Well, it has been a terribly long time sine my first post.
Many things have changed. I have changed. Horses are no longer the only or main burning passion in my life. I discovered the martial arts, but that will be fodder for another blog :-) . But of course, horses are, and always will be, a big part of my life.
Forced by circumstances and as a result of my gaining a bit of mental distance, we have significantly reduced our breeding herd. When something you love becomes a burden and a chore, not to mention a financial drain, then it's time to move on. When there is disillusionment with the way things are going in the horse world and the feeling that I wish to move to an island and become a hermit, it's time to move on. It's sad in a way as horses, riding and everything to do with it have been my burning passion for so long I can't remember when it started. But it may be a natural maturation process and the harsh light of reality which have brought me to this crossroad.
In either case, I'm more detached these days, while I still love my horses, still love working with them and going out for rides. Through this detachment, I think I can see more clearly the way things are moving in out there in the "horse business" and I'm not fond of what I'm seeing. I'm also more self critical, questioning my own methods and philosophies and am learning that I have taken many wrong approaches in the past. The more I learn, the more I realise I still need to learn!
From my involvement in the martial arts and the steep learning curve I'm going through, I have also learned lessons that directly apply to my involvement with horses, and the general horse - human interface.
I have started writing a book. Putting into words what I wish to say really isn't that easy. However, the process is a learning experience for me, and formulating my thoughts into coherent sentences will no doubt help me become a better communicator. I need to "boil down" the pot of loose ideas, concepts, experiences into a manageable dish I can serve up.
More about all that later :-)
C.
