Horse Facts

I received this email from a horsey friend of mine and thought I would share it with y'all....

1. People who don't take care of their own horses will be the first ones to tell you how to care for yours.

2. You should never buy a cheap girth!

3. A handsome horse that's badly behaved will become a lot less attractive in about 15 minutes

4. People who think they have nothing more to learn about riding hit the ground the hardest.

5. Children and ponies are natural allies and often have identical dispositions.

6. The richest horse people often look the poorest.

7. The closeness of a horse is one of the sweetest smells in the world.

8. A solitary ride through the bush is more beneficial than six months with the best psychiatrist.

9. The worse a person rides the more likely they are going to blame it on the horse.

10. The best thing about going to the barn first thing in the morning is that horses don't care how you look.

11. If a dealer insists a horse is worth twice what he's asking he's usually worth half that much.

12. The best way to appreciate how another person rides is to get on their horse.

13. I can recognize another horse person no matter what town, city, state, county or country I visit.

14. You can never have too many hoof picks.

15. It is not wise to argue with something that outweighs you buy 1,000 pounds.

16. I'd rather have a horse with a perfect mind then a perfect head.

17 Eight hours is too long to be in the saddle!

18 If you think you have left the water on in the barn you have, if you think you have closed the pasture gate you haven't.

19. When someone asks you if you like their horse always say yes :)

20. The happiest people I know own horses, dogs, cats and at least one deranged goat.

21. If you're looking for the perfect horse you will never own one.

22. Owning a horse can either make a marriage or break it.

23. I'd rather lose my lipstick then my curb chain.

24. You shouldn't talk about your first place ribbon to someone that came second.

25. If someone says that horse has a little buck, it has a BIG buck.

26. If we need rain, schedule a horse show or trail ride.

27. I've never warmed up to some that didn't want a walk down to the stables to see the horses.

28. A clean stable and a sparkling horse are among life's great pleasures.

29. Even given-away horses can be too expensive. Especially give- away horses.

30. No matter how badly behaved you are, your horse always gives you a second chance.

31. A more expensive horse doesn't make a better one.

32. Losing a horse can break your heart, but it will have been worth it.

Saturday

A day off. Relaxation. Calm. That slight tingle twitching in my muscles as I sit perfectly still, listening to the wind chimes. The sun beating on my shoulders.

Trail rode this morning. Didn't even shower (cause you get filthy on the trail). Grabbed a cheese sandwich and a bottle of water and headed to the stables.

It was a lazy day for Jack (the horse) also. As we walked in from the paddock to the barn, he stopped to check out a bicyclist on the road. Then again 'cause the wind blew. Then again to see if any horsey-friend was going to run to the fence to say "hey." Then again ... just because it's Jack.

Ran into a buddy of mine and we road together. The horses walked - so slowly they were almost stopped. Relaxed and half-asleep on their feet, each of them tripped over their own feet. Several times.

The landowners had mowed trails in the hay fields which made it interesting. I never knew where they would lead on their 120 acre farm. Some of the land is wooded although most of it is open hayfields. All of it is hilly and great exercise for both Jack and me.

Flies are buzzing, flitting on necks, around eyes, anywhere annoying. Head flips and tail swishes chase them off. But they only return again.

The slight breeze, the warm sun, the gentle rocking and swaying on the horse lulled both my thoughts and body into one-ness with everything - the rippling grasses, the crows chasing a kestrel hawk, the butterflies sipping nectar from the wildflowers.

Trail riding grounds me. It's real. No pretenses. No expectations. Just the horse, me, and the trails. What a wonderful life!

Yawn. I think it's time for a nap.

The Challenge - Day 4

Yes, I know today's Friday and it really should be Day 5, but I didn't have a chance to write yesterday. That all changed today. Wow! Great Muses struck at Bonnie's house this morning. Jack and the gang wanted me to crank out their story and I sure did. What also helped me keep writing was ordering a sandwich that wonderful Frank picked up for me. And even though I hit a break point, Frank hadn't returned with lunch so both Bonnie and I kept plugging. What a GREAT morning! A morning that lasted until 2:30 pm. HA HA

Then the reality of paying work settled upon me and I put in a couple of hours. But it's almost 6 on a Friday night. Jimmy has two friends over - they're playing guitars, singing, and giggling. It's wonderful noise that fills me with peace. This is what I miss when the boys are away. This is what's going to be so hard to stand next year.

But they're growing up. And I'm growing rounder. I'm trying a new form of exercise - reading while I walk. I've discovered that my peripheral vision can keep me on the edge of the road without distracting me from my book. Great way to accomplish something I love (reading) with something I need (walking). My foot hurts from the surgery, so maybe I pushed a little too hard, but hey, I gotta get back into my pants!

The pictures are from my front yard. I love spring and all the colors it brings. :^))

The Challenge - Day 3

It's Day 3 - and I didn't get a chance to write anything. Business is booming (hooray!) and there's not sufficient time to write. Actually, there's insufficient time to finish all the projects for my clients. Where is all the time going??

Its 11:21 pm and I've just returned home from our bi-weekly Piedmont Plotters meeting (our critique group). Trying to settle down after an hour & half ride, I'm too keyed up to sleep but too tired to write. I've reviewed everyone's comments about my latest chapter, and while there's some clean up to do, it wasn't that bad a critique.

Good news, Bonnie and I will have our Friday Writing session. I'm tickled about that.

Betsy? Where's your next chapter? I'm waiting girlfriend.

How's everyone else doing with the writing challenge???