As I prepared myself for an awesome Friday night date with Mr Tall Dark and Handsome, I could hear him stamping his freshly shod hooves on the concrete outside in nervous anticipation. He was fidgety, worried that I had left him alone tied up to the round pen without a horse or a human in sight. His well trampled manure a sure sign that he truly was shitting himself while standing there alone.
As I looked around at the saddle and bridle and the new bit I was about to try on him to stop some of the fidgeting, I realised that perhaps tonight was as good a time as any to begin a real relationship with this one. Gear changes and canter poles could wait while I addressed the more immediate issue here on hand.
He’s a sweet gentleman, with big dark brown eyes and a healthy shiny coat. A little underweight but with a few weeks of Kel’s good home cooking he will be just fine. We’ve had a good few first dates, a few rides trying each other on for size to see if this was just a fling or a little something more. He’s shown promise, great moment, a willingness to please and a gentle nature. He’s pleasant to have around and definitely easy the eye. What more could a girl want in Mr Tall Dark and Handsome?(because I clearly have a type!)
I remember once hearing that it’s impossible to be in a relationship with anyone until you’re comfortable just being by yourself, loving yourself and being happy with who you are before you can be truly happy with anyone else. If that person should leave you, your whole world falls apart. That is what was happening for Ocean!
The penny now dropped! It wasn’t just people they were talking about, it was horses too. Until Ocean could be relaxed and comfortable just being by himself he would always pace the fence line, pulling shoes while searching for the pony. He’d stand tied up, not rude enough or scared enough to pull away but not feeling ok about who he was and being comfortable in his own space. Ocean needed a lesson in self help and self awareness. He needed to learn that he doesn’t have to rely on another human or horse for company but that it’s perfectly ok to chill out by himself for a little while.
The groundwork session that followed tonight showed me that I truly have found a lovely intelligent gentleman, although a little needy, the potential is there for a true relationship. Let the future begin!