Merry Christmas to My Teacher, The Horse

I was able to go out and clean stalls today without any other plans for riding or teaching and for once I remembered what it was like in the past to own a horse or horses in a stable while faced with the many demands of life outside of the barn. The time I spent out at the stables back then, was more about maintaining than interacting with them and planning it as a learning and playful experience for both of us. I've been fortunate that I have the time to delve deep into my passion for horses. They are a vital part of who I am and what I've become. It made it all the more satisfying when I found myself sitting on the back of Image, riding her at a trot for the first time, just two days ago. This was one of my favorite Christmas gifts.

It was similar to last year when I was able to ride Chanty over at Willow Grove on Christmas Eve-that day I felt I had reached a turning point. The weather was gorgeous and I took advantage of the day. Chanty behaved beautifully and my love and respect for her soared. Since then we have gone to the park several times and there have been occasions when she has fought with me to return to the stables faster than I would want. Like little kids, horses have days when they just don't want to go along with what's being asked of them. But, because, she and I have a bond, she knows that she will have to comply even on the days she "doesn't feel like it". My challenge as the human and the leader, is to maintain my calm, confident demeanor. Being human, that doesn't always work out, but we both try to keep it together.

Now, I can expect the same of Image. She is calmer and more confident with people and she and I have a real connection. I look at her and no longer expect her to jump and run from me if I move too fast or raise a rope towards her, throwing it at her back and hip. She handles saddling and accepts the bit in her mouth. She stands still when I throw my leg over her back, whether from the mounting block or from the ground. She anticipates that I will pull on her mouth and tries to stop the whole riding process by shaking her head. But, it won't work. If I have to, I will jump off and lunge her by unclipping the rein from one side and lungeing her at a canter. She gets the idea.

I can honestly say that I feel closer to her each time I ride. With her hoof walls growing out, I am not afraid to push her physically to move out and develop the stamina and muscle tone she needs to accept more activity in the coming months. It is so exciting to have a budding relationship with a horse who I have been able to personally nurture. I have seen  the change in her emotions and I know that her brain has undergone a physiologic transformation that allows her to process her environment with greater calm and consistency. It is a quality in horses that I completely admire and envy. They are malleable, adaptable, flexible, or what ever you want to call it. We as humans do not return from the kind of stressful, dysfunctional life situations that we create in the horse and return as a whole, well balanced, productive and functioning person. Their survival has depended on it and it is what keeps me interested in learning more and more about the horse.

Image is the future for me and my life with horses and I happily join with her and Chanty on the adventures of the New Year where they will teach me even more about myself and the world we live in. Merry Christmas to my loved ones, family and friends and my teacher, the horse.