Lifetime of Learning

15 years ago I purchased a foal sight unseen from a website in western Canada. Little did I know that this purchase would lead me on a journey of horsemanship and partnership and learning.

I had owned and worked with a number of horses at this point and felt confident in my ability to bring along a foal to maturity.  Riva is a PMU foal born out in the fields with her herd.  She didn't interact with humans till she was weaned and shipped to the auctions .

She arrived to the barn I had chosen to keep her in late September 2000 at approximately 5 months of age.  She was wild and unhandled. Two weeks after her arrival she cut her leg and I had to call the vet.  She was scared but eventually let us examine her knee.  It took us 10 minutes to catch her in the stall. Dr Peace was such a good sport about the whole thing.  Even though she was terrified she never tried to hurt us. Once caught we medicated her knee and gave her shots for it. She was prescribed 7 days of penicillin . The next day it only took me only a few minutes to get her to allow me to handle her and we had started on our pathway to a lifetime relationship.

Two years later I learned about Parelli Natural Horsemanship and I started on my learning journey. Now 13 years later we are have finished Level 3 and working in Level 4.  Riva has some physical problems but as long as she is comfortable we will continue with the Levels program and now some dressage.  Last summer Riva had the year off as she was unsound. I am back riding her again and so far she is doing well. 

Riva is the longest I have kept any of my horses. I have learned through Parelli that there is so much to play with and learn. It is not just about riding and showing. You can spend hours just hanging out or playing online or at liberty.  You can develope  trust and a partnership. 

Horsemanship is  way more than just riding and that is so true. I am sorry  I didn't see that when I was younger and taken the time with some of my other horses. If I had know then what I know now I could have changed and improved our relationships.  Well, you can't go back you can only go forward so onward we go. :)