Unicorn Riding PDX

For day 29 of my practice I want to celebrate my first little unicorn (mono)Ceros. When I brought him home in October of 2020 was I in any way equipped to have a horse of my own? No. Did he need me and did I need him? Absolutely. Ceros taught me so much, patience, how to pay attention, unconditional love, more patience, getting back on the horse and also when not to get back on the horse, patience, acceptance, and being brave enough and full of love enough to let go. He and I had my first real tumble together, which has left me in chronic pain and injured still 22 months later. Through coming off of him I was forced to realize how his anxiety had taken over. He was given up at the auction because of the slow (and extremely well compensated for) loss of vision in his left eye, this was not disclosed at the time of sale. As his eyesight completely left on that side he couldn’t cope. Many horses live full, happy, content lives with one eye or complete blindness. Ceros could not. The world became increasingly terrifying for him and after many vet consults I made the choice to let him go. I was madly in love with this little gelding, and I’m so grateful he spent his last little bit of life with me. Acknowledged, seen, treasured, spoiled, and handled in ways that kept him feeling as safe as possible. I wasn’t ready for my first horse, and I definitely wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him, but his journey with me will always be something I feel blessed to have had.

day 28! Today I’d like to celebrate and appreciate this guy! (Human) Not only is Ryan a spectacular human being who does so so much in the world to create a reality that is safe and moving toward equity, he is also an amazing trainer of humans, horses, and dogs, and a generous and supportive friend and partner. No, I never imagined in my life before Ryan that I’d throw horse p**p at an alpaca to deter it from spitting on me (there weren’t any rocks). I never imagined I’d be washing a horse’s ass as my own mental health care of the day (to be fair, it had to happen). I never imagined a lot of the things that are my daily life now, but I am so so grateful to have that life because of the gifts and opportunities he has shared with me.