Zen and The Art of Equine Balance

Being around horses transforms people. There’s nothing quite like a horse to cause a person to renew what for me can be best described as my contract with G-d One minute I’m thinking about next weekend’s guests, and the next moment, in the presence of the horse, they’re totally present. Be here now… zen

Now, there are all sorts of spiritual explanations for this, but I like to think it’s because we’re standing next to a creature who can smoosh you with an accidental shift of weight in a “New York minute“.So there you are, and if the horse accidentally stepped on your foot, your bones would be reduced to the consistency of cornmeal, and this animal is listening to you! In fact, they’re usually more than eager to try to figure out what you want them to do.

To really get great performance from your horse, you can’t force these behaviors out of them.You have to find that balance between being firm and being patient. You dont want to get walked on literally and figuratively, though they must know who’s the boss. Almost always, the horse will try his or her best to do what you want – but often, they don’t quite understand our requests. Then, it’s easy to become frustrated with the animals, and you’ll see people getting pretty upset with their horses for ‘misbehaving’.

When a horse starts to buck, or in Picken’s case sometimes the occasion, “crow hop”, my natural and initial reaction is to tense up. We don’t want to get thrown, The body stiffens, and the combination of the equine activity and stiff human is the perfect recipe for bouncing right up and off the back of your mount. Yeehaa! (At least until youcome in for the landing .)that has us off-balance and getting bucked off the back of this horse called Life. The balance can be difficult to find – but it’s not difficult to maintain. In fact, once you get the hang of it, does get easier . All the movement happens naturally, just by relaxing into the flow of things, although there are days when I’m feeling a bit off kilter going out…. at loose ends. Having to be “fully present” with the mare is the perfect medicine.. trust me.

Iit’s almost always because the human half of the equation is over-thinking, getting impatient, or being inconsistent with their cues.I had this experience recently doing a “bushwhacking” trail section of Fortier’s with Patrick… He’s done this section countless times, but each time, it’s a little different, because by the very nature of bushwhacking, that section has no trail. So even the Patrick was a little off direction seeing the fence we should nt have been seeing I’m trotting on Alle following saying to her “follow that horse” with a sense of urgency since your intrepid innkeeper didnt want to lose Patrick. With an animal that can sense the most subtle shifts in body language, you’re effectively having your mind read. There’s no room for trying to pretend you’re not having an emotion.

But all of a sudden, I remembered… my contract with G-d as it were… “G-d has a plan” and all of a sudden… deep breath and I knew all would be okay.. there’s a plan here for us… I could feel myself physically relax more. Before long we came to a clearing which took us yet another trail less traveled and back to Fortier’s … Well done Patrick. Alle was a total partner and what I got most was how easy it is for me when I remember my contract, my G-d.

Life is just like this It’s easy to get bucked. All we have to do is tense up, fight the motion, and pretty soon we’re being jostled all over the placeJust some food for thought. And speaking of which, your intrepid innkeeper has just a recipe to fortify for the next Fortier adventure

Ranch Omelet from grouprecipes

• 1 cup refrigerated or frozen egg product, thawed, or 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro
• Dash salt
• Dash ground cumin
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno chile peppers, reduced-fat cheddar cheese, , shredded (1 ounce)
• 3/4 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
• 1 recipe Corn-Pepper Relish

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl beat egg product, cilantro, salt, and cumin with a whisk or rotary beater until frothy.
2. Coat an unheated 10-inch nonstick skillet with flared sides with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat or until skillet is hot.
3. Pour egg mixture into prepared skillet. Cook, without stirring,until egg mixture begins to set on the bottom and around edge. Run a spatula around edge of skillet, lifting egg mixture so uncooked portion flows underneath. Continue cooking and lifting edges until egg mixture is almost set. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with three-fourths of the spinach and half of the Corn-Pepper Relish.
4. Using the spatula, lift and fold an edge of the omelet partially over filling. Top with remaining spinach and the remaining relish. Cut omelet in half; transfer omelet to warm plates.
5. Corn-Pepper Relish: In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup chopped red sweet pepper; 1/4 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed; 2 tablespoons chopped red onion; and 1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro

I shall remember my contract with G-d, as Picken came up sore today… What’s His plan? Keep her in prayer though… never hurts. Trot on friends, trot on.