Derina Pyles
Horse Sense
“Hay-Woman! Hey, Hay-Woman, over here … Remember me? I’m Traveler, you know, your heart horse?”
I stopped abruptly in front of his stall. It had been another crazy week. New horses, new clients, new employees and lots of new problems. Lately, it seemed as if I spent all my energy running from one problem to the next. Putting out fires all day.
As grateful as I was to be in the profession of my dreams, it was also a business. Owning your own business is not all glitz, glamour, and glory. Still a little annoyed at Traveler for interrupting me in my frazzled state, I opened the sliding stall window so he could peek his head out.
“Traveler, I really don’t have time for this now. I must get everyone watered, call the vet back, check on the new horses, and go send some emails. Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Absolutely not.” The firmness in his voice surprised me. “We have the biggest show of my life coming up, and you haven’t ridden or worked with me in two weeks!” The desperation and panic in his voice joggled my memory.
“Oh, my goodness, I totally forgot about the show. How much time do we have?”
“I don’t know. I’m a horse. I don’t have a calendar hanging up in my stall.”
“Well, you made me hang a TV so you could watch your favorite westerns,” I snapped. “A calendar doesn’t seem that farfetched.”
Traveler’s big brown eyes looked at me with surprise and concern. “Can you take a couple of deep breaths, Hay-Woman? I don’t want to start an argument. Especially about something that is supposed to be fun for us to do together.”
We had decided to enter the show three months ago. At the time, it seemed like a good idea. Traveler was riding great, and we were spending lots of time together. He was hesitant but I pushed and persuaded him to take our horsemanship to the next level. Now it seemed that I had let him down.
“I’m sorry, Traveler. I didn’t realize I would be so busy this close to the show. My commitment to you fell by the wayside. I feel overwhelmed right now. What can I do?”
“Matthew 11:28 says, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Leaning on God and focusing on him and his word seems like the first step, don’t you think?”
“Lately, I haven’t focused on him at all,” I admitted. “It’s been a blur of problems and issues and I have let that weigh me down. Thank you for reminding me, Traveler.” I rubbed my hands gently upward and over his eyes, back down to his grey cheeks. “So, what are the next steps?”
“Well, admit that I am right, and give me one of those peppermint treats you keep hidden in the tack room.” He curled his upper lip and grinned that big toothy grin that only a horse mom could love.
