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Two Lane Livin' Your Horse
Country Column archives...
February
2011 - Unconditional Love and how to get it from your horse.
Written by Dawna B. Smith,
Journalist and Reporter, writer of the monthly "Your Horse Country" column for
Two Lane Livin' Magazine
Horses have many uses,
from draft animals to gentle and willing therapeutic assistants that help
bring smiles to the sick or physically challenged, but they also excel at
unconditional love for their herd leader.
Horses are herd animals
and hate being alone. When the cats follow us, they’ll prick their ears
forward and eagerly snuffle these smaller herd members. The cats will
twine themselves around the sturdy legs making sure that each has been
marked appropriately. Yes, the horses belong to them as well.
People own horses for
many different reasons. A blacksmith once told me about an older woman who
owned one that she didn’t ride. She’d have him come out regularly to
trim its hooves. They’d share a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and
she’d sit facing the window so she could watch it graze.
While drinking coffee,
she’d regale him with the latest pasture news, and one story in
particular he shared with me. She told him, “The other day while I was
workin’ in my flower beds, she was way across that field. Saw me all
hunkered down pullin’ weeds. Started whinnyin’ and come runnin’
toward me full tilt. Took me a while to stand up to see what was goin’
on. Soon as I did, that horse slammed to a stop and started grazing again.
They sure are funny creatures.”
When I asked him the
horse’s name, he replied “Don’t know.” It was sad that the subject
of the story didn’t have a name, as I wanted to humanize its action.
When the mare saw the woman down, did it think she was hurt or in danger?
Was that why she raced trumpeting across the pasture? So, as he continued
the story, my mind sought a name for this protective pasture guardian.
He asked her if she ever
rode. “Goodness gracious no, she just needed a place to stay. Sometimes
when it’s windy out, I’ll be in the pasture, and she’ll come runnin’
straight at me and then swerve at the last minute. Makes me laugh! Love
watchin’ her run and kickin’ up her heels, and she’ll just play all
around me as if I were runnin’ with her.”
“Over the years we’ve
come to an understandin’ about our space. When she wants hers, she gets
it. When I want hers she gives it. Sometimes I don’t feel so good, and
I’ll get my mud boots on and go to the field. She’ll mosey across,
grabbin’ a mouthful of timothy here, there, and if she spots a clover
blossom, why she’ll just grab that too. But it shore feels good when she
finally gets to me to rest her forehead against my chest. She’ll let me
hold her, you know, and I’ll scritch her ears ‘cause she loves that,
and then I’ll kiss her forehead. Now, if them pesky horse flies are
botherin’ her, and I feel up to it, I’ll swat the few that I hit.
‘Fore I leave I’ll look into her big brown eyes, and if the sun’s
just right I can see my reflection. That always gives me a big kick!”
When I look into my
horses’ eyes I see not only my reflection but also unconditional love
being given naturally to the herd leader. It’s something that is earned,
just like respect. Horses instinctively need to be with their herd leader.
It makes them feel safer. Tired of chasing down your horse? Want
unconditional love? Strive to be the best herd leader by earning its
respect and love, and they’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.
Bio:
Dawna Smith,
Journalist and Reporter, writes the monthly column "Your Horse
Country" for Two Lane
Livin' Magazine, based in West Virginia, as well as numerous articles regarding pain related medical issues for
LivePainFreeNow.com. A photographer and free lance writer, her op-ed articles have been published regarding a variety of subjects.
She and her husband have been strong advocates for the elderly and disabled since 1998,
and formed the non-profit HEADINGS (helping elderly and disabled in need gain support) to help ensure that legislature, Department of Health and Human Resources, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid heard their voices.
She can be reached at dawna @ yourhorsecountry.com
304-765-0490.
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