(photo taken from Pinterest)

Summer is here! Although this past month has been full of rain and mud, it's hard to disguise that feeling of summer in the greening trees and grass, in the lighter evenings and earlier mornings. Not to mention all the hair that's flying from shedding horses!

There's something special about summer, especially when you're a kid. For adults, sometimes it doesn't feel any different and that's okay. But I do think it's also okay to allow summer to still have that special feel. That feel that's hard to describe, but means so many things.

Summer means the excitement of more barn time, trail rides, shows, clinics, barbecues, lessons, camps, and campfires.

Summer means warm days, green pastures, earlier mornings and lighter evenings.

Summer means time with friends, time spent in community, and time spent making memories.

Summer means fun and play and joy.

I'd like to encourage you to have fun with your horse this summer. Whether it's that show that you've always wanted to do or that trail riding trip you've dreamed of taking. Or perhaps it's getting a new project horse or rescuing a horse and growing a partnership through the summer. Maybe it's taking lessons or signing your child up for lessons. Or maybe you'd like to take your horse to a clinic this summer. Take that golden thought, that sometimes disappears in the midst of a crazy life, and do something with it. Let summer be filled with good times, friends, horses and community. Let summer be fun again, even for a moment. For sometimes moments make the best memories.

Have fun with your horse, because they enjoy having fun too. Your horse is your friend and your partner and that relationship is something that can bloom and grow when the two of you do something fun together. So go do it.

"A lovely horse is always an experience.... It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words. " --Beryl Markham

~ Saddle Up