You know those days where you’re trying to stay calm, positive, and full of perspective… But life keeps handing you plot twists like it’s auditioning for a soap opera?

Yeah. That.

The horse is suddenly lame, your lorry won’t start and to top it off, you’ve spilled tea on your jodhpurs before even getting to the yard.

Everything will be OK. But seriously — what the hell?!

You are not alone. Sometimes the universe seems to throw the entire haynet at us! And if you’re currently riding out one of those phases where:

• You’re doing everything “right” and still getting curveballs

• Your horse is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, wearing curiosity boots.

• You’re starting to feel like the plot has well and truly left the rails

Take a breath. You’re not broken. You’re not cursed. You’re just living the full-contact version of life (and horses).

Let’s acknowledge this honestly: Horses are wonderful, magical, intuitive beings who… sometimes try to kill themselves on a water bucket.

They are also completely unbothered by your Google Calendar, your budget, or your decisions to have joyful and drama-free month.

So if things are not going to plan? It’s not a failure. It’s just life — the weird, wild, slightly wobbly version that most of us are actually living.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

1. You don’t need to be relentlessly positive. You’re allowed to say, “This sucks.” And then keep showing up anyway.

2. Your horse doesn’t need you to be perfect. They need your presence more than your polish.

3. Rest is not quitting. Slowing down is not giving up. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is regroup, reset, and ride another day.

4. Humour helps. Sometimes the best way to take the power out of a situation is to laugh at it.
(Not in the moment, maybe. But eventually. Probably. Hopefully.)

You’ve got grit. You’ve got heart. And even if this chapter is a little chaotic, confusing, or just plain cursed, you’re still in the saddle — in your way, in your time.

Everything will be OK.

But if right now you’re muttering “what the hell” under your breath every five minutes? That’s OK too. You’re in good company here.

(Inspired by a full on week at work – my equine boys are being remarkably well behaved…. Oh, no! I’ve jinxed it now, haven’t I!?)