The hooves of horses!
Oh! witching and sweet
Is the music earth steals from the iron-shod feet;
No whisper of lover, no trilling of bird,
Can stir me as much as hooves of horses
Have stirred.
- Will H. Ogilvie
I’m overwhelmed with love for my horse tonight. I am so thankful for Bas. He brings me such joy and such peace. If you’ve never had your own horse, or even leased or taken lessons with the same horse for a period of time and really got to bond with each other, it’s very difficult for me to explain the relationship and the amazing connection that goes on between horse & rider.
There is trust. I trust him not to hurt me and he trusts me to portray what it is I’d like him to do with kindness and patience. If I didn’t know any better, and maybe I don’t, I would say that Bas can read my mind. He knows what I want before I know myself, and he is so eager to please me that he often does it before I even ask. I have never felt so safe on the back of a horse as I feel when I am riding Bas. He is considerate (Knee Knocker and Marilyn’s Hill proved that several times this year) and he is patient (there is a trail Gwen now refers to as “Amber’s Landing” – ask and I will tell).
There is grace. It is a rare thing to see such a noble and majestic animal surrender its freedom literally into your hands, and lend you all that it possesses. They have served men in wars, famines, depressions and poverty. They have brought joy and happiness and healed women’s broken hearts. They have carried us off into the sunset. They have cantered through children’s dreams. They have left hoofprints on our hearts. They ask for nothing in return but a kind word and a rub of the neck.
There is wisdom. I’ve learned more about myself while in the saddle than just about anywhere. You find out what you’re made of, how tough you are, and the satisfaction and pride that comes with climbing back on when you’ve taken a good fall. When a person knocks you to the ground, they are not so quick to help you get back on as a horse is. There is patience – I can’t tell you the number of times I have asked my sweet boys (for my dearest horses have both been geldings) to do something the wrong way and still they try and try until we figure each other out. Horses don’t hold grudges either. There are days I don’t want to get out of bed. I struggle with being wife, mom, businesswoman, entrepreneur, friend, sister, daughter, aunt and photographer. When I’m riding Bas, I can just be Amber.
I love you Bas, and you are a gift from God. I give Him all the glory and thanks for the blessings he has given me through you. I am truly rich because I have aquired the love of a good horse.
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