Heeeeeeeeey,
So today I had the most successful, relaxing and enjoyable lunging experience. I always find lunging important, but tedious. I find it an essential task with Nixon, to get out his fizzyness and get him listening, which in return makes for a much more enjoyable and productive ride.
I’m sure any horse rider would agree, it’s always astonishing when you just have to think what you're going to do next, and your horse is already doing it, before you even have a chance to ask. So I decided to lunge him using only body language and the odd encouraging sound. To my surprise... it worked! In fact, he was more alert and even intrigued at my new method.
I’ve always been taught to talk to him at all times, but actually sometimes it’s nice to shut up for a while, and take in everything. Every day it amazes me, how we can connect, learn from and communicate with such a large, wild animal.
Nixon always knows how I’m feeling and when I need lots of cuddles, and I wouldn’t change him for the world.
Heeeeeey,
So, where to begin.
The 'me' sitting here typing this, is a world away from the person I was a year ago. Back then I was really struggling to find any sort of enthusiasm, optimism and most of all happiness.
In the last year I have made so many changes through professional help and self motivation and for anyone looking for a bit of a ‘pick me up’, I can not recommend Paul Mckenna’s books enough.
Sometimes you need a harsh realisation that changes need to be made. I found my, I guess what you could call, 'life changing' moment when I read the following...
I love this quote. It said to me enough is enough, no more self pity, no more hiding, no more watching the world go by, I was going to get up and make things happen. So that is exactly what I have done.
At the time, I was suddenly finding the thought of lots of things really scary. My list of fears was starting to outweigh, and more importantly effect, the things that I enjoyed doing. Three of my main contenders were; crowds of people, heights and feeling confined in a small space.
So what have I been up to in the last week... I’ve visited London including using three tubes in rush hour ALONE and then I flew to Belfast ALONE!!!!
Ok not a big deal to most people, but I am so proud of myself that I just felt the need to share it, and shout about it! After all, and as I mentioned in a previous post, we are never quick to recognise our own successes.
I’m absolutely loving trying new things, and challenging myself to do things that before I would have avoided doing at all costs. In reality, when you’re out there doing it, whatever it may be, it is no where near as bad as the picture painted by worry in your mind.
I guess what I'm trying to say is; be brave, be bold, (and most importantly) be whoever you want to be.
Gemma xx
Heeeeeeeeey,
Oh, and hello October! Eek I’m feeling chilly at the thought. I think it’s all getting a bit scarily close to the end of the year, so I’m definitely going to make the most of the last three months.
Firstly, I would like to introduce a new feature.... Nixon Knows. I have been wanting to post something a little more horsey for a while now, but was unsure how not to bore my non-horsey readers. So I have decided to give you weekly snippets, insights and probably amusing stories, from things that Nixon has taught me about horse owning. I will also be asking other horse owners for their stories and advice, so if you would like to be involved let me know.
This is my first piece of horse owning advice! Nixon likes to be treated a bit like a king and if he’s cold, hungry or bored... well he’s not worth knowing! This time of year sees him at his worst, mainly because horses have to get used to the sudden temperature change and much like us, I don’t think they like the cold all that much.
The Solution: Rugs, food & lots of attention later.... one happy horse.
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Following on from the introduction of my stepping stones challenges, part 2 will be commencing next Monday, and it’s quite a big deal for me. It’s something that I find quite scary anyway but I’m going to be doing it ALONE. I will tell you all about it next week.
Happy 1st of October, enjoy it - fresh month and a fresh start.
Gemma xx
