Peace by Piece

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, are virtues that all of us should like to walk in. As we walk through life we are often aware of one or more of these fruits operating in us, or at least the possibility that we are exhibiting them.

Once in a great while we come across someone who is possessed by all of them, having had such a change in life, of mind, and of heart that fame and fortune are no longer of any importance. For the most of us, however, the unwrapping of these gifts is a process. Piece by piece, this experience, that trial, some wonderful blessing, or a heartache not soon forgotten, shapes and molds our character that allows the unwrapping and manifestation of such beautiful attributes of character.

Our work with horses somewhat follows the same pattern. The horse, which lives in the moment, freedom from trouble is the greatest peace. Some will have a greater desire to accomplish the tasks we ask of them than others. Some of us have seen the really, really troubled horse turn loose and have such a change from the trouble, to freedom of peace, that a blind person could perceive it. If such a horse remains in the confidence of a skilled rider that offers the better deal he will only get more sure and confident in his job.

For many, peace comes in pieces: a little here and a little there, even under the hand of the inexperienced person whose heart is right. It becomes a learning process for both horse and rider that we need to be patient with. What looks like very little change for horse and human in the short run, will if pursued with the right heart, result in many wonderful changes that are enjoyable for all to see and share in over the long haul. A relational bond has developed between horse and rider that is both enduring and productive.

Let us be patient with ourselves and our horses. Let us run the course as faithfully as we can, forgetting not, as Ray always said, “whistle and grin and ride”.

Blessings and happy trails,

charley

Of Oranges and Artichokes

Most all of us are familiar with the orange as being easy to prepare and yielding a tasty, nutritious fruit. The artichoke on the other hand is a different critter to work with. It has numerous sharp spines on the end of the leaves and next to the heart the fibrous material is totally inedible. That is what some call the “choke” in the artichoke. It requires some proper preparation to yield a pleasant tasting, unique-to-the-palate dish. Steamed, parts of the leaves are edible and the choke can be cut away to get to the best part, the heart.

Horses are a lot like the orange and the artichoke. Some require very little preparation to get them willing to help us in the things we like to do with them. Others are like the artichoke: without the proper preparation they can be difficult at best, and impossible at worst, to get any willingness to cooperate with us. Please do not ever blame the horse in this regard. He is only being the way he was created. It is a matter of self-preservation for this animal.

In all of the preparation there is an element I like to refer to as the “process of discovery”. Horses and humans enjoy this process. To discover something on our own yields lasting and satisfying results in our lives. From the human standpoint in working with the horse, if we can set up a situation and let the horse find what we are asking we do not need to do a whole lot of “training”, it becomes a process of discovery and response.

I am always amazed at how we are so much like this animal. Myself, I do not like to be “told” what to do. Being able to interact with someone, especially one that I like, and learning through discovery leaves me at peace and interested in learning more. Personally I will go out of my way to help a friend like that and I believe they have no problem reciprocating in kind. And, I would bet most of you are of the same disposition.

Blessings and Happy Trails,

Charley