Page 9 - DiaryofahorseBookbyKarlR1

The Diary of a Horse Skeptic around and trying to escape. There is termed our final exam out side in that corral with a
no clear starting point. So heading horse sans rope attached. It was going to be one on
toward the end I had a revelation. one with an unleashed animal. Dairy I have been sworn
Dear Diary, I spun back in time. Not unlike on to secrecy, I can’t even tell you sorry. In that corral
those old TV shows when the screen Bo moved me from skepticism to what should only be
It is another Tuesday. The Tuesday prior to the spins and everything blurs together, called overwhelmingism. If I was told 5 weeks ago
last Thursday. Ambivalent would be an apt term then the spinning stops and a new that what Bo and I did in the corral was going to be
at this time. I want Thursday to come but I do scene appears. When the spinning the ultimate goal I would have snorted in derision and
not want this experience to end. I have to make stopped I was about 10 years old perhaps quit.
a confession I really enjoy this “therapy”. Possibly and lying prone on the lawn with a
I do not understand it but I like it! This past pony looming over me. I had just In the military we had AAR’s After Action Reports.
week end found me in Albany at the Veterans of been knocked down and stepped on by Lessons learned can be expressed in after action re-
Foreign Wars (VFW) Spring Conference. I had to the mangy beast. A ride by hoofing. ports. Here is my AAR. Since departing Vietnam in 1971
deliver a brief report on the committee that I Wait-what? The beast is looking what has gotten me through the days, weeks, months
chair. Just prior to my addressing the attendees down at me licking my face. Just as and years was F.I.D.O. These were letters that we
the Commander’s Special Project chairman rose to suddenly I spun back to reality. Did wrote on our helmets. It meant F… It Drive On.
speak about “Saratoga Warhorse” a horse it really happen? Did that pony lick Rather then allow things to get the better of me I
therapy program. He did not go into detail but me? Or do I just imagine that it just thought F.I.D.O. I have even passed this along to
just spoke of how impressive the program was. happened to justify my new born others as a coping mechanism. At Equus we were
Prior to giving my report I made a brief admiration of members of the equine taught that horses being prey animals are always alert.
statement. I asked Harry to stand up, who was family? Who knows? Does it even They will pause in what ever they were doing and scan
also at the conference, and told everyone that we matter? The perception matters. the area move their ears like mini radar sites. When
were both part of a horse therapy program and OMG!!! I like horses. Like not love. the reason for being alert is over they will go back to
we were entering our final day of five days. I told That may come later but I do like whatever they were doing prior. Often grazing. Horses
the gathered attendees that I had no idea if the them and I like what they have done do not dwell on what they were alert to, they live in the
two programs were similar but that working with for me and my fellow Veterans. moment. My friend Megan suggested that we use the
the horses had an overwhelming positive effect on word grazing as a term to remind ourselves not to dwell
me. WOW!!! I have become a spokesperson for a The last day was overwhelming. It on the past. Good stuff. F.I.D.O. will always be part of
program that involves horses. An animal who 4 started like all 4 previous days. what is me but I may graze a bit more.
weeks ago I viewed as the “Great Satan”. Who Stretching exercises, mindfulness and
grooming and relaxing with the
would have thunk that I would be so changed. Next Thursday will be very empty but in a good way!
horses. Once more I was with Bo.
Dear Diary, For me Bo is comfortable to be with. Karl
Slow and steady. We were then told
I am close to leaving the rest of this blank. My to move outside to the corral. PS: Diary I have to mention the staff. Without their
mind is literally reeling. There are so many (Another horsey term Diary.) We caring nature none of this would have been possible.
thoughts and emotions bouncing I salute them!
were going to do what can only be

Bo & Me!

GRAZE

It may be empty now but what
Happened in there will fill our hearts forever!!!