After I got my port installed, I did the typical thing one does (not) and went home and talked to a vet about a horse I was looking at, talked to my trainer for a while, talked to my pal Amy visiting from Dallas and decided to buy a horse!!
I know this probably seems a little nuts given my diagnosis but those who have known me since I was a little kid know I’ve loved horses since before I even knew how to say the word horses. I called them “frissies”.
Banner is an off the track thoroughbred who was abundantly slow and his trainer wanted to find him a non racing home. His pedigree indicates good potential as a sport horse and while I was looking before my diagnosis I started waffling afterward about the commitment. With some reflection about what brings the greatest peace and joy into my life, I decided that this might just be the best time to find a new equine partner to care for and bring along. I looked for one that was quiet and easygoing. He’s young so I will take my time. One of the beautiful things about the time I spend with horses is that I am completely in the present moment when I am with them – whether handling them or riding them. It’s completely replenishing like no vacation I’ve ever been on. I can’t be in my head (or if I am I likely to end up on the ground) and there’s just this peace that settles in when I’m completely aware of my body and movement and the horses response to my actions; whether it’s grooming them or slowly squeezing my inside ring finger like I’m squeezing a sponge and slowly releasing while I’m trying to get a horse to soften into the contact. An added bonus is that you can’t spend much time with devices when you’re with horses. Or thinking about much of anything but what’s right there in front of you. *Except maybe that time you forgot you left your dog on a donkey for 20 minutes. To be fair I was discussing with a friend who is also a surgical nurse whether or not it was true that my port could flip over or something. Glad I asked her after I was done with my first ride on Banner.
I know Banner will also help with me as I fight cancer and heal; he’ll enrich my life physically, emotionally, and spiritually as we (along with my canine, donkey, and human friends and family) move through the next year with as much grace as possible.
The dogs will love it too because – more farm running around and donkey riding time! 💕