Birth, Death, and an Obsession with Horses

Lydia - YOURE A HORSIE GIRL!? who knew? How sweet! Thats what we called the girls enthralled by horses when we were growing up… You were and are adorable by the way!April 27, 2018 – 5:29 amReplyCancel

Emily - Wow, I could see how witnessing a birth of a horse, but also experiencing a death right after, could be life changing…they really are incredible animals. I am in awe of them — literally. I had a life changing experience with a horse too. I was very into horseback riding as a young camper at sleepaway camp. I was very confident, and fearless around them — until I was trying to put a bridle on one, who was eating his hay. No one ever told me not to bother a horse while it’s eating and I kept pulling his head away from his food — and he bit me on the leg. It was a more of a warning bite, but it still hurt my 9 year-old leg and bruised me for weeks. It was totally my fault and they tried to get me back on a horse a week later, but I was a mess. I cried and made all the other campers cry too.:) At the end of camp, they gave me an award, “most cheerful rider.” Haha…Long story short, I stayed away from horses for a long time after that, but did eventually get the courage to ride again a few times over the course of the next few decades – and loved every second of it. There’s even a picture of me in my wedding dress, petting a horse in Manhattan (one of the horse and buggy horses that I refuse to ever ride in because it’s mean). Anyway, despite my traumatizing experience, horses are awesome.April 27, 2018 – 9:04 amReplyCancel

Lisa@TheGoldenSpoons - Aw!! I never rode horses when I was younger, but my two oldest girls have been taking lesson for years.I see that obsession through them. I have always been amazed at their courage to get up on those huge, yet gentle animals and take control. They have each developed special bonds with horses at the barn – and we have said goodbye to a few as well. My girls have taken a few spills forms heir horses, but only once has it cause an injury when Megan got a mild concussion from it. Last summer, my parents paid for my three girls & me to go on a trail ride. It was a tourist-y thing and the horses were, of course, well-trained & super calm. It was fun but also nerve-wracking for me!! My horse was Jack – after I got on they told me he used to be a wild mustang! I’m still not sure they if were kidding or not! 🙂 Love this story & the photos!April 27, 2018 – 1:07 pmReplyCancel

Allie - I’ve learned something new about you. I had no idea you were obsessed with horses,..nor woul I have guessed it! Gorgeous writing And beautiful pictures!April 27, 2018 – 6:16 pmReplyCancel

Kerry - I was often on my uncle’s farms growing up, but that was more cows and sometimes pigs, and even then I was skittish about walking through the barn and having the cow sniff at me. I never was around horses much, so I never developed comfort with them, from an early age.

Don’t get me wrong, I think they are amazing animals, and I think it is beautiful how certain humans and horses bond and connect. The wild bit in them, the part that keeps them running, is awe inspiring. The history between horses and humans is, indeed, a complicated one, both good and bad.

I had few experiences and the trust never developed in me, not that they are bad, but just that they are animals and I was afraid of falling, not seeing, just trusting. I wish sometimes I had more of the good and positive, that I could sit on one and it would take me, like a guide animal, being my ride with eyes.

I tended to be afraid of them, sudden or unexpected moments of reaction. I was sensitive to smells. Still, I hear how most little girls wanted a pony and I was always the little girl that wanted a whale/dolphin instead, but no go.

Funny you mention horses, as if I were to post a photo of a horse, I would post a picture I drew in seventh grade art class. I can’t remember now why I chose to draw a horse, but I used my dark pencil and my art teacher, who was good at the art thing even though he was also history/geography nd more, he helped me with the shading technique. Well, it was after that picture that I had emergency eye problems and lost my left eye and most of the remaining sight I’d had in my right. I’d never draw again, with that dark pencil. I have that old art class folder right here on the table next to me, as it was just recently rediscovered in the basement of things from the past. Funny, how these connections from one thing to another happen.

This was one of your most beautiful posts, pieces of writing and memory Kristi. I may not be able to see the photos, but the whole link you experienced at eleven, same age I lost my ability to see that dark pencil’s line on the page, such different life stories.

Life and death, all in a few days time. What a life lesson, in so many things.April 28, 2018 – 9:47 pmReplyCancel