A New Chapter
I got a call from the BLM today - they approved my application to adopt a mustang! My parents each have mustangs; Ranger (my dad's horse) is a BLM mustang, while Jesse and Washoe (my mom's horses) are mustang crosses. I always said that my next horse would be a mustang and I'm one step closer.
As soon as the elation hit, fear was right on elation's heels. Oh my God, what am I going to do with a mustang? I'm pretty good at figuring out the logistics of how to get the horse, but what am I going to do with the horse? I'm trying not to freak out a bit, because I just got myself into a twenty-plus year relationship. You know, it's the same kind of fear when you find out you're pregnant: excited and terrified all at the same time.
It's very much like bringing a human into the world: I want a horse who is a good citizen, with good manners. A little bit adventurous, but well-behaved. Independent enough not to need me for every little thing and able to make good decisions. One I can take anywhere and not be embarrassed by their outbursts.
I know what I expect out of a horse, but what really scares the hell out of me (just like it did when I had my kids) is that it's up to me to instill those values in a horse. And just like when I had my kids, there's no one-size-fits-all manual to tell me how to do it. Sure, there are lots of experts out there and lots of resources, but so many to choose from!
I didn't know how to parent, either, and I managed to get through it with three distinctly different personalities. Any time I get too panicked about adopting a horse, would someone please remind me of that?
I hate self-promoting, but I will very shortly have another mouth to feed, so remember I wrote a book based on my experiences as a wrangler. You can pick up Tales from the Trail (the book) from Amazon for $1.99 (Kindle) or $6.29 (paperback). It's earned 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon, and not even all of my reviews are from family members!
Or, if you've read Tales from the Trail, but not my novel, Hunted Lyon, you can also pick that up from Amazon for reasonable prices. The Kindle version is $2.99, and the paperback is $9.61. Hunted Lyon is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, and, like Tales, not all of the reviews are from family members. :)
As soon as the elation hit, fear was right on elation's heels. Oh my God, what am I going to do with a mustang? I'm pretty good at figuring out the logistics of how to get the horse, but what am I going to do with the horse? I'm trying not to freak out a bit, because I just got myself into a twenty-plus year relationship. You know, it's the same kind of fear when you find out you're pregnant: excited and terrified all at the same time.
It's very much like bringing a human into the world: I want a horse who is a good citizen, with good manners. A little bit adventurous, but well-behaved. Independent enough not to need me for every little thing and able to make good decisions. One I can take anywhere and not be embarrassed by their outbursts.
I know what I expect out of a horse, but what really scares the hell out of me (just like it did when I had my kids) is that it's up to me to instill those values in a horse. And just like when I had my kids, there's no one-size-fits-all manual to tell me how to do it. Sure, there are lots of experts out there and lots of resources, but so many to choose from!
I didn't know how to parent, either, and I managed to get through it with three distinctly different personalities. Any time I get too panicked about adopting a horse, would someone please remind me of that?
I hate self-promoting, but I will very shortly have another mouth to feed, so remember I wrote a book based on my experiences as a wrangler. You can pick up Tales from the Trail (the book) from Amazon for $1.99 (Kindle) or $6.29 (paperback). It's earned 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon, and not even all of my reviews are from family members!
Or, if you've read Tales from the Trail, but not my novel, Hunted Lyon, you can also pick that up from Amazon for reasonable prices. The Kindle version is $2.99, and the paperback is $9.61. Hunted Lyon is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, and, like Tales, not all of the reviews are from family members. :)
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