Life Between the Gallops
I love the adrenaline of galloping down the beach—the wind in your hair, the pounding hooves, the rush of pure possibility. It’s exhilarating. And fun.
But with horseback riding, and also with life, the reality is that most of our time is lived between the gallops. Life can’t be lived at a full-out run; eventually, the horse or the rider will collapse.
I’ve been thinking—the New Year often feels like that galloping energy: new beginnings, new opportunities, new possibilities. Especially with it being the Year of the Horse! But by the end of January? The energy can feel like it has run its course. The "New Year, New You" sparkle seems to have faded into "New Year, Same You."
The thing is, when that initial excitement vanishes, we need something else to hold us: a structure. A practice.
Sometimes "routine" is seen as boring or "ho-hum." But the reality is that a practice is what keeps you in shape for the gallops when they return. Horsewoman and author Tania Kindersley says it best: “Not every day can be Doris Day.”
So, what do we do on the days we don’t feel the gallop?
Take yesterday. I wanted to ride, but the afternoon was fading and chores were calling. Instead of an "all or nothing" mentality, I saddled up Fortuna simply to help bring the other horses in from grazing in the estuary.
It wasn’t flashy. It wasn't "content-worthy"—I didn’t take a single photo or video (partly because my hands were occupied with reins and ropes). It was just the routine work of the ranch.
But here is the thing: Fortuna is still young and easily excited. Between the neighbor’s loud tools, barking dogs, and the energy of the young vaqueros returning from the trails, there was a lot to navigate. Leading another horse on a rope while managing your own requires focus. You have to learn how to enter gates, how to approach other horses closely enough to take off their halter without getting tangled in the process—how to stay steady when the world around you feels loud.
We didn’t go for a "ride," but we did the work. We are learning how to be a team. We are learning how to navigate the components of a real, routine day.
That is, I believe, the work that waits for us as we enter February. The glamour of the New Year has worn off, but the real work is just beginning. This is where we build the muscle. This is where we find the "fodder" that sustains us.
If you are feeling the fade of January and want a structure to help you navigate the "between times," you are not alone. There are others of us on this journey, and we have begun to meet together monthly. We’d love for you to join us.
Take the Reins: A Workshop for Navigating Reality
When: Sunday, February 8th at 10:00 AM Pacific
Where: Online via Zoom
Focus: Building the practices that sustain us after the gallop.
For more information and to register, click here.
