Busy busy last couple weeks! We were on a family relaxation vacation for the last week (oh it was needed badly!) a week in a cabin that has no internet, TV or cellular service...on a lake and 30 miles from the nearest town - highly recommend it for those of use that just have too much going on in our lives to focus on what is important.
During this trip I realized I need to add something to my life - I have a couple options that I am very interested in and will hopefully move forward in both of them...my first interest is endurance riding. I really want to do this!! I spent a whole day a few weekends ago, teaching myself how to drive my trailer, I know that it sounds sexist but its really easy to let my husband do it when we go places! I did this because the 1 ride I did go to last year (2010) he came with and did not have fun at all...I do not want to drag him places he doesn't want to go and I HATE listening to him complain...I can do this by myself! Now that I have the means to get places I need to work on my relationship with J.W. He really is a sweet horse! He just wants to make me happy but he's having a hard time trusting me fully. That makes me not trust him all the way either, more time and more lessons on building my confidence. I don't know why I am having so much trouble with this! I am a very confident person in real life! I really am. Well we really have to work on this if we are going to go riding off into the great blue yonder together! I don't want it to turn into a control issue on who's bringing what to the trails ahead! This will still be on going :)
Another one of my options or opportunity that has presented itself to me is equine massage. We had a lady come from California to out little barn today to give us a 1 day quick course on equine massage. I am very well aware of the benefits of massage on people and dogs (I volunteer for dog sled races in the winter season to keep me busy...) and I know that massage in general is a good thing in addition to vet care. With my background as a veterinary technician it would be a reasonable thing to add to abilities that I have! All 3 of my horses benefited today from the class, JW and Milly were our practice horses for the class and once they got into it I could barely drag their drooling lips from the ground!! I think the J-man actually started to focus on what we were doing 1/2 way through his massage!! Baby steps baby steps....My husband's horse I had the instructor actually look at her. She's been dragging a front hoof all year...she's not lame and bute hasn't helped at all, time to try something else. Well she ended up with a 2 hour long deep tissue massage - she's got a male energy apparently (I'm still a little skeptical about that whole deal but what ever...it describes her personality) and is VERY stoic. I did learn a lot from the massage therapist as she showed me areas that I need to work on and what was actually bothering her (always think in diagonals...). I have to say that I was pretty emotional because there was a change in her personality in those 2 hours and for the better. She's sassy (I love horses with personality) but not mean, so when we gave her free run in the round pen when we were done she went over and leaned on the therapist!! It brought tears to my eyes!! I'm a cry-baby I will admit, but it was really touching! A great big ol' thank you from Sherman!!
Both of these are going to need dedication... the massage thing I can work on and eventually get certified (this will help my own horses more than anything!) The building a trust bond with J.W. will take time but I think we will get there - I know it takes time and I am willing to make time for it. My job while it pays the bills and I do love it, really doesn't need to run my life I've let it come first for a while now and I need to cut back... it will help that I am moving to a salaried position and no overtime...I won't be there much extra if I can help it!
Anyway...building bonds and trust, if anyone has some miraculous tips and time savers I appreciate any feed back!! Ride, ride, ride and have lots of patience, hopefully those 2 things will be coming in bunches as I turn my thought process and focus in a more positive light moving forward!
Happy trails everyone!
