Bonding...

What an amazing breakthrough I had today with one of the fillies I have been working with! I have been working this filly for a few days and she has been extremely reactive. Every time I got on, she either bucked or spun around and never really relaxed the entire time. I knew I had to make some changes in my training program for her. I finally decided that although I had done a lot of ground work, that I had just not spent the time "bonding" with her like I should have in the beginning. I was trying to rush her along and she just wasn't quite ready to accept and trust me like the other two colts. After about an hour "bonding" with her, she finally relaxed and began to trust me! She walked across scary tarps, let me lay them on her, and willingly let me saddle her without a hater. This was a HUGE step for her. In the end, I rode her all over the ranch like she was an old seasoned horse. Today was her first ride outside the round pen and she did great after a little "bonding" time. She never flinched or balked at anything and did exactly what I asked her to do.

Working with this filly has made me think about our relationship with God. Are we spending enough time "bonding" with Him by reading His word, studying, and praying daily so He can communicate with us clearly through the Holy Spirit? Most importantly, are we trusting in Him to guide us? If you haven't been taking time for God, I want to encourage you to set some time aside each day and spend it with Him by praying and reading His word. I promise, this trail ride we call life will be so much easier when you spend some time to "bond" with Him each day. - Kim Hornsby

Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight thy paths."