Art of Allowing-Day 5

This is coming a day late. I  had too much fun with the horses yesterday to come in an write.

Allowing- to permit each experience to be exactly as it is without judgement. This is my definition of allowing. We are all in places where we have a choice to allow the experience to unfold as it may or we can interject out thoughts and opinions. I was shown today how wonderful it is to just allow. When we allow there is no judgement, no attachment, no worry, no fear. When we allow we just are where we are in concert with the unfolding events around us.

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday and I spent a majority of with my herd. I have decided to exercise Lady again for two reasons-1) Help her muscles to better support her frame and 2) with the possibility of being my riding partner once again. To get in her shape she will be ponied along on rides. Today was day one and she, Jack, and I were going on a ride. It was lovely. Jack enjoyed the company so he didn't have to worry about the Bogey Man, Lady enjoyed exploring, and I enjoyed both of their company. We rode down our very long driveway. Jack feels safe on the driveway- trees hugging the driveway as if they were sentries. We were relaxed and happy. My mother-in-law decided to join us with Lacey. We took our ride out to the 20 acre corn field. I didn't realize until today how much Jack feels vulnerable out in the open. It is too much for him to handle sometimes. Today was no exception. This was our first ride with Lady and he doesn't usually go out with Lacey. I could feel his nervousness radiate within me. I dismounted to help provide a calmed experience and allow Jack the opportunity to relax and reconnect. He regained his composure and I remounted. We went for a ways and I could feel it creeping up again. His anxiety and inability to stay present with me were starting to take over. I wanted to get to the top of the hill and I would dismount to take him back to the barn. I knew I needed to dismount but wanted to just...get...there. That is when Jack decided that bucking and launching sideways was the only way I was going to listen. After he calmed himself for a moment I dismounted yet again. No anger, no frustration, no nothing, it just was. I knew that he was only trying to tell me that he could no longer handle the situation, that was how he chose to tell me after I didn't listen to the whispers. My mother-in-law made a few comments to Jack's behavior and I felt she thought my horses were nuts. I could care less what she thought of my horses.

Jack needed me to listen to him and I did (albeit after a few bucks). Most people would judge me for getting off and especially for dismounting after a bucking session. Most people would tell me to work that horse, that is he disobedient, that he is naughty. He is the farthest thing from disobedient and naughty. Jack had a rough start, a few negatively impressionable experiences, some physical setbacks, and his behavior yesterday was completely warranted. He wouldn't hurt a fly and he has the kindest soul. He has been a robot for too long and his is just expressing his opinion. I welcome his opinions and allow him the experiences he is having without judgement. I simply support him when and where I can. He tries to tell me what is happening, and I try hard to listen, some days I understand faster than others, today I was a bit slow on the uptake. If I punished him for bucking I would have ultimately been telling him "You don't have a choice, a voice, and I don't care if you don't like it or feel uncomfortable". I promised Jack not to long ago that I will always give him a choice, a voice, and I will care for his feelings and his physical needs. He deserves someone that is compassionate to his needs and will allow him the experiences he is having.  

When I allow my horses to have a choice, a voice, and emotions I am at peace. When I allow my horses to ahve their experiences I am calm and grounded. I pass no judgement, I do not fear, I don't try to over-intellectualize. I just am. When I am in the place of allowing it feels like I am connected on such a spiritual level to all beings. We are each in our own place on our own journey shaped by our own experiences, emotions, and enviroment. When we allow each other to have our own journey that is unique to us we are able to come from a place of love and understanding for all things.