He’s a “Cribber” is a statement I’ve heard my entire life with horses and it translates in to “that horse has a horrible habit/behavior issue and it makes him/her a liability.  That’s a horse that will ruin the rest of your horses, destroy property and is essentially better off not existing”.

I have to say that as a child I didn’t know what else to believe and never really “bought in” to that belief system entirely.  Now days I have a diferent perception…

We have a “Cribber”.  His story is significant… In a previous life (younger years) he was a show horse and showed at the national level VERY successfully.  He’s been in the Rose Bowl Parade and for a time, everyone who followed his event knew his name.  Pretty cool, right?  Well the stress that went along with that caused him to find a coping mechanism and THAT”S how he began “cribbing”.  All that information, his accomplshments, his perceived misbehavior - is NOT who he is.

I think, quite simply, that we are not what we do.  There’s so much more to each one of us. None of us are our behaviors.  We are not just bipolar, depressed, a single parent, over the hill; we, like this horse, are so much more!  These things that we define ourselves and others by are a drop in the bucket of who each of us are…

Our “Cribber” is actually an amazing being and teacher.  He brings to the table his life experiences, how he dealt with sucess, performed at a high level for others, gave 110% to humans, thrived under stress and found a coping mechanism to help “get through” it all.  When he interacts with clients he brings to the ring an innate knowing, loving and teaching energy that is always in/for their highest good.  He gives us the gift of acceptance of self and an understanding that we are not our behaviors’ we are ALL so much more and have so much more to offer…

By the way, he’s chosen more than any other teaching horse here - not bad for a “Cribber”!

Cathy Huddleston

Meet Beau, a 16 year old Quarter Horse and Master Teacher…

I had a conversation with one of my Teachers yesterday… He shared with me something that really hit home… and I quote “Listen…. AND hear with your heart”.

I pondered this with a great big AHHAAA! I soooo get it, in life we seem to think that by listening we’re actually doing something. In reality, often times, we are simply listening enough to formulate what we want to say back in order to… be right, sound smart, have the last word, etc. etc…

With this statement by my “Krishna” I discovered something important, shocking I know. That listening is about hearing and truly listening occurs in our body, our heart, more than our ears. The gift of “hearing” what someone is sharing with us is truly a gift. It’s a moment in our lives where we experience connection, with ourselves and another sentient being. Pretty cool huh!

I wish for you today the gift of Krishna’s sharing, to not just listen but HEAR, and hear clearly with your heart!

Cathy

Meet “Krishna” – 6 year old Thoroughbred facilitator at Challenge-U

Hello Sampson followers! (and those of you yet to come)

We are pleased to announce that Sampson is doing well post surgery. Sampson, our star equine facilitator,   came down with a major sinus infection as a result of a complication from a tooth removal. He was taken to the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital, an interesting task for a 2200 pound being! Sampson was an angel and cooperated well with Dr. Cannon and Dr. Richardson. The doctors performed a surgical procedure on Sampson’s face in order to clean out the infection and install a drain and Sampson was able to come home the same day of the procedure. Unfortunately, the drain installed was not doing the trick, and Sampson had to be taken back to the vet for a little extra help. Again, Dr. Richardson and Dr. Cannon jumped into action to solve the problem and were able to get his healing moving in the right direction. After a week of dealing with the infection and vet visits, Sampson is feeling much better and recuperating well!

Sampson recovering from his surgery