As I sat here trying to come up with a title for this blog, a number of ideas ran through my mind – Determination, Second Chance, THIRD Chance… I finally settled on the above.
For those of you who don’t know me very well, horses are a HUGE part of my life – my life revolves around them. I’m addicted. I’m addicted to the atmosphere of the barn, the smell of hay, the feeling I get after a flawless hunter trip, and the thrill of the speed, power and energy as we gallop up the cinder road. I need it, I crave it, and without it, I’m not who I “really” am.
I recently came across this post:
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a horse,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a horse.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a horse.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a horse.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a horse,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a horse” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a horse” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a horse,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a horse” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a horse” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “just a horse” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a horse” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a horse” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a horse” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a horse,” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
For me, truer words have never been spoken.
The last two weeks have been rough. My show horse had an accident out in the field, which resulted in her losing her eye. This horse has overcome more in her life by the age of six than most humans will in their entire lives. In addition to this recent incident, she spent almost a year of her life in and out of hospitals in surgeries for a sinus issues. Overcoming that issue was a miracle in itself. I adore her – she never gave up.
She is one of the most talented and smart horses I have ever had the privilege to ride. Our personalities are very similar. We “get” each other. She is hardworking, sweet, challenging, quirky and athletic. She is NOT “just a horse.”
Last night I had my first ride back on her since she lost her eye – the vets told us “Don’t count her out.” We didn’t.
Despite her new handicap and change in appearance, nothing has changed about this horse – she is still hardworking, sweet, challenging, quirky and athletic – everything I loved about her from the beginning.
She doesn’t know what she looks like now. And although I’m sure her views on life have changed (literally), she doesn’t care. She may not have a career as a top show horse, but she will be a great teacher, a great trail horse and a great momma (when we breed her next year). Her handicap isn’t reducing her quality of life, just changing her job up a little.
A horse, teaching me how to overcome obstacles, have determination and reminding me that every cloud has a silver lining. Sometimes I forget that – we all do.
For those of you who don’t know me very well, horses are a HUGE part of my life – my life revolves around them. I’m addicted. I’m addicted to the atmosphere of the barn, the smell of hay, the feeling I get after a flawless hunter trip, and the thrill of the speed, power and energy as we gallop up the cinder road. I need it, I crave it, and without it, I’m not who I “really” am.
I recently came across this post:
From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a horse,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a horse.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a horse.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a horse.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a horse,” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a horse” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a horse” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you, too, think it’s “just a horse,” then you will probably understand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.” “Just a horse” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a horse” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “just a horse” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a horse” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a horse” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a horse” but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a horse,” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
For me, truer words have never been spoken.
The last two weeks have been rough. My show horse had an accident out in the field, which resulted in her losing her eye. This horse has overcome more in her life by the age of six than most humans will in their entire lives. In addition to this recent incident, she spent almost a year of her life in and out of hospitals in surgeries for a sinus issues. Overcoming that issue was a miracle in itself. I adore her – she never gave up.
She is one of the most talented and smart horses I have ever had the privilege to ride. Our personalities are very similar. We “get” each other. She is hardworking, sweet, challenging, quirky and athletic. She is NOT “just a horse.”
Last night I had my first ride back on her since she lost her eye – the vets told us “Don’t count her out.” We didn’t.
Despite her new handicap and change in appearance, nothing has changed about this horse – she is still hardworking, sweet, challenging, quirky and athletic – everything I loved about her from the beginning.
She doesn’t know what she looks like now. And although I’m sure her views on life have changed (literally), she doesn’t care. She may not have a career as a top show horse, but she will be a great teacher, a great trail horse and a great momma (when we breed her next year). Her handicap isn’t reducing her quality of life, just changing her job up a little.
A horse, teaching me how to overcome obstacles, have determination and reminding me that every cloud has a silver lining. Sometimes I forget that – we all do.
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