Resolutions

Duke learning to ride Bucky, May 2011

  About January 10th is when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. I like the turn of the new year; it makes me feel like I have a fresh start. I typically don't make “resolutions” for the very reason just mentioned. Or maybe I really do, I just don’t care to admit it... What I really like is the opportunity to reflect on the year past, and look forward to the next chapter.

At the beginning of 2011, I made a list of horsemanship goals that I wanted to accomplish. Some were specific, such as sending in my Parelli level 3 audition. Some were a little more vague, such as just enjoying my horses. As I looked back on this list, and what I actually did in 2011, I was quite surprised at the difference between the things that I for some reason did not even attempt, and the things that were not even on my list that I was able to accomplish.

At a horsemanship clinic with Riley, November 2011

One thing that seemed to characterize my year was a propensity to injury. Early on in 2011, I turned 30. That, I believe, was my first mistake. Shortly after, I sustained a giant lump on the noggin during one of my first play sessions with Zeta. A few months later, I received a swift kick in the gut from my girl Lucy while doing some ground driving. I believe I made it through summer without much incident, but must have been keenly developing my sense of inbalance, because in early fall, I began to come off horses.

The first was Innocence, a lovely horse that I have never wanted to ride, primarily because of her knack for “athleticism”. This incident dealt me a nastily bruised tailbone and a nicely shaken sense of confidence. I then hit the dust while taking a casual bareback ride on Zeta (thankfully she is not too far from the ground). Then I received a few warning bucks from Riley and Ziggy, which started me thinking... is every horse I ride going to try to buck me off? Finally, my dear Lucy unseated me during our first poles run at a local gaming show. In the middle of the arena. At a full gallop. In front of everyone.

My first ride with Zeta, June 2011

Looking back, however, has its merit. My first bump with Zeta turned into building a relationship, and proudly being able to ride her and trust her. The dangerous driving I did with Lucy, though it had shaken my confidence, caused me to work even harder in that zone. We ended up hitching to a cart in August. Her first hitch was, I can only assume, one of the most serene and lovely of them in the history of the world. The hard landings I had off of Innocence and Lucy caused me to take notice of my physical status and work to fix it. And that miserable buck from Riley did turn into a canter at a clinic in November. 

Lucy's first hitch, August 2011

A lot of other strange things happened in 2011, and just like we do, the horses remember them all. Research shows that horses remember people and learning experiences longer than ten years after being separated from them. And yet, I can give personal testament to how though they remember it all, they also forgive and move on.

How Lucy spent the hurricane of 2011

I am so grateful to know that no matter what has happened in the past, my horses live in the present moment. They are always open to the perfect new experience which can change everything. Every moment provides a fresh opportunity to live life new and better. No need for resolutions. 

Horse-sledding, January 2011