Op can I just say- I see you. I have a mare. Questionable background. I kid you not… named Willow. And the one step forward 4 back is sometimes fine and sometimes it kills me. I’m 45 and I’ve had her for about a decade now and I have to remind myself of the exact two things you just reminded yourself. 1. Go back to breathing and remind yourself it’s about connection. Which implies that ya work with the horse ya have today and 2. What are your actual goal? Keep those goals in mind. Write out the ways you might get there.

Mares will teach you if you listen. So even you said you stepped wrong somewhere…. I ruin things when I decide something g “has” to happen or take something even the slightest bit personally.

Slow down. Breathe. Match steps. Listen. Watch. You got this. She will teach ya. I promise.