It happens . . . letting your mind wander, beginning to think of something else . . . doing several things at one time . . . we all do it.  We can’t help but do it.  In a society of “MTing” (multi-tasking), it’s not only easy to do, but also encouraged.  We stop living in the “now” and forget that life is happening every moment around us and if we aren’t in it, we are just missing it!

Recently a friend had a mishap with her young gelding that until this point had been quite easy going and seemingly very relaxed.  My friend was feeling very confident about his attitude and his nature in general.  She admitted there had been signs in the last few weeks and the lack of consistency in working together that “Bay” and my friend had been missing.  Work, lack of facility and weather had played a big part in her inability to have consistency.

Thankfully, what happened to my friend will not have a long term impact on her physically.  Her biggest barrier may be regaining confidence, but this too she will overcome. 

The import of this moment, reminded me that when I am riding, THAT is where I should be.  A well renowned horseman has said during clinics I have ridden in, “when you ride you shouldn’t be thinking about what you are going to cook ‘honey’ for dinner, how that new person next to you is doing on their horse, what your boss is going to need from you at work the next day, what time the kids have to be at practice, what chores you have to get done before you leave the barn” or any other sundry list of things.  Your mind should be on you and your horse and the relationship you are building.

So the next time I ride and in all future things hereafter, my goal and my hope will be to be in the “NOW” because that’s where my horse is and that is where we will experience true feel, timing and balance.  Be present in life right now!

“What do you think,” my friend asked excitedly!  She had just shown me all around the horse property she was going to be renting.  It included a terrific brick ten-stall barn with a neat, clean loft apartment above it where she would be living.  The property had a nice sized outdoor arena and six small pastures.  This opportunity would allow her to have her horses at home while running a small boarding facility in an upscale suburb of the city.  Wow, what a find! 

There was a lot of cleaning to do, but being able to envision the place full of boarders and invigorated with life and the right energy made me smile too!  “I couldn’t be happier for you.  What a great deal.” 

The barn just needed a good cleaning and a bit of paint to freshen and lighten the environment.  It’s amazing what those two things can do for any place.

I reminded her that as long as the stalls and the turnouts were clean and had pasture or hay, the horses would be fine.  The “eye appeal” of the property is all about the owner.  Funny, how that works, isn’t it?  Just look at any catalog jammed packed full of horse stuff and realize who the stuff is really meant to satisfy.  A horse doesn’t require three-fourths of the products displayed in a catalog.    

We talked about all the ways she could make it marketable and the assets the property offered and how she could make this venture profitable.  With the landowner’s great reputation and the previous trainer’s valuable input, this was definitely a project that would have a future.  We talked about how she could market the place. The previous trainer had been hunter/jumper and marketed to that.  My friend’s vision was different.  

We talked about barn rules and realizing that this will be a great management opportunity for her as well.  She realized the necessity and the import of establishing clear communication with her boarders.  If you have ever been around a boarding facility in any capacity, you know what I’m talking about.

As I left my friend that afternoon, I realized the amount of responsibility, dedication, hard work and the true test that this experience would give her, not only as a horse owner, but also as a business woman.  Wow, what an opportunity!

I am sure someone is asking, “Why ‘The Real Horse’?”  Simple really.

“Horses are four feet with attitude,” a dear friend once told me . . . Living, breathing, thinking and full of their own opinions.  Why do horses behave certain ways?  Why can one ride be perfect and the next ride go so wrong?  BECAUSE THEY ARE HORSES THAT’S WHY!  A true horseman knows this!

I have found that too many people have a fantasy belief about horses.  A horse represents freedom, nobility, beauty and grace.  However, having a horse is truly a lifestyle.  Horses are not golf clubs or motorcycles to be stuck in the garage at the end of a ride.

There is daily work associated with having a horse --- hmmmm – like the post office --- through wind, sleet, snow, rain and heat, the horse needs to be cared for.  I can almost guarantee that on the coldest and wettest day of the year, there will be an emergency that arises and requires your attention outside with a horse.

Why people own horses are many.  Though the reasons are hopefully because they love being around them, they enjoy riding and they want to provide good homes to them.  One of the saddest reasons is for status.  It’s interesting to see that there are people that think they can impress others because they own a horse.  So in this relationship, which one do you think suffers?

Part of owning a horse is caring for it daily, riding and learning about the horse.  This builds a rapport, a partnership of trust and respect.

Horses, like all other pets deserve for us to take our ownership responsibility seriously.  Remember, at the end of the day after you are done with your fantasy of playing dress up and ride the pony, the horse is not a piece of sports equipment.

So if you want a sure thing, really, you should just buy a motorcycle!

Well, what a day!    Just as a note, I am in no way a show veteran!  I keep hearing that showing builds character and seasoning for you and your horse!

So Tripper & I went to the Henry County Open 4-H Show yesterday!  Our first achievement was showing in an English class and we both looked great!  Who could have guessed!?!?!  We walked, we trotted and we cantered!  Boy, did we canter!  Since I had only ridden in a dressage  saddle on five previous occasions and I had NEVER actually cantered or loped in one ---- I knew it could get interesting!  I tried to remember what my mentors have told me --- you are riding the horse, not the saddle.   Hmmmmmm! 

Actually, it was terrific until, Tripper, my trusty steed, had a few moments of exuberance and glee!  Now mind you I don't mean meanness, just happy and feeling good and OM GOSH right in front of the "Judge" -- yes, RIGHT IN FRONT of the Judge, he started to "crow hop" as we were supposed to be "cantering!"  Well friends, it got a little "western" but I stayed on amazingly and kept right on riding and maybe smiling too!   What an accomplishment!  Hey and by the way, I got a thumbs up from the Judge! 

As if that wasn't enough, we had to do the clothing and tack change not to mention in 90 degree temps.  Ahh, this is building character, I reminded myself.  Thankfully, I had a show "Auntie" who helped me through it.  And three very quick classes later, I am showing Walk, Trot, Lope and as the class ends and we line up in front of the Judge (yet again), well, it hit me that I had forgotten my back number from the back of jacket!  UGGGH!!! 

After that class I rushed back to the trailer to grab my number!  We showed in seven classes that day and placed in two!  We won a little money --- maybe enough to cover the gas over --- well, maybe!  But boy, was it a sense of accomplishment!