One year ago today...

Two untrained, skinny quarter horses stepped off a trailer and into my life, kicking off my graduate level education in horsemanship and training.

I thought that after being partners with the World's Greatest Arabian for 18 years I knew a little something about horses. The quarters proceeded to tell me I didn't know jack. It's been an incredible year: We've had some breakthroughs, we've had some disasters, but we made it through them and we're all better for it.

The most important thing I've learned in the past year is that with compassion, patience, and a healthy respect for the horse's own thoughts and feelings you can accomplish things no one ever thought you could. Never compromise your values because you think others might scoff, and always trust your gut. That mass of intestines knows a lot more than we give it credit for.

So here's to my quarters, thank you for a wonderful year. May we have many, many more together.