Thoughts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duRhd4B8ACE
A Dreams Go On rider in a wheelchair wrote this after her ride. She was in her wheelchair in the barn aisle. This is what its all about:

I was getting lost in the moment, and allowing myself to connect with Tony. I looked into his big soft brown eyes, and could see my own reflection. Tony then lowered his head down into my lap... and, rested his head on my legs. Several of the "Dreams Go On" volunteers were gathered around watching this interaction happening between Tony and me. Once again, I began gently stroking between his eyes. I was totally mesmerized by the touch and feel of this horse.
All of a sudden, I felt a wave of emotion rush over me. Instantly, I began to cry... the tears just started streaming down my face. I quickly covered my face in embarrassment. Everyone stood there watching, their voices let out an... "Aaawwwww" sound. They said, don't cover and hide your tears... it's okay to cry. One of the volunteer workers quickly grabbed a camera, and started snapping pictures of me... while, I was stroking Tony with the tears streaming down my face...

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Albert Einstein:

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

I saw a child who couldn't walk,
sit on a horse, laugh and talk.
Then ride it through a field of daisies
and yet he could not walk unaided.

I saw a child, no legs below,
sit on a horse and make it go
through the woods of green
and places he had never been
to sit and stare
except from a chair.

I saw a child who could only crawl
mount a horse and sit up tall.
Put it through degrees of paces
and laugh at the wonder on our faces.

I saw a child born into strife,
Take up and hold the reins of life
and that same child, I heard him say,
Thank God for showing me the way...

Therapeutic horses are good, giving, kind & very patient... They aren't out to 'get us or harm us' in some way. Usually a horse's bad temperament or attitude stems from pain or from the riders, leaders or side walkers actions.

From time to time, people tell me, lighten up, it’s just a horse or that’s a lot of money for just a horse. They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for just a horse.

Many hours have passed and my only company was just a horse, but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by just a horse and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of just a horse gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you too think it’s just a horse, then you will probably understand phrases like just a friend, just a sunrise or just a promise.

Just a horse brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure unbridled joy.

Just a horse brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of just a horse I will rise early, take long walks and look into the future with hope.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not just a horse but an embodiments of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

Just a horse brings out what is good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not just a horse but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being just a woman.

So the next time you hear the phrase just a horse, just smile, because they just don’t understand they are missing just a blessing in their lives.

You can not remain unmoved by the gentleness of a horse - a thousand pound animal that greets you with a nicker and regards you with large and liquid eye... the question of where you want to be has been answered.

A horse is the projection of people's dreams
about themselves~
strong, powerful, beautiful~
and it's capability of giving us escape
from our mundane world.
-

Horses are measured in hands, from the ground to the top of the withers (bottom of neck). One hand equals four inches. A horse that is described as being 15.2 hh (hands high), for example, is 15 hands and 2 inches high --- 62 inches in all.

I have this strong desire to be within the horse's perfect circle of stillness. I believe that it is this calm, this clarity that draws us all in to the horse... Horses are patient teaching us all the time.

A horses chestnuts, located beside their knee's, are vertical toes. No two chestnuts are alike - they are as individual as fingerprints.

Most horses weigh between 900 and 1,400 pounds, although some draft horses weigh over a ton.

The sight of that horse did something to me that I've never quite been able to explain. He was more than tremendous strength and speed and beauty of motion. He sent me dreaming.

Horses are mounted and dismounted on their left side. The reason for this dates way back to the knights era. The knights had their swords by their left leg. Thus, mounting on the left side of the horse the knights didn't have to swing the sword over also.

It’s the Voice of the Encourager you want to hear. That Voice says "Let me help you with that." "I have been there before, and I know you can make it." "My strength is sufficient for you." "I will never leave you or forsake you." "Together we can become strong." Or, "Take my hand."

The Encourager wants to honor you for your achievements, not punish you for your falls. The Encourager is committed to be your companion, your counselor, your advisor, your helper, your friend. It doesn’t get any better than that!

I know that sometimes it seems easier to accept failure than to continue pushing for success. But let me be the voice of the Encourager: Stay the course. Listen for the Voice of the Encourager. There are voices who want to encourage if we will seek them out and listen for them. And then, how about becoming an Encourager? Becoming an Intentional Encourager will encourage you.

Some people come into our life and quickly go. Others leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same.

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All I Need to Know in Life I Learned From My Horse
1. When in doubt, run far, far away.
2. You can never have too many treats.
3. Passing gas in public is nothing to be ashamed of.
4. New shoes are an absolute necessity every 6 weeks.
5. Ignore cues. They're just a prompt to do more work.
6. Everyone loves a good, wet, slobbery kiss.
7. Never run when you can jog. Never jog when you can walk. And never walk
when you can stand still.
8. Heaven is eating for at least 10 hours a day... and then sleeping the
rest.
10. Eat plenty of roughage.
11. Great legs and a nice rear will get you anywhere. Big, brown eyes help
too.
12. When you want your way, stomp hard on the nearest foot.
13. In times of crisis, take a poop.
14. Act dumb when faced with a task you don't want to do.
15. Follow the herd. That way, you can't be singled out to take the blame.
16. A swift kick in the butt will get anyone's attention.
17. Love those who love you back, especially if they have something good to
eat.

A strange stillness dwells in the eyes of the horse. A composure that appears to regard the world from a measured distance... It is a gaze from the depths of a dream.

A horse uses its sense of smell to become familiar with things, and horses will often want to sniff at unfamiliar objects, such as new people.

If you have it, it is for life. It is a disease for which there is no cure. I will go on riding even after they have to boost me up onto the horse. When I can't ride anymore, I shall keep horses as long as I can and hobble about with a bucket and a wheelbarrow.

These are the days worth living. These are the moments. These are the times. Let's make the best out of our lives.

Horses generally live to age 30. One year of a horse's life is said to equal about three years of a human life.

Horses communicate with different sounds and movements. A snort is usually a danger signal, and a whinny means the horse is excited. When a horse lashes its tail back and forth, it may mean it is about to kick. A stomping or prancing horse is showing nervousness or excitement.

IN THE HEART OF A HORSE
When your day seems out of balance
and so many things go wrong...
When people fight around you
and the day drags on so long...

When parents act like children,
in-laws make you think "Divorce"...
Go out into your pasture...
and wrap your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you,
and he watches with those eyes.
He may not have a PhD,
but he is, oh so wise!

His head rests on your shoulder.
You embrace him oh so tight.
He puts your world in balance,
and makes it seem all right.

Your tears they soon stop flowing.
The tension is now eased.
The garbage has been lifted,
and you're quiet and at peace.

So when you need the balance
from circumstances in your day...
The best therapy that you can seek...
is out there eating hay!!

Author Unknown

The most difficult part of any accomplishment is getting yourself to do it. Once you fully allow yourself to take the necessary actions, the results begin flowing to you with ease.

Your ego promotes the false idea that effort and challenge are things to be avoided. In reality, effort and challenge enable you to create great value and bring immense joy to life.

Accomplishment is something that comes easily and naturally to you, when you choose to allow it. From the inside out, you are meant to create.

All that you are, all that you have, all that you know can work together to bring about your most treasured dreams. You are never too old, too young, too feeble or too uninformed to make a real difference.

The only thing that can truly stop you is you, but only if you listen to the insecure posturing of your ego. Choose instead to listen to your heart, which tells you what you know you must do.

Find real joy in following your purpose. Find fulfillment by being the positive, creative person you are meant to be.

-- Ralph Marston

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I prefer the phrase

'physically challenged' instead of the term 'disable. 'Disabled' literally means

'not able'... Myself & others in wheelchairs are able - very able.

Same w/ the term 'retarded' - I prefer the phrase 'mentally challenged'.

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One is motivated by challenges.

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The atmosphere of Dreams Go On is very laid back & enjoyable... The horses here sense such a relaxed environment & treat the riders that way in return.

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Anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in the world & don't, you're wasting your time.

- Roberto Clementa

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Hope is optimism with facts to back it up. I'm in the hope business.

- Michael J. Fox

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If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

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Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.