A Very Late Thanksgiving Post

I know I'm late on this, but I'm doing it anyway.  I have so much to be thankful for this year, I'd be remiss not to write this post.

Having Connor 10 minutes from my house instead of 50 has been such a massive life improvement, I'm most grateful for that. I ride more, I see my husband more, I get things done around the house more, and my relationship with my horse has totally changed. 

Photo by my momma

I am thankful that I can catch him now.  He hasn't even thought about playing hard to catch since May, and various people catch him every day, sometimes multiple times a day.

(There's even a new barnworker that commented how much she loves catching him because he comes to the gate when she calls - she was shocked to find out he was impossible to catch literally his entire life up until six months ago.)

I am thankful that my trainer moved in to my new barn, giving me peace of mind while I travel, and immediately improving the only thing I was worried about at the new place, the footing.

I am thankful for the Shadow, which might be my favorite purchase of all time.  Yes, possibly even more than the CWD.  I know.  But seriously, we both love it.

I am thankful for the kickass ladies of Team Fluffy (sponsored by Booze Water) making my show season the most fun one yet.

I'm thankful for NK kicking my ass and telling me like it is this year.  I would not have grown nearly as much as a rider without her, and also, that ride on Mr. P at the beginning of the year!

The very best teacher

But mostly, I'm thankful for a happy horse.  He's so much happier at the new place - being turned out on grass, being turned out with other horses, being able to sniff his neighbors through the stall bars.  He's happier under saddle after how much I've learned this year and with two saddles that fit.  He loves the 1H slant so much he's started eating hay during travel again, stopped pawing at stoplights, and doesn't try to shoot out of the trailer the second the door opens.

And happy horses are what it's all about.

Happy very very very late (or early?) Thanksgiving!