Cookie Dough and Jewel

I am not very consistent but I am reminded that this blog is for Jewel, to write about getting her ready to ride in the fourth of July weekend, which is the Maui Rodeo parade. Jewel is showing so much more core strength, and Billy aka Cookie dough is showing his age. I wonder if he will be strong enough to make it in the rodeo parade. Jewel will still need a back rider or us to lead and flank the horse, giving her the support she needs. I called my friend Suzie and she said it would most probable take a half hour in the procession, not including getting there and situating, then getting back home, both for the horse and Jewel. Is this really realistic and is it possible? This is Jewel wish, to ride Cookie dough in the parade. We have been trying to fatten Cookie Dough up,he can't eat grass or hay, since it just falls back out of his mouth. So we soak alfalfa cubes, pellets and senior food topped with rice bran. And he can eat that mix for over an hour, just gumming at the slop. His balance is a little off when we clean his hooves and he seems to constantly trip when we lead him. Though some days he still shows spirit and when he warms up we both forget his age and Jewel seems to forget her disability.
I was moved by John Anthony Davies poem,
I saw a child;
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 couldn't walk unaided.
I saw a child, no legs below , sit on a horse and make it go, through woods of
green and places he had never been, to sit and stare, except from a chair.
I saw a child who could only craw, mount a horse and sit up tall put it
through degrees of paces and laugh at the wonder in our faces.
I saw a child born into strife, take up and hold the reins of life
and that same child was heard to say,
Thank You God for showing me the way.
xoxo Such a telling poem, so lovely and so true. This old cowboy's horse has brought wonder into our lives. It has helped Jewel dream instead of stare off into space. She lights up like the sparklers from the fourth of July when she rides Cookie dough. It has been a journey of love and trust. We ran into Cindy at Ross about three years ago and she suggested taking Jewel riding, she was waiting for her saddle to be repaired and was killing time at Ross. I hesitated because we did not have a productive experience at a hippo stable. Jewel's sisters; Makena and Raven got to groom the horse, but he was a huge retired Clydesdale, way too big, fat, tall. Raven and I were running to keep up with the horses gate and they did not allow back riders, they were not prepared or equipped for anyone that small. Now Cindy grew up with horses and she is a Mom which makes her an expert in my books. Her instinct and heart made for a perfect back rider for Jewel. She has compassion and a no bull meter being a Mum helps. Cindy got Kandi to agree to let us use her old horse. Kandi has never asked for any money or trade in labor in return. She just wants to help, though we did sign a waver for liability reasons. We have tried to go to the horses once a week and this has varied with the seasons of life, since Cindy is a single Mother. Makena and Raven have always been involved with their sister and they have learnt a lot about horses with this opportunity. Raven has learnt to muck, groom billy, feed the horses, clean the water and help with horse therapy. She helps position Jewel and lead the horse. Crystal our O/T comes out and rides with Jewel, helping her with posture, core strength and positioning. Horse therapy or hippo therapy is good for the self esteem, recreation, circulation, hips, core strength and breathing, love, joy and so much more. Wow. I could go on forever! It has been a long journey and commitment from Cindy partnering up with Jewel. Jewel is to tall to have Cindy as a back rider now, and our O/T is leaving in the end of April. Both Jewel and Cookie dough need a miracle. I pray for them both constantly :) I hope this is not too boring?