Apr 27 2023
Today.
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Today, we logged 4.69 miles. Doesn’t seem like a lot, but this was a huge milestone for us. You see, this is FV Aur Salute, a 4 year old stud colt I had shipped from Canada last fall. He is the first horse I have ever purchased sight unseen, but my gut told me to go for him when I saw his photos and video.
While Salute isn’t the first horse I’ve started under saddle, he is the first stallion I have worked with. After weeks of groundwork and prepping him for under saddle work, he gave me permission to mount. Our first few rides in the roundpen around Thanksgiving were amazing. But then we had a short bolt followed immediately by a buck which landed me in the dirt, unharmed. His reaction gave me valuable information. He told me exactly where his holes were. So, we worked on those holes, built confidence back up, and started again.
We also battled the crazy winter weather this year and had the added challenge of Salute not being at home with me (he’s being boarded 45 minutes away while we get the second barn built, which was put behind schedule due to aforementioned crazy winter weather)… but we did what we could, when we could, and somehow I managed to be with him at least 4 times a week, even if it was just grooming him in his stall and hand walking him in the rain.
So, back to today, April 27th, 2023. Our third “real” trail ride (meaning I rode him, rather than hand walking or jogging him or ponying him on the trail). We encountered so many mountain bikers (even one with a trailer behind it), hikers, runners, dog walkers, strollers, and even a rattlesnake, but my proudest moment was when he passed two mares on the trail like a gentleman. We also did some long stretches of trotting, and he is getting so much better at balancing my weight at the trot. We looked like less of a drunken sailor today and more like old pros.
Horse training is so rewarding. And the bond that is built during the process is worth all the time and patience. I ended this ride today on Cloud 9.
While hauling Salute back to the barn this afternoon, I found myself crying happy tears. Those tears soon turned bittersweet though when I realized I wanted to call my dad and tell him all about our amazing ride, but he is no longer here with me. My dad wasn’t a horse person, but he always relished my horse stories.
I thought about all the happy changes that have occurred in my life since he passed — the birth of our daughter, our new place finally feeling like home (after losing our first one to the Camp Fire), restarting my horse business, making new connections that feel as deep and meaningful as old ones… all the things I wanted to share with him, but can’t. I felt the tears leaving clean imprints down my dust covered face and I began sobbing.
And then I remembered something a wise friend told me shortly after my dad had passed away:
“Grief ambushes you, even when you think you are doing well. But believe me, you will survive this. You will dance again. You will laugh again. And he will be by your side and in your heart no matter where you go.”
So I thought again about today. Today, I did dance. I danced with Salute. And I did laugh. I laughed with Salute. And my dad was right there with us, by my side and in my heart.
