Every morning of every day when I get up, I look out the window to gaze at the horses. It is a fine way to start a day for me. Sometimes they are over a hill and cannot been seen, which was the case one morning this week. At least that is what I thought…

An eerie feeling of “empty” met me as I made my way to the barn. So eerie, in fact, I whistled several times for the horses. This usually brings a friendly whinny from High Hope along with a quick appearance. Not this morning. After several more whistles, each more urgent than the previous, the knot in my stomach grew tighter.

Our horses were not in the field anywhere. They were gone.

I knew this was my fault. I had not followed through on the “something told me” voice that said, “check the fence line” to the new paddock they had just been turned out in that day. I found a hole alright. Only it was, as my mother says,”A day late and a dollar short.”

Where does one begin to look for two horses on mountains and acres of forest? Horses are curious critters and have a knack of getting themselves into trouble. I knew two things: only God knew where they were, and horses eat grass.

So as I grabbed halters, leads, a bridle (to ride one and pony the other) and a bucket of feed, I prayed for help. Down by the beautiful Cowpasture River is a lovely hay field full of spring grass. This is where I would begin my search.

As I made the turn in the road , two heads looked up at me. They were busy eating grass! Approaching them quietly and with a calm, steady voice, I haltered them and lead them calmly back to their pasture.

This frightful episode ended well for us. I am thankful for that is not always the case. A horse belonging to a friend of mine was recently struck by a car and killed when he got out of his pasture. So, once again, I count my blessings.

What I learned and tips to remember:
* Be sure your neighbors have your telephone number. They will call if they see your horses are out.

*Always have halters, leads, and bridles where they can be gotten in a hurry (I do not leave halters on our horses at night, some owners do).

*Take some feed in a bucket when going to look for them. They come to the sound of feed and it will help calm them.

*Check fencing regularly!

When I was a teenager this was a popular song. Many moons have passed since those days, but it is true still. At my age, there have been many seasons, some good, some not so good.

I am generally the type that looks forward, not so much behind. I suppose that is why the rear-view mirror in a car is so small and the driving one so large. Yet, a season had ended for me this month that has made me quite sorrowful. I stopped teaching riding lessons.

The season I am in now, caring for my mother (with help from my sisters), has to take precedence over horseback riding lessons. It is a matter of safety and value. We have had so few lessons I cannot, in good conscience, ask to be paid to teach the same thing over and over. Horseback riding is a beautiful skill that requires dedication for safety and ability. Normal missed lessons are fine, but I am gone 1/3 of every month caring for my mother. This make my teaching ineffective. It was a hard decision. I love my riding students and teaching them. They are bright, fast learners. And above that, they love the horses.

So, for now, I have to let go. With no idea of how long or if I will every have the privilege to teach again.

Our horses and I will miss our students more than they will ever know.

Farewell for now….

Truly a picture is worth a thousand words.

That is what Marilla told Anne she would have to do in the film ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ when Anne accidentally got her friend, Diana, drunk off Marilla’s wine. Anne thought it a fruit drink. It was a funny scene, but none-the-less Anne needed to apologize to Diane’s mother.

Eating humble pie is not easy. I had to eat some this month when my niece came for a visit. She rode our big gelding, Webster, better than me—much better. It is hard and humbling to watch someone ride your horse better than you. We horseman tend to be a bit prideful, and rather full of ourselves. So when we are outdone on our OWN animal it is painful to our pride. However, this is not such a bad thing; pride comes before a fall. And fall I have done many times off this horse. So much so that my confidence level was lower than a snakes belly.

I knew I was going to learn something from this young, excellent horsewoman. I was not disappointed. It was a pleasure watching her interact with this spoiled horse. Yes, he is spoiled. He has always been more defiant than our buckskin mare, High Hope. He has tried himself and my authority much more. I have always been a bit nervous around him, and skeptical.

Esther, however, established herself immediately with him. She knew exactly what her goal was and what she expected of him. “You two are a team, Aunt Mitzy,” she told me, “but YOU are the team captain!”

This is her basic premise with horses, being a team, and she communicated it beautifully to Webster. She is generous in her praise and quiet with her reprimands. Sometimes it was difficult to tell between the two because she always smiles!

She is focused and knows exactly what she wants from the horse. She works patiently until she can tell the horse understands. This is called consistency. She works them until she sees the horse working towards the result she wants. This is called persistence. It did not take long for Webster to understand what was expected of him. That is how good Esther is. It was beautiful to watch.

Both her parents are excellent horseman, and have ridden all their lives. They have taught all their children well the art of horsemanship. To their credit, Esther sure has the best of both of them. She has worked, studied and ridden many long hours. It shows.

She had taught me much. She is a positive, consistent, quiet handler. She had a clear understanding of what behavior is acceptable and what is not. She is easy to learn from because of her positive, cheerful outlook. The horses like her as much as I do! In fact, I do not know who learned more, me or Webster. I do know this, things are better between me and my horse. Thank you, Esther!

Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy!