Discovering Jackie’s Flexibility at Unexpected Farm

I took Jackie (Jocelyn) on an adventure last weekend to Wales, Maine, to Unexpected Farm, owned by Chelsea Canedy. We had a liberty lunge lesson and an arena lesson with the beautiful Alizée Froment.

The most wonderful thing I took away from the clinic, besides learning new tools for my tool pouch, was discovering Jackie’s flexibility. We boarded next door and had to walk through the woods on an embankment, over a little rock wall. Sometimes the local kids were zooming around on their 4-wheelers in the nearby woods, but she remained calm and present and respectful when I needed to slow us down to go over and through the obstacles called the woods.

Having had my kick-to-the-pelvis injury four years ago, I am still wobbly and easily knocked off balance, so I needed to go slow at times! She spent the daytime at Chelsea’s barn and loved seeing all the horses there. We rode in the bitless bridle in the outdoor arena and she was overall happy to do whatever we did!

Being only her second outing since I’ve had her home, she was not prepared for any of this, and I was glad to see her trusting and calm. The hardest part was getting her onto the trailer when it was time to leave.

Yes, all these things are no big feat in and of themselves, as we humans expect our horses to do these things when traveling with us, but to notice and appreciate how good she was is still important to acknowledge. Had I taken her to this event a year ago, it would have been a different outcome — she would not have been mentally ready… nor would have I.

It’s so wonderful to have helping hands at the clinic. Thanks to Katie and Morgan for making things run smoothly!! 💜