getting up that hill (eventually)
horses are doing good. Owning my own horses has definitely led me to understand a lot of things better. They're a joy to have, but I absolutely do not ride every day like I thought I totally would because guess what, you're a lot more vulnerable to the rain.
And being in the horse state is great, there are amazing resources.
Can you get the horse to those resources? Can you beat the lines of Extremely Rich Worth Literally Millions People who are also going to these vets and stables?
My horse care and the knowledge there and the HOW TOs have all improved. Even if I worry a lot about them. Farrier is always telling me how happy she is to work with my horses, that my horses are only ones she trusts to work on and hang out freely, and their hooves are in excellent condition.
The riding part has not been so great. It turns out arenas are VERY EXPENSIVE. And what does it matter if you get a week of rain straight? You aren't riding outside buddy, especially on a property that's ALL HILL.
And a lack of arena and the social construct as well as the physical leaves me surprisingly unconfident. Like I know I act and look like an idiot to people, but shocker, I don't actually like the thought of riding by myself in the middle of nowhere and falling off my horse and breaking something and having to crawl inside to splint my injured bones by myself. I would rather ride in an arena with people around to help me if I Oops Broke Myself.
But that's not to say I'm not grateful. In some ways it's led me to understand more how the Horses are Important to me, but not the Riding part of it all. It's shown me how just existing and continuing to see them every day has still resulted in the horses becoming calmer and well-adjusted. A lot of "naturalization" in training, if you will.
I dunno. Lots of food for thought, and I know we're all working hard to hold onto things these days.
At the end of the day, all I can really truly emphasize is how doing the thing that works for you, that's right for YOU, leads in the best direction. Even if people treat you like an autistic idiot for it.