Trust Kicks it Up a Notch

I have felt a lot of emotional attachment to my animals in the short time G-d has blessed me with them. It has however, often been about getting what I wanted. Today I think Gazi and I went to the next level of a trust and I feel my heart warming.

Instead of getting mad or frustrated with him, instead I said to myself 'how can I gain his trust' I got to ride is beautiful canter =). He's such a forward horse that it’s hard to get her to just do a nice, relaxed canter. Even when I would ask him to slow down he's get more anxious because I would pull up with the reins and lean forward ala Kentucky Derby which only speeds him up and gets him a worryin' . So when I relax ... slow down and come from "okay partner.. Mr. Man, let's do it"... ah trust matters. But today it came so nicely. We were working at his “normal” pace canter when he slowed down, because he was going to trot, or go int oa super extended trot. Today, he gave me this very nice, relaxed, fluid, easy-to-sit canter. I was utterly delighted so the whole time I was just re-enforcing this most wonderful journey. And in the "circle of life", as soon as G-man realized I was so pleased, he kept trying to do it over and over again. And it made him happy that I was happy, the right kind of circle you want to be in. I was so proud of us!

When I first started riding a short three years ago, I was like most folks, you just get on and ride... Big Laugh. Now I'm very mindmful of my connection with my horse.. Especially since they are each such different personalities. It's pure and it's trusting. I'm in the present because that's what they want and need I do too actually, or I'll be in "unforced dismount mode".. If I'm thinking about the next thing, I'm not living... I'm anticipating.

Practice without anticipation and without expectation. Ah horses imitate life.

And just like G-man, we love our oats. It's what's for breakfast (or lunch in this case) adapted from wildoats.com

Apple Spice Oatmeal oat.jpg

1/2 cup steel-cut oats
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large apple, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Put all ingredients in a medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to very low. Cover and simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until oats are tender and water is mostly absorbed. Serve with sweetener of your choice with a little freshly grated nutmeg on top.

Truly a G-d and Gazi Sunday

Trot on friends, trot on.