I have always wanted to make a difference in the world, to leave my mark, to make the lives of those around me better for having had me in it. I believe the same is true of our horseback riding, that our foremost goal should be to improve the horse(s) we ride.  I'm certainly not the first to assert this, but it's such a worthy aim than it's completely worth being reminded about - and as often as needed!

In the art of dressage, our primary aspiration is to sculpt the horse.  To teach her to use her body with better balance and more lightness and collection and expression.  In so doing, we also scupt our own bodies because we have to use our bodies well in order to teach our horses to do the same.  Since horses and riders are living creatures, this is a lengthy process with much repetition and attention to detail. 

I recently came across a line in Caitlin Brennen's novel "Song of Unmaking" about how horses that are worked often and well have a kind, soft eye.  It's so true!  And not just about horses!  All living creatures need to live out their purpose and to connect with other beings in mutually beneficial ways.  People as well as other animals thrive when they fulfill their passions and sparks, when they live in accordance with their natural inclinations.  Horses and other animals have always inspired me by their simplicity.  They want what they want (that grass on the other side of the fence, that squirrel up that tree, to snuggle close when thunder strikes...) and they live completely in the moment.  Humans, on the other hand, so often confuse their wants and desires and impose standards, expectations, and limitations on themselves.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting we all give up civilization and go wild again.  But we can learn from animals about the immense value in being true to ourselves. 

We can also learn from them about the importance of positive connections with others.  As the bible says "God says, ' It's not good for the Man to be alone.' (Genesis 2:18)"  All living beings thrive when they are in connection with the world around them.  Increasingly, our modern world is pulling people away from the connections we need in order to flourish.  There is so much perceieved isolation and disconnectedness.  I believe this is in part because as a culture we have forgotten our need for interconnectedness - with God, with nature, with animals and other people.  And although I love the sense of connectedness I get from the vast social networking world and online forums, there's just no replacement for in person connection.  We all need to feel others' presence, to interact with them, to let ourselves go enough to truly empathize with others.  It's in letting our own worries and insecurities go that our ego gets lost in the vast interconnectedness of the world and that we find our true selves.  And it's in finding ourselves that we can truly lead others towards finding themselves, that we can do our part to help the people and animals around us to fulfill their potential and live their dreams.