I remember our first meeting like it was yesterday. A kind lady in my church had you as a pasture pet. When she found out that I needed a horse, she gifted me with you. That very day, 8-year-old me rode you for the first time. That was the start of a horse-human relationship like I’d never had before...or since.
Everyday, when I came to the fence of your pasture, you greeted me with a nicker and pointed your fluffy ears in my direction. As my first horse, you blessed me with the experience of true patience and the joy of being loved unconditionally. Even when I had horrible balance or was too heavy on your mouth. Or when I didn’t tighten the saddle enough and fell off. You stood above, looking at your little rider with an expression that said, “Did I do that?”
When I didn’t know how to express myself to anyone else, you were there to listen.You were there for all the sad times in my life and soothed my aching heart with a gentle lope through the woods. When I needed a neck to hug, you were always there for me to snuggle with.
As a young child, we used to ride every day through the trails behind my house. Most days, as I saddled you up, you would hold your breath and puff your stomach so the girth would be loose when I got on. I eventually abandoned my saddle, and we went bareback. I would pretend that I was an Indian, hunting deer in the woods or a princess escaping from the castle. We even had pretend names.
During the summer, we would pick our way through the forest and explore. We found turtles and berries and once, we even found a fox getting a sip from the stream. My memories of you are some of the fondest I have, and I would do just about anything for the chance to ride you again.
Looking back on our relationship, I pray that I’ll find a horse like you for my children. I hope I get the chance to bless my future kids with shoulder to cry on, a teacher to learn from, and a companion that they will love for the rest of their life, like I do you.
You taught me more than any riding teacher and helped raise me to be the horseman I am today. You gave me peace in the middle of my fiercest storms. You let me make mistakes and let me reach new heights from your back. For that, I am forever grateful.
Thank you.
