They may see the good you do as self serving. Continue to do good anyway.
They may see your generosity as grandstanding. Continue to be generous.
They may see your warm and caring nature as a weakness. Continue to be warm and caring.
For you see, in the end it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.
Author unknown
The Heart of a Horse
When your day seems out of balance and so many things go wrong... When people fight around you and the day drags on so long...
When parents act like children, in-laws make you think "Divorce"... Go out into your pasture... and wrap your arms around your horse.
I am Famous Now
I was born today. My Daddy is very FAMOUS. I have lots of half brothers and sisters. My Mother is very FAMOUS. Since she got FAMOUS, she has only had foals. No more loving hands, no more daily grooming .... just foals. She is always sad when they leave her.
I left home today. I didn't want to go so I hid behind my mama. I didn't like you. But, one day, they said, I would be FAMOUS. I wonder, is famous the same as fun and good times? So, you picked me up and hauled me away, even though you were concerned that it took an hour to catch me.
I don't think you like me. My new home is far away, I am scared and afraid. My heart says be brave. My ancestors were.
Did they go to good homes like mine? I'm hungry because I can't eat too much, it will be bad for my bones. I can't play with the other horses because I might get hurt. I just wander around my small dirt paddock, and pretend, I'm in a big green field with the butterflies and robins and frogs.
I can't understand why they hate me! I am quiet but the man hits and says loud things. The lady doesn't feed me good things like I had with my mother. She just throws dry, dusty hay on the ground, then goes away, before I can get too close for touching and petting. Sometimes my food smells bad but I eat it anyway.
Today I had a baby. He is so wonderful and warm. Am I FAMOUS now? I wish I could play with him but I am so tired. I am so young that it is hard to be a good mother. I am so hungry! I wish somebody would throw me some food. I am so very thirsty. He got cold during the night and we have no shelter I couldn't make him warm again. We are very weak. Maybe if I whinny someone will notice us and give us food and water.
Today they took US away. To a place with many other horses. There were lots of people and loud noise. Someone grabbed my foal. He was so scared. That was the last time I saw him. Is my baby FAMOUS now? I hope so because I miss him. He is gone.
I was put into a large trailer with many others in it. It is crowded and smells of urine, fear and sickness. Why am I here? I was beautiful like my ancestors. Now I am hungry, dirty, in pain and unwanted. Maybe the worst is unwanted. No one came, though I tried to be good, No one spoke to me in gentle tones or stroked my soft neck. I am in a small pen with many other horses. I am SCARED and ALONE.
Today someone came. They chased us from the pen and into a room. One by one we were herded into a chute. I hear screams of agony, sounds of thrashing, and then silence. Someone came and put me into the chute. Someone reached in and patted my nose. I felt tired and laid my head over the last one who cared. I am ready for what will come next. Today, someone cared, for just one-second...
I AM FAMOUS NOW...
Silent Night
It was dark in the barn at the end of the day. Beside his proud dam a newborn foal lay. The mare she stood and bowed down her head, the foal tried to listen to the words that she said. Her words were too soft for his small ears to hear, He struggled to his feet and she drew him near.
"Mama, I am not sleepy, I want to have fun. I want to run with the others and lay in the sun." "Hush, little one, this is the time that we pray, for those who suffer at the end of the day."
"Dear Lord, we are thankful for all we receive, the world's not as hard a place as we once believed. No longer must we hunger, shiver or thirst, our needs are now met, our ills are now nursed. But there are too many horses, unfortunate still, who survive every day, through force of sheer will. They never are petted, pampered or brushed, Have never had a human in which they could trust. No blankets, no turnouts, no time just for play, and Lord how they suffer at the end of the day."
"No child to whisper soft words in their ear, no owner that comforts when they know fear. No soft hands to pet them on neck and on back, good food and warm shelters not all that they lack. They get no attention when they are not well, locked in their stalls filled with filth, they already know Hell. Often beaten and starved they hang down their head, to wait sweet release that only comes when they're dead. They get no soft bedding on which to lay, little food and no love at the end of the day."
The foal's eyes they widened with fear and concern. The mare nuzzled him gently and licked him in turn. "My son, do not worry, you'll never know hunger. You're days will be secure and filled up with wonder. Not long ago I was one of those suffering, deeply in pain, no kindness, no soft words, no shelter from rain. Before you were born our rescuers arrived, and I knew when you came that you'd surely thrive. Sleep now, my child, our Angels are near," softly she neighed, "and know we truly are thankful at the end of the day!".
Unknown
Butt Prints in the Sand
One night I had a wondrous dream,
one set of footprints there was seen,
the footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.
But then some stronger prints appeared…
And I asked the Lord, “What have we here?”
Those prints are large and round and neat,
But Lord, they are too big for feet”.
“My child,” He said in somber tones,
“For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait.”
“You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
And there I dropped you on your butt.”
“Because in life there comes a time
When one must fight, and one must climb,
When one must rise and take a stand,
Or leave their butt prints in the sand.”
An Animal's Prayer
Dear Lord,
Please watch over our humans. They are so weak. They have no claws or teeth, they can't run fast or fly away neither can they burrow nor build a nest in which to be safe. They do strange things that aren't altogether intelligent, have no real ability to communicate with us although we are able to figure out what they want.
Lord grant us the ability to watch over our humans, care for them, cheer them when they are down, make them laugh, smile, and shower them with our love. We pray that we can bring a little joy into their otherwise mundane existence.
Lord, please let them know that when we insist on getting attention, it is so we can check their emotional well being and boost their morale. When we pester them for different foods, toys, etc, it is so they will learn to see us in ways they hadn't considered, bringing them closer and back into the fold of which they are part, but keep forgetting about. They expect us to know what they want even though sometimes they don't know what we want. Some of them really try and we know they love us, but some of them are so dumb, but our love for them remains intensely unfaltering.
Lord, when we die, please make sure to send us ahead to where our humans are going to be so we can pave the way for them, vouch for them and be there for them when they too die. Please allow us to continue proving that humans are worth the effort.
You placed these humans in dominion over us, but you charged us with the task of caring for them and showing them your love every day through us. God Bless these mere mortal humans, they know not that we are their guardian angels sent in love, to task them, so that they may grow to be part of your plan.
-Author Unknown
God's Foal
I'll lend you for a little while My grandest foal, He said, For you to love while he's alive And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be one or twenty years, Or days or months, you see. But, will you, till I take him back, Take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, And should his stay be brief, You'll have treasured memories To bring solace in your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay, Since all from earth return. But, there are lessons taught on earth I want this foal to learn.
I've looked the wide world over In my search for teachers true. And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes With trust I have selected you.
Now will you give him your total love, Nor think the labor vain,
I know you'll give him tenderness And love will bloom each day. And for the happiness you've known Forever grateful stay.
But should I come and call for him Much sooner than you'd planned, You'll brave the bitter grief that comes And someday understand. Nor hate Me when I come To take him back again?
Author Unknown
A man of kindness, to his beast is kind. But, brutal actions, show a brutal mind: Remember, He who made thee, made the brute, Who gave thee speach and reason, formed him mute; He can't complain, but God's omnicient eye Beholds thy cruelty - He hears his cry! He was designed thy servant; not thy drudge, But know - That his Creator is thy judge.
Unknown author from The Ladies' Equestrian Guide, 1857.
When I am an Old Horsewoman
When I am an old horsewoman I shall wear turquoise and diamonds, And a straw hat that doesn’t suit me And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots, And sit in my alleyway of my barn And listen to my horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night And ride the old bay gelding, Across the moonstruck meadow If my old bones will allow And when people come to call, I will smile and nod As I walk past the gardens to the barn and show instead the flowers growing inside stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel And I will be an embarrassment to all Who will not yet have found the peace in being free to have a horse as a best friend A friend who waits at midnight hour With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For the kind of woman I will be When I am old.
-Author Unknown
Just A Horse
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or,"that's a lot of money for just a horse".
They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."
"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man."
Author Unknown
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die, please make sure to send us ahead to where our humans are going to be so we can pave the way for them, vouch for them and be there for them when they too die. Please allow us to continue proving that humans are worth the effort.
"just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."