Friday OT Post 2/2 - For Horse Owners

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For any other horse owners out there, here are a few things I have found over the years. If you spend as much time with them every day as I do, I think you will appreciate these.


"There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man" - Anonymous


Cowboy's Blessing

May God give you gentle horses
and an even trail to ride.

May you always have clear water
and a good friend by your side.

May you always find shelter
from the North winds that will blow.

And may you always see green pastures
wherever you may go.

- Unknown


The Horse's Prayer

To thee, my master, I offer my prayer. Feed me, water and care for me, and, when the day's work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed and stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort.

Always be kind to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and do not whip me when going uphill. Never strike, beat, or kick me when I do not understand what you want, but give me a chance to understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something is not wrong with my harness or feet.

Do not check me so that I cannot have free use of my head. If you insist that I wear blinders, so that I cannot see behind me as it was intended I should, I pray you be careful that the blinders stand well out of my eyes. Do not overload me, or hitch me where water will drip on me. Keep me well shod. Examine my teeth when I do not eat; I may have an ulcerated tooth, and that, you know, is very painful. Do not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies and mosquitoes by cutting off my tail.

I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often. Save me, by all means in your power from that fatal disease - the glanders. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch me, that by signs you may know my condition. Give me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put a blanket on me, not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in my mouth; first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands.

I try to carry you and your burden without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on hard pavement which I have often prayed might not be of wood but of such a nature as to give me safe and sure footing. Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service.

And finally, OH MY MASTER, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner, to be slowly tortured and starved to death; but do thou, My Master, take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable.

AMEN

- unknown author

-- Steve Baxter (chicoqh@home.com), February 04, 2000

Answers

Oh, *that* Steve Baxter!

Was your deep backwoods ride on Canadian Thanksgiving as good for you as it was for me?

Personally, I'm not far from a good streach of BLM land myself, but the filly is not yet two, the old guy is 34, and the mare is pregnant.That leaves the hard charger that is used for mounted single action shooting as the only candidate for a good long ride. Both the horse and my husband consider this to be beneath him (the horse, that is)

So I wait. But I will be ready with transportation when that gas crisis really does hit!!!

Thanks Steve, I needed that.

-- JIT (justintime@rightnow.net), February 04, 2000.


Thanks, JIT.

Yup. *That* Steve Baxter. Do I sense a fellow refugee from csy2k? Haven't posted there since October or so.

My Thanksgiving trip was great! Talk about a stress-reliever. Nothing mechanical within 30 miles and my only view was between the ears of a Quarter Horse in some of the nicest back-country you could imagine - ya gotta love that! I'm going to do it again in the spring, except this time for a couple weeks.

Hope your filly grows up to be a winner. Good luck.



-- Steve Baxter (chicoqh@home.com), February 04, 2000.


Yes, csy2k was home away from home for over 1 1/2 years. Had to accept self imposed banishment for ever doubting The System. Something about everlasting shame and never living it down.

I like the new gold price though. Starting to feel a little better......

-- JIT (justintime@rightnow.net), February 04, 2000.


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