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Lately, I’ve been thinking about Winston Churchill’s quote, “What’s on the outside of a horse is good for what’s on the inside.” I have been involved with horses for over 50 years. Everyone needs something that brings them joy. Horses bring me joy. Spending time with horses provides an escape from the intense world we live in today. I have the pleasure of visiting 20-year-old Honeybee once a week. Honeybee lives on Jody’s property. Jody’s place is great. I have known Jody since I first came to Colorado. She played a huge role in fostering my connection with horses throughout my adult life.
I’ve always had something to do with horses. When I was 10 years old, I went horseback riding with a neighbor at a stable in Shakopee, Minnesota. I rode a pony. I had no idea what I was doing, but the pony ran away with me. I continued to ride, but when I told my girlfriend’s mother the story, she decided that I needed to learn how to ride to be safe. Her mother did some research and found Merrywood Stables. Merrywood Stables was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Merrywood Stables was the perfect place for me to develop my love of horses and learn how to ride in English. I took a lesson in the morning and went on a trail ride in the afternoon. My parents would sometimes pay him $3 for me to stay overnight. The other kids were also staying over so the night was great. In the evening, we set up a jumping table in the arena and imitated horse jumping. In the morning we helped feed the horses. I still love the sound of horses eating.
As my love for horses grew, so did my abilities. I learned to jump. I also started to admire my horse. When I was 12 years old, that dream came true. I fell in love with the Sandpiper. Sandpiper was a strong jumper so I could only ride him under the saddle and Debbie, another more experienced rider, jumped him. I eventually made the jump to Sandpiper, but my fondest memories were of the quiet times. I loved grooming the sandpiper and enjoyed spending time talking with him. Horses are good listeners. I was learning about caring for other beings, feeding, grooming, presence, and most importantly empathy.
I lost my adult horse Spot in 2015. Spot is 20 years old and has been in my life for 14 years. Spot chose me. I used to watch his brother all the time, and every time I went to his stable, Spot was always there, like, “What about me?” I decided to check out the spot. I drove up to the stable and Spot’s trainer, Robin, and spent a few hours riding the horse and jumping a few times around the property. I fell in love and within a few weeks the spot was mine.
Spot was trained in a natural way. This started a whole new chapter in my relationship with horses. I loved riding Spot, but mostly I loved grooming him and taking him for walks in nature. While in the arena, we were able to take Spot’s halter off and play with him. Spot was there for me no matter what I did. It was such a wonderful feeling to be so connected. Spot saw me through major surgery and divorce.
Spot’s death was painful. Every spring I think about how great it was to go out and see the spots. As I was with Honeybee last week, I was reminded of how blessed I am to have Honeybee and Jody in my life. Walk and talk like Spot. Absorb the gentle nature and soft fur of bees. To be transported back to the loving days of my youth during this terrible time for our country and the world. Horses are and always will be the window to my soul. Thank you, Mom, Jody, Sandpiper, Spot, and Bee for making this love possible. My connection with horses will stay with me forever.
Sue Winthrop has lived in Longmont for many years. Sue loves horses and he has been involved with them for over 50 years.
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