The Year of the Horse: 06:30 AM Lessons in Marathi and Magic

They say the way you start your year sets the tone for the months to follow. If that’s true, our 2026 is going to be defined by discipline, dirt, and the distinct, inward-curving ears of the Marwari horse.

Aditya and I have officially started a new hobby together: horseback riding. Since the first of the year, we have been at the stables five days a week at the crack of dawn.

From Groundwork to the Saddle

My history with horses began in a place of deep healing. Back in Colorado, after I lost my beloved Bumble, I found myself at an equine therapy center. Most of my time was spent on groundwork—learning the language of the horse and finding the peace that only a thousand-pound animal can provide.

I did a few Western-style rides there, but the focus was internal. In India, the approach is "feet in the stirrups." We jumped straight into English jumping saddles, focusing on the precision of the walk and the trot.

The Soundtrack of the Stables

At 06:30 AM, the air is purely Maharashtrian. It’s a mix of earthy dirt, hay, and horse manure, tinged with the waking scent of the countryside. Before we can even bring the horses into the round pen, we have a uniquely local task: waking up the street dogs. They find the soft dirt of the pen to be the perfect bed, so our first mission is gently clearing the "dog lounge" so we can get to work.

The soundtrack to our lessons isn't music; it’s the chorus of early morning birds and the local dogs stretching and barking as the day begins.

The Cavalry and the Marathi Puzzle

Our instructor was a Major in the Indian Cavalry, and that connection immediately made me feel at home. There is a level of discipline, posture, and traditional horsemanship in his teaching that resonates with my own background. However, there is one major hurdle: the language.

The lessons are conducted primarily in Marathi. While he throws me a few English anchors—"heels down!" or the rhythmic "up-down-up-down" during a trot—the technical nuances are spoken to Aditya. I spend a lot of time "feeling" the instruction, watching Adi’s form, and guessing what’s being said.

My favorite part is the "Horse Yoga" at the end of each session. We bend and stretch across the horses’ backs to cool down. I just wait for the words "left" or "right" in English and hope I’m leaning the right way!

Meeting the Marwaris: Ajanta and Shooraveer

Before coming here, I had never seen a Marwari horse. They are a "wow" moment in the flesh—stunning, ancient Indian warriors with "lyre-shaped" ears that curve inward until the tips almost touch.

We trade off riding two very different geldings:

• Ajanta: He is the more cooperative of the two, but he has the heart of a competitor. If you don't keep him checked, he’ll decide the lesson is actually a race and try to bolt for the finish line.

• Shooraveer: Both Adi and I find him to be a master-class in focus. Shooraveer is a "tester." He requires you to be 100% centered and present. If your mind drifts for a second, he knows it, and he’ll let you know he’s in charge.

A Resolution in Motion

Aditya is doing amazing. Seeing him dive into this with such enthusiasm has been the best part of the new year. For us, this isn't just about learning a skill; it’s about starting the day in sync with each other and these incredible animals.

At 06:30 AM, as the Marathi instructions float through the morning air and the Marwari ears flick back toward us, the world feels exactly as it should: challenging, beautiful, and full of life.

Join the Conversation

Since I don’t have a comment section here on the blog, I’d love to connect with you elsewhere! If you want to see the "Horse Yoga" in action, check out videos of Ajanta and Shooraveer, or follow our daily nomadic life in India, come find us on Instagram.

Follow our journey here: My Blue Side Life

I’ll see you in the DMs! 🐎✨

PS: A huge thanks to Gallop Grow in Pune, India, for welcoming us to your stables and giving us an amazing opportunity to learn! Give them a like and follow on Insta too!