Equi

Horses are my favorite animal. Yes, I love dogs, but the only reason I have dogs and not horses, is because 1. you cannot take a horse inside the house, and 2. the cost is MUCH higher.

I'm not sure when exactly the love affair began. It may have been at some point between learning about She-Ra's magnificent winged horse, Swiftwind, and sitting on the jet-black Tennessee Walking horse that was showing at the fairgrounds. All I remember is flowing mane and tail, but I was hooked immediately. I kept begging my mother to buy me a horse, and promised her all sorts of chores, grades, good behavior, etc. so that my dream would come true. Her response was to buy 5 Newfoundland dogs, instead. Now, don't get me wrong, the Newfies are my favorite breed of dog, but I cannot ride them. They do make excellent pillows, however! Since I was unable to convince my mom to get any horse, even when we moved out to the country, I devoured as many books as I could, and accepted any type of riding opportunities possible. I only started lessons when I was in college, and I could pay for them myself. Currently, I am still piggybacking on friends with horses and plotting how to have a car payment and lease a horse at the same time.

While I appreciate a clean environment, I dislike cleaning(unless I am stress-cleaning). However, I can spend hours in the barn making sure all the tack is cleaned, the floor is spotless, and the horses are happy. I love the smell of a barn(horse-NOT cow), the light on the hay at either sunrise or sunset, the sounds of the horses in their stalls chewing their feed, and the feel of the soft leather after it has been cleaned and oiled. It is so peaceful and relaxing to feel like you're back in the 1800's-no cars, no pollution-light or otherwise, and no technology.

Being on the back of a horse, whether trotting, cantering, or galloping, gives me a feeling of freedom and joy like no other. While there is a physical benefit when you get into the more technical aspects and finesse of riding, the mental benefits are what draw me back every time. I like boats for the same reason-when you are skimming over the waves or flying above the grassy plains, it feels like flying. For those few precious minutes, it feels as if life has gone away and you are riding the light waves.

Horses, like dogs, are sensitive to a person's energy, and I always know if I am relaxed or tense based on how the horse is reacting to my requests. If the horse is fidgety and wants to run too fast, most likely, my calves are probably squeezing much too hard. If he keeps tossing his head or pulling on the reins, most likely I am trying to control him, rather than guiding him to where I want to go. It all comes down to boundaries. If I am too hard in one area and confusing in another, how can I expect the horse to understand? It is amazing how much nicer the ride is when I take deep breaths and allow the horse to carry me, maintaining a supportive, yet relaxed, control of the ride. Now, if I could learn to do this in personal relationships, I would be much better off!
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Forgive - Sanctus Real

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I struggle with my pain, wrestle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

When I don't fit in
And I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ

Cause I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven