Horsemanship
My retirement dream was to teach horseback riding. However I "lost" my lesson horses this past summer. All 3 had to be put down for various reasons. Horses kept me sane during the last 10 years of my career. And losing my horses almost broke me last year. However we now have 2 new wonderful horses in our lives. I am prepping them for their job as lesson horses. But I am finding that my focus is changing. Simply working with children teaching horse communication on the ground has been infinitely rewarding. I found my passion in life- and love to share it with others.
@barncat Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. I am glad the new horses are working out, and kudos to you for your dedication and persistence! Best wishes, and thanks for sharing. :)
@barncat Sorry to hear your chaps had to be out down :(
I bet they were beautiful beans
xxx
@sensibleStrawberries9877
*put
able to ride all three yesterday. But my newest horse took ME for a ride. Think he was trying to tell me something.
@barncat
I am so happy for you for this revelation π€π, wonderful...πΆπ΄ππ
@ButerfleeDreamer- fortunately I was able to dismount while he kept walking- might still be exploring.
@barncat
I loved this:
"Simply working with children teaching horse communication on the ground has been infinitely rewarding. I found my passion in life- and love to share it with others. " that is the revelation I amhappy for you...πΆ
@GreyMirror- you have horses too? Or as i like to say- "they have me"
@barncat
Yes you got the right language: they have usπβ€β£π΄π
No, surprosingly how much I love animals, horses were not revealed to me in person which I find sad...
yep- still talking about the "boys" they didnt get out yesterday- totally bored. today i fed them, may move them to the field today. average day is 3-6hours caring/training/riding. not much time for other activites.
@barncat
Routine is safety, a soul anchor...
Misplaced my confidence again- and the horses know it- just cant fake it with them. Changed to a gentler bridle today- and decided to take Gus out alone away from the barn with his buddies whinniying. He is so strong with his left turn default testing me. Kept after him for simple ride away- and turn right. He still got the best of me later- and was starting to bolt back to the barn. Terrifying for me- didnt expect him to be so upset - managed to do half halts- stay seated and got him to settle down. I havent been that close to an out of control situation on a horse since Duke had his meltdown last week. Now I am wondering why I even continue with this risky pursuit. I feel like i need to prove something to myself.
Glad I reread some of my horsemanship posts. Now I know how long it has taken me to get my confidence back. I have been riding Gus, Flash intermittently. And yesterday we took the horses from the field to the barn- my first time on Duke across the field and from the field-barn and back. Big victory day for me. Only took four months of feeling sorry during the pandemic to start to come out of the blues.
I have two old Geldings. I have worked with a young autistic person on the ground with a friend of mine who is a Therapist. We have done Equine Therapy with him. I no longer ride my Horses, they are over 30 years old, but they are still sound, benefit from a little exercise to help with the stiffness and arthritis, and they are quiet, so good therapy Horses. I am going to school to get a Psychotherapy Degree so I know what I am doing. Already have the Horses and working with a younger one training him. May as well do something I enjoy, as I am opposed to working my life away to make a corporation or a CEO richer.
Looking forward to sharing large animal power with youth this next summer.