One of the things I was so impressed with when I first met my wife at the age of 14 was that she owned a horse. From my suburban upbringing, I imagined her in spurs and chaps running through the fields clinging to the mane of a wild horse. I don't know why, but at that age cowgirls were very attractive to me.
Since then, except for the years lived overseas, she's had horses as part of her (our) life. It's an aspect of her Dr. Doolittle personification I continue to treasure and frequently join for trail riding or manure management. As with all animals, her horses follow her anywhere, with respect and tolerance. But sometimes, she pushes her luck.
A friend of hers gave her a Christmas present that I've since realized could be grounds for charges of animal abuse. It included a red christmas hat and a blanket. Innocent enough, but eliciting the following message from a friend after Bonnie tested it on Trace, her youngest Rocky Mountain horse:
"Bonnie, I think you just ruined Trace's cool hip guy persona around the stable. He really doesn't want to be the jolly fat man kind of guy. He wishes that you will get a doll to play dress up with for Christmas and leave him alone. He can then start to working on recovering his damaged image. Tell Trace that I wish him a better Christmas next year."
I laughed until I realized that she was given two of these equine costumes. "Why don't you join me at the barn today," she suggested early one morning, while my mental processor was still in hibernate mode. As we arrived at the barn, I noticed the red blankets in the back seat. Oh, no....
I'm sorry, Dundee and Trace. I was duped into contributing to your embarrassment.
Since then, except for the years lived overseas, she's had horses as part of her (our) life. It's an aspect of her Dr. Doolittle personification I continue to treasure and frequently join for trail riding or manure management. As with all animals, her horses follow her anywhere, with respect and tolerance. But sometimes, she pushes her luck.
A friend of hers gave her a Christmas present that I've since realized could be grounds for charges of animal abuse. It included a red christmas hat and a blanket. Innocent enough, but eliciting the following message from a friend after Bonnie tested it on Trace, her youngest Rocky Mountain horse:
"Bonnie, I think you just ruined Trace's cool hip guy persona around the stable. He really doesn't want to be the jolly fat man kind of guy. He wishes that you will get a doll to play dress up with for Christmas and leave him alone. He can then start to working on recovering his damaged image. Tell Trace that I wish him a better Christmas next year."
I laughed until I realized that she was given two of these equine costumes. "Why don't you join me at the barn today," she suggested early one morning, while my mental processor was still in hibernate mode. As we arrived at the barn, I noticed the red blankets in the back seat. Oh, no....
I'm sorry, Dundee and Trace. I was duped into contributing to your embarrassment.
Next time, just grab her camera!
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