Childhood Lessons: The Human Animal

Every December 13 is National Horse Day: a good day to recall a personal childhood experience involving a horse.

The Setup

I’d recently heard that there were horses to see, and a strong possibility of horseback rides. Not one to decline such excitement, I went . . . and mounted a saddled brindle.

I realized, in not enough time:

Kid with Rocks

Saddle not quite snug
myself not footed

He threw rocks for fun  
ensured a good run
propelled us into
orange sun—unlike
old western romance

neither I nor horse
agreed: of course, late
learning what it meant
“dearth of management”
just kids having fun

verging to future
meaning, unknowing
missed awakening
surely fell upon
later break of dawn

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Thereafter, I’d be better grounded for any event—whether foot-on-ground or in stirrup!

Thankfully, this experience never deterred my appreciation of the majestic, herbivorous mammal known as horse. It did, however, belie any simple presumption of trust. Ah, growing pains!

In case you’re wondering, owners were able to round the horse up about a mile along the road after my ‘drop-off’. He was fine, albeit surely confused by having been accosted by rocks.

Thanks so much for reading!

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Stirrups: Did You Know

The use of stirrups improved battle tactics to such degree that their invention ultimately changed the course of history.

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