This is a poem/reflection supplied by equine therapist Chrisann Ware. Its
anonymous which is a bit of a
shame. But Chris thinks that
also contributes to
the power of it...ie that it was written by an ordinary woman.
I'm not sure that women who trim horses ARE ordinary women, mind. But certainly there's a growing number of them out there....hurray! And let's not forget the extraordinary MEN who are also out there trimming their own horses.
Anyway, here's the poem/reflection for a bit of light ent.
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My horses are barefoot. I trim my own horse's hooves:
It
seems such a simple statement, but said to other women who do the same,
it initiates long discussions of a journey shared, it lights a spark
of recognition, of knowledge gained, of traditional roles left far
behind, of struggles overcome and of empowerment.
I trim my own horses' hooves;
I
work in the summer sun and winter cold. I gladly sacrifice precious
time that could be spent riding to spend it bent over, my hands
working tools designed for manly hands, my face pressed close against
a warm and shiny chestnut flank.
I trim and the world retreats for a while as I am engrossed in this special chore.
I trim my own horses' hooves;
I
watch the hooves transform under my stewardship, I am guided by shape
and texture and slowly they return to the hoof form of their
ancestors, I revel in this accomplishment.
I trim my own horses' hooves;
To
utter this simple statement pleases me more than I can say; I have
stepped back in time and learned a craft that has till now been denied
me. I have learned how to move the tools over the hard hoof, learned
how to make the steel rasp bite deep and slide effortlessly; learned
how to drive the sharp knife safely, learned how to read the hoof
terrain and follow closely its instructions, and watched with
satisfaction as a shower of dead hoof falls across my boots.
I trim my own horses' hooves;
Because
I do, I am at one with my horses. I read the changing seasons in the
architecture of their hooves. I know secret things about my horses
that I would have never discovered any other way. I have learned
patience and strength and to trust my intuition.
And when the
job is done I lean happily on the pasture gate and watch my horses
move once more as they did when they were young, knowing in my heart
that I have done something very special for them. Repaid a great debt.
I trim my own horses' hooves .......... it's such simple way to thank them for the joy they bring to me.
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