I don't often treat myself but when I do -and typical for us #horsepeople- it has to do with #horses. The past few years have been complex, and sometimes difficult, but always wondrous because of horses. And now I'm about to embark on one of the biggest moves of my life, wondering and fretting about what lies ahead in the unknown, so I decided to go all in and treat myself with a long-held dream before I go: #CustomBoots.
As I dreamt away and stalked every equestrian boot page on social media for months and months, I came across an artisan in South Africa making beautiful boots. It was a risk to send my heard-earned money and all my hopes to someone I didn't know, half way around the world, but it was also an exciting adventure and connection. And a hopeful one, because from the first communication with Thabang Ncube of @everride_equestrian , I saw a true artist and a special person. We hit some obstacles with shipping at first, so we had to be patient and find the right options to get the boots here. Thabang showed his mettle, persevered, and found a way, with his honesty and drive shining through at all times.
And the boots... well take a look for yourself. The inspiration for these beauties was my County Saddlery - Saddles & Saddle Fitting Epiphany #dressage #saddle with white welting and faux croc cantle. Some of you may know I named her "Florence," in honor of Florence Nightingale (another Brit who really knew how to put your body right!). I rode in my matching boots and saddle today, together for the first time, and I felt like I had reached Nirvana. I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need a treat or, in this case, the treat of a lifetime for the move of a lifetime. 💝 Thank you, Thabang, for making my one and only custom boots the embodiment of a #LifelongDream !
P.S. I'll take suggestions for naming these beautiful twin sisters! 😉
Yesterday I taught a young student who's having to work on some hard behaviors to extinguish in the horse she's riding. It will take time, and it will be frustrating, but slow and steady will win the race, and so will taking breaks. Stopping to breathe, to think, and to find ways to break the tension is essential when facing a problem.
Prince is the glaring example of the importance and effect of dispelling tension. He's the horse I've been riding bridleless, after he continuously got tense and stressed when ridden with a bit, no matter how mild. Bridleless he is quiet and rhythmic and today, after working hard on bending and riding from the seat, I remembered the importance of play to raise serotonin and dispel tension. This "good mood" hormone is essential for getting through the day, for human and non-human animals alike. So today we played soccer because it's okay (and necessary) to just have fun!
#HorsesMakeUsBetterHumans
#HorseLife
#HorsingAround
No, it's not me they're running for, it's the food, but it still feels awesome!
#HorsesSaveMeEveryDay
#HorseLife
Wow, what a way to end the year! To anybody else it may have looked like a simple trail ride but to me -and after a whole month of bronchitis, pneumonia, and who knows what else that has been keeping me down- it felt like the very essence of life coming back!
My day started with a lengthy conversation with a dear old man in his 90s, whom I've seen around regularly driving in his golf cart, but to whom -much to my shame-, I had never spoken. All that had been needed all along was for me to ask if he needed anything, and from there I heard a wondrous tale of life started in the United Kingdom, of a wonderful wife gone 10 years ago whom he still misses every day, and of the horse life she left him with, even though he was originally a shipyard man. How have I missed out on this man's wonderful life for the past 3 years that I have seen him drive up and down? Absolutely my loss, and one that I need to remedy in the coming year.
Then a young family came along, and the kids and I talked as we groomed my horse and got her ready for a ride. At the end of our encounter (or so I thought) I discovered that they lived just on the other side of the woods from a field where I like to ride, so we agreed that I would follow the line of the woods as they walked home, in hopes we could stay in touch throughout the ride. The result is that my horse and I discovered a trail we had never even noticed before, and one that allowed us a reencounter with the family, with just a small creek between us. Just behind their house, and just across from my favorite field. As if that weren't enough, I then discovered that if I followed that trail further, it provided me with yet another way to get to a familiar area where I like to ride, the search for which typically gets me lost!
I'm not too proud to admit that this month of on-again, off-again illness was really starting to get me down. Life is busy and complicated for everybody, and people forget about you when you are out of sight. To make
December has continued to be trying health-wise; every time I thought I was done with this illness, it pulled me back in. It put me back in bed the past few days for the second time this month and still, I am so much luckier than most. Nothing reminds me of that more, than every time I get to see my horse. Even if all I can do is come out to feed her, I get to come out to feed her. I get to be with a horse, and she's my horse, my best friend of almost 23 years. Every moment with her is a blessing, and I can only wish that you all have the kind of happiness and peace she brings to my life. Wishing everyone a happy holiday season, and the opportunity to take some quiet time off with those you love the most!
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