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Posted:
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
The day I learned to live again.....
I was 50 years old when I owned my first horse. My husband bought me a 3 year-old gelding, Saddlebred and Paint mix. I have always loved horses, but never as much as the day "Shadow Dancer" came to live with us. From then on, it was a real love-hate relationship. I loved him, he hated us! Bad handling I believe was his reason for not trusting humans, and the longer we owned him, the meaner and unhappier he became. Despite our efforts to give him a good, loving and stable home, he continued to show us his displeasure. Finally, the day came when we were standing by each other in the barn, watching the first snowfall of winter, when he turned, and without notice, bit me in the throat. The rest is a sad ending for Dancer. We couldn't keep him in his stall all of the time, and if we turned him out with the others horses, he attacked them. We finally returned him to the man we bought him from and in return, he gave us a beautiful 18 month-old Quarter Horse filly.
It was extremely difficult for me to get near a horse again, but from the first time "Cissy" saw me, she came right up to me, nudged me and then proceeded to nuzzle me. I couldn't believe it. She was and still is the sweetest little girls I have ever known. From then on, our horse family grew into 5 horses and many hours of riding, learning, teaching, sharing and growth. They have, as individual horses and a herd, taught me what their needs are and what mine are. I have learned to give as well as receive their love and affection. Each of them has a wonderful personality and a warm, tender, and huge heart.
Last June, I was riding, "Raider", our 13 yr. old saddlebred, when we were forced off the road by a truck. He sidestepped to avoid our getting hit head on, and when he did, his rear hooves hit the ditch and he toppled over backwards. Needless to say, I ended up with 6 broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a wet nuzzle in my face to remind me that he was ok, but was I? I will never forget that day in my life,. it was the day I learned to live again, and never without my horses.
Lois Hawkins
Old Fort, Tennessee.
Author's note: I am a critical care nurse and have been a "horselover" my entire life. I am presently working in a doctors office since returning to work and have a post up board at my nursing station with pictures of my children, grandson and all 5 horses! After all, I want the world to know my family.
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