Dreaming and living it

[Candice Burger]

One thing I can count on from paso people is ya'll make me think allot.

When I was in college I had my palm read (in physical chemistry class, but that's another story) and he said I thought too much.

Now I come here and find myself not thinking enough.

So, I've been thinking about all these posts and our little pattern of destruction that we all accuse each other of being on.

Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe we are all on a path following our dreams. We get all excited over the newness of a different horse or different gear or different method. But really, trully, if we would simply stop, I'd think we'd see we don't have very far to go to get what we are looking for. And what is it we are looking for anyway that we continually seek out something else? I wonder about that.

So when someone shares a joy, this newness that we seek ourselves, are we wanting to grab it, hold it, claim it? I'm not sure. I do know the way we do this is to keep this to ourselves and that's not good. It's not good to hide our joy and it's not good to try to take someone else's no matter the reason.

I do know something else for sure though. Something I don't think too much about and don't need to. I know no matter how hard I dream of where I want to go, I'm missing the dream I made today. I remember when I dreamt of owning good mares. Well I have a few now. And the day of having a nice stallion, well I'm very proud of the one I currently have around. I remember dreaming of owning a horse and now I can afford several. I remember wanting to learn to ride well enough not to fall off all the time and remember wanting to experience all the wonders of horses. Now I do.

Sometimes I forget this. Sometimes I forget allot of things that I shouldn't. That's when I forget that my dream is already here and I try to take someone else's. But it won't work because it wasn't mine to begin with.

I'm awful proud of our horses and our people. I forget that sometimes too. Maybe it's because I'm thinking too much. Or tyring too hard or in too much of a hurry working on my dream. I get busy trying to prove myself or trying to show how smart I am. I'm not perfect and so I forget sometimes I'm not supposed to be and perfection is not found somewhere else.

If I could change something it would be to stop and live my dream, share it with others and hope by doing so, I help them with theirs. I never asked for an easy way or a simple way or even a gentle way, but that doesn't mean when I see an easier, simpler, or gentler way that I shouldn't appreciate it and admire it.

Allot things are being done here because I think we are all thinking a little too much, working a little too hard about trying to catch our dreams. If we aren't careful, we'll come to the end of a road and realize that we missed whole dam-n thing because we were too busy with someone else's dream instead.

[CarolU]

It is a common human 'trait' to focus on goals. We make goals, look to goals, work for them, and achieve them (hopefully). But while we're doing that, we frequently forget to appreciate all the steps along the path.

The greatest hurdle in my life is to STOP being so goal-oriented. To stop and smell the flowers. It's not easy and is a continuing process, but I'm growing in that direction.

Great post.

[Candice Burger]

:lol: Me too sister! I really hurt people because I see something done beautifully but get too hung up on what's not finished yet. Or if there is something I don't understand, I'm too preoccupied learning about it instead of appreciating it. It becomes more like a conquest instead of a journey.

[CarolU]

Dont' feel bad Candice...all my best friends are the same way. You're in great company.

A good friend passed her Level I when I did. When she started her Level II, she had problems with the 22' line, her horse ALWAYS stopped backing at 12 feet (the length of the Level I rope). I asked her how long she had spent at Level I, she said FOUR YEARS!!!! You're supposed to spend 1 month there....it's a step not a door.

Aren't we funny???

[Privatetreaty]

There is nothing like reading people's post, to get to know them.


You're deep. Over the years, I've come to admire your ingenuity, your knowledge about the breed and our people, as well. Someone we can trust. Always searching for truth and answers. Never superficial or aloof. Your analytical assessments yield recognition to your perception. You're like the Colorado; there's no way of telling how far the river will stretch, simply by standing on its bank.


You're sensitive. Those who know you perceive your passion and empathy. These are the hardest things to gauge, because there is so much that could be misconstrued. It hurts when people launch attacks. It hurts a lot. Yet, it kills when what they say are lies or malicious attacks. Especially when one's intent is noble and pure. I feel sorry for those who don't know you. I feel even worse for not knowing you better myself.


But you're restless. You've been eloquence and patience, but I can tell you are bursting at the seams. Change is hard, especially when you've seen something evolve for decades and you have a pretty good idea of where it's headed. When that which is fashionable rules, it causes irreversible destabilization. When these actions are questions or ideas are quashed, its goal is destruction of the breed. What complicates this equation is the stigma attached to the greed and/or ego. Sometimes I thing people are breeding for a supernatural horse; something that does not nor will ever exist.


.

[Laura S]

Awesome post Candance, thanks!

[CarolU]

Awww Cousin Helen...you 'wax eloquent'...that was beautiful! I think Candice should print it and keep it with her keepsakes.

:hug love you Cousin Helen!! :hug

[Terry Wallace]

When I was in college I had my palm read (in physical chemistry class, but that's another story) and he said I thought too much.


TRUE-That! :D

[Pasogirlz]

:not worthy

[jodiTowne]

Good post.

I saw a card that said "Remember when all we wanted was a puppy?" I loved that statement.

I have been thinking along these lines lately. I used to be happy with my Not-so-perfect paso, bridle i bought at a garage sale, and cheap saddle. Now i am constantly buying/searching for the perfect headgear, trailer, etc, etc. I have 3 horses now and still want another. I HAVE NO TIME ANYMORE and am overwhelmed. I need to slow down but just want to go. It is hard to smell the roses, but I will try.......I have to.

[Candice Burger]

Thanks Cousin! Your words mean more than you know!

Yes, my wish is that people see what I see in pasos. We are truly blessed because we hold the future in our hands already. We already hold world destinies--The PASO FINO!

We are foolish to think we can make such a powerful force yield to our short-lived expectations. Our frustrations, our insecurities are due to our short-sighted inability to comprehend that we are truly in the shadow of a great historical presence.

I've yet to meet anything that is as perfect as the paso fino breed. I've never seen anything as flexible, as enduring, and as forgiving.

[SandyMM]

We are so much closer to being right where we want to be and doing exactly what makes us happy - it's almost scary!

6 acres, great horses, great friends - life is good!

(Well - ok - I don't like the ticks..., but I ordered my new sewing machine - so - given that - life is still good! ;-) )

[Candice Burger]

You know, jodiTowne, I think what happens is pasos are way more powerful that we imagine. We look at this little non-descript, basically plain wrapped, piece of horseflesh and think so what?

Then, something really big happens. It's not just riding one or owning one it's more than that. The synergistic energy is exponential. Look how other breeds scoff at us in the USA. Even the countries of origin ignored the paso. Each one has it's own history of turning it's back on the paso to leave it discarded. Yet, inspite of all of this, the paso will change lives. I think this scoffing, ignoring, and discarding is FEAR. Yes, fear of what it does to you. Look at this BB lately what is that?

Something grabs us in a way that we can't understand and our only way to cope is to start seeking out what that is. More horses, more gear, we end up looking at each other's horses thinking we need something better. It's a strange thing.

I've seen the pettiness in other breeds with the in-fighting and all that but nothing and not with the force I see in this breed. This itty bitty, podunk, not so good looking breed has something that we can't control or maintain.

We ought to take the hint and quit trying to. We have a gift, a very powerful gift. When I read about the little mare from a sale barn and how she has already changed a life in such a short time, well that is amazing to me. We all say the owner did good. I don't think so sometimes, I think we are chosen. Like I said sometimes it's not easy or simple or gentle. A little scrawny abused mare at a sale barn...but it sure is powerful.

[TrueStepPaso]

Very nice post. It's sad, as we get older, we lose sight of what life is all about as we get weighted down with more responsibility and stress.....

For me, the one thing I haven't lost sight of is HORSES....that stayed with me since the beginning. And I'll never let that go.

[Privatetreaty]

Very nice post. It's sad, as we get older, we lose sight of what life is all about as we get weighted down with more responsibility and stress.....

For me, the one thing I haven't lost sight of is HORSES....that stayed with me since the beginning. And I'll never let that go.


That's because "horses", my dearest Cousin Abbie, is a fever for which there is no cure.


Cousin Candice, we NEED more people like you in this breed.


I love you too, Cousin Carol. :love

.

[TrueStepPaso]

;-)

[moonrize]

I think one of things/problems that we all encounter is having to "prove" something to others through our horses. It's true that there's always a better horse, better gear, better whatever.

Thank God I learned that I love what I have. I'm older and perhaps a little more laid back than when I was young and had to prove myself. But I have a couple of nice horses that I love to ride. They're not going to win anything in the PFHA showpen, but I can safely and gently ride anywhere and do anything with them.

I've learned, among other things, that the only one that has to like my horses (or anything I have for that matter) is ME. Oh, yes, I like it when my horse brings that crazy paso smile to a newbie - but that's certainly not why I own my horse.

We become so focused on one goal, that we don't know what to do when we get there. That's the time to sit back and smell those proverbial roses and enjoy what you have. Think honestly and clearly about your next goal. Just because some people want the finest fino horse, or the fastest largo horse, doesn't mean that that's what we really want or need. We need to have goals to strive towards, but we also need to learn to be appreciative of what we do have along the way.

[Abejita]

I've seen the pettiness in other breeds with the in-fighting and all that but nothing and not with the force I see in this breed.

See I always have people coming from other breeds telling me the exact opposite..That we 'paso people' are so willing to help each other and are so welcoming when they happen upon one of our shows..They tell horror stories of what has happened at their breed shows etc.They are amazed to see trainer helping trainer and wishing each other good luck.I sure dont think any of the disagreements we sometimes get into on this board can compare to what I have heard from other breed owners..I like to think that ..yeah we sure can disagree (alot) But when the chips are down we tend to have each others back..am I just to niave?

[pasogalinbama]

i set here typing and in tears, so move my what each of you have to say, i have had Paso Finos for almost 30 years, have shown, breed a few and now just a trail rider, but i am so in love with the breed and have said in the past that i thought that may be we did not permote the Paso enough, i now see that the problem is the Paso is not excepted like other breeds, i have been to open showes, and get all kinds of looks, from WOW to what is that, it has been hard for me to see them at the sale barn, saw a little stallion last year at one and no one know what he was, he was small hot and very mush Paso. sold for $150.00 hope i did not get to far off track, i am just like every one else a tack room full of "stuff" always looking for something better, i just think everyone should own a sport utility with the cadillac ride.

[ErinC]

Thanks,
You know a good friendship has come to an end because of lots of things you just said, things happen and people get hurt.

Here are some things that popped off the page for me.
“”Allot things are being done here because I think we are all thinking a little too much, working a little too hard about trying to catch our dreams. If we aren't careful, we'll come to the end of a road and realize that we missed whole dam-n thing because we were too busy with someone else's dream instead.””

I think we hurt each other without meaning it. And lots of times say things we should not say.

AMEN to this- this wraps it up for me.
“I think one of things/problems that we all encounter is having to "prove" something to others through our horses. It's true that there's always a better horse, better gear, better whatever.”

The reason I do this is because,,, I always WORRY that someone is going to say something BAD about what and how my horses are and How I do what I do…
when really I should just sit back relax and enjoy!
THANKS again Candice
:hug

[PLEASURE PASOFINO]

I've yet to meet anything that is as perfect as the paso fino breed. I've never seen anything as flexible, as enduring, and as forgiving.


AND SMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :angel

[Candice Burger]

That we 'paso people' are so willing to help each other and are so welcoming when they happen upon one of our shows..They tell horror stories of what has happened at their breed shows etc.They are amazed to see trainer helping trainer and wishing each other good luck.

Maybe it's the paso in us. Like I said, we should quit fighting it and accept the horse is in charge not us.

For years, I thought the vision for the paso fino in the USA was to replace all other breeds. Now I understand the paso is exactly where it needs to be. I cannot imagine the horrors we would have inflicted if we had been successful in getting the paso to be as numerous or as romantically popular as the Quarter Horse.

Our quest to have more, be more because we misunderstand what is happening will be our own destruction. Pasos will suffer, some will end up dead, but it will go on anyway. Hasn't it done so under centuries of persecution? When we understand that every paso has its purpose we'll quit thinking we have to have 50 instead of 5. The purpose is not to compete or replace but to enhance. When we understand that, we will let it happen. The paso will choose it's own way, we only need to facilitate it until then.

Right now we are trying to force a market that doesn't want us. Instead, go out and do whatever that dream is. If it's developing a horse in endurance, dressage, a paso show, a all-breed show, a reining horse, then do it. When we accept our horses as horses AND more, then there is absolutely nothing to prevent our dreams from happening.

The paso has never needed the show ring to prove himself. That is our invention, our feeble means to control the horse. This horse has served as ship ballasts to cart horses to cow horses to show horses. We are so FEARFUL of trying out our horses, we find excuse after excuse why we don't pursue it. Go on test him, his genetics are some of the best in the world. He has already proven that he can respond to anything we may try with him. We continue to try to make his world smaller because we think we are protecting the breed. In truth are we not protecting ourselves from our own fears?

We have listened way too much to others that have no understanding of the breed and to ourselves defending the breed. I have nothing to defend. It's a fine animal, yes, not the prettiest, not the best built, not the tallest, not the fastest, not the strongest. Still I find nothing as attractive nor as powerful because this horse lives from the spirit.

There are times when I not only see it, but feel it. I can feel the history of it's ancestors. I realize then, I know very little about this horse. I learn most when I let the horse guide me to where I need to go instead of forcing the horse into what I think he is supposed to be. Afterall, who taught me about paso in the first place? The horse. People may have articulated it in a way that I may understand, but it is the horse that teaches me daily what paso is.

I've come to realize I haven't begun to experience paso fino.

[Candice Burger]

Thanks ya'll for letting me share this with you.

:love :love

[ErinC]

NO thank you.
the older I get the more I relize I need to LIVE. and not sweat the small stuff.
I can not have stuff in my life that drains out my feelings and emotions.

I need to live each day and enjoy my family horses and friends.
:hug

thanks again!

[swaite]

[quote="ErinC"]
not sweat the small stuff


Thats me - I don't sweat the small stuff - life is too short for all that sweating :D :D :D

[moonrize]

This quote somehow came to mind for this thread:

Great spirits have always found violent opposition
> from mediocre minds. The latter cannot understand it
> when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to
> hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously
> uses his intelligence.
>
> Albert Einstein

[Beth Worden]

Interesting post. Interesting replies.

My own philosophy evolves daily. One thing has not changed in nearly 60 years...I have always wanted the very best horse I could afford. Not what YOU may consider the best, but the very best for the job I ask of a horse. What someone else thinks of my horse IS important to me because I may want to sell that horse that I trained. My reputation is important to me. And when I showed OF COURSE I wanted the judge to think my horse the very best. I showed to win. Period. Is there another reason???? Hey, I'm honest, OK.

No secret that I am fading out of the paso finos day by day. And you want to know why? Because of the many horses I've trained for others and owned myself I have kept a mental inventory of the "special" ones that were the most reliable, fun, and healthy. And every one of my "specials" has been a hybird!!!!! Not one had "papers". Really. So right now in my life I am no longer impressed by bloodlines, or color, or fancy barns, tack, and such. I am impressed with a good horse. Gaiting or trotting, no matter.

It may take awhile for some folks to get to this place I'm at, but trust me, eventually, you all will get here.

[TrueStepPaso]

So right now in my life I am no longer impressed by bloodlines, or color, or fancy barns, tack, and such. I am impressed with a good horse. Gaiting or trotting, no matter.


Exactly! That is ALWAYS how I've felt. A good horse is a good horse, and my version of "good" won't be the same as my neighbor's.....but I appreciate ALL breeds. I just love HORSES.

[CarolU]

That's funny Beth, because I think I'm going the other way...I'm probably going to give up on showing. I'm not a competitive person, never have been. Don't like games.

But, I am on a personal competition with myself to become better every day. I guess that is why I read and study so many books and clinicians, I always want to learn more, learn to be a better horseman, learn to achieve more with my horses. I guess I feel I already have the best horses in the world, so there is no point in looking farther.

Funny, but the more I look around, the more I read, the more I find there is still to learn.

[Beth Worden]

Yeah, Carol - I just know it all! I guess if that's the way you want to inturpet my post, then so be it. LOLOL

[Mellifluous]

These are some of the best posts I have read on here in a VERY long time.

Thanks Candice. :D

[Camilla]

Candice,
Thanks so much for writing down so eloquently what has been much on my mind. Lots of good discussion here. I feel like I am battling with the issues of 'savouring the now' and 'enjoying what I have' all the time.
I do share your unwavering passion for the breed. I am crazy about them. I love your comments on how they are not the prettiest or tallest or smartest, etc. I have said the same many times... and yet there is nothing I've found that compares to them!
I had a couple out this week to look at a horse that is for sale here on consignment (a quiet trail paso). They petted him for a while and then listened to me blather on incessantly about how wonderful Pasos are and then they watched me ride my own horse (my very much loved fino stallion) and left without riding the sale paso or seeing me ride him. It turns out they think they want to buy him (without even seeing him move) and I know it is probably because of the insane gleam of the pasofanaticalism they saw in my crazed eyes. they were hypnotized! LOL :lol:
I think you have brought a very expansive and helpful voice to this place... keep on keeping on. And don't stop thinking and sharing.

By the way, I also share your love of 'the Mango'. Here is my colt,
El Mango de FinaVista (known simply as "Mango") as a baby. He will be a yearling soon.

http://www.finavistafarm.ca/Mango-web-colt-4.jpg

http://www.finavistafarm.ca/Mango-Finola-web-colts-2.jpg

[Privatetreaty]

Camilla,
What a cute little bugger !!!


.

[Candice Burger]

8-) Camilla! Yes, I see the resemblence!

Yes, that is what I am trying to say. When we quit excusing our passion for what we love, the horse finds his own place whether it's with you or someone else.

We all have been targets for owning pasos from others that are neither horsemen nor understand what it is to live with a passion as deep as this one.

Long ago I learned to let the words flow out from these folks and I'd just grin to myself, give the horse a nice rub and we'd ride. When I concentrate more on what I need to do for my horse, the less sting those words carry if they go far at all. I'm not out to convince anyone of something about pasos. If they do not understand to begin with, no reason for why I love pasos will ever make sense to them. I remind myself the paso is ever unfailing; it is not if but when and the timeline is not set by my needs or my life time.

I believe the more we quit trying to show others including each other what "our" pasos can do and concentrate more on what we can do for pasos in terms of a partneship, the more the pure passion will show. All of us remain because we experience a life that cannot be described in words. When we start living it, emulating the spirit that flows from the horse, then others can experience it too. We don't need a fancy horse or fancy gear, only a belief in our paso and its ability to fulfill our dreams.

[Carol Nelson]

Hey,...I've never once excused my passion for these critters...if one don't like my lifestyle, they can just move on down the road.
Kinda like when I get company (which we have two groups of right now...all non-horse people) they've learned quick that my horses come first and we will be happy to visit ONCE the horses are taken care of...and also that since I'm busy outside most of the day, my house is dusty and not perfectly clean...and if they don't like it, they can pick up a dust cloth and clean it themselves or keep quiet.
I LOVE these animals and I am supremely HAPPY like I am, and the people who really love me recognize that!

[Camilla]

I'm with you Carol... clean the barn before I clean the house anyday. ;-)
My horsey friend gave me this fridge magnet:
"Dull Women have Immaculate Homes"
And no I never make excuses for loving Pasos anymore and I don't even try and convince non-lovers to come aboard... I'm fine with their niche. However, if someone comes to my barn and asks me all about them... well... don't get me started! :lol:

[CarolU]

I don't apologize either. When I was a teenager, I was teased miserably about being horse crazy (why I hid my horse books in a Nancy Drew slip cover). Thank GOD I outgrew worrying about others thought I should be. I wore western clothes to work and horse jewelry, my office was decorated in horses...and kind of funny, but other horse people just gravitated to a kindred spirit.

I always say, if people don't like hair all over them, they don't visit me.

Perhaps a perfect 'home' is where you can write "I love horses" in the dust on the shelves.

[Pam M]

These are some really beautiful and thoughtful posts. And timely.

My whole barn just got a good laugh at the antics of my Paso. It was de-worming time and she knew that when she saw us coming. I couldn't catch her for two days because she KNEW. She chose skipping meals over getting de-wormed. I finally had to bring every other horse in the barn because the one thing she can't bear is loneliness. Every one else was calling her stubborn - I called her smart. She stuck to her guns until I had to play my trump card, at a great inconvenience to the humans I might add!

But that's why I respect her as well as liking her. Sure she's difficult but she can and does think and her personality is almost as big as her heart. And I have to add - this is not an alpha mare. She's very timid and passive for the most part. But she's STRONG. I just hope one day I'm as brave as she is.

[motorgypsy]

The ZEN of the paso fino. Thank you all so much for sharing!

We went to look at a wild little buckskin mare. The owner couldn't get a saddle blanket on her. Put a saddle on her without one. It was obvious that she was spooky and didn't like people. We turned to leave knowing she was far too much horse for us. I made the mistake of turning around and looking at her. She looked right at me. We came back two days later and took her home. We've never regretted it.

A former student was extremely surprised at our immersion in our horses. I explained to him that it amazes me that humans will send ships into space seeking intelligent life when we can't even communicate with the other intelligent species on our own planet. There is something very visceral about the relationship we have with our horses. And we do think it's paso finos in particular that we "mind meld" with.

One of the most amazing experiences I had was riding Chinook in a LD endurance event at Kentucky horse park. We got lost and did a loop twice. It was extremely hot. The sun beat down on the pastures we were circling at a slow walk. The birds fluttered in the hedge rows surrounding each pasture. The cut grasses, soil, heated pine needles, and warm horse produced a perfume that surpassed any out a bottle. I was transported to a time where horses were the means of transportation and I mourned the loss of a time where man and horse shared this experience daily.

How very lucky we all are.