In Between Horses

Posted Mon, 04/20/2009 - 14:26 by Dale  Dale

On the 24th March 2009, my beautiful Remy died and now I'm in that no man's land of 'in between' horses.  I don't want to start another relationship, yet.  But I also don't want to isolate myself from like minded people, the insights of the program and the magic of being with horses.

My friend Jen offered me a lend of her mare Brea last weekend and we both attended Chris Corbidge's course at Wandin.  It was wonderful to play with Brea and to be on the other side of my first clinic without Remy.  I think I developed a rapport with Brea, much quicker than I thought possible, but then she is naturally started, and very sensitive.  It was better on the ground than onboard (of course).

So now the questions in my head start.

Do I ask Jen if I can play with Brea more so it is better onboard?  Is that a good thing for Brea?  Is it a good thing for me?  Is it a good thing for Jen?

Is this a great opportunity to play with lots of different horses and horseanalities?  If others will let me that is, there have been some offers though....Could this be better for my Horsemanship in the long run?

Where do I start looking for my next partner?  What type of horse?  What type of Horseanality? Naturally started or Traditionally?  Obviously there will be more horses for sale that are from the normal world, so one that I have some 'chemistry' with may come up sooner than if I search for a naturally started one.

Lots of questions, but playing with Brea showed me one thing.  Don't be afraid to start a new relationship.  On the human side of things, I've never been a fan of the beginnings of relationships - I just want to hurry up to get to the part when you can burp and fart in front of each other!

Its a fork in the road of my Natural Horsemanship Journey that I was not expecting, not so soon, not so sudden - now so many decisions.

I trying very very very hard to stay positive and progressive.  Very hard.