The weather this week was amazing and you'd best believe that I soaked up every second of it! Like most people from New England, I'm practically a different person when the sun is out. Even with work continuing to keep me extra busy, I'm so much more lively and motivated with the addition of some warmth and natural Vitamin D.
Rather than pushing myself to go to the barn five days a week with my increased workload at my day job, I've been giving myself a lot of grace around lowering my expectations to four days a week. This small change, while it felt huge in the moment, has really taken a huge mental weight off of me. Just knowing that I have a little extra time to recharge allows me to show up at the barn on those four other days as my best self for Annie.
And it's absolutely paying off! I've ridden her a couple times this week now and she has been nothing short of perfect (not that she ever is anyways in my eyes!). We have also had other horses in the arena with us, something that definitely helps her to feel so much more confident even when she doesn't "know" the other horses. Just that little support from their presence makes a huge difference for her so I love taking advantage of the opportunity to ride with others at the barn.
Our grass is starting to wake up here, too, which means every session ends with a few minutes of hand grazing since that is one of Annie's favorite ways for us to spend time together. I like to end this way each time so that she knows I will always do my best to continue to reward her with the things that she likes and enjoys doing. It's my goal to constantly remind her that our relationship is a two way street in which I try to give back to her as much or more than I ask from her.
With the amazing weather I've also been able to spend even more time simply sitting in the pasture with the horses. If I'm honest, if this is all I could do with horses, I think I could be fulfilled. I derive so much joy sitting in and honoring their very presence with no expectations or agenda. I find so much peace in these seemingly small moments. And I'm able to practice gratitude on a whole different level.
I spoke with someone this week who was struggling to catch their horse and I asked if they practiced just sitting with them. To which they honestly responded, no. And I totally get it. If this has never been modelled to you as an option, with an explanation of why and how it is so important to our relationships with our horses, I can see why it doesn't cross some horse people's minds. But it's the #1 exercise I find myself recommending to people who are struggling with their relationships with their horses.
It amazes them every time how something so seemingly small or "boring" makes such a huge impact on their connection with their horse just by taking away any expectation of the horse. And it works because those are the moments that matter most to our horses. The moments where we allow them to fully be themselves.
So if you're not already doing this, I ask that you just try it for a few days. Grab a chair and a book if you'd like, but leave your phone in the barn. If it's safe, sit in the pasture with your horse(s) or sit just on the other side of the fence if not. Spend as much time as you can just sitting in their presence and practice be pleased with just that. It may not feel like much as first, but I can promise that in time, it will shift the energy between you and your horse for the better.
And in my own moments of sitting and thinking this week, I was moved by how much others have done for me in the horse community over the years. I have a student who needs help moving her horse from one barn to another and after sorting out the logistics, I'm able to use my trailer to do so.
Before I had my own trailer, I also had to rely on others to help me move my horses. I am still so thankful for the amount of people and times that they so graciously helped me out with their time and resources. And not even just with trailering, but with anything horse-related. I have been so fortunate to have people in my community that are open to sharing their advice, supplies, equipment, etc. with me in my times of need. I feel it's only right to also be able to offer that to others when I can.
Our world can be cruel and isolating enough as it is, especially the horse world at times. In my mind, there's no reason for us to continue those patterns when we have opportunities to break them in favor of kindness and community.
Empowering Observations:
There should always be time to simply sit with your horse. Even if it's just five minutes, your horse genuinely appreciates this time where you have no expectations of them. It's a sign to them that you truly care about being with them and not just loving them for what they can do for you. These are the perfect moments to reflect on your partnership and practice gratitude for our amazing relationships with our horses.
Help others when you can, because there is no doubt that someone else has helped you before when you needed it. I'm so dang blessed to know so many generous horse people in my area who have helped me in the past, whether it be trailering my horse for me before I bought my trailer, to loaning me therapy equipment when my horse was hurt. These people never expected anything in return, they just knew what it was like to be in my shoes. I hold all of that kindness with me when I have the capacity to help another horse person out and I hope you do, too.
Things I'm Loving This Week
The heat also inspired this one, too! I was able to break out my summer clothes and went straight to wearing my new Lou tank from Everyday Equestrian Apparel. I admit I was skeptical about a collared tank top but I have absolutely fallen in love with it for the sun protection on the back of my neck where I always get burnt! The fabric is super comfortable, breathable, and light. Plus, I adore the owner of the brand, Charlotte, and am so excited to announce that I am now one of her official Everyday Equestrians! That means you can buy nearly anything from her shop (pre-sales and the limited edition rescue tops are the only things off-limits!) and get 10% off with code "Annie10"!
The one and only ThinLine bareback pad! With the warm (hot) weather we had this past week, it was perfect to break out the bareback pad rather than riding in my saddle. I LOVE how freaking comfortable this pad is and I also love that it is contoured to the horse's spine. I will say that I swap the girth that comes with it out for my regular cinch for Annie's comfort, but it's awesome that I can do that. If you can't afford the full retail price, I suggest following ThinLine on social media or signing up for their newsletter - they are always running sales throughout the year!
Equestrian Reflection
Journal Prompt: I can bring more ease into my life by...
Honestly, by letting things go, asking for help, accepting that not everyone will do or see things the way I do, and overall just not trying so dang hard to control everything that I know I can't control anyways!
Affirmation: The things that feel easy to me are designed that way for a reason.
Equestrian Oracle
Theme for the Upcoming Week
Embrace Change
Sometimes change can feel scary, like you are shifting your identity, moving on to the next chapter in your life and simply don't know what will happen next. The fear side of you wants to keep you safe and protected by keeping you small, but you know that this isn't serving you.
Deep down, there is a vision inside of you that your soul wants to chase, it wants you to shine, but you can't help but feel held back, You feel torn between these two parts of you; the one that wants you to flourish and the one that wants to keep you safe, and it is honestly so debilitating trying to balance it all. It's like you are moving one step forwards and two steps backwards all of the time. It is exhausting.
This card is calling you to integrate these two parts of yourself and embrace change in your life. You don't have to hold yourself back. All you need to do is reassure your fear side that you will do everything you can to mitigate what you are worried about happening from happening. Then you simply comfort yourself with the fact that you are good enough so you can move forwards and shine.
It's time for you to embrace the change that is present in your life. Welcome it with open arms and trust that it will be the best thing for you.
*The Equestrian Reflection and Equestrian Oracle cards are courtesy of Felicity Davies and can be purchased directly from her here. Full transparency - I receive no financial gain from sharing these, I just love them and find them to be helpful on this journey!