It’s really a delight to realise how much can get done in such short bursts of time. I know on occasion I fall into that ol’ capitalist mindset of feeling like if it’s only been a few minutes then that’s surely ‘not enough’. As though there’s a Miss Trunchball in the background ready to rap me across the knuckles and tell me I’m not serious enough about my work.
This morning, I played with three of my ponies and we were finished and done within a relatively short window of time. As they come back into work, I appreciate they are unfit and I want to leave their bodies in a place where they feel happy to have moved, rather than resentful of the fact they may be asked to do so again.
My eldest son said to me, ‘that was quick!’ To which I replied, ‘well, they were just so good. Every question they answered with a yes, what more was to be done?’
The increased fitness will be riding out around the trails, not with endless circles in the arena.
I had an experience just recently when I was in Wales which I enthusiastically relayed to all my friends, knowing that they would also appreciate the big little thing I was about to share.
Two horses had trotted past on their way from the estuary to the beach, a lady in hat and boots running behind. I said hello to her and said that I was quite jealous that she was out there with the horses. She replied that it was her horses first time to the beach and as she was a little nervous a friend was riding him for her.
I remarked that everyone looked happy and we went about our way.
I saw the pair of ponies ride a little way out, and then heard their conversation as they headed back towards the car park.
‘How’s he feeling?’ the owner said. ‘Should we take them over there?’ She pointed to the wide open space towards the headland.
The rider told her, ‘he’s been really good, but he’s definitely feeling it. I think nows a good time to take him back to the trailer.’
‘It seems a long way to come for ten minutes,’ she replied, but dutifully followed them back towards the carpark.
Depsite having no relationship with any of the horsey crew, I beamed all over my face and I retold the story to my friends. We see so many examples of horses pushed to the limits, of accidents occurring with overfaced horses whose emotionals needs are not considered.
To witness the opposite is worthy of shouting from the rooftops.
There are so many ways to ‘win’, and I consider this way to be one of the best.
