So, this is a blog huh? I've been wanting to start one of these forever, but simply have never pulled the trigger. Bear with me, the pony stuff will follow, but I would like to get introductions out of the way... For people who don't know me, I'm Kaelin, owner/trainer/instructor at Triple Diamond Training. For more about 'magical me' and my horsey credentials and background, check out my bio :) However, a bit about my non-horsey life; I love nerdy stuff: board games, all the marvel movies, star wars (and trek), Dr. Who, Buffy, etc, etc... (the list could go on and on). Big fan of playing sports, obviously love all animals, and my favorite thing is just simply hanging out sitting around a fire with good people. The hubby and I live in southern Alabama with our two dogs, a cat who thinks he's a dog, a horse who thinks she's a dog, and another horse who is simply Silk (or Super Silk, or Silkie... depending on who you ask...).
Alright, that's enough of me going on about my favorite things. The reason I wanted to give you a little more of a personal look into 'me', is that although this blog is going to be equestrian focused, horses are more than just the equine industry, and shows, and becoming better horsemen/women. Having horses in your life shapes you as a person, and I plan on tackling not just training tips, recommending books to bulk your library, and sometimes bragging on my students. Things just might get deep here and there, but don't worry, I'm sure there will be also be random rants and stuff I randomly decide ya'll should get to hear about. So buckle up and enjoy. Please please please let me know if there are any topics you want me to discuss in the future! NOW TO THE PONY STUFF!!! So I figured I'd keep the topic short today, but its something that I thought was truly a perfect kick off to my blog series (is it blog series, or just blog?.... you get it). Let's talk about GOALS. Now before you stop reading, I am not talking about showing or reaching a new level or mastering a movement or whatever, so all my recreational riders take a deep breath and stick with me. I am talking about taking a deep look into what horses are to you. Whatever brings you joy, whether it be trail riding, showing, jumping, dressage, english, western, ground work, grooming, or just feeding rolly polly more carrots, that is wonderful. You do you, and don't ever let anyone try to tell you its not enough, or that you're 'not meeting your horse's potential' or any of that crap, etc etc. Because at the end of the day, the riding may give you a great feeling, but that's only a small percentage of being a horse person right? What's the rest? It's shoveling s**t in every possible scenario of bad weather you can imagine. It's staying up all night, bribing the vet with pizza because your horse is colicing. It's working for years and years to move up to the next level, just to have your horse experience a random injury that makes you feel like your world is falling down. In short, having horses develops character. It makes you independent. It makes you fierce. And no one will ever mess with you cause you got those massive hay bale throwing muscles goin on. You truly learn how to deal with life, because being with horses, no matter how tertiarily, is a roller coaster of blood, sweat, and tears. So I ask again, what do horses mean to you? And on the other side of this coin, what are you to your horse? Are you a safe space for them? Do you help them to calm like they do for you? So in the context, what are your goals? It is TOTALLY fine and awesome, to have competition goals, etc. But I want you to challenge yourself to have even more difficult goals. Earn the respect of your horse. Learn as much as you can, from anyone you can to make yourself the best and most educated horse person you can for your horse. Always having tabs on your emotions around your horse. Being respectful, supportive and KIND to everyone around you (cheer on everyone at that show!) Learn how your horse thinks and communicates so you can have a two way dialogue with him. Understand his worries and woes. Understand YOUR worries and woes. Be genuine. Goals like these are what the horse can help us get to. At the end of the day, always aim to better ourselves and try to be better humans. AND I PROMISE, working toward these goals will help with your riding/competition goals as well, in addition to benefiting in other areas of your life. SO, in short (even though it wasn't all that short, whoops), horses are awesome, you're awesome, keep striving to be awesome, no matter what your definition of that is. I know I've enjoyed getting some thoughts down on paper (...but obviously not paper), so I hope ya'll enjoyed coming along for the ride/rant/word vomit. Next post I'm looking at getting into some of my training philosophy, so it shouldn't be so introspective..... or maybe it will, who knows (not me.... honestly I fully intended this to go in a different direction, but it evolved and I rolled with it). Until I can think up a better sign off, stay classy San Diego. (and everywhere else) Kaelin
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WelcomeHi all! Kaelin here! Stay tuned to this page! I will frequently be discussing training topics, book recommendations, shout outs, and anything else I feel like at the time, and I promise it to be... entertaining at the very least, and hopefully educational for all. Looking forward to this journey with everyone! Categories |