Between the ears of a horse

My husband knows I love to ride our horses. He knows if I'm down in the dumps or discouraged, even a short ride will make me new again. He usually surprises me with the car loaded down with saddles and helmets. Yes, we wear helmets and if you ride with me you will wear one. I'm too old to learn to walk, talk and go potty by myself again, after a brain injury. Be smart, wear a helmet.

Christmas was wonderful this year. All the children had a great time, it was nice seeing all the family. As we crawled into bed my husband announced we were riding the horses, the next morning. The weather is still mild (in the 70's) and since Alabama is still in drought conditions, they are no trails washed out behind the farm.

We usually do not ride during the Alabama summers (it's too hot) and Fall was far too busy this year for anything but grooming and feeding.

We have four horses. The old guy, we no longer ride. He's almost 30 and his heart is not good at all. He enjoys pasture rule over the mares and short, assisted rides with small children only. He's a good old boy that will stop right in front of you to get a belly rub or neck scratching. He has floaters and cataracts in his eyes and can't hear very well anymore. I often look at him and think "how long old friend until I'm there with you?" Like him, we just keep moving forward each day.

Some people have horses they send off to be "tuned up" each year before riding season begins. Of course, my husband is not going to pay for such nonsense. That would be far to easy, right?

You know those horses you can get on after six months of no rides and after fifteen minutes knocking off the rough edges, they are fabulous? That's the kind of horse everyone wants. It's less work and less trouble, who wouldn't want those horses? You can easily take that horse for granted. As it is in life, when you do not put in the work, you do not get the expected result. My sweet husband puts up with my love for horses. He is the true horse husband, only along because he has to be. He tolerates the riding but doesn't breathe the horses in, as I do. He does not love the smell of manure or hay in his hair. Therefore, "those horses" the ones that go along easy are a necessity for him.

I knew it would be rough riding for a while when my mare ran bucking and kicking for 20 minutes in the pasture before we saddled her. She is normally as mellow and calm as they come. Oopsie, this should be fun!

When I chose Cookie from the auction pen that night almost ten years ago, I knew I was taking a chance on an auction horse. She could have major problems but I felt something looking into her eyes and there was no more looking. I waited until after 1:30 a.m. for her to come through the auction. She is a laminitic mare and we learned by fire, about caring for her. Yet I would not trade her for a young $10K horse. She's often cantankerous, isn't touchy feely, has to have medication/special trims, but is still the best horse a person could have. Despite all the problems, she's smart, calm, neck reins and wants to please you as soon as the saddle is on her back. She also has a huge butt, asthma and likes cookies. That's my girl! We are soul sisters.

After about five minutes riding yesterday we learned they indeed would make us pay for not riding lately.

Skip hates moving forward and stopping, listening to you and water puddles again. Did I mention moving forward? That's pretty necessary too if you wish to ride. I just sat back and watched as he (my husband) mumbled under his breath as she dragged him through the trees on the edge of the trail. Just to get his attention, you know. I reminded him he would get nothing from her if he didn't remain calm. So he sat still for a while (she does love standing still) while he calmed down.

Cookie has forgotten all her neck-reining ability, basic commands and calmness. [It's a bit like a 2yr old in Chuck E Cheese for the first time] Let me run, let me run! Please, let me run! Thank goodness she still has a good attitude under saddle.. only needs more wet saddle pads. By the end of the ride, she was back to her old riding self and apparently has forgiven me for not riding more often (and for the extra weight I carry). I promised her I would work on the weight issue as I brushed her down after the ride. There will be rides and more often, it's good for me and for her.

You know it reminds me as we get older we can't rest. We have to be more diligent about our own care (as with that horse) and we have to keep our minds and our bodies in tune... We grew accustomed to taking the winters off from riding, because Don hates the cold but we can't do that any longer. We discussed it on the way home. The horses are getting older and need the constant movement and challenge the trail brings. It keeps their minds sharp and their skill set good.

It is the same for us. In my relationship with Christ, I must stay in shape. My mind needs to dwell on God's word with purpose, I need to dwell in that holy place to remain nimble and obedient. When I let my study and my prayer life slide, my attitude reflects it.

I feel like a warrior on the back of that horse, I know I carry His sword and shield daily.

[Ephesians: 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,]

I must give the best I have because he gave all He had for me.

There's a great deal to be learned between the ears of a horse.