New2view's Blog   Life on The Blue Marble

I said in my intro to this blog I would disclose the bad along with any good in my experiences, you decide which one this is an example of.?

My daughter’s and me accompanied another family on a so-called ‘trail ride’ near Penticton B.C. one fine summer day. As we started out, one daughters’ horse, no doubt sensing he had an inexperienced rider, decided he was simply going to feed for awhile as the others moved on. I was the trailing rider behind this stubborn horse, and believing I knew something about horses from my dad, although having no practical experience, decided I should ‘encourage’ said horse to move along.

Taking a twig from an overhanging tree while atop my own horse I proceeded to strike the backside of daughter’s horse several times. Since it was only a small twig it left no mark so I felt it was reasonable motivation. I wasn’t even sure it was noticed!

However after several such attempts, said horse had not budged. Instead it turned to look at me, lips curled back showing his very large teeth! It was a warning I didn’t appreciate. The next thing I knew his left rear (horseshoe shod) hoof struck my right leg with laser like accuracy like a bolt of lightning! The utter precision would have done credit to a military sniper!  In fact it took me several seconds to realize what had happened and the damage it caused!

I do have a fairly high pain tolerance, and didn’t make a sound, so my daughter was completely unaware of what had happened since she was facing the other way. I didn’t reveal it to her for whatever reason. If my leg had not been held fairly tight against my own horse, I’m sure that kick would have broken my leg! As it was, my leg was grossly technicolored for several weeks.

All in all it was a lesson I’ll not forget, ergo; do not underestimate the intelligence or emotional capacity of our fellow creatures, they are not dumb animals!