I don’t know if it was my treatise on gratitude or what, I am just so happily surprised and grateful at just how especially great my day was yesterday. It started out with a lot of confusing, last minute changes to my normal schedule. And instead of getting upset or frustrated, and with such beautiful weather, I eagerly decidedly to pivot and do some horse training.

The horse who showed up was Cesar, so we got him saddled, no problem. We lunged him in both directions, no problem. We added side reins and lunged him again, no problem. Then we had a volunteer ride him while I lunged him in the round pen, and it was literally the first time in his life he had to figure out how to carry himself, and a rider, on a controlled circle for several rounds at a trot.

Now I have ridden this horse all around, on trail rides, at the Horse Expo,you name it. But he has had little to no arena work. So we have decided it is time for his ‘real’ education in how to be a good riding horse. Not just amble down the trail and whatever speed he chooses. He seems to really be loving it! As evidenced by the fact when we went out, he was the first horse to break from the herd and head right over to us, as if to say “pick me!”. Maybe his anger issues are just from a desperate desire to feel connection with us. And for those few (mostly vegans) out there who would say we should not ‘ride’ horses because it is abusing them, I would show you the example of Cesar, who so badly wants to connect, that if that connection includes allowing a rider on his back, he is so good with that. As long as you approach riding from an R+ manner, where the horse has a choice, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact not only is it not abuse, but it is actually making their lives more fulfilled.

I saw a quote yesterday that I cannot recall exactly, but it was something to the tune of the relationship between horses and people is unique, in that it is to brains, two neural connections, working together as one to accomplish a task, such as completing a cross country course or jumping a fence.
And as I watch the sky in the distance just begin to ever so slightly change to indicate the sunrise is near, I am reminded of when people used to be able to train in the water with orcas. And how sad the animals all became, and confused, when the laws changed in the US (understandably after the death of a trainer) and suddenly their friends no longer swam with them. The lawmakers who made that rule didn’t think about the effect it would have on all the other orca in captivity, the ones who would never harm anyone, and who were suddenly punished and they didn’t know why. We have to understand that our relationship with animals is often just as fulfilling for them, as it is for us.

This morning I am so grateful for the spectacular day I had yesterday. For getting to have an unexpected excellent training session with Cesar. I am grateful I was asked to be a speaker at the All American Koi Show this year (yippee!!!!!) I am grateful I was able to attend all of the many meetings I had yesterday and get a lot of things done. I am grateful I got some nice videos done in the sunset which I think people will really appreciate (about my special announcement coming up this week!), and I am grateful today is off to a great start.

​I hope you take a moment this morning to breathe in through your nose, and out through the mouth with an audible sigh. Breath in newness, strength, and resolve, breath out fear, negativity, and lack. Life is what you make it. So today, be grateful you woke up, that you are here, and make this the best day of your life, you Animal Loving Angel. Have the most beautiful day! And if it’s at all in your ability, we could use all the help we can get. Please send us an email to info@resqranch.org or donate here https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Resqranch And stay tuned horse lovers for the BIG REVEAL!

Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq