Days Like This

Yesterday was a GREAT day. I didn't roll out of bed until 2pm...I stayed up really late watching movies, but it was sunny and balmy. I turned the ponies out and grabbed the camera. I got the most amazing shots of Houdini playing and contorting. The quality isn't awesome, I still need to learn to really use my camera, but the sheer strength, joy, muscle control and expression was something I've never captured before. I've always gone for 'artsy' shots that show how beautiful he is. These are raw and rough and mud, but they're so real. And so him.

After the batteries died, I cleaned stalls then brought everyone in. Harmony, the girl I'm seeking a perfect new home for, got a spa treatment and was perfectly behaved.

Everyone else got a good curry.

A friend I've hardly seen for months showed up and we rode together. Houdini left his dinner to come to the stalls door and put him head in the bridle, he wanted to work THAT much.

I had a great ride. Our last ride was awful; stiff, no connection, just thumping around on the forehand stiff as a board. Last night I was a thinking rider. Neither of us have been working and we're both stiff and out of shape, so I worked on me first... just relaxing into his movement at the trot and canter until my body wasn't resisting his. He was warming up and learning to trust my non interference at the same time.

Once we were mobile, I used very light flexing at the poll and light leg with supporting spur to ask for give, give, give. My goal was supple and forward, to get freedom of movement without creating resistance. Conscious "effort" creates resistance in my muscles, resistance in my muscles means Houdini has to fight me to do his job...and that's not fair to either of us!

The entire ride was just a developing. Developing a connection, developing movement, developing relaxation, developing suspension, developing freedom. And we did it. Came out awful and left with muscles humming and a happy pony. And that is what it's all about.

If everyday was like this....

I would have revamped the world by now. I'm listening to light rain of the roof, the sound of instant happiness. I'm snuggled in bed and was almost asleep when I realized I forgot my thankful. And today was a day to be extra thankful for.

I worked 9.5 hours, spent my 30 min lunch in the gym doing yoga, grocery shopped, rode 3 horses, lunged 1 horse, cleaned 4 stalls, cooked lunches for the week, did dishes, worked on my book and gave myself a facial and manicure. And I'm still energized! If I felt this way everyday, I would accomplish incredible feats in no time at all!

One of Those Days

Today is one of those days. I feel AMAZING. It sure didn't start that way though! Somebody hit a power pole last night. No electricity so no heat in 26° weather, so I bundled under my down comforter with just my nose sticking out. I woke up every so often because my nose got too cold, but the rest of me stayed warm! Finally around 7am the electricity came on, I turned on the heater and the heating pad and slept until noon.

I got up and since there was no electricity, there was no running water because the lines froze (we're on a well) so I layered up and turned the ponies out to play, except Harmony, who I determined to work. I hopped on her post-lungeing after over 2 months off for her sixth ride ever. And she was perfect. Moved right off, relaxed, like we never missed a day. I have taken this horse from a feral pasture pet to this sweet, gorgeous, willing partner. She did the work, but I showed her how. And it feels awesome.

After that, I turned her out for play time and cleaned stalls.

I was so busy being active and getting things done, I completely forgot to eat until about 6pm. Despite that, I have been completely energized. I got the majority of the cleaning and organizing that I wanted for the new year done, I painted my nails, I did some pampering with a face mask and what not and here it is, 11:30pm and I feel like going for a run (I won't, it's FRIGID outside with freezing fog and I need to sleep so I can work tomorrow).

My body is happy, my mind is happy, the dishes are done, the laundry put away, the bed is made, the horses cared for, the dog is passed out from playing, it's just the best feeling in the world!