First contact

when unicorns were still real

I believe the first time horses became part of humans lives, it was a little girl who lead the way.

Perhaps she was lost on the Steppes, cold and alone, and the horses found her.

There was much giggling and laughter and light. I think they were unicorns back then.

They played and frolicked, she on their backs galloping around, free and happy.

The girl missed her family though, and she told the unicorns who took her home.

“Daddy, LOOK.” and she introduced her friends as the unicorns clustered around her, muzzles pressed to her sides.

Daddy looked and the tribe looked too, and they saw power that could be harnessed. They saw food to be eaten. They saw survival.

Out came the ropes and the fences and the tree branches to use as whips.

The little girl wept to see her friends treated so.

Her mamma explained how it was necessary and what a good thing the little girl had done. Their tribe would be leaders and rule the other tribes, and have food for everyone.

The little girl nodded and dried her tears and helped the men put her friends in the pens. She tried to comfort them and told them it would be okay, and her family would take care of them, and protect them from the wolves. She hugged them and kissed them goodnight. In the morning their horns were gone, and they were unicorns no more.

The magic of freedom and laughter taken from them in the night. Now they were just tools to be used.

I think we all start as that little girl, looking for the light, the magic and the friendship that only a horse can bring. Once we get near a horse, the pressure starts as people want to make money from it. Train here, show there, buy this pad, this food.

Pretty soon we lose that magic, we forget to just be friends.

Let’s put the joy back into our relationship, into our riding, into our souls.

I hope as you travel this journey with me, you laugh a little. Horses love to make us laugh.

.