On Sunday morning I had a riding lesson – quiet yard, beautiful weather, I was looking forward to it after Storm Claudia had put paid to the original time. Jessie however had other ideas – We got in the school, and nothing – she put the brakes on and decided it was too hard that day to do a lesson with poles. After a bit of discussion and thought between me & my instructor, she suggested we go out for a hack and see if that made a difference to her energy levels.

Out of the gate and it all changed – I had a relaxed pony who was happy and confident to go down the long driveway up to the gate, and out onto the lane for the first time and it felt amazing!! We would never have done that had Jessie been energised in the school and we took another huge step forwards! We didn’t go too far and kept it positive. Jessie had clocked some builders’ bags flapping in the farmer’s yard ahead of us and she stopped to look. We decided that was a good point to turn around and come home and stood until she was ready.

Another sliding doors moment and recognition that sometimes we need a plan B when plan A goes a bit awry. It’s also a reminder that when things don’t go according to plan, sometimes they turn out even better than you imagined they would!

By listening and acknowledging reality, rather than ploughing on with the original plan, we made a difference and we achieved something new for both of us. What could you achieve today if you took that approach? Not just with your horse, but in your daily life and work – horses teach us so much, we just have to know how to listen and not be afraid to do something different. 

With love,
Nicky