There's Nothing Better for the Inside of a Man than the Outside of a Horse

Ronald Reagan told us, "There's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse,"

                                                                  

     Horse lovers know this.  For them, their horse embodies the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self-control.

I Love the feel of wind on my face when running full out;

Pure Joy and happiness in the moment and for all time.

My soul radiates Peace when I'm with him, reflecting my love for him.

I'm amazed at his Patience, standing at the arena gate,

waiting our turn, even as our hearts beat faster and faster...

I'm inspired by his Faithfulness to perform.

I'm enthralled by how the Gentleness of a simple touch relieves tension

as we move down the alleyway...

I feel the Goodness of two becoming one.

Rejoicing in his Kindness for trying to please me... giving his all...

with Self-Control and Long-Suffering  beyond my greatest imagination.

    

     We learn much from a horse.  Horsemen believe this.  The warmth in their heart declares that it is true. 

     Artist Bev Doolittle creates paintings of the American West that feature themes of American life, wild animals, horses and landscapes and is quoted, talking about horses, "their beauty, grace and strength fascinates me; the variety of their expression and character seem endless." 

     Horse lovers are smart, preceptive people that recognize profound and unexplainable things.

     An astounding characteristic I experienced in one of my horses came when I saw him exhibit concern for an old horse we had.  Three of our four horses were leaving the corral, headed out to pasture.  The old horse was still in the corral, even though the gate was open.  I was watching from the house and my heart sank thinking maybe today the old guy isn't going to go out...maybe he's nearing the end.  Two of the other horses crossed the creek and went up the trail toward the back of the pasture.  I noticed the third horse stop before going across the creek and knicker to Trigger, the old horse.  No response.  So, Duke, my granddaughter's horse starts back toward the corral.  I'm watching in disbelief as he goes into the corral, nudges Trigger several times until he finally moves toward the gate.  It was a slow process and Duke was patient as Job.  Trigger finally heads toward the creek, so Duke goes on ahead, crosses the creek, but curiously, he stops on the other side and waits for Trigger. 

     I'd never seen anything like that before.  My granddaughter is a thoughtful, kind girl that cares for others and her horse in special ways.  I told her I thought her kind personality had rubbed off on her horse!