If your sister kicked you, would you stop loving her?

I had a rather bizarre weekend, which threw off my blogging pattern. Therefore, I am going to tell my Saturday horse story today.

The weather this weekend was just to die for and perfect riding weather. Unfortunately I did not get a chance to hop on my horse Dancer and go for a ride. This can be expected because I am in college now, but I wish I could understand that college will take away some of my farm time. I have yet to accept that even though I know that college is the reason.

Anyway, I was going about my regular business up at the farm, with the company of Bunmi and Jessica. I love bringing the friends, especially Bunmi because she lights up like a Christmas tree every time she comes. She has also mentioned several times that horses would be a fabulous form of therapy. I love this because it makes me more motivated to create my own personal equine therapy program in the future. The best part was, that the cameras were brought out. We got lots and lots of great pictures. Not to mention, horses love cameras. Sometimes they get a little nervous about the flash, but that does not stop them from trying to completely surround the person who is holding the camera. The afternoon with the horses ended beautifully, and nothing to dramatic happened until Sunday morning.

I was feeding the midgets (the ponies at the farm), and was walking up to Sydney to put his feedbag on. As I am snapping the plastic snap closed, Hank comes out of nowhere. In an attempt to kick Sydney in the chest he hits my knee instead. Just for a little bit of extra information, it really painful to get kicked by an animal that is weighs about 700 pounds and can pull three times its weight. I lifted up my hand and smacked Hank so hard on his hindquarters that he ran away all the way across the paddock. Now, I have a hoof shaped bruise on my knee. As always when I tell people what happened, they always come with the question “Why do you still work with horses!?” I have had my fair share of bumps and bruises, but I answer that question with “You wouldn’t stop loving your sister or brother if he or she kicked you.” At least, I wouldn’t. I consider horses to be a God given talent, and if I have been given such a gift, then I am going to use and love it. Embrace the gifts that have been given. If a person is good at something and loves it too, why give it up, just because it hurts a little? Or a lot, but I think I have made my point. In the end, I am thankful that it was little hank that kicked me and not Big Mama, because if Big Mama kicked me, I would not have a knee anymore. The little things there are to be thankful for, I reap.
[Big Mama (Kelsey) and I are pictured above]