Two Years of Courage

Two years ago today, this little man hopped off a trailer, got stuck in a dry lot, lost a shoe, and launched me into the wide-eyed world of "fresh OT TBs".

July 2013

I wanted him because of that amazing brain of his, and that's what we've been banking on all along. I have to laugh at some of our adventures lately:

July 2014

• A horse got loose in the arena with us. The horse galloped mach ten around the arena with a lunge line flying behind him, then did a tiny circle around us, then trotted around and touched noses with Courage, while Courage just stood on the buckle and watched the show.
• I brought a friend out to ride. We threw on western tack and Courage proceeded to play trail horse all around the property (and under a tent) without putting a single hoof wrong. 
• While explaining some training concepts for greener horses to a new horse owner, Courage was the absolute perfect model both on the ground and under saddle. Polite, interested, adorable, relaxed. Didn't even care when the green horse had a meltdown right next to him. 

July 2014

He's come a long ways, to be sure. We wouldn't be here without all the help we've had along the way. Redheadlins and Alyssa have been instrumental, as have other non-blogging friends. 

July 2015

This year has been absolutely unforgettable, with the lowest lows of me literally being a half inch away from selling him (and writing up a proper sales ad, right Lauren?) and the highest highs of beating other horses at a real dressage show (WOOT).

July 2015

Some days are maddening and some days are amazing, but I'm coming to realize that I really do have the right horse for me. He's a sensitive stoic, like me. He's strong willed and confident, like me. He's goofy and ridiculous, like me. I will admit to being slightly jealous of his self image (dear god. body positivity doesn't even begin to capture it). 

The things about him that make me the most crazy are almost always the same things I dislike about myself. Getting mad at him doesn't fix them--taking a deep breath and thinking through the situation does. 

So here's to our first two years together and hopefully many many more to come!

meant to be