Discussions in turnout

Dearest HL,

While we have the utmost respect for your incredible ability to manipulate your environment (mainly thanks to your opposable thumbs) and your unbeatable intelligence that rationalizes so many natural events in clearly explainable sound bytes, we were shaking our heads in disbelief when we heard that you were considering that the end of the world was neigh... err... nigh.

Although we are a seemingly quiet and complacent herd, we are nevertheless of good wit and sound mind, especially when it comes to the matters of nature.

And so we were amused at your explanations and proofs about the Mayan calendar. We came up with hundreds of reasons why we KNEW the world would go on past December 21, 2012, but we amassed only the top eight for you below:

8. The birds were still fluttering about conducting their usual daily activities. Everybody knows that birds are on the up-and-up when there is danger ahead. The chattering of the birds in the trees around our paddock continued on as usual, with no sign of secret gatherings or distant flight plans.

7. We were looking forward to our next "midnight snack" [ed. note: that means their regular grain in the evening] and knew it is served like clockwork.

6. We still have goals to meet. Personally, I want to become more supple during my renvers and straighter through the flying changes. I love it when I get better at a new skill!

5. We knew the snowfall we were going to get was going to be nowhere near the Armageddon-like flood that was being predicted! When we smelled the air, the crisp freshness told us that we were going to get just enough snow to cover the ground so we could make our snow horse angels.

4. The horses in the neighbor's paddock had already invited us to a pre-Christmas bash for Saturday night.

3. We knew from our ancient texts that the sky caiman that is vomiting water is only being used in a symbolic manner. Your interpreters have made an error in their translations - rather than being a cause of major floods, we believe the ever-abundant water represents "plentitude".

2. When we studied the night sky, we could see that all the planets were in their expected locations and showed no tendencies to any abnormalities. We also received our meteor shower as per schedule last Thursday night, indicating that the astronomical rhythms continue in their customary serene beats.

1. More people are horse listening everywhere! Now THAT is a sure sign of continued existence!

With love, from your horse


Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!

Ready for something completely different? If you liked what you read here, you might be interested in the new Horse Listening Practice Sessions. 

This is NOT a program where you watch other people's riding lessons. Start working with your horse from Day 1.

Click here to read more and to join one of the most complete programs on the Internet!

Horse Listening

Don’t miss a single issue of Horse Listening! If you like what you are reading, become a subscriber and receive updates when new Horse Listening articles are published!  Your email address will not be used on any other distribution list. Subscribe to Horse Listening by Email

Buy the book for many more riding tips! Horse Listening – Book 4: 20-Minute Exercises To Add Variety To Your Riding Routine

Available as an eBook or paperback.

Horse Listening Book 4
Click to learn more.

Read more here:

An Ode to Kayla Queen – As She Turns 30: Happy 30th birthday, dear Kayla, the exhilarating horse with a never-ending zest for living!

Moment of Beauty: Caught in the moment and recognizing it.

20 Ways Horse Riding Becomes Life Itself: You could say that horses are our teachers. Not only do we grow in terms of physical ability, but perhaps even more so, we grow in character.

5 Life Lessons From Horses: How can horses help us grow and develop in our own lives?

Because of Horses: What has changed in your life because of horses?