rushridge.com

August 2, 2010

Life is Good Today!

Filed under: All My Posts,Horse Talk,Humorous Ponderings — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Dawn @ 11:56 am

Zac Brown’s “Toes in the Sand” ran through my head in a slightly distorted version as I sat in my backyard in the hot sun. “I got my toes in Harley’s nostrils, butt in a chair…” Yes, Harley found a new toy that day and once he thoroughly examined my toes and the chair they rested on, we both settled in for an afternoon siesta. The shadow cast by Harley’s head blocked the sun’s rays from my eyes and a droopy horse lip six inches from my forehead was my view. The gentle relaxed breathing of my favorite Spanish Mustang tickled my face as we enjoyed a special afternoon of bonding. Yes Zac, I agree – Life is good today!

The morning started with briefly checking on the horses. Harley was standing in his usual corner and received his usual scratch. Spotting mud on the bottom rail of the fence, I made a mental note to talk to my son about where he had been scraping his boots. Soon the grass was flying as I mowed and made more mental notes of what job I needed to tackle next. As the mower strew clippings into the pasture, the horses gathered to taste the tender morsels. Harley, near the fence, moved quickly away when the mower passed and it was then my heart started pounding. Harley was lame.

A nail in his frog was the probable reason behind the mud on the rail as my young colt tried to scrape the offending metal out of his hoof. Visions of an abscess tormented me as I soaked his hoof clean and made a few phone calls to the vet and farrier. Harley and I bit the bullet and pulled the nail, paying special attention to how deeply it was embedded and in what direction. Luckily Harley was a champ and never flinched as I pulled the thorn out of the lion’s paw. After additional soaking, dressing and wrapping – I turned the new vet wrap and duct tape king loose in the yard to graze where his feet would remain relatively clean. However, Harley being Harley, soon discovered the cornfield. After several trips to retrieve my errant little boy, I gave myself permission to take a break from the stressful day and sit in the sunshine…and keep a closer eye on my mischievous colt.

Surprisingly at that point, Harley decided I was much more interesting than corn or grass and came to visit. First the chair my feet rested upon was examined, tasted and knocked over. Then the real fun began as he discovered my bare feet. My big toes were inhaled and shoved up each nostril as far as they could go. My feet were licked and nuzzled to the point I was beginning to worry that my little horse had an obsession. He also decided toes were just like fingers as he offered his jaw for a scratch.

Finally relieved of his curiosity of something he had never seen outside cowboy boots, Harley placed himself by my head. After inhaling my breath – now slow and calm, he cocked a hip and fell asleep – shading my face with his beautiful head and drooping lip. There we sat, dozing in the sunshine with Harley standing guard over me as if I were a member of his herd. Before long, he also felt safe and lay down next to my chair like a good horse/dog for a nap.

What Harley and I shared under that hot summer sun – from his total trust in me to relieve his pain to the my trust in him not to eat my toes and the best nap time we have ever had – was a special occasion for us both. The bonding between us was etched in stone and gave just a hint of what will come as we eagerly hit the trails together.

Harley and I rewrote Zac Brown’s hit that day to “I got my toes in the stirrups, faithful Harley beneath. Not a worry in the world, many trails to see. Life is good today. Life is good today.

July 7, 2010

Life Lessons

Filed under: All My Posts,Horse Talk,Humorous Ponderings,On the Serious Side — Tags: , , , , , , — Dawn @ 7:07 am

In the hot sultry air, the blue roan impatiently swished his tail and stomped his foot – kicking at pesky deer flies nibbling at his legs. The other herd members were standing in the dark barn where flies were less active in their pursuit of a warm feast. Bottom of the pecking order, Harley seemed destined to stand and suffer in the heat but this intelligent gelding knew that time was on his side.

Soon lulled into a stupor by the droning of the barn fan and relief from insects, his herd mates fell asleep and Harley moved into action. Pausing slightly with each step, ear cocked and listening just in case his mates awoke, the blue roan backed silently step by step into the dark recesses of relief. Patience rewarded Harley with relief from the biting flies and hot sun and he too, rested in the shadowy recesses of the barn.

Did I teach him how to worm his way into the barn? No – this is something he learned by the school of hard knocks. After repeatedly being chased out of the barn by the older horses, Harley learned that rather than trying to force his presence upon the bullies, he could gain access by biding his time and yes, being a little sneaky.

Life lessons such as being bit on the butt by a dominate horse tend to be retained easier than being “schooled”. Perhaps like a child, a scraped knee or pinched finger leaves a more lasting impression upon the young and willful rather than telling him a certain action could get him hurt. Once on a trail ride, I was repeatedly alerting a young colt to holes in the trail. The colt was more interested in looking at all of the other horses walking about and gawking at the scenery than where his feet were being placed. Finally tiring of watching out for the young and stupid, I let the colt step into a shallow crevice. Stumbling for just as moment, the young and stupid turned into the smartest kid on the block and instantly started paying attention to where his feet were placed. The school of hard knocks once again won.

My first trail ride on Harley was also a learning experience. With the steady influence of his pasture mates along on the ride, Harley set off down the trail eagerly – happy to be out “working” with the big boys. When unsure, he would hesitate and wait for the others reassurance and then set off once again. His muscles felt hard beneath my seat – tense with excitement and seemingly ready to blow at a moment’s notice. The young colt’s hindquarters felt uncoordinated as he learned to carry my weight downhill and back up again. We traveled along a hilly prairie road and after pausing slightly, crossed a wooden bridge with ease.

Soon, my tense colt relaxed and softened his muscles beneath me and I too, relaxed as we traversed another hill. Now confidence and remarkable agility and balance were felt as we traversed up and down the hills. Many miles will be spent under saddle before Harley is finished but as we travel, the life lessons we both learn along the trail will be priceless – even if it takes a little stumble or bite on the butt to make us wake up!

June 3, 2010

Silence Speaking Loudly

Filed under: All My Posts,Family and Friends,Horse Talk,Humorous Ponderings,On the Serious Side — Tags: , , , , , , , — Dawn @ 8:26 am

The cheerful chatter of birds riding in on the fresh air through my open window woke me, the sun still hiding behind the horizon of the eastern sky. Fresh steaming cup of coffee in hand, its aroma mingling nicely with the scent of pine and spring air, I settled onto the swing on my deck and watched the sun rise. The horses, snorting in contentment, grazed upon the green pasture, tails swishing gently in the calm air. Harley’s raised head and perked ears alerted me to a deer walking along the river bottom – its tawny hide flashing gold in the morning sun.

Horses, when you listen, can tell you so many things by their body language – a shift of the hip, softening of the eye, swish of the tail. They tell you if they are happy, sad, confused or mad. Always on the alert for danger, their early warning system can tell you if there is a bear or an evil green ogre on the trail ahead. Looking through their eyes, you will find a fawn bedded in tall grass or a majestic elk topping the bluff on a far hillside.

Eddie’s body language is one of relaxation and love. Each time after being tacked up, Eddie turns and buries his large head into my stomach and requests his pre-ride hug. I wrap my arms around him and lay my cheek upon his forehead and breathe softly into his nostrils. Eddie sighs in contentment as if to say, “Thank you for taking the time for a ride with me today” and then waits for me to mount. I now use Eddie to give rides to children – Grace is his favorite little girl and tries his hardest to understand her requests. One day, Grace’s grandma came to pick her up after her lesson, bringing her brother and cousins along. The small boys were excited and eager to pet the large horse that stood quietly and lowered his head to their short stature. I showed the boys how Eddie loves his head hugs and they each took their turn – wrapping tiny arms around his massive head, Eddie sighing in contentment. The smallest boy however, was afraid and even in his grandmother’s arms, did not want to touch the large animal. Eddie seemed to understand as he quietly moved closer on his own accord and rested his nose upon Grandma Jen’s arm and quietly encouraged Ian to overcome his fear. The horse, ever patient but unrelenting finally coaxed the boy with his silent body language to pat his massive head. Eddie, once again content, sighed and moved back to the other children for more love.

Harley is the king of body language. Every emotion this spunky little guy feels is loudly proclaimed upon every square inch of his body. One day while lunging him in preparation for another training session, Harley was clearly not a happy camper. Stiff posture, a head toss and a mini buck or two told me something was up. Not one to get ruffled over temper tantrums, I continued to work Harley calmly through his spell. Suddenly Harley stopped, stretched out to pee and proceeded to empty an extremely full bladder. He peed…and peed….and peed! The relief on his face was hilarious as he finished his job and walked off into a whole new world. His body language now was relaxed, happy and alert and eager to do as I beckoned. He did give me a disgusted look as I laughed at my silly boy until tears flowed from my eyes! We proceeded to have the best ride ever – the relaxed young horse beneath me responding to my body language as we learned to read each other’s cues.

We can learn so much by watching our horses as they graze in the pasture, interact with their buddies and nature, and how they respond when you are working with them. By taking the time to listen to what your horse is trying to tell you in his not always so silent body language, your partnership with these intuitive animals will grow. Remembering that horses also read your body language and adjusting your mode of silent communication with your equine will take your partnership to a new level. Horses speak if we listen with our eyes as well as our ears.

October 13, 2009

Living in the Moment

Filed under: All My Posts,Farm Life,Horse Talk,On the Serious Side — Tags: , , , , , , — Dawn @ 3:31 pm

Living in the moment. Within the coolness of the fall day, the silence broken by the whisper of the wind in the pines high above and a warning cry of the blue jay from its evergreen branches. I walked on, closely followed by the blue roan – his nose lightly touching my shoulder. Warm breath and whiskers tickling my cheek halts my wanderings as I stop to scratch the friendly colt. White hairs sift down to the ground, much like the approaching snowflakes of winter.

Harley Oct09 120

It was the robustly colored pheasants that drew me from the warmth of the house – two roosters squabbling over the territorial rights of my back yard. The shy creatures fled at my approach, resounding squawks protesting my intrusion. I was drawn to the hills of the pasture and the horses within. The chestnut’s legs reached for the sky as he rolled in an effort to dry the rain from his hide – his shaggy and now muddy coat betraying the sleek summer sheen of days past.

Harley Oct09 034

The blue roan, started by the commotion, left my side to the hill above, highlighted by a brief ray of sunshine against the deep green of the pines. The clicks of my camera shutter the only unnatural sound amidst the drone of the crickets in the grass.

Harley Oct09 044

It became a game between the blue roan and I, as he ran from hillside to corral and then back to me. My camera captured the moments of his romp – his glee refusing to be dampened by the cloudy day. His mottled coat a blur of motion as he bucked and kicked with the enthusiasm of the young; settling to a walk as he respectfully approached me for another scratch. At my urging, he exits for another run, up hill and down – mud, mane and tail flying in the breeze generated by his thundering hooves, echoing in the quiet of the approaching shower.

Harley Oct09 054Harley Oct09 058Harley Oct09 079

The older geldings waited patiently in the muddy corral, unaffected by the zeal of the blue roan colt named Harley until he too, waited patiently by the fence for his snack of crab apples. Hastened by another approaching rain shower, I gathered the crisp red windfalls and fed the boys their treats. Soon smacking lips and the fresh scent of apple mingled with the gentle cleansing drops falling from the sky. The drops became larger – silencing the crickets with their damp. Wanting to linger with warm horse breath upon my fingers and rain damp upon my hair, the earthy scent of smoke emitting from the chimney reluctantly drew me back to the warmth and crackle of the wood fire within. Living in the moment – treasured for years to come.
Harley Oct09 024

June 12, 2009

Rocky Mountain High

Filed under: All My Posts,Horse Talk,Humorous Ponderings — Tags: , , , , , , , — Dawn @ 12:45 pm

I never knew how much work goes into saddling a horse until I tried it at 10,000 ft. when I experienced the pleasure and terror of a five-day pack trip in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Colorado with Bear Basin Outfitters. Since this is a “roughing it” type of vacation, we saddled and cared for our own horses, set up tents and generally helped around camp as much as we could. Roughing it also meant when you inquire into the nearest “facility” you were handed a shovel and roll of TP and pointed in the general direction of a clump of trees!

The first morning out, this flatlander eagerly set out to brush and saddle my horse….now you could swear she must have been of draft horse stature since I had to take breaks between brushing each side, not to mention after hefting my saddle over her massively tall 14.3 hand body. I glanced over towards my tent mate to see her in the same predicament….we promptly declared in one voice, “Altitude stinks” and sat down for a break to slow our labored breathing and pounding hearts.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are about as rough and beautiful as I’ve ever seen. As part of the Rocky Mountain Range, they live up to their name with boulders ranging from baseball size to entire mountaintops and anything in between, and lots of them. The horses navigated through the tricky rolling deathtraps with great agility and finesse. Hiking past altitudes of 12,500 ft., by the way, is a feat I actually accomplished… but it wasn’t pretty. A high mountain lake inaccessible by horseback was our goal if that gives you any clue to the terrain. We unfortunately didn’t quite make it to our destination but I sure didn’t complain when that hailstorm and lightning came along and made us beat a hasty retreat back down the mountain. Going downhill is much easier than up as long as you keep your footing. My guide cautioned us, “If you kick a rock loose make sure you warn anyone below. Someone sent one tumbling last week and it’s still rolling.”

The pleasure of the ride came from sharing time with great newfound friends who shared my love of horses and the pure splendor of the mountains. The magnitude of the 14,000 ft. peaks towering above us washed in brilliant sunrises each morning were as delightful as the tiniest of flowers blooming prolifically at its feet. Elusive elk and bounding deer found their movements frozen within my camera lens along with countless horses, trees and scenic views. Scat signs and the grunting noises of a black bear somewhere within the dense forest but never visualized kept us on our toes as we traveled past trees bearing their massive claw marks.

The terror came as we scaled the passes along narrow trails through treacherous rock slides. The pass we scaled the last day was the worst, in part because it occurred shortly after riding past a tombstone for some poor chap dated 1913. Visions of just how that pioneer must have tumbled to his final resting point went crashing through my head as Dan the guide warned, “This ain’t no disco, ride as light as you can.” For once, my camera sat idle as we traversed the crumbly switchbacks. Riders behind me were “the size of ants” on the trail far below. We were so high, even the marmot we saw was hugging a rock for safety on his high perch. I looked at Dan and he chuckled at my extremely wide-eyed ND Flatlander Scared You-Know-Whatless look.

That look and my terror were quickly exchanged for pleasure once again, along with a gasp of extremely thin air as we reached the top and enjoyed the splendor of the mountain valley and clear blue lake far below. I grabbed my camera and after vowing “these are pictures I’m never going to show my Mom,” started snapping photos of the stragglers working their way up This Ain’t No Disco Pass.

feelingsmall

May 1, 2009

My Soulmate – Al

Filed under: All My Posts,Horse Talk,On the Serious Side — Tags: , , , , , , — Dawn @ 10:31 am

My brother, Doug, bless his heart, reminded me this morning of a column I wrote the past winter about choices. I had stated ‘no matter where you are at in your life, there are always choices to be made.’ At that time, one of the choices I had to make was finding a replacement for my soulmate Al, as he would be turning 21 and I knew unless I found that fountain of youth, I would need a special horse to take his place.

Joy followed with the choice of Harley, my biker dude horse, named for Doug who thought I should get a motorcycle instead of ‘those smelly horses.’ The herd was made whole with the introduction of Harley and he along with Al and my other horses, brightened my days during a harsh winter and stress of a sick father. Harley and Al became close friends and it was soon rare that you would see the two separated. Al worked hard at teaching “that young whippersnapper” the ropes which included jail breaking and playing the various games Al taught all newcomers.

Al was a teacher. He loved children and taught them how to ride. He taught them and me how to trust and believe in yourself. He taught me to sit back and enjoy the ride. On so many occasions, he was my healer as he carried me through tough situations such as my battle with cancer. Purchased as a two-year old just before I was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I took respite and solace in Al and my other horses those days. Riding and training when I was able gave me a purpose in life and something to think about other than doctor visits, chemotherapy and radiation. That fall, I postponed my final chemotherapy treatment so Al and I could ride in the badlands of North Dakota. The ruggedly beautiful landscape and the young horse that gently carried my frail body helped heal my soul and gave me strength to continue on. Each year since, Al and I made our pilgrimage back to the badlands, thankful for our health and secure with the bond between two friends at heart, equine and human. Al has carried me through many good days and bad.

Al knew when I needed a hug and also sensed when I needed the release of a good hard ride. I often took Al out for “therapy” rides. Just this past fall when my father was undergoing his own battle with cancer, my dear friend Kerry reminded me that I needed Al. She said, “It is God putting His hand to our shoulder and saying, “Easy, Easy, Easy….” Heeding her advice I took Al out for a long ride that day and through the Power of God and the healing power of the horse I so dearly loved, I found the strength to carry on.

A week ago on the first hot spring day, my buddy Al looked at me from over the gate, his eyes saying ‘Lets go for a ride.’ As we rode along, I thought, ‘this just feels so right. We fit each other like a glove, Al and I,’ little did I know that this would be our last ride. A week later, the morning sun shined gloriously on the horses in the pasture, so welcome after the previous day’s rain. It was Harley that alerted us to Al’s plight, laying on the ground. Colic is a horrible thing, something Al had never known. We spent the day at the clinic doing what we could in hopes Al would pull through but all too soon I would have to make the choice to end my soulmate’s life. Choices are not easy but even the hard choices must be made to help ease the pain of those you love.

It will take time to ease my pain but I know Al approved of who would be taking his place. Harley will have some mighty big shoes to fill but with time, I know that he will do it well, guided by his mentor from above. I will use the healing power of my horses to find strength and heal my soul, a piece of me gone forever, the remaining enriched by memories of the love he shared. I will find joy

Al is now running with the angels in the badlands we both loved so dearly, tracking the deer and elk and finding the perfect way home. In time, I will place a wreath of his hair in our sacred place and say a prayer of Thanksgiving for the wonderful times we shared together. Not lost, never forgotten – and when my time comes, Al will be waiting at Heaven’s Gate for endless rides Into the Sunset.

Buffalo Al – May 19, 1988 – April 30, 2009
al-deer-saddlebags-024

March 10, 2009

Lean On Me

Filed under: All My Posts,Family and Friends,Horse Talk,On the Serious Side — Tags: , , , , , , — Dawn @ 12:15 pm

lean-on-me

“Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow”

There are few people that don’t recognize the lyrics to Lean on Me, a hit song written and performed by Bill Withers in his 1972 album Still Bill. In fact, I’m sure the majority of you are humming it already and will soon be swearing at me for not being able to get it out of your heads. This song came to my mind the other day while downloading a few photos taken of my old man Al and his best bud Zip standing out in the pasture and its been stuck in my head ever since.

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend,
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
Til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on”

I was unaware at the time I took the photo of how closely the two were standing, being just as focused on what they were watching as they were. By chance, I caught a tender moment between two horses. Like two friends that stop to enjoy a scenic view, their guard let down and in their horse style, Al placed an arm around the shoulder of the youngster (leaned a hip against Zippy) as if to say, “look there, this moment is truly special.”

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill
Those of your needs
that you won’t let show

We all need to lean on our friends on occasion, whether it is for moral support, companionship, sharing the good times and the bad, and sharing the laughter and tears that only friends can understand. Admitting we need help is not always easy; admitting we enjoy each other’s presence can even sometimes come begrudgingly – a sign of weakness some claim. But when your guard is let down, even for just an instant, the pleasure of the moment shared can last a lifetime.

So just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

I have watched throughout the winter as Al has stepped deeper into the Grandfather role in his life, patiently teaching Harley the ropes on the Faught farm. He seems to enjoy this phase of his life and as boss of the herd treats the other horses with respect while still keeping them in line. I look at the times I have shared with my horses, all so giving in love and trust – the special close moments and laughter that even though in different languages, understood well and fully. We all could learn from watching our animals.

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend,
I’ll help you carry on
For, it won’t be long
Til I’m gonna need somebody to lean on

Asking for help is a sign of strength. Giving help is an even greater power. Sharing the burden and sharing the joy go hand in hand – family and friends and even strangers. My father shamelessly reached out and just as we strengthened the bond of father and daughter, we are now rejoicing in his remission. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and my Twitter account, a man from Hungary, basically the other side of the world, saw my posts on my past cancer experience and then reached out for support on how to survive his battle with Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma. And through helping him, he in turn helps me to fulfill my dream of helping others undergoing chemotherapy and realize just how lucky I am to still be here today.

Lean on me. Spread the joy and wealth of happiness and the never ending circle of giving.

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’d understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
Till I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

January 23, 2009

Trust

Filed under: All My Posts,Horse Talk — Tags: , — Dawn @ 9:34 pm

(Another Into the Sunset Column previously published in Today’s Horse Magazine)

 

Which horse should I ride today? I look longingly at my old buddy and sigh, realizing that the young horses will never reach old Al’s level if I never ride them. As tempting as the prospect of a relaxing ride without worrying about what will happen if unseen gremlins and goblins leap out of dark corners at you is, there is work to be done and wet saddle blankets are often the product. We frequently take trust for granted, especially when you have fallen into the comfort zone of your favorite mount. Starting over isn’t easy but the rewards at the end are great.

 

The foundation of horse training is built upon trust; learning to trust is only earned through hard work. Building trust is a two-way street – you have to trust your horse as it also must trust you in return. Also, trust isn’t something you should take for granted because once achieved, it can be lost in the mere blink of an eye… or should I say buck or jab of an unwelcome spur in the side. Once lost, it takes infinitely longer to rebuild what was once there.

 

From the first moment a colt lays eyes upon its human counterpart, trust begins to lay its groundwork. Every sense known comes to play in this highly sensitive and inquisitive animal when it’s exposed to the weird creature that walks upon two legs and carries strange objects in his “hooves” and smells of foreign scents that have no explanation. Foreign sounds emitting from the human mouth can either frighten like the roar of a lion or caress his ears much like the comforting nicker of his mother. The unfamiliar touch of a human hand can hurt, or it can soothe the fear and even delight in a scratch of that itchy spot.

 

Likewise, from the moment you handle that new horse, all of your own senses come to play with reading its body language. Trust is as fleeting as the pinning of the ears, gnashing of teeth and cocking of a hind leg in your direction but with the encounter of a soft eye, a deep relaxed sigh and warm exhaled breath as whiskers gently caress you in a welcoming greeting, faith begins to grow. Transitioning from that old trusty steed to the new kid on the block isn’t always an easy thing to do but when you build trust with your new mount and partner it with confidence and self esteem, you also create a lasting bond and this is where the rewards come to play.

 

At its truest meaning, trust is the point reached when you and your horse change from saying “You want me to do what?” to exclaiming, “Can you believe what we just did?! That was awesome!” You are now partners in life; a winning team and the rewards reaped from that moment on make you quickly forget the hours and wet saddle blankets that it took to get to that point.

Powered by WordPress