Oh, the places you'll go!

Since December, I have made a decision. That decision is not to continue at the University of Findlay. There are a multitude of reasons, but the biggest reason is that I have found my purpose. That was, after all, what that adventure was about, wasn't it?

How did I come to that conclusion? Well, first and foremost, back in December, I was offered a job. It's my dream job. It does not pay much, but it's what I want to be doing, at least for now. I will be managing a barn in Johnstown, OH and also, apprenticing under the trainer there. Also, it's in a discipline that I just did not think I would be involved in. Dressage. I used to have dreams of riding cow horses and reiners, running across the arena to a sliding stop, spinning, running around barrels and poles... 

But that's just not what I want to do, mainly because of the direction the western industry has taken over the past decade. I won't go too deeply into that, but the kind of horse they expect in that industry is a very specific type, and if the horse is not that type, they will put all these gadgets on it to MAKE it that type, resulting in a lot of joint and muscular issues. 

In dressage, they aren't necessarily looking for a specific type of horse, mainly just a horse who moves forward and into the bit and can do the prescribed exercises for their level. In the upper levels, certain types of horses are a little more suitable, but that's just the nature. 

So, end of April/beginning of May, I will be moving to Johnstown to the apartment above the barn, and will be managing the facility. I will also be apprenticing under Renee, who is a remarkable trainer, rider, and all around horse woman. Kiley and Tim will be moving there with me, then Tim and I are planning to start our own little family!

Another reason I am choosing not to continue at Findlay is that the business office has been next to impossible to deal with. Also, the program is going to hell next year.

I will also be working a waitressing (or something similar) job several hours a week to help me pay back loans. I will also be volunteering at CHOICE for several hours a week to start to work towards becoming a doula. That process will probably start sometime next year.

So, here lately, I have been working with this mare, Minnie at Findlay. For weeks, I felt like a total failure. Then, instruction changed, and we have actually worked well together for the past few weeks. This whole suppling a dressage horse thing is a foreign concept to me. In western it's mechanically different and SO much simpler. We are getting there, though. Thursday, she was absolutely amazing. Hopefully, real progress will start to be made, now.