Thoughts...

On the horsey front, I've decided to try the English world. I bought a used mounted Wintec 500 complete with 4 different gullets off trademe. I spent nearly 2 hours the day it arrived browsing the net trying to figure out where the stirrups and girth attach. How silly I felt when I realized the stirrups attach in a completely different place than the girth. :) I had a couple of sensible horsey persons visit and they thought the saddle seemed to fit my Oscar well with the black gullet in it. My first ride was a little adventurous. I had the stirrups WAY too long and the girth WAY too loose... After stopping mid journey I managed to get the stirrups the right length and the girth done up somewhat tighter and better. (But I found it so very hard to try and get it tight when you have to do up a buckle, the slip through method on the western seems so much easier...). Trip #2 seemed a bit better as an english riding friend taught me the trick of doing up the girth when mounted. We're still not completely sure what we think we prefer- english or western. My seat feels much better english and Oscar seems more responsive. I also love how light the english saddle is. I do miss the stability and stirrup size of a Western saddle. We'll keep working our way through them and see which we ultimately prefer. Perhaps we'll keep both and use each at different times. I did a session with Oscar in the arenas on the weekend, but think I actually prefer working and learning with him out on the trail. He seems much more responsive. It is so difficult to get him to side step on a rail, but he does it well to open a gate.

I've been continuing on my health / better diet attempts for the past few weeks. I bought a $20 for 20 day pass at Cityfitness gym and went 2 or 3 times a week for the past couple of weeks. I was surprised to rediscover how much I enjoyed going to to the gym. One day I went after work when I was feeling completely exhausted and drained- I returned feeling great after a bit of cardio and a lot of weight machines. I've tried to go on nights I haven't done pilates, horseback riding or jogging. I think I may buy a membership in winter when it's harder to get the outdoor exercise. I heard on the radio today regular memberships start from $15.90 per week so its not exactly cheap...

In other thoughts, I had recently heard a quotation that caught me and went searching the internet for it. I was able to find a few versions of it on Wikiquote:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Marianne_Williamson
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.... Your playing small does not serve the world... As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3])

In other words, live the dream. Face the fears. Step out. Take the chance. And in doing so- inspire others, too. I wonder if the reason little kids (and us big kids too) enjoy stories so much is that that they speak deeply to the dreams that exist within each human heart. Dreams that are not tempered by the size of the obstacle. We all have a story to write. What are your thoughts- what does this quote say to you- and do you agree with its premise?

Happy New Year!

It has been a while. I shall endeavor to post more regular updates in 2011.

When I last posted I talking about just starting to get started on a more healthy lifestyle. I started trying to jog about 3 times per week, and do pilates, horseback riding or walking most other days. I can notice a definite improvement in my ability to walk uphill. I'm not sure if the jogs are getting any easier. I did go out for 90 minutes on NYs Eve and that was a challenge. I involved hills, and it was a lot warmer than normal since I usually go out at 6am and that was in the evening. That is my longest run this season to date.

I've also started riding Oscar, my horse, regularly. After buying him at auction in late November I did a few lessons before I managed to track down gear including a used Charlie Leach Western saddle (1979 vintage). My first ride out he was pretty difficult. We passed some horses with riders going the other way and it was a REAL mission to keep him moving forward. He spent many years as a trek horse so its a challenge to make the transition. Since then it has seemed a bit easier each time, although we still struggle when I'm out with others and trying to do something different. It is great to be back in the horsey sphere- anyway.

My cats continue to keep me occupied. Allie & Jasper have decided they like getting up at about 3am! Hopefully this will change sometime quite soon!