2026 Goals for Nemo and Goose
Each new year, I like to set aside some time to make goals for Nemo and Goose in the coming year. I enjoy this exercise, as it helps me have something tangible to work towards with both, and helps me look back and see what we’ve accomplished in the past year. This year, Nemo will turn 22 in May, and Goose, 9 in September. While I would finally consider Nemo a senior, he’s still active, and true to his Morgan breed, he loves having a job. Goose, a spunky cattle dog, isn’t near considering slowing down, and still enjoys multiple mile walks daily, or as often as winter weather or extreme summer heat allows.
Nemo’s Goals
I ride Nemo 3-5 times a week depending on the season, winter less, summer more. This past year, he tweaked his SI joint with his silly field shenanigans, so we’ve been helping that heal up with vet and chiro care, and thoughtful strengthening rides to help him rehab. He’s now almost 100% back, so the fun begins. My first goal is to help him strengthen himself back up and really focus on his hind end strength. He’s so much fun to do Dressage flatwork with, and I’m looking forward to focusing on thoughtfully progressing rides to help keep him feeling his best.
My second goal for Nemo is to incorporate more relaxation into both of our rides and being fully, mindfully present. I’ve been lucky enough to have had Nemo for coming up on 15 years in 2026, and we’ve done a lot of fun things together. When schedules get busy, it’s easy to look at riding as an item on a to do list, and squeaking a ride in. Instead, I want to shift my focus to look at it as his and my relaxation time in the day. Whether it’s some flatwork, or a peaceful hack or trail ride on the many trails and through the many fields at the farm; I plan to look at our time together as a time to unplug and truly just be fully present.
Goose’s Goals
Goose is truly 100%, my little life shadow and sidekick. He tags along with me everywhere he’s possibly allowed and has fully claimed the entire backseat of my pickup truck as his. He’s always at my side, always up for an adventure, and always adding some form of happy, positive chaos and shenanigans into my life – which I couldn’t love more. This year, I’d like to take him more unique places and find some new walking and hiking spots. We have our usual routes, he loves romps in the big field across from the barn, walks up and down the quiet, wooded, country road where I live, and along the pretty common in the center of my town. There are a few little public trails and park-like areas that are always quiet that I’d love to check out with him this year. I find the more unique locations I add to our adventure agenda; the happier and more excited Goose is to head out.
My second goal for Goose is a bit of an ongoing goal that we’ve always worked on: continuing to help build his confidence and security in himself. Goose is a little ham; he’s so friendly and sweet. His one challenge is he gets nervous around other dogs, and, like many cattle dogs, is super attached to me specifically, and very protective. We’ve spent lots of time redirecting on our walks and staying super focused on me when he gets nervous around other pups, and we’ve made so much progress. This is something that I understand is somewhat innate to his breed, so it’s always something I always want to thoughtfully focus on helping him with. I love that the more we work on this together, the more trust he has in me and the more confidence he has in himself.
Overarching Goal
Overall, for both Nemo and Goose, my final goal is to keep building that trust and connection with them. They’re my two best friends, and I’ve spent many years with them and want to keep helping them feel their best. I love the time we spend together, and I’m very much looking forward to working on our goals this year.