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Ease Stress by Planning Ahead for the Unexpected by Catherine Madera I had planned to write about organizing my tack room (hoping it would motivate me) for our Barn and Farm issue. However, an unplanned tragedy this week prompts me in another direction: planning for when the worst happens …
Identity and the Equestrian by Catherine Madera Who am I? This is a basic question human beings struggle with at their core. Though it is perhaps acted out most obviously in adolescence, uncertainty about identity can follow a person into old age. As a spiritual person, I believe this …
by Catherine Madera I got back into horses 15 years ago by purchasing a 6 month old Arabian colt. At the time my children were 2 and 7 and I hadn’t ridden in over 10 years. You could say it was a rather ambitious re-entry into the world of …
On Being Present in Every Season by Catherine Madera The summer of 2015 went down in history as the hottest on record. Even as the weather was heavenly (personally, I never tire of sun), it was a season of extreme challenges as well. When fall came early, in late …
Determining a State of Wellness by Catherine Madera When I first got my 5-year-old BLM mustang, Mateo, he had a curious habit. Nearly every day, usually at dusk, I would watch him walk to the corner of his small pasture and gallop back the way he had come. The …
Avoid Fantasy to Turn Your Dreams into Reality by Catherine Madera What’s the difference between dreams and fantasies? I think the short answer is that a dream doesn’t ignore reality; the dreamer sees challenges clearly and finds realistic ways to overcome them. Horses have a wonderful way of igniting …
The Exhilaration of Challenge and Novelty by Catherine Madera Several months ago I read an intriguing book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. In it Rubin recounts the year-long study she conducted into her personal happiness and what she discovered along the way. Despite the fact that human beings …
The Intricate Dance of Health and Wellness Many times I am amazed at the big changes small adjustments can make. These “little things” may relate to work, relationships or health and wellness. I was reminded of this truth recently after having my colt, Diamonte, treated with acupressure. Diamonte is a …
Celebrating the Generosity of the Horse Community I’ll never forget a woman from the hospital where my mother once worked, many years ago. She was a nurse also, a Native American named Crissa Manysuns (correct spelling unknown). Wise, compassionate and resourceful, Crissa owned horses and I was drawn to her …
When You Have to Sell a Horse by Catherine Madera I loved the book Black Beauty and read it several times as a youth. It’s a beautiful story but a sad one, too, especially the way it explores the selling of horses. Some “win the lotto” when they are sold, …