It goes without saying that horse accidents can leave us in grave fear. Such was the case with our young guest here. She hadn’t ridden in 6 months since her accident. She and her family were visiting from the vast cowboy country of Wyoming when they learned about Son Bride Ranch and paid a visit in hope to overcome her fear of riding again. As purpose would have it, we had the perfect horse and team of horsemen around for her so she could do just that. She literally lit the arena along with our faces having her confidence return. The day was sealed with a kiss while we were happy to send her back to Wyoming both with a gleaming smile on her face and a handle on her fear.

Our young guest has, by now, figured out there is something greater than the ride and the accomplishments therein. It's the bond. Without the bond we seek an insatiable thirst for rides which often turn up empty over time. With the bond we seek to love and to be loved. This almost always happens with the special ingredient of trust. Consequently, the ride often qualifies as a thing of Heaven. What we know for sure is that this little princess wears that Heaven on her face every time she's with this particular horse.

This little guy lost his mama… but left in the best of hands. Reminds me of our own losses. We lose someone or something so dear but we have all of Heaven rallying to care for us nonetheless to ensure our safety, growth, and prosperity in every way. He doesn’t know fully what our presence means. He doesn’t know shifts have been divided to keep watch of him. He doesn’t know his feed cost nor the sleep lost. He doesn’t know that his loss has attracted Heaven’s eye and hands on care. He cannot identify yet that this is love. And nor can we in the jaws of loss and hurt. But God knows… along with the angels he places around us who make certain that we thrive regardless. In between those teardrops, I wonder which angels are present. Just believe… they are surely there.

Think of your greatest fear on the trail, or even worse think of your horse's greatest fear on the trail. If you live in the rocky terrain of Colorado and have good horse sense, you most likely came up with two words: mountain lion. Now what does a lion on the trail have to do with listening to your horse, you might ask. What I can tell you from experience is that you'd want to know the language your horse speaks and how to read him or her well if ever in such a predicament.