I have a horse now.  He is about 14 years old.  I have named him Sweet Potato and will sometimes call him Yam for short.  I have only known him for a week but in that short amount of time have become quite fond of him and am looking forward to getting to know him better and learning how to ride him and take care of him.  He is currently staying in a stall until he gains some weight and his wounds heal (he had been neglected for the past few years) at which point he can join the herd and be allowed to roam outside at times.

He is smaller than the other horses I have been spending time with and periodically riding.  He had belonged, at one point, to kids who showed him in 4-H events and been ridden Western style.  This means he will be easier for me to ride until I can become better skilled at the art and sport of horseback riding.

I really can’t even say how excited and grateful I am at this opportunity.  I know that the physical act of riding a horse will allow me to further strengthen my core muscles and therefore help my back continue to heal and become stronger.  In addition though, he and the other horses out at the stables where he resides are all wonderful for my emotional and spiritual health as well.  I love being out in the country, seeing the sky so clearly, and the work of doing chores.  I love figuring out the non-verbal forms of communication amongst the herd and us visiting humans… the great deal of respect and love they show for one another…

I have had the opportunity to do some energy work on some of the horses too.  It has become quite mutual, the healing that occurs when I am around them.  And the laughter…

I loved to ride horses when I was much younger.  I am really grateful and it is really fun to have ‘horse play’ back in my life…