Sit down and make a list of what’s important to you. This includes work, family, friends, horses, hobbies, and community service or volunteer time. Maybe your list doesn’t have all these items on it, maybe it has more. You have now identified your priorities. Your priorities don’t need to be put in a particular order, just know what they are. Priorities are something we all learn to juggle. Picture them as a revolving wheel, or perhaps a merry-go-round. Any given day can bring new circumstances, so the merry-go-round pony you chose today may give way to choosing a new one tomorrow. What was most important today can cycle out as a new day dawns. Its not gone or thrown out, and it will cycle back. The merry-go-round doesn’t get lopsided if all the ponies get their ride.
Be in the present moment. You will find more satisfaction with each aspect of your life that is important to you. You will notice the beauty of each of the painted ponies on your priority merry-go-round. Do what is most needed today – you don’t really know if there is a tomorrow. Remember that horses can take more time than anticipated – you couldn’t catch them, or they rolled in the mud when you were thinking you’d squeeze in a quick ride. Don’t cut your intention short; you only cheat your horse and yourself. Remember that work can take more time than anticipated. A co-worker is sick and you need to cover. A new promotion means more hours. Remember that family can take more time than anticipated. One of your kids gets hurt climbing trees. Your significant other has been out of town and arrives back on a big horseshow weekend.
Recognize and express the importance horses have in your life. The following quotes are from peers around the US that are active with horses as riders, owners, and in some cases as career. It’s clear that horses provide great benefits to many, making us better people to be around in general.
“Horses are such great therapy and give back in so many ways that they are worth the effort and expense and hair.” – Jennifer Peotter, MA
“Follow your dreams no matter what. Horses add love, compassion, balance, and spiritual meaning to my life. I am lost without them.” – Kelly Loring Bovard, ME
"Before I had horses I had neurotic cats. I just had too much stress to relieve in a small animal. Horses take all the stress and return tons of love and devotion. I can't imagine life without them now." – Deborah Stowers, Sierra Ranch, OK
"When I'm riding time seems to stand still. It sounds cliché but I think that rather than worry about my own agenda, I morph into the horse's mindset, into "the now". Riding helps me move forward in my day by making me focus on 'the now' rather than worrying about what has to be done and other tasks that litter my schedule." – Laura Kelland-May, Thistle Ridge Equestrian Services, Ontario, Canada
"Horses humble me with their resilience: they arrive broken, dull, some even deciding if they want to 'live or die'. Then one day as I'm quietly doing barn chores their warm breath falls upon my shoulder, willingly accepting this new human and a new dawn for them. I LOVE what I do, even the hard stuff, especially the hard stuff. Believe me, I've cried an ocean of tears but would do it all over again when the grateful horse owner looks at me with big eyes and we communicate without words what that wonderful horse taught both of us." – Cassie Schuster, Wellness Ranch, TX
“Horses have touched my soul deeply and will always be a part of my life as they will always live in my heart. I can cry, laugh or tell them my deepest secrets and they intuitively seem to know what I need. To look deeply into their eyes and feel their breath upon my face renews my inner strength and touches my heart like nothing else has.” Kim Goulde-Wende, Passionate Horsemanship, TX
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