Neo, Jack, and my upcoming journey

An update on Neo and Jack...and me. Unfortunately, both horses were too much for their owners to handle.

Neo's owner attended all days of Paul's clinic and absorbed and practiced as much as they could on their more reliable horse. When realizing that their reliable horse needed some work, and it was a chore for them, but far less than they'd be facing with Neo, they began to question if they were doing what was right for him. They talked to Paul and pulled me aside to ask my opinion. I received a text two days after the clinic that said they'd found a home for Neo with someone (a "trainer") who was willing to work with him.

Jack gave me some work on the ground during Paul's clinic. Riding was pretty simple, but groundwork was challenging at times. He's just pushy. But you can't fault him for that. He's been taught to be pushy. Kids had been riding him. Kids make great "trainers" don't they. (I'm not talking about all kids...but in general, unless your kid's been started in the Ray Hunt method of horsemanship, kids make very poor horse trainers.) But anyway, even though Jack had made noticeable improvements, and we addressed and improved everything that was asked of us in 30 days (trail riding alone, cow sorting, and buddy-sourness) he wasn't going to be the "beginner" horse that she was looking for when friends come over to ride, she decided to put him up for sale.

While both of these situations are somewhat disappointing for me, they are what they are. I do realize that the human must be invested and involved in order for horsemanship to work for the horse...and I can't want it enough for someone else in order for them to get that.

So best wishes to Neo and Jack in their future.

And now for my future.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm both excited and apprehensive, optimistic but yet doubting every decision I make. I am heading down a new path with PATH Intl. I leaving for 3 months to study and ultimately become a certified therapeutic horsemanship instructor. I hope this journey not only helps me understand how to better communicate with people who have various emotional and psychological disabilities (no matter how great or small), but also to help people with physical disabilities who need the help of a horse to provide them with legs or to strengthen their core muscles in order to have a better way of life. In the process, my hope is to bring the level of horsemanship I have become so passionate about into a therapeutic program that will help horses and people.

I have quit my job. This scares me.

I leave in a week. This scares me.

I will be away from my husband, horses, dogs, cat, family, friends. This scares me.

I will be in New England for the fall colors. This excites me.

I will be in an intensive learning environment. This excites me.

I am following my dreams and starting a new life that is centered around horses and people. This excites me. And terrifies me.

See ya later, Comfort Zone.

Pack your bags, Doubt; you're going with me.