Yesterday I was giving a lesson.  We were working on square and arch turns.  I decided to hop up, (o.k., use a mounting block)  on Kisses and ride with her, bareback and using a halter and lead rope.  After explaining how to do each and demonstrating each, at a walk, through a little course of cones, poles, and a bridge, I moved it up to a trott.  Now, I've been working with Kisses for quite a few months and she is very light and engaging.  As I picked up the trott, I was telling my student what I was intending to do,and asking her to do the same...follow the leader...  Well,  I was looking strait ahead while I was explaining and showing her how to do a left square turn...and on que, just as I had taught her she did a quick, light, pivot to the left...and I, looking forward, nearly landed on my butt!  I had spoke out where I intended to go, I had given a que to go in that direction, but I had not focused on my goal!  I wasn't looking were I wanted to go and I almost fell off!  I laughed, took a fear cleansing breathe and tried it again.  This time to the right.  Pick up your right arch reign, use your right leg, and.....whoa!..I almost fell off again (starting to look like a ding batt now). Once again, I had my aides and my ques in place but I wasn't looking, focusing on my destination.  We always go where we look.  I've been riding long enough that I don't look down anymore, I'm real clear on where that will take me, but apparently I still can get my focus on the wrong thing by thinking I know what I'm doing or trying to tell others what to do... Kisses reminded me agian, that only I can ride her.  I can't ride for someone else or they for me.  This ride in life is an individual one.   Once we've made our Connection with our horse, put the time,  care, love, training, into the relationship, we still mustt keep our eyes on where we are going.  The end of OUR trail, or the next obstacle in our trail course.  Balance can't be bought, sold, given, or taken.  It is a journey we take; something we attain.  We eather nurture it or loose it.!

Our walk with God is just like that.  He gives us a Dream.  We prepare, put in our time, grow, speak it out to all who will listen...and we often loose sight of it and fall. We have all we need to attain the Dream right inside of us, but we don't reach it because we take our eyes off the Dream, Vision, Goal.  We get distracted, comfortable,afraid, proud or lazy, We know the answers, we're just not engaging them...talk is talk.  We must do what is required to attain the promises!

It wasn't long ago, I thought I'd NEVER ride bareback again.  I'd gained too much weight, got to out of shape, lost my courage (I was very afraid of getting hurt).  I had totally lost my Balance.  BUT, I decided to look my fears in the face, admitt them, and then give them to God.  My journey is taking me to a place of greater and greater Freedom...I am becoming Unbridled.  Lots of ladies are coming here and doing the same thing.  I hope you'll join us for the fun!

*Clear direction, meaningful actions, mindful intent--all give horse and rider a steady, unified purpose...FOCUS...Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.*        -Hannah Moore