2012 goals and plans for the rest of the year

I can’t believe we are well into August already! This year is just flying by...probably thanks to all of the stuff I have been busy with this year.

I had a look at the goals for 2012 that I wrote and posted back in January. At first, I had a flash of disappointment, as I realized that very few of those goals were attainable now. That feeling passed quickly as I realized that maybe those goals weren’t what I wanted after all. Usually goals and talk of goals gets me all anxious – I like checking off boxes and “getting things done”, but that hasn’t really been working for me where horses are concerned. Horses and riding just don’t really do well with tight schedules and expectations, it seems. I think this year has taught me to take a step back and enjoy the process a bit more, instead of just panicking or getting depressed when a goal is unattainable. Does that make any sense?
I had big plans to do some endurance rides and volunteer at others, but that isn’t in the cards at all now – and, funny enough – I’m ok with that. I have taken a step back and have had to sort of start over in my horse plans.

My revised and very simple plan for the rest of 2012 is to find a suitable horse for day-to-day riding.

That in itself is a challenge! I was initially looking for the perfect horse – one that could show local club shows and maybe at the bigger QH shows down the road, as well as be the perfect trail horse. I haven’t had much luck finding something that versatile, so I’ve realized that maybe the show horse will have to wait. I also acknowledged that I don’t have the skills and finances right now to head into the show world. And I’m ok with that too. I seem to get caught up in the excitement of what other people are doing with their horses and want to do the same things without thinking about all of the details.

I have two more decent prospects lined up to visit this weekend. Hopefully one of them works out. I’m finding that I’ve lost some of my leg strength, so getting back in the saddle soon is important! If I can’t find a suitable horse, then I might try and lease one from the people down the road or at least take some lessons. I have lots of options and I’ll just go with whatever seems like the best idea at the time.