You’ve Already Won
Whatever our goals are with our horses, the journey is always full of potholes – some big and some not-so-big. There’s just no way around it. It’s hard sometimes.
I want to share a mindset that I hope will help you get through the setbacks you experience.
And that’s because stuff always happens. Always, and the nature of all of life is up and down and all around.
We can’t get rid of the yuck, but we can have the fortitude and the perseverance that nothing can stop us. Nothing. And with that mindset, you’ve already won.
That’s what this mini-podcast is all about.
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Do Something…Different!
Not long ago, I interviewed Dr. Steve Peters, who spoke about the brain of the horse and best practices to help us bridge the gap between our horses and us for the benefit of both.
Dr. Peters said many things, but one thing that stuck with me was about dendrites. That’s what this video is all about.
The secret weapon at your fingertips
Years ago, a friend loved to take videos with a camera with cube-like cartridges. She would film everything from generally messing around to practice rides to show runs.
The problem for this non-techie, non-mechanical girl was I had to learn to run the machine to play them back, and then I had to hook up the TV to the device, and then I had to hook up the camera to wherever it hooked into.
That was a lot for me! But I did love studying my videos when she filmed them.
But now, as you know, filming is so easy.
For riding, of course, we don’t need anything but the convenience of our phone, ideally held in a horizontal position – and then we need to study it.
The study part is what this video is all about.
Powerful and Easy when snowed in
Every year about this time of year, winter seems to linger forever in some parts of the world.
When the snow flies during the holidays and again in January and early February, we accept it as par for the course for winter. Still, by late February, we think, “Enough already!”
If you feel like there’s ‘nothing’ you can do about riding because winter (or any inclement weather) keeps dragging on, I have a suggestion for you.
That’s what this video is all about.
Vulnerability and Fear in High Gear
This past week, I had several unusual situations that left me feeling very uneasy. They were not directly related to horses, but I felt vulnerable on that emotion’s high-octane side.
I did my best to practice the steps we take with our horses when they feel uneasy and insecure. It was an excellent reminder of ways to face fear because I was forced to do so.
That’s what this podcast is all about.
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This happens to everyone
I have two friends navigating the same challenge but in totally different disciplines.
One rides reining horses, and the other shows pleasure horses.
They both love to show and have been progressing well, and their results in the arena are beginning to show it, too.
But the wheels fell off in the show pen in the past three weeks.
One was angry that she had worked so hard only to get that kind of result, and the other felt humiliated and discouraged.
Raise your hand if you can relate.
Okay, you can put your hand down now!
This video discusses my thoughts on their situations and what to do next.
Why Choosing Optimism is Worth It
This week it’s been cold, windy, and rainy, so I stayed inside and made a video for you to explain two benefits of choosing optimism over the doldrums!
The happy secret to better work
We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.
Everything Begins HERE With Our Horses
“The Best Gift Anyone Can Give
To One Who Grieves”
I remember feeling so fearful that people would soon forget our son, Zane after he passed on to his heavenly life. The thought of that was gut stabbing.
Recently I saw this quote, and wanted to share it with you.
“How to Coordinate Your Hand and Feet
on the Cut”
There are three main things going on as you’re walking through the herd to make a cut. The first is effective communication with your horse. The second is reading an ever changing situation. The third is making good decisions moment to moment.
That’s a lot to manage all at one time!
“7 Steps for Making Good Decisions in the Herd”
It’s easy to wait to hear your name called and then rely on your trainer for a cow plan as you walk to the herd.
However, I believe this is the slow road to becoming skilled in the herd.
There is so much you can do to set yourself up for herdwork success … as you collaborate well with your trainer or #1 helper.