Launch day was one year ago today!
I started this post over and over again, trying to reflect on the progress of the past year, about the risks taken and the goals achieved, but it kept falling short. And then, like it always seems to, the light bulb goes off and I realize that it’s something else entirely that I need to be writing about.
It was hard to write a reflection of the past year because the past is not nearly as inspiring as the future. Anniversaries are exciting not because of the time that has passed, but because of the foundation that has been laid for the future. I have learned a great deal in the past 12 months, but instead of being comfortable with where I’m at, I only want to learn more. I have learned to listen to a horse with my hands, to pay attention to patterns and changes with the horse’s body, to take note of signs as subtle as a blink or an exhale and react accordingly. I learned those beautiful things that no book can teach you, because so many people were willing to put their trust in me to work with their horses, to allow me use what I already knew and still learn more.
And along the way, there were those “horse puzzles” that sent me writing to my massage mentors and fellow ESMT’s to pick their brains and together we learned more and more. I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from many regular clients whose horses’ progress give me such valuable feedback about the relationship between what I’m feeling and how the horse is performing. There is no better feeling than being a catalyst for happy horses (and therefore happy riders) and much like EVERYTHING ELSE WITH HORSES EVER, the experience of one small joy sparks that fire of wanting more.
The joyous feeling of helping a horse feel better, relax a little, and work more happily has become completely addicting. But a year ago, it terrified me to launch this business–anytime you try something new, there is a chance you could fail. I worried about all the ways which that might happen, and all of the things that could go wrong, but everything in the “pro’s” column told me to take that leap anyways. Sometimes big dreams require big risks, and I had been dreaming but not risking anything.
What I didn’t expect to realize though was exactly how badly I needed to find this path. Plugging along at a job I like but don’t love, I wasn’t fulfilled. Research is fascinating and I’m good at my job, but it’s not what I’m meant to do. (Please tell me my boss won’t ever read this…) When I signed up for certification training, I had no idea I was signing up for the thing I was meant to do. Each happy horse has brought me joy like my desk job never will, and every tricky case has inspired me the way that only equine pursuits can.
Day after day, it’s what I look forward to. After a year of this, working most weekends, and any evening I can get something scheduled… my enthusiasm has never wavered, it only grows. I am incredibly grateful to so many people for the encouragement I needed to get this started (Art Lindsay, Kelly Collier, Patrick Metzler, Anita Buzzy Prentiss), the crew who is always on call to answer questions (Samantha Stilley Potts, Triumphant Touch, Cheyenne McDaniel) and to the ever-supportive professionals who have helped me in countless ways over the years (Robin Birk, Lisa Hall, Kristin Hermann). But most of all, to all of you who have trusted me to work with your horses. I have learned so much from these patient teachers, and I am going to invest more of myself into learning all I can to continue to help your happy athletes.
Stay tuned for more exciting news soon..
