The joy of ponies
I remember my little cowboy suit with the black pants, black shirt
with the red yoke and fancy stitching, the boots and the hat. All the
grandkids must have gotten a cowboy suit from grandma to go along with
the black and white pony named Tammy that they kept at the farm. When
I was four it was time for me to take my first independent horse ride
over the fields and through the woods to my great-grandmothers, only a
half mile away, but to a four year old it was a great mission. It did
not take me long after starting out to realize that Tammy was moving
awfully slow and the summer sun was beating down on my little black
cowboy hat creating a deep inpatients in me. Ahead was the cool green
shade of the woods and relief from the sun. With out any thought I
grabbed the end of the reins and gave Tammy a smack on the neck, the
response was instant. She bolted, head down ears back, pony express
style, straight toward the woods with me holding on to the saddle horn
and getting the ride of my young life, what ever I had expected it was
not this. We entered the woods hell bent for leather and made a curve
where Tammy spied some grass under the willow trees and pulled to a
stop to eat. I slid off into the grass and began to cry. I wasn't
hurt or scared just shocked at the response and speed of that little
pony. Any time that I had to think was cut short as grandmas Cadillac
fill with the cousins wheeled around the corner and skidded to a stop.
All faces were against the glass, eyes wide and mouths open, expecting
to see me dead on the ground. Was I hurt? No. What had I done?
Smacked the pony with the reins. Why? So we could go faster. Did I
want to get back on? No, I was happy to slide into the air
conditioned sedan and ride the rest of the way to my great grand
parents. The length of this sprint was about one hundred yards the
duration probably less than ten second but it gave me the first
inkling that my actions could have an effect on the world around me,
and defiantly produce a reaction. More pony stories to follow…..
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