My First Horse Back Ride
Horses
Horses have always been a part of my life.
Either physically or emotionally.
Some of my earliest memories are of horses.
The first animal that I called my own was a horse.
I like dogs and cats but a horse brings something special out in a person.
Emotions and feelings that only something that beautiful and powerful can invoke.
Image-Pansy Mine
Our Billy
I was 3 when Billy was born. He was the Little Brother to Iris . They had the same mother , Rosie our Quarter Horse mare, and the same father a Registered Appaloosa Quarter Horse that the neighbor owned down the Road. Iris had a stubborn streak like her mother.
But Billy was gentle like his Father. I was 5 when he was 2. he had not been ridden yet.
My Father had trained him some. He would wear a bridal and a saddle and he had never bucked at either one. My father was holding off because he wasn't sure if he wanted to have him gelded. Billy never showed a mean streak and he was always gentle with me and my older siblings. But we were never allowed to go near him unless my father had him tied up.
But as we all know what our parents don't know won't hurt them. So that summer when my father would leave for work I would go into the pasture where Billy ran free and run with him.
I would run up and down the ditch bank and Billy would match me stride for stride. never hurting me, never charging me. He was always patient, always gentle, I believe he enjoyed our play as much as I did..
I would even go and sit on his back when he laying down to rest. He would slowly, but gently, rise to his feet and walk around with me on his back.
For weeks I would do this. My father, my mother and my baby sitter, my sister, were never the wiser. Until one day dad came home early. He saw me before I saw him.
He was petrified with fear.
HE yelled my named and told me to get out of the pasture and away from that horse. I continued to run up and down the ditch bank a couple more times because I wanted to show him it was OK and I was not afraid and Billy would not hurt me.
When I finally came out of the pasture I was not met by a wow or hug I was met by a swat on my butt and a what do you think you are doing.
Wiping away tears and coking back disbelievement because my father never lost his temper and never spanked me. I told him that Billy was not going to hurt me and that I had been doing it for weeks. I even told him I rode him and Billy was my best friend.
He stared at me in amazement. Shook his head and told me I could not do it again. Or at least I had to let someone know what I was doing. He wanted to watch. he even joined me on a few occasions.......
My Iris
Named by my Father (Black Iris)
I never forgot Billy. We had Billy fro 20 years until I gave him to a couple who wanted him for there grand kids to ride. His sister lived to be 32.
She was always stubborn but she was gentle and kind too. She never missed an opportunity to whinny and talk to me every time she saw me. I miss her so. She was always a constant and a good friend.
Now that I am 40 and have 4 boys of my own I know my boys will know that companionship someday. They too will know what it is like to feel the wind blowing through there hair and the thrill of having such a large wonderful animal completely trust you and want to be your friend..
I love horses and miss them too..