Posts Tagged ‘horseback riding’

Yes.  On the road again – thank you Willie.  Southbound from snowy Gettysburg to not-so-snowy Louisiana.  Roads were clear, but there was and still is a lot of snow on the way south.  Then we crossed the border into Tennessee.  It was like a miracle – no snow, much warmer, and a sudden burst of rich green grass covering rolling hills.  My first thought was what magnificent horseback riding country.

I’ve been all over the world.  It may sound cliché – a bit flag-wavish – but I really don’t care.  I never cease to be touched by the beauty of this country.

I am packing for our Christmas trip down New Orleans way to visit my stepson and his lovely wife, and I am reminded of a Christmas season during a simpler time in my life.  I only had a small rucksack.  My bulkier gear consisted of a poncho to be used as a ‘basha’ type shelter and for protection from the incessant rain, a poncho liner to ward off the night chill, and an extra pair of socks.  In rucksack, on belt, and in pockets went numerous smaller items such as maps, compass, homemade distance-counting beads, my trusty K- Bar knife, a complete swiss army knife (if I was lucky), the essential all-purpose Model M1A1 eating tool – - – a plastic spoon, tooth paste, tooth brush and one small towel.  Of course in those days I carried as much water as I could manage, rations, the clothes on my back, and little old me. I could go anywhere, do anything, and be perfectly content.  We also didn’t worry much about snow.

Not so today !

Now my toilet kit is full of things you have to plug in.  I am going south out of the snowbound Gettysburg area, so I need winter clothes for travel at the start, and fall type clothes as we near the 50-60 degree weather.  In case we might go out to eat at some point, I need slacks and a sport coat.  Then there’s sweats to lounge in, as well as extra socks, shorts, belts, and shirts. Add to that my computer and accessories so I can keep on a bloggin’ and I’m almost packed.  Oh, right, I forgot, saddle, bridle, and a pair of boots – just in case we run into stay horses we might ride.  Did I mention the dog, our wonderful Shelty, and all the paraphernalia that goes with traveling with an animal?

It’s a good thing we have a “BAT-mobile” (Big-A_ _ Truck).  I sound like I’m complaining, but I’m not – not really.  After all, in that simpler Christmas season I also carried ammunition and a weapon, and had to duck a lot.  This is much, much better.

Will and one of his Marines in simpler days - III MAF, Republic of Vietnam

We have three children – ages 5, 9, and over 20. The youngest is a beautiful and gentle Shelty named Robbie.

The 9 year old is my amazingly sweet, western trained roan Appaloosa-Thoroughbred cross, named Sunny…

The oldest, leased by Rosemary, is a wonderful Thoroughbred, named Lummy.

Today is their day. I’ll groom all three, walk Lummy, and ride Sunny. Lummy needs the most care. He was actually lame when Rosemary began working with him. He’d been on the race track, a jumper, and won many ribbons in equitation, but was headed downhill. He had been the alpha horse, but was pushed aside as he got older. He’d lost his mojo. Rosemary has been working with him every day, caring for his ailments, joints, bones, and such. She has brought him back completely. He appears sound again and has won ribbons. He’s got his mojo back, and is once again the top horse among his peers!

Horses calm me. It is an awesome thing. When I’m writing I take breaks to go to our stable close by. Whatever state I’m in, whatever thoughts race through my always working mind…it turns to immediate calmness around the horses.

Sunny is priceless. He’s the most responsive horse I’ve ever ridden. He has a beautiful ‘buggy’ trot with his head lowered that I could ride all day.

Robbie, of course, is ever present…ever vigilant…always protective…and always makes us smile. He is the bright sun in our lives, and he shines … he purely shines.

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