After a particularly challenging day, I literally surrendered and laid down in the pasture.
I asked the Earth to support my physical body, the sky to help me see a new perspective, and the animals to help me regulate my heart rate and emotions.
As my mind slowed down, I was able to feel the ground holding me up while the purring vibration, weight, and warmth of Lunar on my chest helped ground me and really accept the support.
The horses placidly chewing in a strong parasympathetic state was incredibly soothing.
I spent about 20 minutes lying there before Casper got concerned. He stood over me with the saddest and most concerned expression I have ever seen on him. When I didn't move, he forcefully mushed my head with his several times to encourage me to get up. I got the message. Recharge but don't languish. Life is about balance.
How fitting as today is a solar eclipse in Libra (the scales of balance and justice)
Balance is hard. Support helps.
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #learningwithhorses. #surrender #support
On a hot smokey day I thought it would be fun to put out a "water buffet" for the horses. Each bucket had a different flavor. Turmeric, Spirulina, and a Chia seed and Salt.
Casper immediately did what Casper does. That boy is always knocking things over, dragging things around, throwing things, opening things.... You get it.
I wouldn't have my Peter Pan Pony any other way.
They really like to go back and forth with the flavors. So far peppermint is an obvious favorite flavor
#horsesofinstagram #barnlife #lifewithhorses #peterpanpony #chaoscreator
A Praying Mantis hanging out on Casper in the midst of a chaotic wind storm stopped me in my tracks.
A Praying Mantis symbolizes stillness, patience, and focus. It was an absolute contrast to the howling wind surrounding us.
This juxtaposition and imagery is helping me navigate this week.
I hope it helps all of you navigate your way as well
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #equineconnection #prayingmantis #windstorm #eal #interspeciescommunication
I love it when the birds hang with the horses. They usually fly off a short distance when I approach but this little one stayed and watched me. It was so curious and sweet
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #horseconnection #birdsandhorses #interspeciesfriendship #interspeciescommunication #animalcommunication
Deep connection with another being is at the core of why we choose to interact with horses.
I have had incredibly profound connections and also very superficial or even clashing connections.
While it is incredible to be with horses and the magic that they bring to our lives, we need to remember that it is not a failure if you don't resonate or deeply connect with each other right away, or even at all.
We certainly don't expect that with other humans.
We may desperately want to connect with our horse but they may not be that into us. As is their right as a sentient individual.
I interact with many horses and people and get to witness the spectrum as well as the navigation of these relationships.
It has helped me to understand and accept individuals for who they are. And even my own self!
Those magical connections are out there. The journey to find them is quite the adventure.
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #equineconnection #horseconnection #magicalmoments #navigatingrelationships #relationships #deepconnection #horsehumanconnection
🔥Good thing we had that wildfire meeting 🔥
Last Thursday, a fire broke out in a field nearby. The wind was pushing it towards our farm.
I was 20 minutes away when my husband called me. I had no idea what I was coming home to.
On the way I called in my evacuation plan for a place to land as well as a friend to come with an extra trailer.
As we assessed the situation, we hosed down around the house and barn so that flying embers would have a lesser chance of igniting.
The tanker planes were on their way to the Gwen fire burning just a few miles south of us and were able to drop retardant. This, along with quick action from the Trot fire department and area farmers put it out quickly. It burned about 40 acres a 1/2 mile from us. Thankfully we did not have to evacuate.
Each day, we are getting new fires and it is terrifying. I am glad that we have a plan in place and so many wonderful people in our community to help out.
While I feel incredibly lucky, I am devastated by the loss of so many homes, animals, and livelihoods from the Texas Ridge and Gwen fires. And now the Lower Granite fire.
We learned a lot with this situation and are making more fire breaks and plans.
Prevention and Preparation are key.
Stay safe out there everyone and please be careful to not cause any sparks!
#equinewisdom #wildfirepreparation #wildfirehorses #thewestisburning #defensiblespace
Having a staff meeting to update the crew on the wildfire plans.
We are on the edge of a level 1 evacuation plan. Air quality is not good so we cancelled lessons this afternoon.
Wildfire season is upon us. We will not get rain for a few more months so it is necessary to plan for the possibility of an evacuation.
In the meantime, we are evaluating the fire defensible space around the property and will cut down excess dry vegetation, limb up low branches, take up dry pine needles, etc with guidance from @idahofirewise
All of the animals here are getting fresh water and low physical activity. I will definitely need to make sure they get plenty of mental stimulation though.
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #wildfireseason #smokeseason #barnlife #horsesofinstagram #ilovemycoworkers
Feeding grain/supplements in hers situation can be tricky due to hierarchy and speed of eating.
Over the years I have tried several strategies but they were all slightly stressful or annoying.
I finally broke down and tried these nose bags.
I put a rubber feed pan in the bottom so that I can feed soaked grain as well as clean it out more easily.
I have each horse's bag adjusted to them and labeled. I put it on as they approach me, usually by hers hierarchy.
Some put their heads down and commence to eating. Some like to wander around while eating. I get to hang out for 10 minutes and relax while watching them.
Some of them come over to me when they are done. I hope to have all of them trained to do that shortly. I have only been doing this for a few days and am super happy with it so far.
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #horsefeeding #horseseating #horsefarm #lifewithhorses #horsetrack
I am grateful for a peaceful Monday morning. I wish it wasn't because so many people have made the ultimate sacrifice. I hate conflict and wish we could find better ways of coexisting on this beautiful and bountiful earth.
#grateful #mondaymorning #memorialday
The last few weeks have been full of highs and lows for us and many people. A few days ago I spent some time sitting with Casper and Ivy to help bring some balance and clarity to my emotions.
As I grounded myself and focused on my breath, I was able to slow down my thoughts and take some time to observe my feelings from a different place.
All the while, Casper and Ivy were interacting with each other and me.
Ivy can be a nervous mare and has her own baggage that we have been unpacking the last 2 years. It is a joy to see how relaxed and solid she is at this time. She was so deeply grounded.
Casper is my "Peter Pan Pony" who was doing his thing by pulling my hat off and throwing it across the arena, offering me kisses, and generally being a close talker in my space. I love how he finally moved into a sympathetic nervous system space with some rest and digest lick and chew action, while simultaneously looking me in the eye and keeping it real.
#equinewisdom #equineconnection #equineassistedlearning
#horsewisdom #horseconnection #somaticprocessing
#meditationwithhorses
Crop duster distraction during a lesson this morning. Humans were way more distracted than Casper who could have cared less
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #cropduster
Baby zoomies!
Last lesson of the day was pretty exciting. Momma was tied in the arena and baby was exploring. My student was on another mare doing her lesson. We learned that Ivy is very interested in a filly running around but can still focus on her patterns and not get upset or maternal.
I also learned that it is really hard for me to resist the urge to get a foal. Must. Resist. Or maybe it's time... 😳
#foalzoomies #springtime #babyhorses
First walk to canter transition
I am so proud that after working hard not to lean into the canter from a trot, that she didn't revert back when the task became a bit harder.
I just love the seamless transition. You can't see the cue and that is what it's all about.
Now we add more collection and these two are going to be on fire 🔥
#equinewisdom #horsewisdom #cantertransition
