Originally published 10/2/12
When my farrier was out today we were talking about the miracle that is Cowboy--he called him "The Comeback King". He survived being orphaned, breaking his foot, and a serious case of Head Shaking Syndrome. Always, when I was about ready to give up, some miracle would come along and save him, and here he is today.
I took profile pictures this morning in hopes of practicing and coming up with some that are good to blow up, frame, and hang in our Living Room. I largely stopped taking pictures and photographing the horses a while back--something in me just did not want to chronicle the journey. I'd consciously think that I should be taking photographs of rides, but I just did not want to, and I wouldn't. I wish I had, because I missed some wonderful photos of the grandkids riding this summer.
I guess I needed to live it and enjoy it and not analyze it for a while.
But now I'm thinking again.
And I think I need to get my butt in gear with Beautiful and Cia. My rider/trainer was supposed to come out at the beginning of September and help me put some more time on them, but he was too busy and won't be out until April.
So, that leaves it up to me and, frankly, I've been lazy.
End of story.
If you see me writing again on the blog, it means I'm going to address the elephant in the room, my young ones. If you don't see me writing, I'm probably still avoiding it.
Working with young horses can be a little daunting if one's confidence is even a little shaken. Sometimes, though we just have to suck it up and get on with it. But it's not wrong to not want to ride the youngsters. It's caution, and the knowledge of our own frailty.
ReplyDeleteYes, suck it up is right! Can you stop by every now and again and tell me to suck it up? I like it. :)
DeleteLove your photos and especially the one of Cowboy!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for all your kind words and reminding me of what Cowboy went through. It has meant a lot. It really does help talking to people that have been through the same thing. It will be an extremely stressful time for Fritzy and me and we will get through it!!
I am hoping we will be hearing about your training with your young ones!!
Paint Girl--You have every reason to be optimisitic about Fritzy. I'll be watching her journey closely and my heart will be with you two every step of the way!!!!
DeleteCowboy has done so well because of his strong spirit, but also because you've paid attention to what he was saying and not given up until you figured out what was wrong.
ReplyDeleteI've never started a young horse, and never will at my age, and admire those who do. But in the end, whether you work with them this winter or wait until your trainer's available in the spring, it won't matter all that much in the long run. Do what you're comfortable with at a pace that suits you.
I hope you write. But if you don't, that's OK, too. I'll be waiting. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wolfie!
DeleteI'm so glad Cowboy is doing so much better! Really amazing.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to sometimes put the camera away and just live the moment, rather than try to catch it. When we're busy fiddling with a camera we're not really living the moment fully.
I've been there with not wanting to work horses, too. Maybe if you picked one to work on, rather than thinking what a huge job it is to work with two of them? I know that in itself is really hard to do...
Andrea, it is amazing. I've had some of my absolute best rides on him this summer. I think we just know each other so well now. Which makes it even harder for me to work with the young ones. I'm actually thinking it will only be possible if I can ride Cowboy AND work one young one a day. I can't put him aside to work them--obviously. So, maybe if I just think to myself--one young one a day...I won't feel over whelemed. Because you're right--it is overwhelming with so many. As to the pictures, yes, sometimes it feels like picture taking and movie taking takes me out of the moment. I think the grandkid's have wonderful memories of their rides and sometimes pictures diminish those rather than enhance them.
DeleteWell I think that first photo is a keeper, that would look fantastic on the wall :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I hear ya about not wanting to work the youngsters, it's so much easier for me to pull out my steady boy than push down my fear and swing over my anxious little girl. Much as she needs and enjoys it, I still have to steel myself every time.
Love that picture of Cowboy, he's gorgeous. I love paints by the way. So glad he is the comeback king and is feeling so much better.
ReplyDeleteI think when you feel like it one youngster a day plus Cowboy is more than enough. One day on and one off would give the young one time to retain what was learned the day before and think about it. Good luck and let us know how it's going. (When you feel like it)
SOOOO WOW
ReplyDeleteSO COOL
ReplyDeleteso COOL
ReplyDelete-Lilly