Originally posted to the EDRA Facebook page by Dennis Summers.
Happy New Year to all in EDRA land!
For me New Year is a time to at the same time look back and look forward-
This last year for us was as big a roller coaster ride as any year I can remember. Many great things happened and some less than great things happened too. Anyone who has been around me much has heard me say when asked how things are going i truthfully say-“more good than bad!” I can honestly say the same about 2021- more good than bad!
ok, enough looking back. Now what lies ahead? Well Sue once again got me on board pre new year with a focused exercise and diet program about a week ago. A great idea that each time produces greet results. The trick for me is to treat it as another great challenge rather than a sentence of eat and drink depravation. I will do my best!
Again looking ahead horse wise-with all our old reliables all signs seem to point to them excelling at whatever we point them at. The last couple years what with moving and bum knees none of our horses ever got truly fit, compared to where they have been in the past yet still performed well. I expect great changes for the better this coming year, horse fitness wise.
We have made 2 great additions toward both improving our day to day lives AND toward horse fitness. They would be the addition of Sarah and Renee moving into both our North and South places. Both extremely positive and skilled people who I am sure will be great assets. Sarah has a 6th sense horse wise that intuitively allows her to make the right moves at the right time every time when dealing with our horses both young and old. Renee with her great skills in both new and old medicine will help keep Sue and I tuned up. Another great development is my 2 brand new knees that make me pain free for the first time in a long time.
Ok, enough about us. My point of this yak is to point out what motivates us and make you all think about what motivates you To improve your lifestyle and horse dealio. As always, here is the place where i request input and experiences- what motivates you?
Now to go full circle on this note- SHE’S A PEACH!
For the first time in a long time I brought Peach down to Az. This winter. She is 20, or near 20 and I wanted to spend time with this great old gal. We have had many great rides together, along with countless moments of tension and spooks. I put up with it all and have always managed to stick and we have been able to excell in spite of it all. Just the nature of the beast- or is it?
For her whole career i have ridden her in a freeform saddle with no obvious saddle fit issues. No sore back or white hairs, all good. Then a while back Sue ordered up a new Pandora saddle. A really, really lightweight treed saddle. At about the same time a used Pandora come available so we bought it and I decided to give it a try on Peach-
Crazy stuff but literally from the first step in the Pandora Peach was a different horse-
-Walking briskly and boldly out front
-Leading boldly and relaxed at all speeds
-She literally puts her own halter on when I go out to catch her. She is just a happier horse with the new saddle!
All those years and all those miles of her putting up with a safdle she wasn’t happy with- and excelling in spite of it! Wow, if they could only talk. Good as she has done Peach obviously could have done gooder had I experimented with tack before now. I have bad news for you out there chasing Peaches tail, you now have a new and improved Peach to chase!
Anyway, what are the possible take away point from todays yak?
i think they are-
-Horse wise always keep your ear to the ground to look for possible places to improve, even if you and your horse are performing on a high level!
-Grab your motivation wherever you can, and hold onto it like a dog with a bone!
-Try to surround yourself with positive and accomplished people!
-Think about from today on, no yesterday on to make the right decisions toward improving your life experience and your horse life experience!
giddyup 2022, we got this