Decision

I don't know how long this *decision* will last, but as I really think about it, it seems the wise thing to do. I was really ga-ga over horses when I was younger, and had one for four years. Then as I got to moving on through life, I got interested in other things, then eventually got married and had a family. In the last few years, I had opportunity to have a *little* to do with horses, and the bug came back. But I'm a different person than I was 30 or more years ago.

So, even though I still like horses, may or may not get on one ever again, I'm putting this interest in the background. Just there in my life as an appreciation and an enjoyment from the sidelines, so to speak.

This is Trigger, the horse I had through most of high school and a ways into college. He was a good horse in most ways, and we had a blast. But he had a thing ... he would bolt at things that scared him. Rattly trucks, rattly bikes, rattly windmills, motorcycles, a rustly piece of trash. So many times I had to be aware and careful (was anyway, but especially if I saw a loud vehicle coming on a country road), even getting off and holding him to keep him from running. We had our share of wrecks. Not many, but enough to cause respect for the big animal he was. But when you're a teenager/young adult, you don't always give thought to the dangerous side of something you like such as this. But we enjoyed those years, and I learned a lot.



But now, I'm 50, not as "nimble" as I was back then, and just have things in my life that really are more important to pay attention to. But I got to thinking, perhaps I still can have a taste of what I had before, in a safer manner. By our family having THIS girl in our lives, I can enjoy the following:



Instead of a saddle and bridle, a leash and harness.

Instead of an animal that severely outweighs me, an animal that I COULD lift (har har) if I wanted to.

Instead of high expense, cheap-to-moderate expense.

She can come in the house.

She won't kick.

She might lick you to pieces.

I can pick up her paws to check for stickers, in the very same way I would pick up a horse's hooves to clean them.

As I walk with her, I use "horsey" sounds to make her come along or whatever.

She may strain at her leash wanting to chase squirrels and cats, but she won't be carrying me at high speed and at great danger. Horse wrecks can not only be bad, but the WORST. I DO NOT WANT THAT. I don't even want to take a chance anymore.

So I have made a SAFETY decision, to enjoy horses from the sidelines, and enjoy the qualities our pretty Tiny Girl has. I can still be a COWGIRL AT HEART, and wear my cowgirl boots anytime I want to. Even while walking the dog. :)