A Season of Thankfulness

As I write this column, there is beautiful color touching the leaves, a chill nips the night air and the days are slipping away earlier. Fall seems to be a time of reflection for me. I find myself thinking about the past year and taking time to be grateful for the lessons learned and accomplishments made. This year has brought many challenges and decisions that have been tough for me to make. This has never come easy for me. I am learning more about making decisions and then being confident in my well-planned and executed choices.

The lessons that I am currently learning about leadership include the essential nature of priorities. It is so easy to fall into the trap of addressing the urgent issues first. However, succumbing to the tyranny of the urgent leads me to ignore many of the important issues that open doors to growth. I am learning about sharing leadership and responsibility. It’s easy to rely on myself and what I can accomplish. However when leadership is shared, along with responsibility, the opportunities increase and the burden doesn’t seem quite so heavy. I want to encourage any of you who may be struggling with the leadership role. Hard work and perseverance is worth the wait. I’m constantly learning and growing and am thankful for the people in my life that help to stimulate that process.

This month we’re focusing on the senior horse. This is a particularly meaningful issue since I have an aging horse that means the world to me. I am doing what I can to keep Dawn healthy and working for years to come. A joy to ride and handle, she’s been a friend and listener for nearly 10 years. At 18 years old she is still athletic and willing to do anything I ask of her. I’m incredibly fortunate to own such a horse. It’s a great time to celebrate the horses we love as they grow older. Some have raised many of us, have seen us through tough times, hauled us around on trail rides and tried their best for us in the show ring. With Thanksgiving approaching, it seems the appropriate time to express gratitude for our aging friends.

Throughout the pages of this issue you will find helpful ideas in caring for, feeding and giving shelter to our valued friends. Older horses have a lot to teach us. If you’re new to horses, a great place to start is with a senior horse that’s been through the ropes and can teach you about the joys of owning a horse. My aging horse is truly a blessing and will always have a home even when her riding days are over.

As I take time to reflect I wish to express gratitude for some of the other blessings we experience. Most of all I would like to thank those service men and women who’ve been fighting for our country. We truly owe you all a great deal of gratitude and respect for your choice to spend your lives in the service of our country. Thank you for keeping America a place of opportunity. God Bless You.

Just a reminder that stallion season is almost here. Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in our annual stallion issue, January 2005. Deadline for advertising is December 1. Visit our website or call today for more information! Have a great Thanksgiving and Remember to Ride!

Karen Pickering
Publisher