Caring

I was just out walking on my 15 minute break. I was thinking about caring about things. I mean having a passion for specific things like trees for example.

I was thinking about the lost stewardship of the earth and that if God had originally designed us to take care of it and continue to cultivate all that's in the earth then he must have put a desire in each of us for some specific thing, more specific than someone else.

I wondered about what my more specific was. What do I just care about more than my neighbor does? What am I called to remind my neighbor of in that caring? What do they remind me of that I don't feel as deeply about?

I thought about creatures. I care a little more for horses than some. I thought about God. I care a little more for worship than some. I thought about words. I care a little more for words than some. These things continue to mark me and form many of the decisions I've made. I can hear God blessing the caring, "yes, this is from me" he says. "It's not a mistake, you are not mistaken. Take up your stewardship again."

What kind of horse are you?

A bit of fun for a horsey lover. What kind of horse are you?

I am "the majestic Andalusian, a brilliant white equine with kind eyes and a flowing mane. Your nature is very gentle and willing, and you are likely to perform movements in the haute ecole. You are generous and classical, your love of romance brings you to many places, especially in Europe. Your old-fashioned tastes are refreshing in this all-to-tacky modern world. A famous andalusian is Shadowfax, who appears in the second book (and movie) of Lord of the Rings. You will likely live in Spain or France and have a wealthy, possibly Royal, owner.Your coat color is most likely: White, grey, or dapple."

I feel satisfied with this. I hope I can live up to such a classification ; )


What breed of horse are you? Find out!

My little known, little understood past

So the Stock show got me thinking about horses. Many of my friends may not realize what a big part of my life they have been. When I moved to Colorado at the age of seven, my big hope was that with all the property we had I might get a horse. Our property in Evergreen is actually zoned to have up to two horses on it, or so I recollect my father telling me. But alas my parents where not horse types. But a stroke of good fortune put us in a county with one of the rarest organizations I've ever heard of, the Westernairs. You had to live in Jefferson county to be a part of it and for a $20 annual due (no joking) you could be a member. The best part is that you did not have to own your own horse. They had about 50 horses that they cared for and you could rent at $5 a ride. It worked this way, the first year you rode every other week on Saturday in a class learning the basics of western team riding. After that year you were placed in a team and would ride every week. Every year you advanced (if you were ready) up a team. The drills would get more complex and you would ride them at increasing speed.

What a deal! I got to ride horses once a week from the ages of 11 to 17. Here's a link to video of a few of the teams. Seeing is so much easier than trying to describe what sort of horse back riding this is. No I did not do Chariots, or Riders of the Steps, or Freedom Riders. But I did participate for a year in the pony team driving a cart and for a year after that I did pony romans, which is riding two ponies while standing with one foot on each. Ye Haw!

Spins, roll backs, lead changes and sliding stops.

Hugh?

I spent yesterday afternoon at the National Western Stock Show watching the freestyle Reining competition.

For all my non horsey friends, well I don't know how to bring you along except to say that it's really cool stuff you can do with your horse, and if you do it really well yesterday you could have won $15,000. Now probably the horse you did these things on cost more than that, but that's not the point or why anyone does it.

Most impressive was the man who did it with out any reins at all. So essentially he gave all speed, and directional cues to his horse through leg and seat pressure, which means he has extraordinary balance and control.

I'm jealous, if I ever get a horse this is what I would train to do. It's all about trust and communication with your horse.

What the man did is the fantasy of Lord of the Rings, where the elven kind need no "devices" to ride a horse. How cool is that and how cool to know that it really can be done.

Here's an example of what it is.