When I Am An Old Horsewoman

Poem By Patty Barnhart

When I Am An Old Horsewoman I shall wear turquoise and diamonds, And a straw hat that doesn’t suit me And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots, And sit in my alleyway of my barn And listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night And ride the old bay gelding, Across the moonstruck meadow If my old bones will allow And when people come to call, I will smile and nod As I walk past the gardens to the barn and show instead the flowers growing inside stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel.

And I will be an embarrassment to ALL Who will not yet have found the peace in being free to have a horse as a best friend A friend who waits at midnight hour With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For the kind of woman I will be When I am old.

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Coaching

My personal belief and reflection on being a coach

"Coaching is not solely about technical instruction. Coaching is about being a mentor, a positive role-model and helping students build skills and more importantly confidence. Horses are merely the conduit in helping them to find and develop the best part of themselves."

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Always Be Humble & Kind

My thoughts for your reflection and consideration . . . from those that inspire me

- Remember to be honest, focus on the facts, not myths or rumors, do your best to hear all side of a situation – the middle lies the truth
- Remember, that the people you step-on and climb over to get up the ladder, are the same people you see as you fall off the ladder
- Lead by example, and always take the higher road, but when needed, it is ok to hold your ground
- Know the battles that are truly worth fighting, and if you must go into battle go prepared; don’t bring a knife to a gun fight
- Form your own opinions of people and situations; don’t latch on to another experience or words; have your own as each of us are different and thus every integration is unique
- Have courage, grit and determination
- Don’t rush to take credit or accuse; together there is more information and therefore more solutions
- The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one; but sometime the one needs a little extra boost so help them
- People come and go, but friends are always a text or call away …. So don’t forget to reach out (HINT, HINT)
- Keep the CAN DO spirit; have confidence in yourself; and help others find theirs
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Resources of Interest

Please click on the icons below to learn more about these methods and associations.

Cornerstone on the Vermillion Horse Complex
Centered Riding by Sally Swift
Resistance Free Riding by Richard Shrake
American Quarter Horse Association
Western Dressage Association
Central State Dressage and Eventing Association

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