Get Out & Explore

Hi everybody! So just a short post for today as this is a super busy week for me! Aside from trick training I think it is important to just get out and go a nice long trail ride. I have been taking Sam out for the past couple of weeks on a nice long jaunt outside and he loves it! It is nice relief from the usual schedule and helps clear both of our heads. Sometimes if we practice on things too often our horses and we ourselves get burned out. We get tired and frustrated if things aren't progressing as quickly as we like. So it is good to get out of the arena or whatever setting you're in and explore new scenery and practice other things like straight lines, or leg yielding. The outdoors also provides a lot of natural obstacles such as logs, creeks, gates and rows of trees where you can work on maneuvers. Or simply just take a leisurely walk and enjoy each other's company. It will strengthen your bond and you will learn to work as a team better. So get and have a fun adventure! I think I am going to need one after this week! ;)

Home Sweet Home

Do you ever take the place you live for granted? Does the grass always seem greener on the other side? I do and I was reminded of it today. I met with my family and some friends and went hiking in a local state park this afternoon. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the fall colors were really starting to come around. I have grown up in the area my whole life and have grown used to the sights and the craziness that comes with living close to a small tourist town in October. Usually I try to avoid it all costs and wonder why so many people would want to come to this little place on the map. It's really not all that exciting. We don't even have a theme park nearby. Well, as I was walking through the ravines and hollers(yes, I am a country girl ;), I was struck yet again of the beauty of the area I call home. I have talked to several people who are not from Indiana and they have mentioned that they thought it was all flat. Well, I would always tell them that it's not and I happened to be reminded today that I am blessed to live in one of the prettiest parts of the state.
But yet what do I do when people tell me that I am so lucky to live in a place like this?....I sheepishly agree and move on to the next daydream of leaving it to a much "nicer, prettier" place.
In all honesty, lately my mind has been filled with the grandeur of moving to a much better state, somewhere in the South and getting the heck out of where I am at now. Why? Why has the beauty of this place become dull in my mind's eye? Is the grass truly greener elsewhere?
I think often times we take where we live for granted. We get so used to seeing the same things over and over that we get bored and it's beauty loses it spark to us. We go on vacations to other places and dream of what it would be like to live there, but would it over time become the same way if we did? And why is it when we are away for a while, coming home to that dull and boring place suddenly is welcoming and missed? (Now don't get me wrong....vacations are great. I'm just using them as an example.)
I struggle with both to be honest. I so badly want get away sometimes and start a new life somewhere else and then other times, I look at my current home with refreshed eyes and I am happy and content. Even other times, these two are in constant war with each other.
Now it is wrong to want to move somewhere else...of course not! Sometimes life, jobs, love, and opportunities takes us to different places. Sometimes we NEED to leave. But I also believe that God puts us places for a reason. He makes every location beautiful in it's own special way. He wants us to enjoy the mission field He has given us right now, where we are, for however long He wants us to be there. And I think it's a tragedy when we continually sit and wish for what we don't have when He has given us so much already just outside our front door. I think we have to learn the fine balance between being content where we are at and yet ready to go wherever God calls us next if He decides to. All places will have their pros and cons. But if you take the time to just see the beauty of the place you are at each and every day with fresh perspective, being settled however long, won't seem like a cage...it will seem like a chance to make an real impact in your community that you might just get to see the fruit from. So am I proud to be a Hoosier and grateful for all the wonderful people I know because of it in the better part of these past 23 years?
Yes, I am!
How about you?

Need a Hug?

Have you ever seen the heartwarming pictures of a little girl with her arms wrapped around a horse's neck with the horse appearing to hug her back? It's adorable right? Well that is my next trick to tell you about and that you can learn to teach your horse. It is very simple trick to teach and the next time you could use a extra cheering up, you need to look no farther than the barn. :)

What you need:

• Your best hugging arms
• Treats of choice
• And a big furry neck just dying to hugged on :)

This trick is so very simple to teach and does not have to be super specific in the way it is taught. Therefore you can test it out and see what works for you and your horse. I begin by just getting the horse to be okay with me putting my arms around them and being close. Now to get them to reciprocate, stand by them, take a treat(I suggest carrots or apple slices cut at a decent length) and get them to bend back towards you. Gradually increase the bend around you and the length of time that they hold it before they receive the treat. Eventually, you can turn to face them and give them a hug while encouraging with your outside hand to ask them to come around you. You can have fun with the verbal cue on this one if you wish, just remember to keep it fairly short and simple.  

Things to remember:

• This trick is best to be taught with the horse in a halter and lead rope first.
• Do not teach this to a horse that is not a respecter of your space already.
• Don't over do it and watch your fingers with treats.
• Enjoy this super sweet trick and the benefits of flexion that it gives your horse!

Because this trick is so simple, it allows you to add your own spin on the presentation of the hug and see what adorable picture moments you can create with your best buddy!

All the Single Ladies

Let's face it...sometimes singleness is not lighthearted and catchy as the the popular Beyoncé song. If you are like me you will often fluctuate between being okay with being single, enjoy your freedom, like setting your own schedule and doing what you want, when you want to do it. That lasts for a time and then all of the sudden you move to: feeling completely alone in a crowd where there's all these couples, losing it during every chick flic you watch, and curled up on the couch eating chocolate or other sweetness, feeling like no one from the opposite sex even notices you exist.
This morning at church the sermon was about singleness. Which was kind of fitting...since last night had been a not so cheery one for me in that department. Apparently my streak of being content on my own and being "free" had decided it had lasted long enough. During the sermon it was brought up what some people wonder about their singleness and I was surprised to find they were very much like what has ran through my head at one point or another. "What if I am just not content enough with where God has put me right now?" How long do I have to be content for God to bring me a partner?" "Do I just forget about the whole thing?" "Is God trying to tell me I have to be in a certain place in my spiritual walk before He will bring the person into my life?" "What is that certain place?" "What do I need to work on in my life before God brings said person?" "What am I doing wrong?" "What is wrong with me?" "Am I not good enough?" "Maybe I'm hoping for something or someone that doesn't exist."
These are the things that run through our heads sometimes. Sometimes we can be so strong and are committed to our goals and we want nothing to distract us. Then other times we are just dying for someone to share this life with us, look us in the eye and tell us we are the only one for them. (Yeah, a hopeless romantic I hate to admit sometimes.) I have also managed at times to have the worst mesh of both. Angry that you are not being focused enough while your wishing for a special someone that could potentially pull you away from your dreams, but offer you love for a lifetime. Sounds like the making of a Hallmark movie.
Anyway, sometimes singleness downright hurts and sometimes it feels great. How do we take hold of that contentment that the Apostle Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:11-13? I think one of the keys is ultimately our singleness isn't about us. It is about God. He set aside this time for us for a reason. He knows that now is the time when we will be more capable of carrying out this part of His plans with complete devotion than any other time in our lives. We can do this while we don't have a husband or a family to take care of. As single ladies we are to concern our lives with the things of God and how we can best serve Him. (1 Corinthians 7:34) When we get married then we have to concern our lives with all the things that that come with married life in addition to our spiritual duties. God knows what He is doing in this time. He knows our hearts and our conflicted desires because He made us this way; we are women. He knows our loneliness and our worry, but He calls us to step above that because with Him we have all we need. He loves us more than any earthly man could. How can we expect to ever love and be completely devoted to a mortal, imperfect man if we can't stay focused on the perfect Son of God? Now, I don't think God is in heaven shaking his head and saying..."If she gets this part of her life together, and fixes this issue, and tones it down here, then I'll give her a husband".  I believe He simply wants us to see the amazing life he has given us right now being single. We don't need to cut ourselves off from love because it may not go with our plans(who's plans are they ultimately anyway?) or vise versa: our only reason for living is to find a soulmate. Most of us will get married at some point or another. God loves marriage and He created it, but He created it to describe the depths of His relationship between His people and Himself. He is all we need, marriage is just a bonus. He wants us to get out and live and love, not to choose between the two. We can still love those around us as our bothers and sisters in Christ. Every story is different....remember in times of loneliness, He is our true Lover. In times of calm, remember He's got a new opportunity just waiting around the next corner that He wants you to take!

Teaching How to Pick Up Objects

Does your horse like to play with things with his lips? Does he like to investigate new and interesting objects? Then teaching him/her to pick up objects is a trick that they might enjoy and put those lips to a good use! :) You can teach your horse to pick up objects such as your hat if it falls off while riding or a small item that you drop or learn how to hold a flag or other object. A horse that can pick up objects (or in the case of the picture for this post...a donkey) can be a great thing to share the next time your showing off your four-legged companion and/or prove to be very helpful out on the trail.

Things you will need:

• An old towel or sock or a small item you wish to use (ex. ball cap, flag, etc.) 
• Treats or peanut butter sometimes is helpful.
• Your patience and your perfect timing. :)

Make sure your horse is fitted with a halter and lead rope. Your really want your horse to respect your cues and space with this trick as is the same with any trick. Hold the item which you want horse to learn to pick up. Let them sniff it and check it out. What I will do with an old towel or sock is place treats inside it and tie it off. You can rub peanut butter on other objects such as a hat to encourage them. Whenever they start to act like they're are going to nibble or grab at the object, give them the verbal cue of "Pick Up" or whatever word you choose. Then reward them immediately with a treat. They must first learn to associate the reward when they attempt to mouth the object then you gradually ask more of them. Once they show interest in the object, I will usually put it on the ground or on top of something if they are not quite stimulated to bend all the way down to the ground yet. Then I have both hands free to make sure they respect your space and then point or move the object while asking the verbal cue.  Then practice walking them up to the object and asking verbally. Once they put forth a good attempt, reward them. Gradually you ask more and more from them before you give the treat until they pick it up completely. I  always like to teach them to hand the item to me and I try not to let them drop it before I grab it. I do this so that they do not learn that they can just drop it whenever they want to, but must hand it to me and give it back. You can teach them a release cue as well such as "Give me" or "Thank you".

Things to remember:

• Never let your horse crowd your space or go after the object before you ask. Some horses will pick up quickly that the object means treats and may become too eager. Be very careful and responsible with treats on this one.
• Walk away from the object and come back to it after doing somethings else. Don't let your horse become glued to that object.
• Once your horse really starts to understand the concept and the verbal cues, try with other objects.
• Do not train with any objects that are very similar to something that you do not wanted picked up that comes in contact with the horses! Don't train with a straw hat if your mother happens to like to wear one to the barn. ;)
• Make sure objects being used are fairly easy for the horse to pick. They need to have a good grip point, otherwise the horse with just get frustrated and give up.
• Celebrate the little accomplishments and remember timing is with cues and reward is crucial.

Soon you will be able to get your horse to pick up items you dropped without having to leave the saddle and holding your tools for you....well maybe not quite, but you never know! ;)

Have fun!

 

Learning to Live Again

Have you every had those moments when you are just hit by an epiphany?  It smacks you straight on the forehead, right dead center between the eyes and shakes you to the core? Well I had one those moments yesterday afternoon. But to explain this moment I must go back to over a year ago and reveal some not so high moments in my life..so bear with me.
I had graduated college May of 2015 and I was coming off from a high moment in my life. I was officially done with college and the whole world was lying ahead of me at my disposal, or so I thought. I had a fall internship set up in Georgia. I was going to work with a well-known trick trainer who just so happened to train horses for the film industry. I was so excited! I could just envision my future: working my internship, accelerating my trick training and riding skills, getting offered a job, and you know the list goes on. I tend to dream in dramatic 3D living color and at the pace of racehorse. :)
Anyway, my whole future felt staked on this internship. I returned from college graduation in Oregon to my home of Indiana, hoping to land a summer job. That ended up being a little more difficult than anticipated but it worked out. Then September came and with a slightly nervous but eager heart, I headed off to Georgia. Now I could sit down and probably write a small book about my adventure down there but for now all you need to know is, I had probably the shortest internship in history. Less than 24 hours I was headed back home to Indiana after spending a deflating night in a shoddy motel just wanting to rewind the clock back four months. Too make a long story short, the internship was not what I was told it would be, neither were the conditions, or the people. And to top it all off something in the pit of my heart told me that something wasn't right. So I left. For months I have contemplated what it would have been like if I had stayed and it definitely was a disappointing experience for me. It was a devastating blow to my dreams, but in the end I did and still do feel a sense of relief that I didn't stay.
Now after I got home things started to unravel a little.  I was a college graduate trying to find a job, not really wanting to stay in Indiana, and wanting to be a grown-up in the real world. However, the jobs that I hoped would get me closer to my dream of training horses for film were not exactly readily available (go figure!) and as the struggle to just get a normal horse job went on, I began to deal with anxiety issues. Now this is a part of my life I am not proud of and I have a hard time talking about. I mean as a Christian we are supposed to have peace and there is supposed to be no room for fear right? But day after day I would slip into a daily routine of anxiety attacks that soon became a part of every day my life. I questioned what it was I was supposed to even be doing. My life was not going according to plan at all. I didn't have a job. I was a college graduate that was struggling, trying to live back at home when I had been gone the most of the past two years. I felt like a failure and worried about what others thought about me. I was the one who said I was going to make my dreams happen but what now?
This vicious cycle continued as I worked a few small jobs and then I finally landed a solid job as a barn manager at a small, well-to-do, private barn this past February. I got to move into my own little house and now have my own little fur family that you met. Now did all my anxiety stop? Of course not. It eased now that I had a job and a more secure position but the anxiety of not being exactly where I wanted to be still haunted me and to be honest it still does. I still deal with anxiety from time to time and so I want to let those of you reading who struggle as well to know: you're not alone! I get it and I'm praying for you and I ask you to pray for me as well. We can beat this with His help.
And I think a crucial way to do this it to learn to live again. Now of course you're probably asking what that means exactly? Am I not living right now? Yes, but view it from this perspective: I used to enjoy some of the littlest things in life. The way the water ripples in a creek, a single bird chirping in the early morning, the morning fog, the sun peaking through the trees, the gentle evening breeze, the wind blowing through the grass, the smells of the different seasons and just the smell of life. But lately, I've felt like something has been switched off inside of me. I feel like those senses have died. After my heartache and disappointment, worry and anxiety, comparison and self-pity, I felt like my life was destined for uselessness. I struggled between hoping for my dreams still or just giving up.
Then suddenly at work yesterday as I was going to go get horses from the pasture on a gorgeous sunny October afternoon, I felt that switch turn back on. A friend of mine who had been working with me and living with me for four months had just left for a new job in California, so I was pondering about living alone again. I also was contemplating my own future yet again. Then it hit me all of the sudden. Like a light switch bringing light to a darkened room; I suddenly felt the sweet fall breeze blowing, the sun caressing my skin, the grass shaking in the wind, and the smell of life all around me. It struck me so quickly and I swear it brought a wave of emotion into my soul and moisture to my eyes. Here I was so wrapped up in my vision of my future, my dreams of the "good" life, and my disappointment because I wasn't where I wanted to be or where I thought I should be, I had cut myself off from simply enjoying the life God had given me here and now. I had spend this last year, closing myself off from new relationships, social activities with fellow believers, and becoming too settled, because in doing so I felt like I was giving up on goals and dreams. I was letting this dream become my god. I was feeding it, nurturing it , protecting it, worshipping it....and at the same time closing my heart off to anything else. I had tunnel vision. All I could see was what I wanted and kept fighting to get there; never stopping but briefly to try and fully commit to understanding what God wanted for me. But I would always run back to my golden dream, no matter how tired I was of fighting for it's completion. And because of it I was so weary and I was dying inside. Dying to the beauty around me and to the wonderful life my God has given me. I've allowed people to be my critics and not Him. I have made this dream of mine my temple and not His. Yesterday, I finally felt alive again because for once I let that dream fade away for a few seconds and realized I'm living a dream right now.
God has given me a amazing family, a wonderful job and bosses, an adorable little house, and four wonderful fur children. ;) I am getting to do fun and amazing things with my little ones and getting the opportunity to grow myself. I need to learn to live in the present not the future. Because it is a good life He has given me right now. Does this mean I forget about my dreams all together? I have struggled with this thought often. But I think I am finally realizing that it's not about forgetting about it or giving up trying. It's about growing and blooming right where you are and understanding that your dream doesn't have to come to you overnight and it most likely won't. God's plan is so much greater and He isn't withholding your hopes from you because He wants to be mean. He wants to show you how to be happy with whatever your circumstances are wherever you are. And maybe that dream that you are clinging so tightly too isn't worth what it's robbing you of right now. Don't hinge your whole life success on them. Have your dreams, but don't let them replace God and what He so desperately wants to show you. Understand that He has greater plans than you can even imagine and start living life again! It's a process and a struggle sometimes but when you let go, truly, there is nothing else that makes your heart flutter more. It's open road before you and God's driving. You just need to enjoy the view. So will you join me on the journey to being a content passenger?

Standing Together in Balance

Hi everyone!
So I am working with my boy, Samwise on trick training and to tolerate me learning to trick ride on him. So yesterday I did a little bit of playing around: standing on him and practicing trying to stand up while he is walking. It is a slow progression but I want to get it right and not rush Sam or myself.
One of the things I am really learning in this process is balance and that's what I want to talk about a little bit today. Balance is crucial, not just in trick riding but in our every day riding. If you don't have the foundation from the beginning you will not be prepared for the more advanced things to come. Dedicate yourself to not just trying to create the picture perfect form, but dedicate to using your seat and really feeling in-tune to your horse's movement. Take the time to observe your horse's movement both free and under the saddle. Ride bareback and get a feel for his movement. Practice feeling his footfalls underneath you while in the saddle and trust me, it can be easier said than done. ;)
Also, this is not the most fun part..but you have to work on yourself specifically too. Build up those leg and core muscles. As I noticed yesterday, with shaky legs as I stood up on Sam and then tried to add movement to the mix...I need leg day....every day! So it's squats and planks for me! In order to steady yourself and keep in motion with your horse it will require you to strengthen your muscles and increase your flexibility. It will also help you become a better rider in many different other aspects. So when thinking about standing on your horse make sure you are confident with your balance and the horse is confident in his before you try it. Have a spotter with you and holding your horse in case something happens and take it slowly. Start by kneeling then gradually working your way up. Be careful not to jab your horse on the back with your shoes and bring yourself down as gently and proportionally as possible. Do this as slowly and as long as it takes without any reaction from your horse. Once you and your horse are comfortable with this you can start trying it at the walk. Once again, have someone walk with you and the horse. Gradually repeat the same process: kneeling then gradually going to your feet. Always take your time and learn to get comfortable with the movement of each progression before you move on.
We need to have not only physical balance but balance in our mindset as well. We need to have the right proportion of knowing when to press on and when to pause and let a particular movement sink in before we venture on to the next step. Trick horses and trick riders are not born in a day, a week, or even in months. Learn to know when you've reached your limit and don't let fatigue set in for either you or your horse before you quit. End on a good note and understand that progress sometimes will just come in the form of balancing your body and mind just a second longer each time! :)

A Word About Feminism

So every once and while I get the urge to write about a particular topic that usual is triggered by something I have seen, heard, or talked about with someone. This week subject's is feminism. It is epidemic that has been spreading throughout our society for many years now. Women standing up and demanding they be treated exactly the same as men and that they can do whatever a man can do just as well if not better. Sometimes these woman even go as far as to complain that men should not even open the door for them, pull a chair up for them, or wait to sit down until they are seated  because they can handle it themselves. They take such a offense to a man just being polite. Instead they take it as the man basically saying that woman are weak and inferior. I do not believe this. What do I say to woman like this? Please stop and consider your way of thinking. Would you rather prefer the man to slam the door in your face or act like you don't even exist? Do you not realize that you are teaching today's men that they don't need to be polite to us and can basically be rude? Yes, there may be some men out there who are a sexist but most men I'm sure don't think you are incapable of opening a door for yourself. They just are being respectful, so are we as woman going to teach them not to be just because we have to prove we are just as capable? And some men are just trying to be protective and keep us save; not trying to repress our capabilities.
Also, if you are such a feminist and claim that you can do whatever a man can do and want to be treated as such then expect them to treat you just as they treat each other sometimes. Really think about it and are you really sure you'd appreciate that?
As a feminist, many woman will come across as having the air that they don't need a man ever to do anything for them or flat out tell you they don't. Therefore you don't ever need to have a boyfriend or ever get married. Simple as that. Don't be a hypocrite right?
Do you want to hear the truth women? The truth is we are all equal as human beings. Whatever sex we are, whatever race we are, and whatever we get paid at the end of the day. However, our roles are different. Yes, woman can have a career(as long as that doesn't affect her priority as a mother to her children), they can get paid as much as men, and they can survive in life without men. I am single, living on my own and supporting myself and I am doing just fine. But do I still wish to be married someday? Yes! Do I appreciate the men in my life who have fought for me, protected me, and honored me. Absolutely! Do I appreciate the men at my work who help me out at the barn and my rental house when I need it? Totally! Do they treat me like I am weak and can't handle things? Absolutely not! I can still handle projects and take care of some things myself; but I for one think it's nice when I know I don't always have to do it all and can focus on the things I am better at while they tackle the things I'm not so good at. And you know what, I think sometimes they actually appreciate it because they feel needed. Men are just better at some things because they are men and the same goes for women.
Ladies, we are not inferior to men...we just have different roles. God created men and women different in the beginning. We were created to be a help to the men in our lives and men were created to lead and protect us. After the Fall, both sexes had burdens brought into their life due to disobedience. Now with us as the helper and men as the leader/protector does this mean we are weaklings who can't do things on our own? Of course not! We were just created to provide the softer side for men's rougher side and men to strengthen and cherish our softer side. Both roles are equally important and require just as much strength. And I don't know about you but sometimes I appreciate not having to load and unload over 200 bales of hay or getting on some of the really crazy bucking colts. Can I do it, yes; but if a man wants to step up and take care of it I will gladly step aside and feel no less for it. It will actually probably save me a lot of pain!
Also part of our role as women is to be mothers and for men to be leaders of the home. Some how this makes some woman feel inferior. However, do we realize that our job is just as crucially important? Men don't tend to be as tender and nurturing as many women are and would we as women prefer to have the burden of being the main provider for our family plus being the most responsible in setting the prime example of the spiritual leader of the home? We as women are the caregivers of our children and while the man is out providing and protecting our family we tend to our little one's daily needs and help raise them in godly character. Both roles are equally hard in their own right and important. 
 So please let men be men. We are in a world where real men are getting harder and harder to find and I am afraid we as woman might be part of the problem. We won't let them be men anymore. This doesn't mean we need to be damsels in distress all the time, but realize we don't always have to fight our battles alone. Don't put men down for being polite, but them expect him to be respectful to you and not treat you like just "one of the guys".  Don't strip him of his title and therefore dishonor yours.
I understand not all men are perfect but are we as women? So let's lay this feminist stuff to rest and be the feminine yet strong warriors God has called us to be alongside the men He puts in our lives.
Or if you still choose to be feminist then please leave our men alone. There are many of us who still want them!
-Kayleigh

Genesis 5:2 (NASB)

He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.