I put this picture up on Facebook this morning and have spent the day, touched by people’s comments and with tears filling my eyes – tears of overwhelming appreciation and sadness too, at having had our last magical ride together.
There’s many special horses in the world, but this one… this one… is special beyond all. His courage in holding out for me to be the best that I could be was just extraordinary. He actually wrote our first book – it was the notes of the thoughts and ideas that I heard in my head while I was riding him, that I later gathered together into Bobby’s Diaries.
When I made the big break through into understanding how to actually listen to him properly, he sighed and I heard his voice almost as clear as if someone had spoken to me “Thankyou… Now I don’t have to yell at you any more.” Please remember, hearing like that is not everyone’s experience of their natural talent for Feel. You’ll develop your OWN unique sense of Feel for your horse as you work your way through my programs. 🙂
And he inspired everything else – books, programs, my own personal development, spiritual growth – SPECIALLY my spiritual growth – everything.
Virginia pointed out on Facebook this morning that his wisdom is still rippling around the world and will no doubt continue to ripple long after he’s gone. Thank God he’s not gone yet – just retired! Still herd leader and as someone else pointed out, still adding his two cents worth into everything that happens around here.
Back in the “olden days” of the Parelli instructor program, when we were working so hard to stay there, I thought he was such a difficult horse – someone’s actually got video footage of him repeatedly bucking higher than my head in a lesson one day. And all the time he was a precious Caretaker and he was just resisting everything that wasn’t sweetness and light and connection from my end.
For all those who have difficult horses, Bobby was a classic example – don’t give up on them, they’ve likely got very much to teach you. Find another way. The answer is more likely to be getting gentler, not getting stronger. Everything they do has a reason and their sentience is extraordinary when they’re not in panic mode. You too may be lucky enough to have a Bobby.
And even that last day, he walked up to the mounting block, bareback and bridle-less and invited me to come for one last ride…
I’ve dug up some old photos – there’s not so many of us together cos’ I’m the photographer around here. Liberty and bridle-less was always our forte. Gosh we’ve done all kinds of crazy liberty things together over the years, including being out in the bush together at liberty from the car – I’ve put that video and why we started to do that, down below. Here’s a link to that full article – it was an interesting one. Just a few months ago I had him out in the bush behind the farm at Rokeby a liberty off the farm bike.
You and Bobby have such a powerful soul connection that is such a joy to witness, I know how much he means to you Jenny and he is loved by many, I feel so blessed at having been in his presence and feel his wisdom and support. You and Bobby helped Jenny horse and myself more than you will ever know. Much love to you both. xxxx
Aww thanks Jo. 🙂
? he certainly is a master teacher. Both you and Bobby have inspired so many and touched hearts everywhere with all that you know, I can not give enough thanks
May Bobby enjoy his retirement although I suspect just like the others it maybe a semi retirement
My heart melts with the thought of you both just enjoying one another
Ahhh THANKS Donna! You’ve known him for a long time hey? He said to me that he would need a lot of body work because he wasn’t getting the releasing from being ridden and he’s getting a session every few days at the moment! I hope that doesn’t have to keep up – it’s more time than I put into riding lately! lol!
Absolutely, been a long time xo lol he obviously loves your touch
Maybe that’s it!
Hi Jenny! Don’t be surprised if Bobby tells you he doesn’t want to be totally retired! I suspect that he will want to be involved in more ways than you can imagine!
Ok… There’s another of you thinking the same thing! I’ll keep my eye out! 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story about a truly exceptional horse who gave you and inadvertently us so much. Thank you Bobby and thank you Jenny. I hope he enjoys his retirement and has many more healthy happy years to come.
Thanks felicity – lovely… 🙂
Wow Jenny – what an absolutely beautiful horse he is and what amazing things you’ve done and will continue to do together. I hope you both enjoy his retirement a lot and find lots of ways to share it together. That you chose Good Friday as the day for his retirement feels significant and special to me somehow. Was there a reason for that?
Love, amanda
I actually retired him three weeks ago Amanda, but couldn’t bring myself to do the big announcement until today… 🙂
So lovely that you could officially retire him when you really heard him 🙂 These special ‘teacher’ horses are hard to let go of – they give us so much pleasure and feelings of achievement, its a big step for our ego to let go of them!
I’m sure you’ll enjoy many happy years with him ahead in a more relaxed manner. Enjoy each other’s company as much as you’ve enjoyed everything else 🙂
Excellent advice Cynthia!
It is so nice to be able to offer a horse a nice retirement. Good for you both.
Interesting… I had the same thought / sense as Nina. Bobby is just taking a break – LOL
Master Teachers never retire, they continue to teach whether it’s humans, horses or perhaps other animals. That is their life’s work.
Funny that there should be quite a few of you saying that in different ways! Lauren, Nina, Leslie!
Jenny, I send you my condolences with love and respect. It was quite a ride overall, wasn’t it? You and Bobby – all you shared, all you learned, all you passed on to others. What a deep connection you and Bobby enjoyed…special beyond words! What a beautiful soul to have shared such an exceptional experience with 🙂
Thanks Cathy – yes a beautiful soul indeed. Lucky he’s just retired and I still have him in my life!
I remember seeing the video of Bobby at liberty while you were riding in a car filming him. It was one of the most impressive and early videos of yours that I watched as I was starting to try to learn more about communicating and relating to horses in a softer way than the way I was started in lessons with them. You’ve been, and Bobby too, obviously, a big influence on my development of horsemanship. I now can say that I have begun to really experience clear 2-way communication with the older horse that I am leasing now and it is truly amazing for me. Thank you Jenny and Bobby!
I am so glad for you Barbara. It’s such a feel good thing isn’t it – knowing that we ARE able to understand them in all kinds of ways. I’m sure your “old” guy is heaving a sigh of relief to be understood. 🙂
Gidday Jen
How wonderful to watch that magnificent spiritual being doing his thing and his movement is absolutely beautiful. Nothing makes me happier than to see my herd go for a run and play in their paddock. Just gets my heart skipping.
I oh so wish that you were closer so that I could get to meet you both and participate in your courses.
Thank you Bobby for being the initiator of all of these wonderful experiences and teachings. Just magic! xxxxx
You’re welcome Virginia – the pleasure was all mine – I mean REALLY mine. I get so much pleasure out of watching and hearing people’s success’s. 🙂 And I’m sure Bobby feels all the lovely energy coming his way too.
Bobby’s retirement might become a sabbatical.
That made me laugh Nina – he’s capable of anything!