As we will soon be transitioning from “year of the snake” into “year of the horse”, here’s a new essay.

HORSE shares –

‘While I love to run and gambol, that gets boring. After a while, I want to stand and sniff the wind.

Chasing butterflies doesn’t hold my attention sustainably.

With my ‘partner’, I’ll nibble an ear to get attention; or bump and run.

“Tee-hee”, I’m off – “you’re it!” Or like to give a little nudge- then act nonchalant.

As you get to come to know me – I’ve a great sense of humor- like all mammals. Ultimately – I’m made like you fundamentally. When happy my big heart is joyful.

When not, well, I can shut down and be quite threatening or so I’ve been told. Then I’m formidable.

*

My favorite activity is a promenade while I bring my master to his destination. (He chooses not to walk himself, though G-d gave him legs.)

I also love swift rides like cantering and galloping- reminds this gracious being of a sense of freedom. I love to stretch my legs.

Getting a sense of wind in the ears, I lean way into my rider’s destination – but not my own.

Like him, I love being cheered -even if it’s really him being cheered, I am too vicariously.

True, I get extra oats later, maybe that’s why I like din. Maybe in fact I don’t.

*

When trained well, I hardly notice the metal bit in my mouth- connected to my harness and reins. But it’s there for sure. My mouth gets sores. I’d rather not wear it all.

*

Like my master, I love to keep my nose up and towards the horizon – and see all that is between it and me. Startled, I can jump and rear – especially when young.

Which is why I’m more tractable with my vision obscured – such as when wearing blinders .

Like ‘tip-toeing on Jimmy Choos’ keeps a foot barely touching ground – as if there is no earth beneath, with blinders, my view is reduced to central foveal vision. As such, I can only receive a limited number of photons from what’s available.

I can only see things up to a point, and then, when I should be there, they ‘vanish’ (or at least don’t concern me personally).

As it turns out this helps me create mental images. And, as a result, I tend to be a long-range thinker.

With blinders, my eyes central vision becomes sharpened; I see minutiae directly in front of me; and this is what I ‘focus’ on.

Rapid movements trigger my reactions -especially coming in towards center. Then I might start so abruptly, my load gets unsettled.

So, in busy places, blinders are helpful. Without blinders, it’s easy to get overwhelmed even if we’re strolling by other moving vehicles.

Blinders keep me to my tasks as they limit my field of vision-as I can look neither to the right or left.

In the scheme of a day, which is mostly planned – where I’m going eventually – is all that really matters.

This helps me be efficient for my ‘master’- but for me, not so helpful.

*

When I’m done with my duties, and have worn blinders all day – as my eyes peripherally become more sensitive, please let me re-acclimate in a place with low light.

(This goes for anyone focusing all day. When not focusing, reduce extra photons- including reading. Gentle touch and movement are more restorative. Your eyes will thank you.)

True, I can be skittish – when new sights and smells come at me anything coming into view from my eyes behind blinders – or unexpectedly from out of my blind spots.

I have two – on both sides of my head- in my retinas where the nerves all come together. Blind spots are what in life we can’t see or perceive -even when a thing’s in front of us.

*

When honed to a point, such as through constant practice of jumps or dressage, I’m unicorn with etherial horn of laser focus.

I’m so filled with my single vision of ideals and goals, I consider nothing else; this is the same for my rider. For that reason, I am quite un-grounded- as well as having no fingers or toes.

Because I’m easily so a spectacle, I can become quite narcissistic.

It takes a hu(e)-man to apply my best assets and create my useful future.

*

Because I start out very wobbly- when young my flame isn’t steady unless I’m well nursed- and I nurse well, I can be sickly or die. While it takes both rider and HORSE to interact – both have their parts; sometimes we’re not a match.

*

Most of my domesticated life, unless I’m “wild on Chincoteague Island”, is spent in pens – grassy areas with a beginning, sides, and ending- starting out from my barn.

Horse also said, “Running on wet grass (really) bothers my ‘feet’ – I’m much happier on dry land”. (meaning- it’s easier to be courageous – when we’re not mired in other’s business). We embody HORSE spirit when go through life free of other’s dr’ama , drama and ‘Dr. AMA’ – our appetite for karma – addictions in any form.)

It’s a boring life when al(l-one out in pasture– but doesn’t have to be – if my ‘mom’ or groom would bring us on play dates.

Let me play freely with peers in a familiar arena. Even better, stable me near others and let us meet and go out when we want. I like to be social – playing with my similars.

It is also nice to just hang out and ‘observe’.

*

Meanwhile, I know it can be hard to watch when I am ‘pacing’ – it’s how I burn off steam.

Better you take a break and drop your gaze, than worry about me.

*

I have learned that being boxed in a dark bumping rocking stall which occasionally veers and is constantly surrounded by the sound of whooshing tires, and some honking -doesn’t actually mean the end. I won’t die from it – even though the first few times I’m terrified.

Road trips are finite-and to go to a special ride for play date is “worth it”.

It would help for my transitions if you put a symbols on similar areas – like interstate signage. We’d like if we could see it coming up- especially if it were a new place- like universal designators recognizable all over the world.

Like other animals with eyes and ears, we recognize and ‘pair’ ideas – and like DOG or any trained mammal, associate commands with objects and activities. We learn our names and come when we’re called by l’Oved ones.

While we’re mostly to ourselves and haven’t been trained to yours, but certainly can-it’s just not been done yet, what’s the point? I’m perfect the way I am – even if not “excellent” for everyone’s purpose. Yet all horses bear hu(e)-mans or harnesses despite color, size or origin.

*

We are ‘all heart’- make no mistake. It is the largest solid organ in my mitochondrial waveform of self. My heart radiates widely – especially when relaxed and my “micro-brain” is happily engaged.

(But never “trust” any of us big animals- other than to do our job. Always watch your back. We don’t make promises. Consider our lives with you hu(e)-mans a truce.)

*

Often when my master first comes for a ride there’s so little spirit in him he barely glimmers. It is as if he’s given up his all to life’s cares and woes.

But after he sits whileI radiate my heart into his root chakra and groin and he uses his feet to grasp onto my sides, he seems much improved. Maybe it’s the jiggling too.

Then his cheeks are rosy as well as his palms from holding his reins.

(Yes, I am making a double-entendre joke- go ask a male American friend about it. “Self-gratification” can be a very helpful activity – if you’ve nothing else to do.)

I am affirmed too.

*

Through the ages, I have been useful and tractable despite having, as I is said, a “walnut-sized brain” and being all brawn.

Like all Her creatures, I l’Ove to be useful. With master’s help and guidance, and not much pressure, I can work ~tirelessly.

My brain, “small” as it is, with patience, can still always adapt.

Once I get to know you, I need only the lightest touch to take you in your preferred direction.

Even though I’m large, when wooed with kindness- I choose to be man’s minion.

I’ll even go into loud and frightening places just to be with him. That’s why he thinks I’m courageous. I’m not – but I “fake it to make it” until it sickens me.

When he pushes too hard though, I’m mostly aware of his bit, crop and spurs – and become hypersensitive.

Despite callouses and scars, my skin can’t always shield where my straps rub.

*

I drink fresh, not salty-brackish, water from ponds, streams, and rivers.

Sometimes the water I drink is a little bit muddy- filled with dross and particulates. Don’t worry, normally this doesn’t bother me – but goes through.

In the span of minutes, I can suck up 10 or more gallons. Though according to AI Google, this is spread throughout a day depending on weather and activities.

I’ve been recorded at needing ~ six minutes in all to be repleted.

(In other words, a little tender affection goes a long way with me which ‘receiving water’ is symbolic of.)

Some days I drink a lot; other days not so much. With too much water, my digestion is stressed.

While you can’t force either man nor HORSE to drink (receive the gift of connection), you can still offer it.

*

There’s a reason we “pee like racehorses”, we love piss shivers the sense of exhilaration that ripples in you when you’ve finally relieved your bladder.

Of course, unlike hu(e)-mans who must leave and use a toilet, we pee where and when we want.

We loudly relieve ourselves when we urinate in a torrent and leave piles of shit behind us.

*

While my handlers can clean up or catch our poop, everyone under 3 feet notices my murky amber river and its stink that lingers.

(Analogously,when we release emotions freely and publicly, it’s unpleasant- a~soiling distraction. It makes an impression on the children – and especially your inner one!

So don’t  “let it go”. The public space is not a place for personal expressions of ‘flow’- unless you’re in a parade.)

After my race horse’s bladder emptying, there’s a delicious sense of emptiness. My being unburdens; for a moment I’m not stressed.

But it’s true coming from horse’s diaspora as man domesticated us– some of us are born to play polo; some like me, not.

While we play the same, as I described above, we prefer our own weight class. We’re bred for our ‘jobs’- as you’ll see in any book about us.

*

As HORSE, at night I tend to lie down when I’m young when my flame’s not steady. Then I stretch out on my side with belly exposed. I might even lie on my back with all four legs up.

I don’t curl in while sleeping.

As I age, instead of lying down – which can be hard to get up from, I’ll often nod off standing. Then, one leg rests on tiptoe while the other three take the weight. I’m balanced in a ~locked and suspended tripod while I’m half-conscious.

Such is the way I rest my back limbs which propel me all day while my front ones – usually reaching and pulling, are ‘locked’.

So even though I’m not lying down, I’m still resting everything- just not all at once.

While I detest being locked in a stall –I prefer that to being in rain and I am grateful for the roof over my head.

Like most pack animals, I want to sleep and hang with my ‘family’. For today’s HORSE, this is rare. Most of us are terribly isolated. We’d really like a ‘family room’.

Sleeping deeply, I might dream of flying like Pegasus- towards my own chosen horizons. Dreams from heaven give me a nice feeling of option- as if I’m leading myself though I have no literal sense of this with my current situation.

But I know the truth is that I’m much more productive and show-worthy by my hu(e)-man’s dedication as he applies his patterns of utility and governance.

*

When I am stabled and fed, I grow to l’ove my hu(e)-man captors and their daily visits– despite their indenturing.

No, I am no slave- or I don’t think so- I perform his whims for a sack of oats and a rub down. It is even nicer when it’s him, not some paid groomer.

Once I know your smell, love to be touched by you and your words, even if just a little- especially my upper sides and neck.

You can also stroke me around me ears, gently – they are very sensitive. Let me nuzzle your open palm – whether or not you have a snack in it.

I love to smell things too! Like sweet air.

I really appreciate a warm blanket coat– especially as I grow infirm. Wearing it reminds me I’m l’Oved and that you really care for me. I guess it’s my version of “blankie”.

Though I may twitch and resist while you’re wrapping me in it, it’s to have more time with you.

And I mean PERIOD. Being with you is all I care about.

*

Oh, speaking of which, “he” as master, becomes a “she” only when she has her period. Then she ~reeks from the iron she exudes.

The smell of blood makes us skittish – reminding us of a predators’ bloody fangs.

Then please be extra slow with us, so we can settle down- instead of forming a bunch of neurotic aversive habits.

When you’re on your menses, It might be best if you kept your visits brief.

*

My personality evolves according to how I’m treated- like everyone and every other creatures- what I hear; your commands. Like you hu(e)-mans, I’m formed by my language and diet.

In general, if a hu(e)-man is kind or unkind, like all mammals, I remember him.

My collective ‘knows’ too. If I really wanted, I could take them out at any time along with LION, BEAR, and ELEPHANT. Like any other big creature I can be a little unpredictable.

I think my hu(e)-mans know this- they seem to try and keep me soothed.

*

Without fingers or voice, I really appreciate my hu(e)-man HORSE whisperers! Thank you!, thank you!, thank you!

Thank you for being my curious enough to ‘listen’ and share stories of my being -even if I was “difficult” to get you first to visit me.

*

Hu(e)-mans on the other hand, though they treat each other courteously, there is little warmth or play in them.

Around me they seem extra kind – compared to how they treat each other.

Then their language shifts all together both raising their pitch and speeding up cadence.

Here’s a tip: Hu(e)-mans will feel better if they speak to themselves and their friends in the same kind way as they do to us creatures.

While you hu(e)-mans get to embody and create using body, hands, and fingers; we “just” procreate and go on parades to show off our magnificence.

Imagine what life will be like when you feel my HORSE’s joy as normal!’

***

In addition to phrases in parenthesis scattered throughout, other possible interpretation of the preceding: 1) we can access our HORSE spirit, open-hearted courageous self, when our labyrinth isn’t steeped in dr. Ama (drama) and other forms of “dampness”.

2) Keep your eye on your goals.

3) It’s ok to wear blinders when you’re surrounded by chaos.

4) Horse can be useful as ‘medicine’ when you’ve “tried your best”. At those times, your voice becomes hoarse from too much effort. When that happens, give it up – go “play”. Don’t beat it.

5) Have a treat of sweet and silky-like oats- at the end of a day as part of a good-night ritual. (Unfortunately I’m allergic to them.)

Here’s a sweet video of HORSE receiving tenderness. Came up on my Windows feed – after I published this. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/this-is-how-a-horse-reacts-when-a-woman-shows-it-affection/vi-AA1RrobL?ocid=socialshare