No pictures today guys" collective" sigh of relief. Today I have for you a piece written by an unknown author. This was sent to me by a friend who has the sickness big time. Thank you Gail for sending this. I don't think I have read anything truer, is that a word ? well if it isn't it is now. Anyhow here goes, by the way I am having to type this all because I couldn't figure out how else to get it here, so here goes, this could take awhile. I think it will be done in stages anyhow here goes.
I ride. That seems like such a simple statement. However, as many women who ride know, it is really a complicated matter.It has to do with power and empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered out of reach or ability.
I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/ farrier/ electrician/ hay delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway, or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a cold beer after a long ride.
The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At least I call it dedication. Both my ex -husbands call it 'the sickness'. It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the sickness'. It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do and in some ways who we are, as women and human beings.
I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ballcap down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.
Time slows.Flying insects buzz loudly looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rythem of the walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with warmth. I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend through the Manzanite, all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real accomplishment. Still I ride. No matter how tired or how much my seat, bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt, I ride and I feel better for doing so.
The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me.I've ridden out to find lakes that remain for the most part unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The granite stairway at Echo Summit, Bald Eagles on the wing and Bobcats on the prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart. I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how competent they all are, not a weenie amongst the bunch. We haul 40ft rigs. We back into tight spots without clipping a tree. We set up camp, tend the horse. We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel without make -up or hair gel. You do without to afford 'the sickness' and probably, when you were a small girl you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real one. Now you are there. I ride. (Author Unknown)
Sorry for excluding the guys but it really was for the girls. Thanks again Gail for sending it along.
Hey guys, I'm back. Well I have a story to tell you. It's about my filly Lily. This poor foal has more strikes against her than I've ever encountered before. First she gets trampled and beat up by would be mothers. She has Monkey mouth, she had a contracted front tendon ...which has since been fixed and the good thing is she has great straight legs, although that may not make any difference as to her future. The vet says she has a slight case of Hyperthyroidism, she says normally they die or she recommends euthanising. You can see in one of these pictures the little girls knees, they are both swollen. She doesn't appear bothered by it. She has a healthy appetite she plays and is a very happy little thing. In three weeks she will go to the vet for x-rays of her knees. These x rays will show if the bones are growing properly...if they arn't, then I guess I have to make a decision about what to do with her. If she is going to have some quality of life then I guess she will be a lifer with me. I love her already and will give her a home with me until she dies or I do, whichever comes first. I have had the opportunity to have quite a few foals I have liked them all but this little filly is special there is something about her that is different. I feel she was given to me for a reason .....don't know what that would be but she really is a gift and one I will cherish even if ......don't even want to think it...... but even if she doesn't have a long life. Anyhow I don't want to type about this anymore, I am hoping the little darlin gets a good vet report and we will go from there. Sorry the pictures arn't to good, the little bugger won't stay far enough away to get a decent pic. The other day I managed to get a picture of her nostrils....that was nice. Anyhow stay tuned for some new pics of the colt, he is getting quite big and what a beauty.
