Working on Futurity horses in a dark barn is one of the sweetest things Ive had the pleasure of doing this year. (Light switches are never anywhere to be found in those darn tents!) But the real reason why its so sweet is they are 3 yr old Fight or Flight animals. Hi!, in the pitch black, I know you dont know me but let me come in your stall, catch you, take off all your blankets and find your sore spots and press on them. Jeez! I dont even want to let me in a dark stall when I say it out loud. But these little beauties stood sooo still, zero distractions, head down, deep breathes, completely focused and waited for me to tell them whats next. It reminds you that they are just babies...like baby babies. And we ask the world of them. My good friend Lee Ann Rust often spoke about the gift of stewardship we have been given over our horses. Stewardship being; The activity or job of protecting and being responsible for something entrusted to ones care. Next time you think your Futurity horse is too far behind or lacks maturity or you thought your 2 yr old race horse would be more promising...just give a gentle reminder to yourself that they are babies. Literally. And the stresses you, yourself, feel in getting them there (whatever your there may be), they are still there working for us, looking for our guidance and giving their capable all, for us. Just in exchange for our stewardship. Its Futurity Season! Time to let our babies shine. Do them a solid by consistently rewarding work well done and bedding them a little deeper so they can get quality rest.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 06:32:43 +0000