Over the moors ...

... and not so far away.

A relatively short notice decision to go on a ride with 'Lillian' and 'Caz'.

We loaded 'Mr F' and 'Kitten' early and left 'Buttercup Farm' at 8:30am to meet up with 'Caz' at her home.

Neither I nor 'Mr F' have ever been on the routes near 'Caz's home and it was just simply beautiful. There was all kinds of terrain, stoney, gravely, muddy and even some bog to ride through.

Some parts of the path were so stoney (due to greenlaning I guess) that we decided to get off and lead the horses. I was most impressed with 'Mr F's ability to navigate himself over the quite challenging terrain, not once did he stumble. It was most interesting to watch him, which I could as I was leading him, he would examine the ground carefully and plan where to put his feet. He is doing this very elegantly nowadays, he is almost a mountain horse!

Looking back: only 2 years ago he even struggled walking on an ordinary footpath. He has come a long way since! 

I had a bit of a revelation in terms of state of mind (or lack of, even better!). Things privately have been a little rough going but I have come to the conclusion that there is no point in resisting anything, not the circumstances, not what is happening, not even people. Not to have any expectations, not to have any intentions, but instaed to just 'be' in the moment. In fact just like the horses (and all other animals probably). They don't care how others 'feel', they don't plan ahead for weeks nor do they dwell on the past like we do.

Because whatever I imagine to happen in the future, even if it is 10 minutes away, is just 'imagination' and the same goes for the past. It is no longer, it is unreal. So no point thinking about it or being emotional about it. I had learnt to bit many years ago myself, again through another very rough set of circumstances.  Ovearll: there is no point spending time thinking / worrying about what we cannot possibly know, we can only guess.

And this is the attitude I had today on the ride. No longer did I 'resist' 'Mr F' ... I no longer did I tryguessing what he might do, I not longer tried thinking ahead what I should do as rider but was just there, in the moment. And with that I was aware of my surroundings, the people I rode with, anything that went on along the hedges ... his every single movement ... and so on.

The result was that I felt like I was glued to 'Mr F',  I was no longer tense. I felt very much at peace with everything. My body was 'Mr F's and his was mine, we functioned as one piece. I was quite taken by this experience but mostly by the peacefulness of it.

Trotting became effortless. Here I must add that by now I have learnt to post if it is a speedy trott. It took a while for me to build up the necessary muscles but today I noticed something else: beause I was no longer 'thinking', my body knew what to do. I didn't get involved, by this I mean I didn't get involved with thinking. I didn't resist it, nor did I question it but simply accepted it. And my body didn't get tired.

This was an important moment for me and suddenly a lot fell into place. 

'Lillian' and 'Caz' had a little canter while 'Mr F' and I went ahead trotting. I am not just yet ready for cantering in the open as I am not sure if I can stop 'Mr F'. He is an ex-racehorse afterall and I have seen him plenty of times very excited and out of his mind!

It was good to see 'Caz' having a good time and enjoying her horse once more. Her and 'Lillian' were enjoying a good chat while I peacefully spent the time just 'being'. 

Thanks to 'Lillian' for being the one that pursaded us to join and ignore our daily duties.

We all had a great time and enjoyed it very much and so did the horses. Here is looking forward to the next time!

'Where is that carrot?!' - 'Mr F'