Horses....

I have had a love for horses since I was a child. I often dream of just being able to ride off in the sunset like John Wayne. If only I would have lived in the days of the cowboys, as I would have rode off west in search of a free land. I was fortunate to being able to be the owner of Maya for five years and Leo for only six months not counting before he was born. Leo was a surprise all of his own. He came into the world kicking. The cold night he was born was such a surprise to us all, but I had a feeling Maya was pregnant. He was a great colt but I did not feel that I had the experience to care for him and to be the trainer that he needed. 

Many people do not understand the relationship between a rider and his or her horse. There is a bond that no one can explain. Maya got me through high school. She was like a best friend. She was what I needed. I needed someone that counted on me to be there even if it meant getting up an half hour in the morning before work or school to make sure she was out in pen. I will surely never forget her whinny when I would drive in the driveway or the time she had managed to escape while I was at work. Fortunately, the neighbors had found her, but they did call the police. I had to explain to him I did not intentionally let her out of her pen. I will never forget spending the summer moving her grass pen around to make sure she got some grass for her sweet tooth or taking long fall trail rides down our dirt road. Most of all, I loved her company. I surely enjoyed growing up with horses... Hopefully someday I can own one again! 

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit and freedom."

Sharon Ralls Lemon