Hackamore = Snackamore!

 Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 

I am grateful and thankful and blessed! I'm so glad that the sun was out and Dan and I were able to go hack at Ashland. We had the whole place to ourselves! Ahhhhhhhhh... 

 

We had a lovely ride. He was a tiny bit lame at the walk at times... It almost felt up front but I think it's the hind end... creating up front feelings. It was almost like he got stuck and was lame and then he'd kind of unhitch and smooth out. And when we trotted (just a tiny bit) he was sound. I got a little sad.... because... I want him to be sound and happy. But then I remembered.... it's going to take time. And I am on my horse... who could have broken his femur... or any other disastrous situation... And we're having fun. The view is beautiful. He's hacking.. he's snackin'.... he's happy! I'm happy! And I went back to enjoying the ride instead of being sad that he wasn't healing quicker. 

 

We hit some hills and walked the "water treadmill". We even did a tiny bit of trot in the water complex too. Just because. I do like him in the hackamore. He looks so handsome. And he's just as easy (or hard) to get out of the grass than with the bit. And he enjoys the unimpeded chomping. 

 

I talked to God... I realized yesterday when telling a friend about how I figured it was a neon sign when I fell off him and she asked me if I had asked God about it. I .... uh..... oh.... oooohhhh... I was sort of flabbergasted. I mean... I've been praying and praying and praying... and I have felt at peace with the decision to just... switch to western.. no more eventing... no more jumping other than popping over little logs for fun on good days. So, I suppose that I figured that I had "talked" to God about it. But... I haven't. I've just TOLD God... And sure... I've "heard" His No's... His Not Yets... but only because I didn't listen for so long that He had to make them neon signs whacking me upside the head. (or back). But... I am still trying to control the situation... I'm still doing "my will"... so, I tried to pray about it. To really ask God what His will in the situation was. Because, maybe... it's NOT to go western.. maybe it's NOT to ride at all.. maybe it is to go back to dressage (doubtful, but I know God CAN fix him.. it's just.. not sure He WILL). But like... I don't know. I have no idea, because... I've not asked.. I just keep barging ahead and trying to stick to the plan.. and then find a new plan... and then plan C... Sigh. So... hopefully I can actually stop long enough to listen and hear what He has to say about the situation and then... be obedient. It didn't happen today.. but I was able to stop long enough to think and try. And hopefully I can try again tomorrow. And the next day... and the next. And maybe, one day, I'll be able to listen and heed. 

 

So, I'm also grateful for mercy and forgiveness and that God doesn't shame me. And the beautiful view!