Making a commitment to yourself and your horse to be the best horseman you can be.  Growing up in a small rural area that had few opportunities to experience the outside world, having the opportunity to have a horse was my lifeline. Having generous people around me like neighbors who owned horses, relatives like my uncle who gave my family our first pony, and grandparents who operated a very small dairy farm that offered me the opportunity for boarding at a very young age. I remember riding my pony a few miles to the neighborhood fun show, held in my friends back yard. My friend had., in my opinion, the best horse show mom.  She was always present with her cooler full of sandwiches, soda and snacks! She stayed with the kids writing down times for the gymkhana and always making you feel part of something special. She cheered us all on, not just her kids. As we continued our 4-H career our skills got better, as our parents and leaders introduced to more and more things that made us better riders and began our journey to be much better horseman.  In those early days, I remember having a realization that I was outgrowing my spunky little pony Lady, and I pestered my parents tirelessly about getting a horse. I dreamed of the horse I would have, dreamed of a beautiful black horse with the flowing mane and tail, not unlike the horse from one of my favorite books, The Black Stallion. Then came that day when my mom started talking about a woman she worked with looking to sell her horse before she left for college. We finally went to see her, and I remember having a dream of a Bay horse. Well to my surprise, this sale horse was Bay, and she was beautiful! She was a dark dappled Bay, with a star, stripe and snip. She was the one and from that day on we shared over 20 years of friendship. We rode for miles and miles just the two of us, bareback, sometimes barefoot up and down the the country roads in a small community in Wisconsin. We got to know our neighbors well as we were a regular sight on the shoulder of the roads. We started our initial competition life barrel racing, but soon transitioned to western Pleasure and western equitation when we flund our niche. She loved it and tried so hard. She learned her cues so well I many times said, if I thought it she would do it. We practiced things at 13, that I now know of as a spiral circle in canter. She had the most amazing, collected canter and was the most comfortable horse I ever Road. She was 1/2 Arabian and 1/2 Quarterhorse giving her amazing athletic ability. She gave me so much joy to ride and we even tried a class called Handy Horse which had moves similar to reining and flying lead changes dressage riders refer to as Tempe changes.  I have been on a journey my whole life dedicated to the ownership and then memory of this very special horse. She was truly an extension of me, where the two blended into one. I search everyday to recreate those moments and realize how very blessed I was to truly have had this bond with her. It was because of her, that I decided not to follow a career in accounting but instead to enroll at an Equestrian College.  I wanted to be better for her. A better owner. A better trainer. A better horseman.  I think we owe it to ourselves and to them to never stop learning.  When training your horse, always remember to analyze your situation.  Have an understanding of the goal you have set for that day, but be open minded enough to know sometimes you have to adjust to what is going on that day. Reward a try generously, and don’t pick on the horse continuously with cod rections after corrections You are riding and communicating with another living creature so help him to understand what you are asking. Be clear and concise. Be consistent. Use the same cue clearly. Help your horse to be the most confident he can be. Then also, be sure to be fair, clear and consistent with your correction.  You will find far more harmony and understanding while you are making that bond.  I have also, had opportunity to practice some different natural Horsemanship methods as I have started many horses. These tools can be very valuable creating that bond and helping your horse learn a good work ethic.  I find any horse with whom you have established that bond and good work ethic becomes a much happier and confident partner.  My students seem to embrace this as well, as it gives them tools to use at home and when we travel away from home. Until next time happy riding!