You don't have to be on the Team to be on The Team

Since returning from CORE, I've wondered. Are any of my interested in coaching with me? I have five beautiful mares. I would love it if they all wanted to join me, AND I want to respect what they want to do with their lives. So the other day, I asked the question:

"Who wants to be in the Healing Herd for my new business?" and sent a picture of what that work would look like.

Three hooves shot into the air. No hesitation at all from these three. Wilma, of course, my sweetheart, the patient earth-mother, nurturing head-of-the-herd. Lili, her yearling granddaughter, who came back in horse form just so we could walk this path together; my beloved button-pusher and muse. And Zimi, Lili's mama, who spent 9 years being in a herd and making babies, and is now ready for the next step in her evolution. Why someone didn't scoop up darling Zimi and shower her with the love she deserves before this is beyond me.

No, wait a minute. It's not beyond me. It's because HER journey was to be right where she is right now. Lucky me!

Two of the mares are opting out at this point, and that is fine. Willow is 26 this year, has been there and done most everything, and is feeling like she would just like to "be" for now. Marieh, a gorgeous Friesian, will soon be a mama herself, with her first (and probably only) baby, and then wants to be a dressage horse. This will be interesting because she belongs to my husband, Glenn, and he doesn't ride. Marieh picked him out, and it was love at first sight for both of them. He admires, schmoozes on, and loves his pretty horsey, and she eats it up.

But get this. Glenn was grooming Marieh yesterday, and she stood absolutely still for him, just enjoying the time. He said he was in the moment, grooving on how beautiful she is, and just "being", and then he started thinking about something not quite so pleasant, and getting himself spun up about a situation over which he has no control. About that time, Marieh got a bit restive and, raising her tail, gave him a rear-end raspberry. Glenn laughed, remembering my story from CORE. He got his thoughts back on track. Marieh settled down.

Even if a horse doesn't raise it's hoof to formally do the work, they are always working with us. All we have to do is pay attention. Way to go, Marieh, thanks for the reminder! And we'll find you a good partner for "doing dressage."