A Year in Review

Well, I am hoping that I can keep up with this blog so that I have a good record of what life is like with my little pony. I never outgrew my love of horses so at the age of 31 I bought my first horse, Unbridled Aurora - Abbey for short, as a coming three year old. She is a registered American Paint Horse, sorrel tobiano and now, a year later clocks in at about 14.3 hands. She is a little thing, with tiny hooves, a long, flowing mane and tail, and sweet, but slightly nervous brown eyes.



Baby Abbey before I knew her :)

Together we are pretty green on green, so this is an adventure for sure. I have been riding since I was about eight, but only once a week at lessons sporadically throughout my life. I grew up on hunter/jumpers, but never got comfortable with the whole jumping thing - not that brave! I have had a lot of really wonderful teachers in all those years, some soft spoken yet tough, and some seriuosly old school Nazi-types that I also learned a lot from. I spent some of my high school years riding dressage or a really great little mare with an awesome instructor, and thanks to all the great horses and people I have known and the fabulous trainer that is helping us now, I feel pretty good about being able to get Abbey where she needs to be.

We have had a rather tumultuous first year with injuries, training setbacks, and even a move to a new barn, and I really struggled on more than one occasion with whether or not I made the right decision when I bought her. My husband isn't keen on how expensive this hobby of mine is, but there really is nothing quite like the smell of the barn, the calming effect of currying a horse, or the sweet satisfaction of getting nuzzled by such a beautiful creature at the end of a long day. We have been through a lot together, and I really feel like we have a long way to go together still.

So, while it probably would have been smarter to lease a horse, or invest in one that is already finished, I am learning to let go of expectations and just be thankful for each day that I have Abbey in my life. She is teaching me patience and to separate emotions from actions, and that even though the best laid plans for the day can go completely awry in the blink of an eye, there is always some small triumph to be found if you look for it. Hopefully I am teaching her that people are kind, loving, and fun to be around even though we ask a lot of our equine companions.

So, if anyone is out there reading this who is looking for some support in their horsey pursuits, believe in yourself. You can do it with patience, persistence, and the right help and guidance :) Abbey and I are getting there togehter, and so will you and your little guy or gal.

Until next time, just keep riding :)
Kristen and Abbey