Most of these came from e-mail and  I don't

 know who wrote them but if they have a name

attached and you want to copy them

 please add the name with it.

 

      • May God Bless you and you always ride a good horse.  
 
 When I am an old Horsewoman: ( I'm There now !!! )

I shall wear turquoise and diamonds,
And a straw hat that doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my social security on white wine
and carrots,
And sit in my alley-way of my barn
And listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night
And ride the old bay gelding,
Across the moonstruck meadow
If my old bones will allow.

And when people come to call, I will smile and nod
As I walk past the gardens to the barn
and show instead the flowers growing
inside stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair
as if it were a jewel.

And I will be an embarrassment to all,
Who will not yet have found the peace in being free
to have a horse as a best friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am old.
~Author Unknown
 

God Jumps
 by Lauren Davis Baker

 God gives us horses and compels some of us to love them. Yet why
does the horse, an animal with such a big heart, live such a short life?
Perhaps it's because if our horses lived any longer, we wouldn't be
able to bear losing them. Or, perhaps it's because God wants to jump.
Perhaps God looks down on the fine horses we raise and decides when
it's His turn to ride. He gives us a few good years to care for and learn
from them, but when the time is right, it's up to us to see them off
gracefully.
O.K., perhaps not gracefully. Blowing into a Kleenex is rarely
graceful. But we can be grateful.
To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few short
years, a horse can teach a girl courage, if she chooses to grab mane
and  hang on for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies is mightier than
the  tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of falling off, having one's
toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is an
admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be grateful.
 Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle-or a computer-a
horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty and
smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break
the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose responsibility. When
our horses dip their noses and drink heartily,we know we've made the
right choice.
Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are
easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake of
hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you-you'll struggle to
 keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have their feet
shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are so
accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new ways to injure
themselves.
If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have
unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses? Indeed,
there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a sense of
humor.
Those prone to humor will test you by finding new ways to escape
from the barn when you least expect it. I found one of ours on the front
porch one morning, eating the cornstalks I'd carefully arranged as
Halloween decorations.
Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, obstinate or
willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude you
altogether.
There are as many "types" of horses as there are people-which makes
the whole partnership thing all the more interesting.
If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple
thing you can learn in a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics on a
Sunday-but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a
living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition and
putting the car in "drive."
In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a
few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to go
along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll
swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps he's fed up
with how slowly you're learning his language. Regardless, the horse
will have an opinion. He may choose to challenge you (which can
ultimately make you a better rider) or he may carefully carry you over
fences-if it suit's him. It all depends on the partnership-and partnership is
what it's all about.
If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to work
at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment, and compassion in
addition to basic survival skills. You'll discover just how hard
you're willing to work toward a goal, how little you know, and how much you
have to learn. And, while some people think the horse "does all the
work", you'll be challenged physically as well as mentally. Your
horse may humble you completely. Or, you may find that sitting on his back
is the closest you'll get to heaven.
You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you really want to?
The results may come more quickly but will your work ever be as graceful
as that gained through trust? The best partners choose to listen, as
well as to tell. When it works, we experience a sweet sense of
accomplishment brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual understanding between
horse and rider. These are the days when you know with absolute
certainty that your horse is enjoying his work.
If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our lives, most of
us have to squeeze riding into our oversaturated schedules; balancing
our need for things equine with those of our households and employers.
There is never enough time to ride, or to ride as well as we'd like. Hours
in the barn are stolen pleasures.
If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life with them.
Our horses know our secrets; we braid our tears into their manes and
whisper our hopes into their ears. A barn is a sanctuary in an
unsettled world, a sheltered place where life's true priorities are clear: a
warm place to sleep, someone who loves us, and the luxury of regular
meals.
Some of us need these reminders.
When you step back, it's not just about horses-it's about love,
life, and learning. On any given day, a friend is celebrating the birth of
a foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That same day,
there is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a decision to sustain a life or end
it gently. As horse people, we share the accelerated life cycle of horses:
the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and death that caring for
these animals brings us. When our partners pass, it is more than a moment
of sorrow.
We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways our lives have
been blessed. Our memories are of joy, awe, and wonder. Absolute union.
 We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage, and willingness
to give.
 To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To see us in our
muddy boots, who would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We
celebrate our companions with praise worthy of heroes. Indeed, horses
have the hearts of warriors and often carry us into and out of
fields of battle.
 Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of journeys made
and challenges met. The best of horses rise to the challenges we set
before them, asking little in return.
Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human
heart.
Together, we share the pain of sudden loss and the lingering taste
of long-term illness. We shoulder the burden of deciding when or
whether to end the life of a true companion.
In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts us to our horses or
our horses to us. Does it matter? We're grateful God loaned us the horse in
the first place. And so we pray:
 
Dear God,
 After You've enjoyed a bit of jumping, please give our fine horses
the best of care. And, if it's not too much, might we have at least one
more good gallop when we meet again?
Amen

HORSE CRAZY"
She daydreamed over homework
Doodled ponies on each page.
They told her she'd outgrow it
When she reached a certain age.
Black Beauty her companion,
Blue ribbons in her hair,
She whinnied when they called her,
! And trotted everywhere.
Her parents grew quite weary
Of her most insistent cry,
"I have to have a horse;
If I don't get one I'll just die!
Alas, it never happened,
And when the years had flown,
She found herself a grown-up
With children of her own.
Her family was contented
With cat or dog to pet;
The horse just never happened,
But she never did forget.
One day the kids were grown and gone
And circumstances  change,
And Mom was sick of riding
The same old kitchen range.
Dust bunnies in the corner,
And dishes piled on high.
She made the bed last Thursday
And vacuumed in July!
Dinner will be late again,
Dad's threatening divorce.
They told her she'd outgrow it, but....
Mama got her horse!!
©B.K. England 1999

 Don't cry for the horses                            Look up into heaven

That life has set free                                You'll see them above                 
Million white horses                                 The horses we lost
Forever to be                                           The horses we loved
       
Don't cry for the horses                             Manes and tail flowing
Now in God's hands                                 They gallop through time
As they dance & they prance                    They were never yours
To a Heavenly band                                  They were never mine
 
They were ours as a gift                            Don't cry for the horses
But never to keep                                     They will be back some day
As they close their eyes                            When our time as come
Forever to sleep                                        They will show us the way
 
Their spirits unbound                                 Do you hear that soft nicker
On silver wings they fly                              Close to your ear
A million white horses                                Don't cry for the horses
Against the blue sky                                  Love the ones that are here
 
Written  by Brenda Riley-Seymore
 
 
Blind Horse
Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a
distance each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car,
or is walking by,one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His
owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home
for him. This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the
source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse
in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her
blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As one stands
and watches these two friends,one sees how she is always checking on
him, and that he will

listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is - trusting
that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just
because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us
when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the
guide horse, helping others see God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, who watches over even a blind old horse,
watch over us. Show us the way to You. Provide us with heavenly guides
who will lead us to You through the fields of our lives. Amen.

                       THE HORSES PRAYER 2

 

I'm only a horse dear master, but my heart is warm and true,
And I'm ready to work my hardest, for the pleasure of pleasing you.
Good corn and hay and water, are all that I wish to ask,
And a warm dry bed to rest on when I've finished my daily task.
Don't strike me in needless anger if I'm slow to understand,
But encourage my drooping spirits with a gentle voice and hand.
Finally, oh my master!  When my health and strength are gone,
When I'm getting old and feeble and my lifes long work is done-
Don't sell me to cruel owners, to be slaved to my last breath,
But grant me the untold blessing of a quick and painless death.
That as you have always found me a patient and loyal friend,
The years of faithful service may be crowned by a peaceful end,
I plead in the name of the savior, who cares when sparrows fall,
Who was born in a lowly stable and knows and loves us all.
--Author Unknown
 

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

The Memory of Me

I'd like the memory of me
To be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when day is done.

I'd like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times, and laughing times
and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve
To dry before the sun
Of happy memories I leave
Behind -- when day is done.




RainbowsBridge.com

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

 

 
"Foaling Mare's Secret Code"
The mare's secret code of honor is as old as horses themselves and is ultimately the species best kept secret. NO mare shall ever produce a foal before it's time.

It's time being determined by the following factors:

1. No foal shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your house must be a wreck, your family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and your social life non-existent.

2. Midwives must reach the babbling fool status before you foal out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence means you're getting close.

3. For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, foaling must be delayed by at least one day for each item.

4. Vet check, add a day…internal, add three! If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready…you will be fine, while I'm away for the weekend," then wait 12 to 16 hours and pop that baby out!

5. Owner's stre! ss must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close. When you hear the words, "I can't take it anymore!"…wait three days and produce a foal.

6. You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are necessary! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.
 
7. The honor of all horses is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your stable mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. Oh, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

8. If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have this foal, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe thunderstorm warnings is what your looking for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

9. Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the stable to check on you. Your stable m! ates wi ll love you as the extra goodies fall their way too!

10. Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special horses are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful filly to carry on the mare code of honor for the next generation of those who wait!

–Author Unknown