A good horseman or horsewoman is someone who, in an educated way, always puts the best interest of the horse first and foremost.
Denny Emerson, Begin and Begin Again
OVERVIEW:
Denny Emerson is a legendary equestrian whom I’ve been following for years, his Facebook page is Tamarack Hill Farm. He uses his page as a platform to promote equine welfare, safety, and proper riding.
I am drawn to Denny for the incredible way that he has reinvented himself time and time again over the years. Throughout his life, Denny has competed at the highest levels in eventing, shown and bred Morgans, and competed in jumper shows, polo, gymkhanas, and point-to-point races. He’s been involved in endurance and ridden Tevis. He still even has some role in the breeding thoroughbred stallion Raven Sky (standing at Merle-Smith Sporthorses).
I had to add that last note in there because Raven Sky is a half-brother to my horse, R Tom Cat (Tiger). Denny has commented on occasion that he likes the bloodlines of Dance With Ravens. I learned this after I found Tiger, but it gives me a little pride to know that Denny likes his sire. Knowing Tiger’s ability and demeanor I can certainly see why.
Early into 2022 Denny’s book, Begin and Begin Again: The Bright Optimism of Reinventing Life with Horses launched. I had preordered it at Equine Affaire 2021 and was excited to get it in. Then I got really busy with Wahbee’s Woodworking and fell off the book bandwagon.
But here I am and here it is, I recently finished the book and I’m excited to share it with you.
Get your copy at Trafalgar Square Books.
Begin and Begin Again is Denny Emerson’s third book, but in his introduction, he comments that it’s almost a reverse trilogy. His first book, How Good Riders Get Good spoke of his years performing at the top level in eventing. His second book, Know Better to Do Better spoke of the things he’d have changed if he was given a do-over button. This book is all about the Beginning….or the Re Beginning.
In this book, Denny talks about all the ways one might go about starting to get back into horses. And all of the barriers.
If you buy into some other person’s negative assessment, pretty soon it becomes your negative assessment.
Denny Emerson, Begin and Begin Again
He addresses re-riders who have taken time off for a variety of reasons. Anxiety. Fear. Trauma. Career took the forefront. Family came first. Injury. Illness. Money. In all of the scenarios, Denny offers excellent examples and ways to overcome the barriers. Sometimes the barriers are simply other people telling you you can’t.
People will tell you in a hundred ways why you can’t do something. The will tell you that you are too young, too old, too short,too fat, too thin, too timid, too this, too that, and they will try to make you believe it, and if you do believe it, you will never know whether what they told you was impossible is actually impossible, or just somebody else trying to put limits on you.
Denny Emerson, Begin and Begin Again
Denny flows through his latest book to help any type of person realize the opportunities they have available. One that stood out is addressing the re-rider who is discouraged by how hard they find riding to be when, in their youth, could do anything on horseback. Learning to accept our current place in life and our current abilities is important. And learning to create realistic goals to achieve great things if we wish is also important.
Denny often interjects with stories of his experiences. These stories flow from the “how-to” and entertain the reader with an example of “how he did.” Having changed his course many times in life he has a lot of practice in being humbled and in learning something new.
Perhaps my favorite part in Begin and Begin Again is the decision to include stories from real people. On more than one of these stories, I found myself relating and nodding my head. These stories aren’t from a former Olympian and a life-long equestrian. They are from you and me; it feels a lot more relatable.
Final Word:
Begin and Begin Again: The Bright Optimism of Reinventing Life with Horses by Denny Emerson is a great read for anyone not fully in love with their current place in the horse world. Maybe you need to buckle down and work harder to get to where you want to be…and not let the barriers and nay-sayers stop you. Maybe you need to step back, stop pushing yourself to go to shows that bring you joy. Maybe trail riding is all you do. Maybe you need to change disciplines. Or start helping at a new farm. Find a new trainer. Find a new horse. Find a new hobby. A new career.
The message of the book is about ALL of the new beginnings. Big and small. The desired result is a happier you…and really you deserve that peace.
There’s no rule that says someone has to ride or drive or have a hands-on connection tog et joy from horses; some sponsor a young rider, work with horse-rescue organizations, build saddles, or write horse books. Others read horse books, and still others have horses as pasture pets and never ride them but get a great deal of pleasure from the company of their horses and from just taking care of them. The only person you have to please is yourself.
― Denny Emerson, Begin and Begin Again
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. This happens to be one of such books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
Begin and Begin Again by Denny Emerson
The Green Horseman 
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