I guess most horse people struggle at this time of year but I always try to remain positive so I'll start with this one - as I write it's only 37 days until the days start to get longer ! Now if I could add to that the wish that by then it might start to dry up as well then I guess we would all feel tons brighter wouldn't we! We are incredibly lucky just to have mud to deal with here at The Chestnuts. Despite the argument I had with the home insurance people when getting renewal quotes earlier this year, we do not, I repeat do not, live on a flood plain. I'm not sure how said insurers came up with that one given no rivers of any note anywhere close - I would think Shrewsbury (nearly 15 miles) would be the nearest and even with global warming it would take floods of biblical proportions to reach us. So my sympathies are firmly with the many who have been hit and the dreadful conditions they are faced with. Equally my heart goes out to the many parts of the world battling with fires and the devastation caused to homes and wildlife.
Staying motivated to do anything outside with horses is always a big challenge in the cold and wet so I try to commit to lessons or events as that is half the battle. Unfortunately my work diary can get in the way even at that earliest opportunity and if I add in physical issues that also seem worse at this time of year then the options get seriously restricted.
I did however commit many months ago to a clinic over in Cambridgeshire last month and I'm so glad I did. Originally it was just to be a bodywork session for Patrick with Jim Masterson { https://mastersonmethod.com/ } but at the last minute I was lucky enough to bag a lesson with Mark Rashid { http://www.markrashid.com/ }. The main clinic was a joint venture with Mark and Jim assessing horses on their first lesson, following up with a bodywork session, then ending with another lesson with Mark so it was possible to see what changes could be made when any physical issues could be helped. There were a really interesting mix of horses and riders and much to be learned from these 2 wonderfully humble guys and there were approximately 150 spectators each day eager to soak up what was on offer. The bodywork session reignited my interest in studying more of The Masterson Method having attending a weekend introduction course a few years ago and I'm currently following the Home Study Pack before I enroll on an Advanced 5 day course next year (universe permitting). I have read most, if not all, of Mark Rashid's books and to meet the man himself was no disappointment. My hour long lesson flew by in what seemed no more than 10 minutes. The focus of the session became breathing. I have always struggled with what I thought was nerves and the need to not hold my breath in times of stress so it was no surprise for this to be identified as wanting attention. However it was not in its simple form as the guidance received was in "how" to breath. Again, it was not all new to me as I had many years ago been told to exhale on a downward transition but to discover that there are different ways to apply that exhale, and to immediately feel the benefits and see the improvement was pretty mind blowing. Also the revelation that not only should the exhale be applied to downward transitions but also to upward ones was a bit of an awakening! So remember - exhale with every effort - upward or downward transitions, or in everyday situations, standing up, sitting down, lifting, moving... get the picture?
Oh well, it took a long time to update the blog page but now I need to get back to the task of annual accounts and tax submissions - every year I wonder why I have left its so long. I guess that is down to making the most of the longer days and warmer weather while I had the chance so I can't say I feel guilty, or at least I have few regrets. Roll on Spring, but meanwhile check out the diary page for details of Horsemanship training and Jumping lessons upcoming.
Staying motivated to do anything outside with horses is always a big challenge in the cold and wet so I try to commit to lessons or events as that is half the battle. Unfortunately my work diary can get in the way even at that earliest opportunity and if I add in physical issues that also seem worse at this time of year then the options get seriously restricted.
I did however commit many months ago to a clinic over in Cambridgeshire last month and I'm so glad I did. Originally it was just to be a bodywork session for Patrick with Jim Masterson { https://mastersonmethod.com/ } but at the last minute I was lucky enough to bag a lesson with Mark Rashid { http://www.markrashid.com/ }. The main clinic was a joint venture with Mark and Jim assessing horses on their first lesson, following up with a bodywork session, then ending with another lesson with Mark so it was possible to see what changes could be made when any physical issues could be helped. There were a really interesting mix of horses and riders and much to be learned from these 2 wonderfully humble guys and there were approximately 150 spectators each day eager to soak up what was on offer. The bodywork session reignited my interest in studying more of The Masterson Method having attending a weekend introduction course a few years ago and I'm currently following the Home Study Pack before I enroll on an Advanced 5 day course next year (universe permitting). I have read most, if not all, of Mark Rashid's books and to meet the man himself was no disappointment. My hour long lesson flew by in what seemed no more than 10 minutes. The focus of the session became breathing. I have always struggled with what I thought was nerves and the need to not hold my breath in times of stress so it was no surprise for this to be identified as wanting attention. However it was not in its simple form as the guidance received was in "how" to breath. Again, it was not all new to me as I had many years ago been told to exhale on a downward transition but to discover that there are different ways to apply that exhale, and to immediately feel the benefits and see the improvement was pretty mind blowing. Also the revelation that not only should the exhale be applied to downward transitions but also to upward ones was a bit of an awakening! So remember - exhale with every effort - upward or downward transitions, or in everyday situations, standing up, sitting down, lifting, moving... get the picture?
Oh well, it took a long time to update the blog page but now I need to get back to the task of annual accounts and tax submissions - every year I wonder why I have left its so long. I guess that is down to making the most of the longer days and warmer weather while I had the chance so I can't say I feel guilty, or at least I have few regrets. Roll on Spring, but meanwhile check out the diary page for details of Horsemanship training and Jumping lessons upcoming.