Always Learning

It was another glorious Thursday afternoon at the stables this week. I was very excited to ride my tall white friend again. I had my usual instructor back this Thursday. She's very good at getting the best out of me and pushing me to do better all of the time. I am grateful to her for this. I was doing the single file follow again yesterday. This was harder as the horse we were following only had his front shoes on so I really had to listen. We were working hard on getting my distances right and minus one too close stop, most went rather well. There was a lot of road work involved yesterday which was good for me as we'd been doing mostly farm hacks recently. I was getting corrected on my legs yesterday. They were too far forward so I had to work on keeping them further back so I wasn't giving my horse mixed messages. I soon kept my legs where they were meant to be. I was concentrating on keeping all of my weight in the heel during walk and trot. My rising trots became much better as a result and the instructions I was giving my gentle steed were much clearer. Because we were on the roads, we had to ensure we were sticking to the left of the road as well as moving in and out of cars that were parked. Instead of using my reins and leg to move the horse to the left or right, my instructor asked if I would keep the reins where they were and just use the leg. This was strange at first as I've just mastered moving my hands with my legs to move the horse but soon it felt much easier and he responded nicely. We got some good trots in and I was getting used to listening for the other horse's front hooves. It was made slightly harder, along with the no back shoes to listen for because of traffic but I learnt quickly to tune into that sound. There were four attempts at a canter, two of which were disastrous. This is why a horse rider should never become complacent or boastful about their abilities, because you will often be your own downfall. I lost a stirrup on the first attempt, and managed not to fall off. However, my second attempt was out of this world. I was completely in the seat, balanced and moving as one with my lovely white friend. My instructor was so confident with my ability that she let go of me on this canter and I was cantering independently for about two-thirds of the canter. That was an amazing step forward for me. My third attempt wasn't great. And I know that was my own fault. Not enough seat or leg. The fourth was pretty awesome but not as good as my second canter. I know it'll be as consistent as my trotting is before long. After the lesson was over, I untacked my wonderful friend and brushed him off, Un-plaited his tail and learnt to put his head collar on. This was a great new thing to learn and I then lead him out to the field and took off his head collar and off he went to graze and be with his friends. Overall, it was a wonderful lesson and I look forward to Tuesdays. Hopefully, I'll be learning more and more stable management stuff now the school holidays are over. I'm also hoping to enrol on a basic stable management course with the look to study an animal therapy course to be able to massage dogs and horses. It's something I've wanted to do for a while now. I massage my guide dog a lot at home, as I'm qualified as a holistic human therapist and practiced a lot on Bailey during my training. I would love to transfer those skills and adapt them to give dogs and horses relief from stress or injury. Thanks for reading as always, Until Next time, Marie

My Equine dreams

Two years ago, if you had asked me, I would have said it was impossible for me to create a career with animals in any way. Not because I couldn't think I was capable but because of others attitudes. Although I know those attitudes are still prevalent in society, I am trying to ignore them.
I will not profess to being an amazing rider or the best person at anything I do but with the continuous fights I've had and continue to have getting a job in the "commercial" world and the prejudices I face there just to get an office job, I'm not sure I'll ever win that fight so why not try to fight for something I'm at least passionate about.
If you had told me a year ago, while I was battling to master the rising trot, still clinging to my saddle, I'm pretty sure I would have laughed in your face if you'd said I'd be cantering and progressing the way I am. All I do, is listen to my instructors, read up on horses through blogs and books and most importantly, listen to the horse I'm riding.
My dreams and ambitions have changed over the last few years. A year or so ago I wanted to get into canine and equine massage and that is something I would still love to do. I know teaching riding is not really in my future but running my own school, caring for horses definitely could be.
I'm also very interested in competing. Now, how good or bad a rider I am, I'm not sure how or when that will happen but it's something I would like to give a try too. Hopefully, once my bum stays in my saddle and my cantering is much better, there will be more opportunity to do other things.
I'm not pretending I'm the best or I'm even half decent, only others could tell you how good or bad I am, but I feel like I'm progressing so that's something, right?
My grandmother always encouraged dreams, she said without dreams you have nothing to aim for. So here are mine:

• 1. I will start all of my dreaming by loaning a horse. I am in no position to buy right now and figure a part loan will ease me into the responsibility I will need to own my own one day. Mum is very supportive of this idea and we are currently on the hunt for a good loan horse. So fingers crossed that we can find one at a reasonable rate.
• 2. If permitted, I'd like to train further on this said loan horse and maybe next season try and show and enter a few local competitions. Showing seems my aim but I do want to jump and maybe do dressage too. How this will happen, we'll see as I'm not so sure the mainstream arenas are exactly going to fly for this idea.
• 3. I briefly mentioned this, but proceeding to dressage and show jumping is something I'm definitely interested in. If I can figure out which I'm better in will also be a huge bonus.
• 4. Becoming a better horse person. Whether this is by doing an equine management course or just gaining the experience. I also think a trip to a career's advisor may be in my future as I need a clear path on the career I'd like.
• 5. starting on the road to qualification to become an equine therapist. I know some people think this is beyond someone with sight impairments but I'm determined to make something of my life. I have so much to give and feel like I'm trapped right now, horses and being with my Bailey dog make me feel free and alive. Horses can be dangerous, but hey, I got run over by a number 59 bus 10 years ago too. Just because I can't see, doesn't mean I'm any less equipped to read an animal. People forget I have other senses.
• 6. Once working, or having won the lottery, [which I never do], buying some land, preferably with stables, an arena and opening my own riding school, for anyone! No matter what! Horses have proven time and time again, that their company is therapeutic and I've seen this for myself and experienced it. Dramatic as it sounds, horses have saved my life. I haven't felt as alive as I have in the past few years.

So, those are my dreams when it comes to the equine world. Far fetched? Maybe! But dreams and putting them into reality are all I have. What do I have to lose? But more importantly, what more do I have to gain?
Thanks again,
Marie