So much comes flooding back.  The horses of the past.  The good times with friends and family.  So sad to think how many have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  Both people and animals.

I remember when I was little, yes I can remember that far back.  I never wanted dolls, all I wanted was horses.  They have such wonderful stuff for children now.  Riding outfits for dolls.  Tack and trailers for toy horses. Clothes with horses on them.  Even bed spreads with horses.  A little girls dream.

And so much stuff for adults and their horses.  Colorful apparel and tack. Catalogs just filled with toys for your horse.  We are defiantly a consumer based society.

My horses, got back then and still get today, carrots and apples in their stockings.  Gone are the days when they got new saddle pads and sheets. Or maybe even a new Bridle. Some horses have a better wardrobe than I do.  I like when my boarders come in with blankets, sheets, and fly masks. What I would really like is to have them come in with break-away halters. They come in with these knotted nylon training bikinis or colorful nylon halters. I’ve known two horses that have gotten them caught and snapped their necks.  Horses get into trouble, no doubt about it.  When I need to possibly gather in the herd for a storm I will leave a break away halter on. Halters are only left on when there is a purpose.  But the time that it takes to catch and halter a horse could be the time best used for gathering in the next group.  I will not leave a horse lose in the pasture with a nylon halter.  If the owner wants to use it when they are around, that’s fine, as long as the horse is supervised.  They have their time and place in training, but not in a pasture.

When I was young the catalogs were called “Wish Books.”  We’d all sit there and wish we could have all this neat stuff.  Now it’s just expected, and received.  Kids are missing so much.  Nothing is appreciated anymore.  Back in the ice age, if you got what you had wished for, you were grateful and took good care of what you received.  Mostly because you knew it was your one and only shot at getting this great item.  Now a days, if it breaks, you just go and buy another one.  When I was a kid, the barn that I grew up at gave all the kids that worked there, a lead line with their name on it and a pair of the warmest gloves I’ve ever had.  Boy, do I miss those days.

I had one horse, which I paid for myself.  Worked two jobs and took great care of that horse, and was extremely careful to keep her healthy and sound.  In these times, if the horse breaks down, they dispose of it and get another.  This with no concern of the life this horse is going to have after its moved on.

Okay, I’m on my soap box.  Time to wrap that box up with pretty paper and a bow and move on.  What’s my point?  I have no idea.

Perhaps it’s the sadness of change.  Perhaps it’s the sadness of loss.  Perhaps it’s the sadness of thoughtless, uncaring people.  But it’s almost Christmas and people do soften and love more openly.

What’s funny is that horses don’t care if they get a new saddle pad or blanket, along with a color coordinated halter and lead.  They can trash the new one too.  They don’t care what colors they wear.  But what they do care about is our love, care, and the time we spend with them.  They lead a simpler life of what is really important.  Perhaps we should take our cues from them.  They seem to accept whatever circumstance they find themselves in.  If they get a treat, Great!  If not they move on.  Maybe next time.

Give to your animals this Christmas what is really important.  Your time and you love. Ultimately nothing else really matters.  Well maybe to you, but not your horse  As long as the food keeps coming, they’re good.

Hum, time and love, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to give that to the people we love too.