In these coldest days of winter, I fantasize about riding my horse on a hot, sunny day in July. Since Guinness has been at my parents' home in Wake Forest for the past year and a half, I haven't been able to ride regularly like I used to (which was at the least 4 x a week). After I started dental school, I stopped trying to be perfect while aboard my horse. Instead, I used the time as therapy and to relax after my mentally demanding days. Dental school affirmed for me that horses are wonderful becase of who they are naturally.
Guinness is the same every day. He doesn't hide his emotions. If he is annoyed, he shows it. If he's hungry, you know it. However, those emotions are only in the moment. In the next moment, he could be happy as a clam and he will never have another thought about his feelings only five minutes ago. That is what makes him so glorious.
These days, sometimes I just crave going to brush my horse. Touching him just transfers his tranquility to me. When I have the chance to ride him, he just brightens my day. He is so naturally talented and I love how he remembers everything even if I haven't ridden in weeks. The moment I feel him walk underneath me, I feel closer to God and all that he created. Being around him reminds me to live in the moment and to be less critical of myself.
Note Billy Bob exercising himself while I exercise Guinness :-)
Now more than ever, I realize that I don't make the horse. He is awesome because he is who he is. His stature, his awesome trot, his noisy eating of the latest meal...these are all the things that make him wonderful! Perhaps I should take some lessons from him. He doesn't spend time obsessing about his insecurities or worrying about being perfect. He lives in the moment of time we are in and then he moves on. When I am near him, I am reminded to be a little more still and a little more at peace. What more of a blessing could a furry (17.2 hand) friend bring!?
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