In the Moment...In the Herd

It is so easy to wish for things ahead or worry about what my happen in the future. Equally we get stuck wishing to go back to moments in our past or not moving forward for fear something will happen again. 

To live in the moment often seems hard to keep a grasp on. If I did not have horses in my life I think I would fail far more miserably at it than I do. The times when I find this the hardest are when I most need to seek out my herd. 

Spending undemanding time with a horse does something to the sole. It is ever valuable as a partnership tool but there is a wonderful calm that radiates from a horse. They are the most generous of the animals in my life. They have a amazing ability to help you find the ground  (and I don't mean pitch you out of the saddle and into the dirt. Though that is occasionally unavoidable), root into the earth and find your center. 

My herd also calls me out when I'm not in the moment with them. All those naughty behaviors, the bad rides,  the "attitude" or blowing me off.... When I look back on some of the most unsuccessful times with my horse I can often see that I was not in the moment with them. I had my own agenda of what I thought we should be doing or how advanced we should be, I was letting other frustrations in that had nothing to do with my horse,   I'm working on a time frame and can't be late to leave for my next appointment...

The great mirror that is a horse. They show you what you are doing, or not, and how you are doing it. They will call you out when you are not with them the way you should be. Whether you want to see it or not. 

The most beautiful thing about a horse is, that so long as you are never malicious  neglectful, or cruel, they will always forgive you. Every day you walk onto the farm is a new day with a clean slate. They will again hold you accountable to be the best you can be and mirror back to you everything you need to see. 

Thank you to my herd for all that you do to make me a better me which in turn will make us a better us. 

My dearest Skip and his best buddy Blue at Sunnyside Equestrian Center.