and knew the importance of keeping Essy calm and quiet.

How many of us can say our yard managers have gone off and done their own research on your behalf or that of your horse?  With nothing 'in it for them'?  That's a first for me!

2. To push the example of 'going the extra mile' a little further, with Essy's bleeds continuing for a week, she got more concerned about what we would do if we needed to get him to hospital quickly.  I no longer have my own transport and neither does she.  Or, I should say - didn't! Yes, you guessed it - within one week she has been out and bought a yard horse box, for us all to use, pictured above.  Blimey!  That's going to be hard to beat...

3. Yet the best is still to come.... this morning I marvelled at our fortune.  Since Christmas day we've had these beautiful blue sky, cloud free, sunny days, cold but gorgeous.  Ive watched Essy and Solar loving their field, rolling each morning and at times just gazing around them at neighbouring horses, as stunned as I've been at such weather at this time of year.

Then this morning, the icing on the cake was watching Grace and her best buddy Toastie, sharing a slice of hay together in the field.  A small herd of three mares, Toastie and Grace have a particular bond.  To see Grace with other horses after 2.5 years of being next to horses but alone, is more than heart warming. More than special.  It is as breathtaking and yet as natural as the beauty nature throws us with frost, sun and blue skies.

So when all the unwrapping and cooking and drinking has been done, at this festive time, the only celebration I want to revel in is at having found Chelsea, having moved to West View and at how lucky we are to have an even better quality of life that I could only dared to imagine before now.

Happy New Year!

Love Solar Sue, Essy, Grace and me

Back to Basics

Some days you can't beat a good old fashioned Party Political Broadcast! Today it's my turn...

 

This weekend I moved my small herd of horses.  It's not a decision I take lightly.  In fact its a tough call given how stressful it can be for horses.   Any lifestyle and relocation change can be thwart with potential minefields and sometimes....

 

"the Devil you know" can be better than the devil you don't! 

 

That being said, I made the decision for all the right reasons and so we moved. 

Arriving to 'healthy presents' for the horses, a welcome card for me, horse beds to die for, the freshest looking water and more hay than I've ever seen..... the Pièce de résistance waited outside - huge paddocks with post and rail fences, with rounded corners and naturally growing Plantain.

None of which is the point of this blog.  The point is that just like politicians can be accused of lacking creativity sounding like an old record banging on about 'the basics' to win votes, I find myself guilty of the same.

What I loved about keeping my horses DIY apart from it being all my responsibility, was the belief that it didn't need to be complicated.  Keeping horses can be simple and easy - rarely cheap, but when we get it right, it can be low maintenance.

Giving horses dry, clean beds, daily fresh water and ad lib hay means we are going a long way towards maximising their  health. Add to this plenty of fresh air, turn out (24 x7 ideally) and their physical system and emotional well being are given movement and stimulation.  When it comes to prevention being better than cure this is the golden formula: 

Fresh air + Fresh Water + Forage + Freedom to move + Friendship  

= A horse chosen lifestyle!

 To go back to basics has reared its charming head today in three small ways:-

1. Do horses need feeds?  

If I strip it down then my herd only needs food for two honest reasons:  Firstly so that I can administer some James Hart Tonics and their probiotic powder daily, and secondly, when they have weight loss issues, but if health causes are ruled out then the cause of weight loss is often man made.

Bottom line: if they have enough forage (grass and hay) 

why would they need man made food? 

2. Stable or Paddock; Stable or Paddock?

Most of us crave a natural lifestyle for our horses where they can live out,  24 x 7 (age and condition dependent during the winter months).  So, why then when we have a massive paddock do we still bring them in at all?  They aren't going to school or work like we did or have to!  

Why not leave them out, check them over of course, 

attend to feet, etc but leave them out?

3. To groom or not to groom?

Ever noticed how good horses coats can look when left to nature?  Allowed to roll in dust, sand, have the sun on their backs (not through fly sheets) and have the rain massage their skin all help nature do it's thing and keep a horses skin oils in natural balance.  

Grooming the way horses do with each other for mutual gain makes sense, 

I'm not sure other motives are as justified

There are no guaranteed answers.  Each horse is individual.

As carers, we can offer our horses different levels of what they are born for, due to many different reasons.  If however, moving yards gives us an opportunity to re-assess how we keep our horses, and re-examine the basics, then the stress of moving and the uncertainty may just be well worth it.

Essy and Solar are in this scene I promise!

Lumps, bumps and black spots

My homework after Chris Day's visit was simply to observe Essy!

 

Now bear in mind that the homoeopathic pills haven't arrived yet so our remedies are not (as far as I am aware) in play... I am still seeing a lot of stuff!

Thursday as I walked up to Essy in his field exactly 24 hours after meeting Chris I noticed from a few yards back, a lump.  On the left hand side of his neck.  Here it is:

As I got closer, I then noticed on the right side of his neck,  something new also; a spherical growth of black fur!  It literally appeared overnight.  Here it is:

I have no idea what this means, if anything, nor how or why they appeared.  A friend suggested the location of the black fur spot is close to a Chakra point.  If it is, I still don't know what that might suggest beyond some movement of 'chi'.

Friday night when I arrived I noticed that black fur spot is still there, and the lump on his left side is still visible and has been joined by another lump lower down.  Here they are:

They could be bites.  They could be hives.  They could be part of some detox process.  I don't know.

On the clearly positive side, Essy is showing signs of being his old self and calling to me when I arrive at the yard, willingly walking with me round the menage AND hasn't had a nose bleed for 2 days.  Even the discharge from his left nostril is less foamy and more clear and runny.

Saturday saw a nose bleed early morning but by afternoon all lumps and bumps had gone.  Just one black patch remaining.

I will continue to monitor and observe.

I don't know how to explain some of the things I observe in Essy's healing process.  Maybe I never will.  However, I can't dismiss what I see.   I won't dismiss anything just because it doesn't fit comfortably within a paradigm of what is known, and what is fact or can be easily explained and therefore deemed to be true.

Surely if we only relate to and explore, facts and logic, it's akin to being on a train track, without any opportunity to swerve right or left, and adjust our direction away from the 'pre-set' or default - often programmed by someone else!

If we practise a life of no risk, no adventure, no going 'off-piste' we sow a seed that reinforces fear for when and if we do take a new road.

I am sure Essy is teaching me much more than I have yet realised, or tried to understand.  I am lucky; his lessons don't involve injury to myself,  but at times I wish I could swap places with him so that he wasn't the one going through whatever it is he is experiencing.  All I can do is be there, watching, ready to support in any way I can.

For now, starting last night, I'm adding a Liver tonic to his feeds as I'm certain I am seeing liver activity erupt before me.  We've been there once before (see my post called 'Experts on; Experts off), so I should be getting smarter now at 'spotting' the signs early!

The Hallmark of An Action Plan

"Whatever is flexible and living will tend to grow; 

 

 whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die."

-   Lao Tzu (ancient Chinese philosopher)

Essy's Medical update

"FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game" if we are to bend, not break, like Bamboo in the wind, and adjust to what life has waiting for us!

In business leadership the nimble skill of weathering a recession or expanding into new markets requires a level of improvisation and therefore flexibility.

Is instinct the same as improvisation?  Can one be born from the other?

Over the last 2 years, Ive resisted as long as I could any operation on Essy to further diagnose the source of his one nostril nose bleeds, led largely by my instinct in opposition with my vet.

The only operation (last summer) he has had so far, which did entail drilling a hole in between his eyes did not reach the source of the nose bleed.  Did not diagnose the problem.  It was of no help whatsoever.  The biopsy was inconclusive.  It cost money that the insurance company wouldn't cover as the nose bleeds were ongoing, but most importantly it put my boy through an inevitable massive headache, trauma to his head and face, four weeks of box rest and a bandage round his face with the risk of infection in mid August when we had the hottest weather for ages.  

I was not expecting them to drill that day.  They were supposed to be re-scoping and coming back to me (and my friend waiting anxiously in the vets office) to discuss what to do next.  You've never seen two more shocked humans than us two when we were invited back to see what they had found.  What we saw was their fingers inside Essy's head, together with a long tube and camera.  My friend left quickly out and I hung on in struggling to be brave for Essy. (Proof again, I am a coward)! 

Now, 6 months on, I made the decision to have a CT Scan to see if once and for all we could determine the nature of the problem.  To be truthful my biggest fear was that it wouldn't help much and in a way that fear has come true.

1. There is no tumour (good news)
2. There is however an Ethmoid Hematoma. 
3. Problem is it is in an 'unusual' location so surgery to remove it will be very 'challenging' said the RVC vet who specialises in this surgery and does it often.  At least two holes will need to be drilled into his head, one below his left eye, the other will be re-opened from last summer.
4. Normally there is another option for dealing with these EH's i.e. to drain them by scoping, and injecting into the EH Formalin, once every week over a period of weeks.
5. The problem is that the location of Essy' means this isn't an option for us.  The ET is touching against the cribriform plate which is against the brain.  Should Formalin enter the brain seizures or worse could result.

So Essy and I now have to live out the reality of needing to adjust and respond appropriately to each new day and changing situation, symptom or diagnosis.  Given that our situation is kind of new, (for us and the vets) it seems pointless looking for ‘tick-box’ solutions or trying to “do it by the book”.  I am not against vets or their advice.  I do not know better (far from it).   But nothing about my own life or that of my horses is 'text book material' so why would I expect any of our challenges to fall neatly into a "Manual of How To....?" Deep down I still believe Essy's nose bleeds has an emotional link.

Our ability to adapt and embrace flexibility is an important reason we have survived as human beings. Unfortunately, as people move into positions of authority and power, this natural capability often becomes compromised. It starts to atrophy, replaced by more rigid thinking, a reliance on systems, procedures and bureaucracies.  My challenge now is to be flexible in my thinking and stay nimble and able to adapt.

 

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives,

 nor the most intelligent,

 it is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

- Charles Darwin (Naturalist)

My plan of action has three parts:

1. - Have an overall plan
2. - Remain "present", day by day
3. - Be ready to change the plan!

My own stress level management programme is always facilitated if I have a plan and can start to action it.   However, the need for loving Essy each day with all my heart means I have to stay present, more than ever before.  Without an "in the moment" mindset we can't fight this things with love, healing, joy and the shear will to live.  In stead I think we are left fighting from fear, dread and pain.

The Hallmarks (defined as 'distinguishing characters and features') of my Plan so far are:-

Step 1: The power of now! A renewed focus on being present, in the moment

Step 2: Distant Healing from a dear friend who has offered her love and help

Step 3: Reiki as often as we can ideally weekly as a minimum

Step 4: Self Selection of Herbs and Oils to support him - with the help of Naturally Animals and iridologist Catherine Edwards

Step 5: James Hart tonics  - to be explored which could help, if any

Step 6: Red light therapy - although I'm not sure where to put it as the EH is deep in his head.  What is clear is that the location where the vets thought it was (below his eye) is NOT the right place.  Funny thing is that every time I've put the light there, believing it might be doing some good, Essy has uncharacteristically, not stood still, not been happy.  My god did he know all along it was the wrong spot?

Step 7: A three way talk with Margrit (in the diary) to check on headaches, discomfort and to openly talk about giving me signs that things aren't good.  Fear of not having an open line of communication will be the only thing that gets me through that conversation and the floods of tears that are sure to rain down on us.
 
Step 8: Reflection; daily! I will need more than ever to develop reflection.  To learn to reflect more on what is happening in the moment.... As reflection does not come naturally to me, again I revert to a plan of 'how I will do that'.

So far, it looks like consciously thinking about, sensing, and tuning into ....

• What is happening right now?
• How am I/ is Essy feeling in this moment and why?
• What is not being said?
• What is his body language telling me?
• What I am feeling inside my body?
• What ideas, thoughts or feelings or images are coming to mind at the moment?
• What are others sensing, picking up on right now?
• How are my other horses behaving towards Essy?
• What is the state of his general health, coat condition, skin, hair, muscle tone, curiosity levels, appetite, and activity levels telling me?
• What do I, and what does he, want to create - right now?

Step 9: Living Positively:  I want to build into my plan, trips out.  In hand as I retired him on February 10th 2013 at his request.  Can we go to the New Forest again?  The beach?  A forge?  What great trips out can we plan at home or away?  I already know we'll picnic in the field as we did last summer after his head drilling escapade.  My wonderful music teacher is coming to visit the horses in the field and play her Alpine Horn, I may do a little trilling on the flute! Its about looking for the light in each day, following the fun, lingering in laughter, and keeping our minds stimulated with the new.


Beyond that, the plan hasn't yet developed, but then I haven't gone around that next corner yet, to see what's ahead.  Any offers of advise or guidance will be greatly received before I drive accidentally off the skid pan and into obscurity!

Wakey; Wakey - MOT's & Emotional Audits Calling!

“Intolerance of your present creates your future”...

 

...A popular saying but do we know what it means and how to turn it to our advantage?

Similar expressions include "if we keep doing what we've always done, we'll continue to get what we've always got".  I've heard it say that insanity is "doing the same things but expecting different results"

What links these sayings is our ability to change our mind set - to experience a paradigm shift. That seems to be the one constant in my life since Essy hit me with his message that "humans have to wake up".

Waking up doesn't have to mean knowing exactly where we are heading in life, but it does mean taking more than an idol curiosity in the journey.  It means asking questions of ourselves and taking an active part in the proceedings not just going with the flow.  It can mean challenging expectations and norms, paying attention to things that go wrong - illnesses and injuries, relationship changes, people that show up and opportunities that catch your attention.

NOTICE WHAT YOU NOTICE and you'll wake up!

I'm always impressed by the work people will put in to changing their lives or their own behaviour.  Two recent examples include a man I am working with who is determined to conquer his anger and rage and not lose the one lady in his life who means everything to him.  Then there is a middle aged lady whose ridden all her life but had recently had a few falls from her new youngster - causing her to stop in her tracks and reassess what she's doing and why. 

Two different but similar scenarios. Both want to change and get to grips with their demons and stop their present reality becoming their future. Both are willing to do the work!  Both are learning the value of being honest (with self and others) and how to have self compassion.  

People get it!  When we are in pain (emotional, physical, or spiritual) we have all it takes to create whatever future we desire.

We have to want change

We have to be dissatisfied with the present

We have to do some work

Creating a new future means changing in the present - what we do, what we say, why and to whom.  Knowing WHY we do and say the things we do, in the present, means delving into our past.  Delving not dwelling; and there's a big difference!

What has been so powerful in working with Margrit Coates is that it has opened up to me my horses' past - 'pre me' - it has filled in some of the gaps that until then I'd only been able to make guesses about.  Going forward I don't think I'd even BUY a horse without asking Margrit to visit first. Seriously. Think about it; when we date a new partner, or interview for a new job we want to hear all about their past - experiences, successes as well as plans for the future.  With practise and experience we learn to spot the potential 'train wrecks' ahead of time and step off or say "no"!

When buying a new horse (or taking one on loan) we road test them mounted, we check their stable manners, and get the vet to do the physical MOT.  Who does the emotional audit? How do we know what we are getting into from an emotional fitness perspective, with a horse?

Why wouldn't we want to know more about the horses past trauma, treatment, fears, ability to cope with pressure, attitude towards work, comfort under saddle etc?  Wouldn't that tell us as much (if not more) about the likely quality of the relationship we will have with that horse,  than any vet check?  I'm not against vet checks.  I'm not saying don't have one.  I'm saying don't stop there!

When we pay for a 5 stage vet check often we want to rule out future costly injuries, illnesses. Yet we might want to remember that most cases of emotional in-balance will also manifest itself as illness, lameness, poor condition etc.  Any compromised or stressed internal organ will result in a sick horse.  Internal organ health can not be seen by a vet.  Blood tests aren't always accurate enough to show up problems. Besides which, without a history of regular blood tests for that horse its an isolated picture without any context for what is "normal" health and well being for him or her.

We have to have a way to check below the surface and not just focus on what we can see!

This is a picture of Essy in November 2010 - not a well boy!  After £2000 of vet checks, tests, steroids, blood tests, skin analysis, allergy testing, bedding changes, stable sterilisation, box rest, new rugs, new grooming brushes, dietary elimination,  we had no cause and no solution.

I'm not blaming the vets but feeling miserable and desperate to help Essy, I went holistic.  I found Equine Iridology.  It diagnosed a seriously stressed kidney and liver problem not revealed by blood tests.  The solution....?  HERBS!

After less than one week on a James Hart Liver Tonic and Dandelion Root (daily) every lump had gone and did not return.  With careful management it should not reoccur. 

Whenever I suspect Essy's immune system is struggling I put him back on a Tonic to suit the symptoms. Essy, Solar Sue and Grace now have a large offering of self selection herbs offered to them daily. They select the ones they need.  As I'm no expert in how nature works to restore an animals health I will quote others research and point out that only this week the Daily Mail reported on Oregano's amazing anti-bacterial properties.

Oregano can beat MRSA said the researched based article.  It is more effective than any man made product at fighting the bacteria!

The world is waking up!  We are waking up.  Our horses are helping us.  If Essy hadn't had this terrible break out I wouldn't have turned to Iridology, found James Hart's Tonics, or discovered the power of herbs and essential oils for healing, health and well being.

I didn't wake up one morning in 2010 and think to myself - "I must explore the power of Margarine and Parsley!"  Nor did I (consciously) wish a poorly horse upon myself.  But, what if....I needed to step up and wake up to another level? What if I am here to help prove the value in not giving up on our horses (or ourselves)?  What if.....I don't even know why this happened - yet!

Then for me to wake up I had to have a sick horse to learn from. (Another extraordinary example of  selfless giving from our horses).  How much responsibility would I be willing to take, versus leaving it to the vets?  How open minded was I to other solutions that help me discover more about a horse, its' nature, it's true needs and make up?

The mind shift that happened as a result - I could not have imagined.  What I know now is that Einstein was nothing short of legendary when he said:

"no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it"

I am convinced that if we want to wake up then our horses will open up to us many new and exciting options to explore that will raise our levels of consciousness.

Going forward,

* Would I want to know if my horse had a compromised immune system?  

Yes. 

* Would I consider iridology as part of my pre-purchase 'health check' MOT?  

Yes.  

* Would I want to know how to bring out the best of my horses emotionally? 

Yes.  

* Would I invest in an Animal Communicator as part of my 'pre-purchase' routine?  

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Would this be additional expense? In literal terms yes.  Experts cost money.  What's the upside?  Analytically speaking: if I want a return on my horse investment I'd say the odds are looking good the more I check out upfront-  I'd know all sides of my balance sheet not just what makes up the revenues - the glory piece!

Would I walk away from a horse who presented concerns based on either of my new pre-purchase checks?  That depends.   After all, waking up doesn't mean a guarantee of always making a smart decision!  Doesn't the fun of being human entail getting it right sometimes, and other times, not!

The good news is that waking up actually means that even when we get it wrong -we get it right!  Providing we notice! Providing we listen, learn and grow a little more from the experience. Then, every event or encounter becomes an important part of what we draw from for the future.  If its true that 'today is determined by the past, tomorrow is determined by today' then wouldn't we want to spend today wide awake; soaking up life's little details that fill the wind and inspire our heart?

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.99

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.99

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.

“You can have anything you want - if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.”

Daily Mail Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1088893/MRSA-wiped--OREGANO-say-British-scientists.html

Let Food (or Parelli) Be Your Medicine said Hippocrates!

Last night I was asked "If I miss riding" (given that Essy and Solar Sue are retired and Grace is currently not in work).

I thought for a second then realised that actually "no; I don't'!

I do miss playing polo.  I miss some aspects of riding such as the thrill of speed and power, and I do miss looking forward to riding, but because I expect to be riding again, I've not considered 'not riding', until tonight. 

So what is my 'food' equivalent for my well being if I'm not riding? If we aren't riding our horses what's the point of having them?

Truth is I'm having a blast just enjoying spending time with them, observing them,  'being' with them,  sitting in the field with them, watching them graze, learning Parelli, practising 'in-hand' and letting them self select their herbs.

Honestly I don't know how I ever found the time to ride in the first place!

My summer has been full of 'mental and soul food' : I've had new horizons and learning opportunities open up for me, including Animal communicators, Herbalists, Homoeopathic Vets and inspiring women saving Pandas, Lions and Whales.

I've been on courses that have expanded my awareness into all sorts of new directions that are nurturing this blog. I've been joined by a new found interest in horses from my elderly mum, and we've been on walks with the horses exploring the property.

My knowledge of food as a medicine for my horses has come on leaps and bounds after time spent with James Hart: a wonderful man whose career is a work of art for horse health and well being.  What he doesn't know about herbs isn't worth a bird song.

A day spent brewing herbs in neat Gin really was my idea of  'navana'!

As an example, I learned....

1. Ginger has over 500 compounds in it - so much diversity that it's resistance free
2. St John's Wort is prescribed 10 x more in Germany than Prozac as an anti-depressant
3. Nettles prevent kidney stones
4. Ragwort is a bi-annual so once it flowers and dies it's done
5. Comfrey is superior to diclofenac in studies conducted in 2007
6. Valerian is FEI banned because it works as a calmer
7. Products with extract ratios higher than 1:10 is a waste of money
8. Neem Oil and Wormwood are great for Fly control
9. Raw cabbage (not red) is great for ulcers
10. Nettles have higher Vit C level than any other fruit
11. Calendular Macerate prevents proud flesh (testing this out with Essy's head wound now)

Instead of riding, time spent hand grazing Essy for 2 hours a day has given me plenty of thinking and observation time.  It's been a tonic to have the chance to watch the clouds roll by;  a murder of crows pick at a field; rabbits scampering around and Red Kites call as they soar above. 

I've read books while we graze and composed blogs in my head. I've noticed Plantain now growing in the fields, and noted which of my horses savours which parts of a thistle plant.

As Pat Parelli says "the best place to develop a relationship with a horse is on the ground".  That's lucky for me right now!  He also says "Relationships first".

There are days where I feel my ridden work has for sure gone forwards one step and backwards 3 steps! But our relationships the four of us, and the three of my horses together, has grown notably.

If I am to put principles into practise that resonate like the Parelli "Good, Better, Best, never let it rest" concept, then I'm reminded that where we are today is heading towards a better place, right before the best of places, and once we're there there, they'll be another level to start us off again.

Today, Grace couldn't maintain mental stability in her circle pattern work on a long line. Whether or not I miss riding; I'm not going to get on her when something or nothing sets her off and both front feet go vertical into the air.  Control over my horse's feet is important to me before riding Grace again.

The pair of us need to get our act together if we are to be partners when I'm in the saddle.  Grace chooses when to pay attention. I drive my car drifting in and out of attention! Neither of us have our mental game together yet.  Time is the one thing that I want to use to our advantage so that we can come to understand each other better and both grow smarter along the way.

The food that I want to be my medicine is that in whatever my horses and I do, that my horses get all the credit and none of the blame and we all have fun in the process!