I just need summer

Finals are quickly approaching leaving me with very little time to myself. I live in a pattern of sleep, study, work, and school. Usually by this time of year I start feeling restless for summer. I need the time away from school so I can regain my enthusiasm for studying which most of the time I honestly enjoy. For now I can feel summer on the horizon and I can’t wait for long lazy days spent at the barn. Today I moved Jasper to the back pasture which has caused him to give me sullen looks from across the fence, but I know it is a good move for him since the horses in the back pasture are about his age and more likely to play. I am still practicing cantering and I have started working with Jasper on clicker training so that eventually I can ask him to lay down. I have high hopes that by the end of the summer Jasper and I will be settled into our partnership. Once Leslie is back on her feet I would really like to go for a trail ride at one of the state parks. Until then I have been keeping stalls clean and taking care of Penny’s wound which is looking much better, and slowly getting the barn area cleaned up and fly free.

Darah walking Jack into the round pen

Jasper licking his lips

Champ and Jim waiting to play in the water

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She discovered herself in the lost and found

I have never been a very confident rider, years in the saddle haven’t eased my worry though a few horses broke through my walls enough for me to enjoy a nice canter. I always think about the worst possible scenario and think that my balance is less than stellar. The horse I loved before Jasper was perfect for where I was at that time. He never asked for more than I was ready to give, but Jasper makes me want to be better for him. Today Jasper and I reached a milestone in our relationship by cantering for the first time. For fifteen minutes in the round pen I was asking for a canter and got no more than a very fast trot, I called Leslie and asked what I was doing wrong and after a few minutes of talking we came up with a different approach. Before I climbed down to tackle the experience from a different angle I decided to give it another try. My tenacious nature is something Jasper is learning to live with. This time he eased right into a nice three beat canter, I was so surprised that we only made it once around the round pen before we stopped for me to frantically call Leslie to give her the news. Jasper probably thinks I am an emotional mess because when we were done I cried into his neck and not the bad kind of cry, but the good, unbelievably proud kind of cry. I have never wanted to “own” a horse I want a partnership. I want to be the person that untangles his mane, scratches itches, doctor scrapes, and give kisses. At just a couple of months in we are still at the very beginning of our partnership and I think his confidence balances out my caution nicely. 

Jasper posing before our ride

Intent on what lay ahead of us

Feeling all scratchy

Everyday I’m grateful for moments like these

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post, but things at Hope Ranch never stop moving. Everyone gets fed twice a day and stalls get picked or stripped then it seems like there are always feet to take care of or wounds to doctor. Somewhere in all the constant motion that is my life I have moments that make my heart melt. Every morning I walk through the gate and Jasper turns and calls to me I feel a little more at home. Each time I work with him and things go well I gain more confidence in our slowly growing bond, and even the moments that he acts up bring me confidence when we work through them. I cherish the little moments, the learning experiences, and the quiet times when everyone is fed and happy. It seems like even when the rest of my life is chaos I can still feel hopeful about the future with Jasper.