Lets just say I was bored. I began riding when I was 9. Fat little school horses and ponies with no saddles. Huge groups of us trotting in a muddy ring in the spring time and falling off in puddles over an X fence. That was how I started out. It was fun.

Gradually I moved up to saddles and horses and yearned to go off to horse shows with my friends. I got a lease horse. He was wonderful I thought. The barn owners wife said to me before my first ride "Oh you'll never ride him, he'll buck you off!" He never did. I loved my horse and hoped that he loved me but all was not well. Horse shows were a frustrating experience with my horse partner rearing at the In Gate and being chased to the first fence by fathers with sticks. Eventually he and I got it sorted out and we could canter around a course with minimum of complaints at the gate. The rearing was a problem that would always come up in new surroundings or circumstances. I learned to deal with it and we moved on. But I never thought about the why or how I could stop it from happening at all. It was just something that was his habit.

The years went on and I bought and rode other horses. Managed a barn and went off to shows with moderate sucess at times. It was enjoyable but became boring, doing the same things over. Going to the same horse shows, riding the same trails. I was a good rider but something was missing. I started young horses and always tried to do my best by them. Giving them lots of time to understand what was going on and being comfortable with what I was doing. I read books by the Australian Tom Roberts and followed his ways. I watched the older trainer at the barn starting racehorses in a kindly fashion with caring and patience. I tried to be patient. I was never truly satisfied, I sold horses, always looking for that one who would be perfect.

Finally down the road I sold my mare who I really liked. Not even really sure why I sold her. I was horseless for the first time in many years. Now in the age of the internet I discovered the PMU horses and the plight of the foals that were born on the lines. I decided to buy a foal. Got involved with a group of women buying foals in Alberta. At least I felt I was doing something useful and helping save some of these foals.

My foal arrived. She was wild! Oh my! We managed and with the help of a kindly vet when she got hurt after a couple of weeks we made friends. We began our journey. She is mine for life. The following year I went out west to help with foals and that was when I heard about Parelli Natural Horsemanship. How interesting.

In 2002 Pat and Linda came to Hendervale with their "Success with Horses" tour and I watched and bought their Level 1 pack. It took me a long time to really commit to the program. After spending so many years with horses it was hard to change things but change is sometimes what is needed and the main change that you make with Parelli is an attitude change. It is taking the time to look and see your horse trying to ask you a question or trying to do as you ask. Trying to get over the prey animal thinking to become your partner. Parelli is about learning to ask and wait, not force. Anyone can force. You build better partnerships if it is given not taken.

Parelli has filled in the missing pieces that I noticed so long ago. I wish I had known then what I know now. I am no longer bored. I can hardly wait to get up to see my horse. Even if I only have time for a quick groom and some carrots. Just being with her is all that counts. We are moving through the levels and I have learned to appreciate the small things. My frustration has evaporated I am more tolerant when things go wrong. When I look back to where we were I see that we have come so far. The main thing is that we are having fun and building a relationship. I would never go back. There is no going back. Once you see you can no longer be blind to what your horse is showing you.