Weekend Adventures
This weekend I was fortunate enough to participate in my standard weekend adventure.
I had a fantastic ride with Apache. We took a peaceful trail ride through the pasture. She jumped the creek easily this weekend, which is a subtle improvement. Sonny was his normal "old man" self.
As for me, I was reminded that horses are great perceivers of emotion. They can sense your fear, your sadness, your frustration, your desperation. And I think Apache could tell that I was not feeling like myself. She was quiet, patient, and let me hug all over her neck. She seemed softer than normal. I felt like she was listening to me, and not from a rider and horse standpoint but as if to ask me, "friend, what's wrong?".
It reminded me of those times in high school, when my feelings would be so wounded that I would show up to the barn and spend 10 minutes sobbing into the mane of my favorite horse. They can make fantastic listeners, friends, and therapists. And I'm happy to have Apache in my life. She is a reliable source of comfort and joy to me. She tests me. She makes me a better rider, and sometimes, she likely even makes me a better person. Testing my patience, my wit, my creativity. I don't spend all my time with her making her work. I think that's been important to our bond. There have been days were we just brushed and ate treats and stood around. There have been days where I sat with her in the lean-too, in the rain, just to have a little visit. As much as she has been a source of joy and comfort to me, I aim to be the same for her. Not just a two-legged giver of apples who makes her work harder than she'd like. It's about the partnership. It's the same with people. You have to offer them the same kindness they show you. You have to be patient. Horses don't understand our language, and I have spent the time to figure hers out. But sometimes, even with people, despite the language being the same, the understanding lapses. Due to interpretation, misunderstanding, or assumptions. And all relationships should really warrant the same amount patience.
So just a friendly reminder, be kind, be patient. Cherish the relationships in your life. Putting out good vibes will bring them back to you in return.
I had a fantastic ride with Apache. We took a peaceful trail ride through the pasture. She jumped the creek easily this weekend, which is a subtle improvement. Sonny was his normal "old man" self.
As for me, I was reminded that horses are great perceivers of emotion. They can sense your fear, your sadness, your frustration, your desperation. And I think Apache could tell that I was not feeling like myself. She was quiet, patient, and let me hug all over her neck. She seemed softer than normal. I felt like she was listening to me, and not from a rider and horse standpoint but as if to ask me, "friend, what's wrong?".
It reminded me of those times in high school, when my feelings would be so wounded that I would show up to the barn and spend 10 minutes sobbing into the mane of my favorite horse. They can make fantastic listeners, friends, and therapists. And I'm happy to have Apache in my life. She is a reliable source of comfort and joy to me. She tests me. She makes me a better rider, and sometimes, she likely even makes me a better person. Testing my patience, my wit, my creativity. I don't spend all my time with her making her work. I think that's been important to our bond. There have been days were we just brushed and ate treats and stood around. There have been days where I sat with her in the lean-too, in the rain, just to have a little visit. As much as she has been a source of joy and comfort to me, I aim to be the same for her. Not just a two-legged giver of apples who makes her work harder than she'd like. It's about the partnership. It's the same with people. You have to offer them the same kindness they show you. You have to be patient. Horses don't understand our language, and I have spent the time to figure hers out. But sometimes, even with people, despite the language being the same, the understanding lapses. Due to interpretation, misunderstanding, or assumptions. And all relationships should really warrant the same amount patience.
So just a friendly reminder, be kind, be patient. Cherish the relationships in your life. Putting out good vibes will bring them back to you in return.
Sonny, all smiles
Apache
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