Heart First Horsemanship

  Mornings, much as I am slow to approach them, bring barn blessings and pasture prayers. Our lovliest stallion wuffles soft fog into the cold air, nostrils pressed to the bars of his stall as if today might be the first day I will forget him in his solitude. Buckets shared with the elders, mealtime grace breathed over their bodies as I move to deliver their breakfast. My colt waits at the pasture gate, sometimes with the stoic faith that comes from knowing the routine, others with youthful impatience that makes my feet slower, for I am not one that rewards the clanging bell of his hoof on the gate. Then he is let into the pen where he can apply himself to the feed required for any young, growing thing that we wish to bear fruit someday. And once all are provided for, I carry the last pan of pellets, swinging it like a thurible as I walk into the my church, the pasture, and set it at the feet of the draft mare. The herd knows this routine, most content to wait in the sun's benedict...

There's a saying I've heard from many sources, and I like to repeat it when I give lessons myself. "A good horseman is slow to grab and quick to let go." Which is the pole opposite of human nature. We tend to hang on tight any time we get worried,  which is no kindness to those we love, equine, canine, feline, or human.  But with age and repeated lessons, I'm learning its truths at a far deeper level than in regards to the reins I hold. We humans will grab on to damn near anything with our busy little digits. Jobs that don't suit us, relationships that limit us, places that no longer feed our souls. We fear what may happen if we let go, for the bronc we know is better than the bronc we don't.  I've been forced to let go many, many times. Life repeated the lesson a lot more before I learned to release things without a fight. Whether it was letting go of a horse determined to escape, because my hands don't need more arthritis than they already threat...

To the horses gone before, who taught us how to dance The ones that made it easy and the ones who gave us a chance To the wise ones that shared their knowledge and their grace To the bold ones who challenged our skill and changed the pace To the horses gone before, who carried more than our weight Unpacking our baggage, bearing our secrets small or great To the fiery ones who helped us quiet our busy, spinning minds To the quiet ones holding space while the fear inside unwinds. To the horses gone before, who gave us wings and let us soar Lifting us to heights unknown, always giving us the infinite more For sharing your bottomless hearts, for giving us your time To the ones who taught us to live in the moment, this is your rhyme. To the horses gone before we were ready, which is every single one Showing us how to cherish the now, embrace every day in the sun For reminding us that there's beauty even in the pain of farewell Whether the passing is planned or if they sudd...