Daily inspiration for horse lovers of all ages.
Excerps from "Daily Nickers":
This book may be purchased by request via email.
June 1st
Every once in a while when I’m riding alone in the ring and my horse spooks unexpectedly, fear seems to take its choking hold on me and freezes every muscle in my body. I develop a fierce dread of falling off and getting hurt. This is always followed by wondering if riding is worth going through the emotional roller coaster ride of fear!
I experience doubts, anxiety and reservations.
I have found a way to work through these times as difficult as they are by playing an internal tape of positive affirmations. I keep riding until the positive shines through and I can relax and feel at home in the saddle once again and most importantly, breathe.
Thought for the Day
Fear may be here, but so is the courage to punch a hole through it every time.
June 2nd
Workaholics
The work will always be there, but we won’t. We tend to overdo; we work and work and then try to relax and see all there is still to do and then we go about working once more.
Today, find a tree and lean up against it, take a half hour to relax while watching a horse munching in the pasture…then go back to work.
Instead of mucking the stall sit outside in the grass and think of all that there is to be grateful for in this life.
Thought for the Day
Today play a little, maybe a lot…just for today.
June 3rd
Showing
Do I really want to compete this year? Do I want “A” shows to become a part of my summer schedule? I don’t know. I want it and I don’t... I want everyone to know just how beautifully tuned my horse is, but do I need a show circuit to do that? Money is another major factor.
If I decide that the answer is “yes” I will go all the way, a very expensive undertaking.
Thought for the Day
While weighing the pros and cons, we are learning a lot about ourselves and our abilities at decision making. Gathering all the necessary information to make a good decision is a skill that is learned.
June 4th
The Secret
There is a spirit of oneness that is so special when my leg aids and hands are soft and my horse is responsive. A unique, gentle understanding found nowhere else on earth.
Thought for the Day
There is no secret closer than that between a rider and horse.
Old English Saying
June 5th
May I Have This Dance
I don’t think I was ever a very good dancer until I owned a horse. Rather than fighting with my horse every step of the way, demanding that he follow my lead, I chose him as my dance partner and watched him bloom.
Thought for the Day
Arthur Murray...watch out...I have learned to dance.
June 6th
That Beautiful Blue Ribbon
Sharing in the glory that someone ELSE won the “Bright Big Blue” is essential to enjoying our own first place wins. Giving applause, praise and sincere congratulations to the #1 competitor in the class is a way to learn to appreciate compliments when the “Bright Big Blue” comes our way.
Thought for the Day
We all want our glories to be sincerely applauded.
June 7th
Nature Can be a Tonic
Lying on my back in a sea of freshly mowed sweet smelling grass; watching clouds float by, feeling quite complete and thoroughly enjoying life - the inner kid and the visible adult need each other to be whole.
Thought for the Day
City sidewalks can make it tough to find your kid. My “kid” usually hides in fields of clover and country roads.
June 8th
What is a Nicker?
A nicker is a gentle, low, warm greeting which is made by a repetitive sound from the back of the throat through the nostrils. It is to neigh softly.
You will never see a horse greet an enemy with a nicker. You will not see a horse greet anyone it does not trust with a nicker. It is a greeting reserved for friends.
Thought for the Day
A nicker is one of the loveliest sounds in the world.
June 9th
Champions
Loving spirits need nurturing to stay at their peak. Good company, kind words, soothing tones, gentle smiles, dancing eyes and most of all big hugs.
Thought for the Day
There’s more to champions than Wheaties.
June 10th
Poise
To be balanced is a way of living....
and riding.
Thought for the Day
Stay centered
June 11th
To Catch a Thought
What do you think about in the gaps of riding? Try taking an inventory of your thoughts next time you are riding and see what thoughts are getting transmitted to the horse and which ones repeatedly get you into trouble.
Thought for the Day
Think about it.
June 12th
I Hear You
Here we are just the horse and I in a dead heat over who will win this recent bout of stubbornness! He wants me off and I want to ride and learn. It’s been over an hour in the heat this lesson, so maybe I am pushing it a bit. Listening to each other is how we learn. I have to remember that I am not the one with cold steel placed on my jaw and gums. I just need to end this lesson on a good note; a note, which contains a “yes” answer from both of us.
Thought for the Day
Sometimes, I’m having so much fun, I forget it can be work for him.
June 13th
Vitamin People
Inspiring people, those few who make you want to soar in the clouds and create an abundance of happiness are like healthy treats for our spirits. They ride on the Pegasus of the heart and cannot help but spread joy and well being to all those whom they encounter. You smile just being around them.
Thought for the Day
Who are the inspiring people in your life....and barn?
June 14th
Perfect.
We don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect with the way we ride before we actually ride.
Miriam Webster defines perfection something like this:
“….Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.”
How does one become thoroughly skilled with nothing left to learn?
Thought for the Day
Once again, I’ll seek progress not perfection!
June 15th
Discipline
In discipline what is left out is just as important as what is left in.
Leave out ridicule, belittlement and shame.
Do add encouragement, praise and “atta boys”.
Thought for the Day
Firm but gentle training techniques work best. We get more with honey than vinegar.
June 16th
My Worth
Fear of not being good enough; fear of failing; fear of appearing the fool, all these negatives are running through my mind while I am trying to be my best in the show ring. I hear a whisper from the sidelines telling me to relax but I don’t know how! So, I rely on my experiences from home; the deep breathing I’ve been practicing, the soothing sounds of birds singing, sinking into the deepest part of my seat; then I realize, that the show ring is not a report or grading on my worth, but on how much I’ve learned.
If I need more practice, that’s okay, I’m still me; if I pin in this class that’s okay too!
Thought for the Day
Risking is taking a chance on winning. Letting fear hold me back from trying is the only real failure.
June 17th
Every Barn Needs a Motto
Glitz and Gold
Power and Prestige
Fun and Games
Love and Laughter
Thought for the Day
Which motto is in your heart and your barn?
June 18th
If You Had a Day Like Mine,
You Would Be Cranky Too
How often have I been caught up in this busy world and used that bustle as an excuse to be cranky and irritable? Too many times to count. There is no excuse for mean-spiritedness; there aren’t any reasons to circumvent anger on those around me including my horse.
Searching for what is important and what delights my soul and filling my day with what I discover will bring a halt to this hectic pace.
Thought for the Day
Slow it down and breathe in life. It smells sweeter when there are no excuses involved.
June 19th
Instincts
Fear overrides every other sense a horse has. It is part of his nature, his instincts. He can no more change that reaction to a frightening object than we can change our instinct to freeze if we were looking down the barrel of a gun! When we can understand that his fear is a natural thinking process for him then we can teach him how to react to fear when we are with him. A signal that he responds to each and every time we are under saddle. An aid that is as instinctual for him to respond to as any that he is born with. It takes a lot of hours in the saddle to develop your special cue, but oh the safe, wonderful feeling that comes from taking the time to teach that one special cue and have it work every time!
Thought for the Day
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
June 20th
Approve of Yourself
We all have a special style. Find yours and accept it every day. Ride the best you can, without comparing yourself to someone else. Keep trying to be the best you can be each and every day, each and every ride.
Give yourself a pat on the back and your own approval, it goes a long way to help move forward in the right direction.
Thought for the Day
If at first you don’t succeed, you just need practice!
June 21
No Need for Charm School
Horses appear to be animated beings that carry themselves with such natural dignity and elegance. Horses are the epitome of natural beauty and style.
Thought for the Day
No glamour tips needed here…just “as is”.
June 22
It’s What You Make It
Sparkling days.....
Are good ole days
They’re still to come and here today.
They’re given freely, one at a time.
The recipient pays not one thin dime!
Thought for the Day
Life gives us all kinds of opportunites, make yourself available to see them.
June 23
Baths
Isn’t it incredible to see a shiny clean coat, white markings as bright as snow after a bath and a certain all around glow to one of the most beautiful animals in the world - the horse.
It lasts about five minutes and then a trot raising a summertime cloud of dust and a long leisurely roll in a dirt paddock to keep the flies off!
Thought for the Day
The only time I get to keep my horse squeaky clean is if I put him in a locked up stall right after his bath. What’s the point?
June 24
Lessons Learned
Remembering my first solo flight can still bring a smile to my face and a pounding in my heart.
My mind was picturing all sorts of catastrophes. It’s funny, none of them happened and I had such a sense of accomplishment when I dismounted that I knew I could do anything I wanted to in any area of my life.
That’s quite a feeling!
Thought for the Day
How many worries I’ve fretted over that have never happened.
June 25
Adventurers
Marco Polo, Amerigo Vespucci, Seward, and all those bold explorers, I feel like their “kin”. Every new trail discovered is such an adventure.I know that feeling of treading on uncharted courses and it is dangerous and exciting and fun (most of the time). I do love new adventures if not during the ride, then for sure when I’m safe and sound back at the barn recounting it!
Thought for the Day
What cliff?
June 26
Letting Go
It is so hard to let go of the bit. When I get the right bend and softness a release (reward) is necessary yet I forget and want to hang onto that bit to keep that headset...when what the horse wants is a cue that he is giving the right answer...just to let his mouth go!
Thought for the Day
Do I hang on too tight to what I want in all areas of my life? Time to try letting go and trust life.
June 27
The Tyrant
The only real tyrant I know is that still small voice within me. No one could be more critical of my equitation than the tyrant within. To quell those judgments is difficult; it takes a determined focus on the good that I have accomplished. A habit of telling myself that I am doing the absolute best I can, that I’m right on schedule, my schedule. Self-confidence does not grow by judging myself harshly, but by encouraging myself through quiet, consistent, positive thinking.
Thought for the Day
Harsh criticisms and judgments no longer have a place in my head.
June 28
Clamor or Harmony
Your attitude toward life is what you hear everyday in your own mind. It’s a selection of tunes you choose to play by pressing your own buttons.
Are those choices making you content or miserable?
Thought for the Day
What station are you listening to? Hopefully, it’s easy listening.
The Horse Family
Do “Mom’s” recognize their foals in a show ring when they’re grown and they meet once again?
Does a baby grow and forget his/her beginnings?
Do colts and fillies that are barnyard playmates know each other when they meet again at a later date?
Thought for the Day
Beyond a shadow of a doubt…my heart tells me they do.
June 30
I Believe
There’s a bumper sticker that reads: “Expect a Miracle”
I did……..
and I received a horse.
Thought for the Day
Believe in miracles – they can happen to you.