It's Better to Look Good AND Feel Good...

Remember comedian Billy Crystal's character, Fernando, who said, "It's better to look good than to feel good"?  Well, I reached the conclusion a long time ago that feeling good contributes to looking good -- I've never known a time when I felt bad that I looked good!  Though I still have a long ways to go to do everything that I should to feel good (e.g. eat more fruit, drink more water and less soda, get more sleep), thanks to having River I am much more physically active, which I believe has had a beneficial impact on my overall health.

River had a makeover this week, which makes her look "marvelous" but will also benefit her overall health -- she received a full body clip.  With the days getting shorter as we head into Fall in the northern hemisphere, the shorter light cycle triggers horses to start developing their winter coat.  For those horses who happen to be in Florida --where here in Central Florida the temperatures are still hovering during the day in the high 80's and low 90's -- that isn't ways a good thing.  And for River, who looks like a fuzzy teddy bear with her winter coat in, it can be very uncomfortable.  Combine the heavy coat with rain and sweat, makes for a lot of potential skin issues. So, River underwent a tremendous transformation yesterday, which makes her look great and also will keep her skin healthier, making for a healthier horse.

So what can you do to make you both feel better and look better?  It doesn't have to be as radical as a fully body clip to make a huge difference in your quality of life.








River - Before and After  (and the pile of hair as a result! -- Horse hair blanket anyone?)





It Takes A Village...

The journey River and I have taken these past months with her health issues have required the efforts of many people working as team to get River on the road to recovery -- veterinarians, the farrier, the barn owner and the barn manager -- not to mention the friends and family that have supported me and River, including providing a late evening trailering of River to the vet's office.  On a small scale, it shows that it truly takes a village in any endeavor in order to reach a goal.  In our case, the goal is to keep River stable and healthy and that village is still working hard to keep her on that path.

In many ways, River's health issues have allowed the two of us  to forge a much stronger bond through spending quality time in other ways than riding -- quiet hand walking around the barn property, grooming time, and baths -- each of which take on even more special significance given what River has been through.  River's not the most demonstrative on horses, but she now comes to greet me in the pasture; whereas before, she would just acknowledge me by lifting her head up from eating. 

Additionally, I have come to know better and even more greatly admire "my village",  both the professionals that evaluate and take care of River and those friends and family who have been our moral and emotional support through journey.  For each of them, I am forever grateful.

So, as you enter a new week, think about the community making up your "village" and what a tremendous part they play in your life -- and thank them for the special part they play in your life.

 Me and My Girl, River.

And Now for Something Completely Different

While this blog has been focused on River and how she is coaching me in my leadership and life skills, owning a horse sometimes brings some unexpected lessons beyond just those equine related.  Case in point -- have you ever made a Halloween costume?  Have you made one for a horse? And what if sewing is not one of your strong points?  Trouble -- yes?

I have made one costume for River several years ago for a Fun Show.  River was the Sphinx and I was Cleopatra.  And no, I'm not posting a picture as the costume was truly horrible.  I pretty much swore off the thought of doing it again -- until I moved to the barn I am at now.

You see, the barn I am at is very focused on Arabian Horses.  River fits in perfectly as she is part Arabian and part Quarter Horse.  And many folks who own Arabians will make (or buy) traditional Arabian Costumes, both for the horse and rider.  They are quite elaborate and elegant.  See the painting below.

 

 

So, getting into the spirit, and knowing that Halloween is rapidly approaching and my new barn does have a Halloween Costume Party, I've thrown myself in making an suitable Arabian Horse costume for River.  Now, about the sewing part...thank goodness for fabric glue and tape to supplement my rudimentary sewing skills!

 

So far, the costume for River is looking pretty good, if I do say so myself!  It has been challenging and frustrating, but a grand experiment, and is teaching me new skills and definitely moving me out of my comfort zone.

 

What does this all have to do with Leadership?  Leaders have to learn to be comfortable with moving out of their comfort zone and be open to trying and doing new things and to encourage others to do the same.  This enables growth, and without growth both at a personal and organizational level, a person or organization stagnates.  And the more you step out of your comfort zone, the easier it gets to do it.

 

So here's to learning new things and to stepping beyond what we find familiar and comfortable!  As with anything, my foray into the new and unexplored may be a failure or it may be tremendously successful.  Either way, I will have grown from it.  And if I really am successful, you may see a picture of River in all her Arabian glory in a few weeks.  : )

Taking Baby Steps...

Today was a huge milestone for River and for me!  For the first time in about five months, I was able to actually ride River.  Admittedly, it was only for about five minutes at a very slow walk, but it was a happy, yet also scary experience for me.  You see, I was terrified that the ride would be a setback in her recovery -- even though the vet had given me clearance to do so.  We walked -- okay, she walked and I rode -- in the sand arena with nice soft footing for her feet, and then I spent hand-walking her for a few minutes after our short ride to make sure she was still comfortable.  All is good!  And now, I begin the slow and uncharted process of getting her back into shape.  I am scared, impatient, and excited -- all wrapped into one. 

River and I are taking baby steps on the road to her recovery, as we are now past the acute phase and now managing a chronic condition.  These baby steps require a lot of observation and research on my part to ensure that we don't proceed too fast and cause her condition to become acute again.  And of course, River will let me know in her own way how we should proceed. 

On this road, we are both co-leaders in the hopes for a long and full life for River and very special equine friend for me.  Love you, River!