With the darkness comes a rainbow

 After the death of my beloved grandmother, I was paralyzed with grief and I lost sight of myself and everything that mattered. I was truly at the lowest point in my life. I had no desire to get up and go anywhere or do anything. I can honestly say I was broken, shattered and just didn’t care anymore. My grandparents meant the world to me (other than my parents and brother); they knew me and understood me better than anyone. They were my best friends and my biggest fans. I spent every chance I could get at their house. My mom started taking my brother and me from Virginia to their house in South Carolina when we were just 6 months old. It was my favorite place on earth, and I never wanted to leave. I used to constantly tell my mom that I was going to live with them one day and I meant it. I was going to turn that dream into a reality. 

 

I couldn’t believe it when that day finally came, and my educational opportunity allowed me the tremendous blessing of going to college in South Carolina and living with them. With the full support of my loving parents and brother, I did just that. Those 6 years with my grandmother were some of the greatest years of my life. She supported and cheered me on through many exciting points in my life, including watching me develop a love and a passion for horseback riding and welcoming my beautiful horse Eclipse into the family.

Every chance they could get, my grandfather would bring her to the barn with me. It didn’t matter if it was a much anticipated horse show or just a quick jaunt around the arena, they were there supporting me and cheering me on every step of the way. 

 

One of the last memories I enjoyed with my grandmother before her stroke was an afternoon at the barn. I will never forget that day as long as I live because it was the last place I ever shared with my Gans as I knew her. 

 

 From that point forward, my life was forever changed that February day. I remember waking up that morning and getting ready for work. I came downstairs to find Gans sitting in her usual spot in the family room and something just seemed off. I sat down on the ottoman of her chair, and out of the blue (no conversation was had prior to this), I said, “I don’t want to live without you.”  She hugged me tight and said, “Don’t ever say that darlin. You are going to be alright.”

 

 After the end of our embrace, I walked into the kitchen told my mom, “ Something is wrong with Gans.”

 “Oh no honey, she is okay. Don’t worry, I promise if anything happens you will be the first to know; but we are going to have a quiet day ,and Gans and Pop will be at the barn after you get off from work to watch you ride.”

  I tried as best I could to  dismiss my fears and go on with my work day. That afternoon, my mom came to pick me up from work and told me Gans was okay and that she and  Pop would meet us at the barn. I was excited but anxious to get there. I just couldn’t shake my fears from earlier and had to see for myself how she was doing. My fears were correct.

 When Gans got to the barn, she was weeping and could not tell us what was wrong (her dementia was fairly advanced) . We had tried to distract her and calm her down by keeping her focused on Eclipse, but it was not working. She kept asking my mom where I was and mom kept trying to direct her eyes towards me and the arena where I was riding. It became clear that something was dreadfully wrong. Gans could not see me at all.

  We hurried to the barn as quickly as we could to get Eclipse put up and rush home.   The car ride home felt like a lifetime; my mind was racing with worry and fear. When we finally pulled into the driveway, I ran over and noticed Gans was slumped over to one side. I asked if she was okay, and she said to me clear as a bell, “I just have a really bad headache.”

 We got her inside and quickly called 911. When the ambulance arrived, they assessed Gans and took her to the hospital for what I thought was just going to be an observation. When she got to the hospital, she was talking and laughing, and in true Gans fashion, had her daughter put lip stick on her. (She could never go anywhere without her lipstick.) When the time came for the nurses to escort her down for a CATscan, we thought she would only be gone for a short amount of time  and no one thought twice about it. When she came back,my beautiful, strong and resilient Gans, my hero and my world, was gone. She never spoke or regained consciousness again. Sometime during the CAT scan, she suffered a major stroke and there was nothing that could be done. My sweet Gans was being called home into the loving arms of Jesus. 

     After she passed, I didn’t want anything to do with the barn or Eclipse-- the love and immense joy I had for riding ceased to exist. My mom tried for a solid year to get me to go out and ride or at least visit with Eclipse, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. The barn was too much of a painful memory that I just couldn’t face. It was as if all the joy and life had been drained from me, and I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to move forward.  

     My Mom and my coach Dayna were so understanding and patient after Gans died. Even though I was absent from Eclipse’s life, they never gave up on him or me and never stopped encouraging me that Eclipse and I would one day find our way again. It took some time, but eventually that day did come. It was as if a lightbulb came on.  How could I have been so blind? Why did it take me so long to realize Eclipse was my source of healing? Physically, mentally, and emotionally God was using him to rebuild me and to show me that  even through unbearable pain, I still had a purpose and a reason to go on. I didn’t have to walk the path alone. Eclipse was my rainbow at the end of a very long and dark storm. 

    Team Eclipse was back stronger than ever before and ready to ride into a bright new future. 

 

In Loving Memory of Gans, my most treasured blessing, my hero and my best friend.

Graduation Day

Wow! I am so embarrassed that my blog has been put on the back burner lately, but we have spent the past seven months doing some pretty intensive schooling with a phenomenal trainer named Chuck Green. At the end of September, Eclipse concluded his time with Chuck and was ready to return to our home barn at Gaston Farm.  The most exciting part of his time at school, however, was that Chuck had trained him to lie down on the ground, then sit up like a dog and patiently remain sitting for as long as the command was given. This was in order for me to have an alternative way to mount him in case I was ever thrown from the saddle while on a trail. 

Even though this was my main focus in training, it quickly became obvious just how willing and tolerant Eclipse was to learn new tasks.  I told Chuck of my desire to become as independent as possible with my horse despite my limitations. He immediately went to work desensitizing Eclipse daily to various objects that could spook him. He worked with him on everything from tarps to plastic bags, ditches and bridges, loud noises and sudden movements, even mud puddles and ponds! He was taught to have a tarp completely cover his body and stand perfectly still until given permission to move. I am now very blessed that my horse is extremely calm and not easily spooked; no horse is bomb proof, but Eclipse is now as close to it as possible.

Part of my cerebral palsy is that I am very weak in my legs, and as anybody that rides horses knows, cuing a horse is primarily done with the leg. Since this is rather difficult for me, Chuck went to work schooling Eclipse to work off verbal cues. For several days Chuck only used his voice to communicate walk, trot, cantor and, of course, the most important word of them all, WOAH! It wasn’t long before Eclipse knew exactly what was being asked of him and became completely voice commanded. Now, the minute I say “Woah,” he stops on a dime. If I say it a second time, he knows to back up. He can even be out in his pasture running, and if he hears the command “Whoa!” he immediately stops.

I have a special mounting block that was made for me that has hand rails on either side so I can walk up and mount independently. With his training, Eclipse learned that when I kiss my lips together, he is to come to the block, side pass, and stand still while I mount.  I no longer use a bit to steer him because Chuck trained him to ride in a hackamore. With limited fine motor function in my hands, this is much easier for me to steer and is much more comfortable and responsive for Eclipse.  

Last, but certainly not least, Eclipse mastered the art of lying down. It was a tedious and time consuming procedure, one that had to be taught consistently and in small steps, but the end result was remarkable. The process began with Chuck teaching him to pick up his foot, then bow, and eventually ease to the ground. This was always the last task he would complete in his daily training sessions; he learned that when his work was finished for the day, he got to lie down, then get up and go home to his pasture.  Now, every time I finish my ride, he immediately prepares to lie down, beginning with a pawing movement of his left leg in preparation to descend, because he knows this means it is time to go home. All I have to do is say “Down. Down. Down” and he goes to the ground with a beautiful ease and grace of movement. He knows that the command “Sit” means to sit up like a dog so I can swing my leg over and get in the saddle. He is only allowed to move when I give him the command of “OK,” no matter how long it takes me to get situated,  and then, with great care, he gently stands up, and we are off and ready to ride! The first time Eclipse did this for me, I was, to put it simply, humbled and overwhelmed. Nothing is as

powerful as being able to get a 1300 pound animal to submit to the unnatural act of lying down on the ground at your command.  It was at this point that I began to feel confident in my equestrian abilities.

  Words will never be able to describe just how thankful I am to my trainer, Chuck, for giving me such freedom of movement and independence with my horse. It is a feeling that can never be explained. Through my disability, the Lord has blessed me tremendously and taught me to value every challenge and be forever thankful, because through Eclipse, I walk better than anyone: I walk with hooves.

New Adventures with Henry

I can’t believe how long it has been since I lasted updated the blog. I promise I have not forgotten you all… however; I have been slightly preoccupied with my new project.

Everyone that knows me understands that I ADORE animals (especially horses) and would love to have my own farm someday. Over the last couple of months, after becoming associated with owners of miniature horses, I had begun to long for a mini of my own.  A sweet friend of mine and fellow horse lover had several mini’s and was contemplating selling one of her babies, a beautiful black and white with the most perfect pair of angel wings imprinted on her coat. She was the sweetest little love I had ever laid eyes on, and every day for hours at a time, I would try to justify and list the reasons why this mini would be the perfect member of my family: she could follow me around like a puppy, she would sit in my lap, she could ride in my car, she could come inside the house, and she would be just like Eclipse’s little baby.

“ Honey,” my mom would say, “This is not like a dog. A mini is another horse, just like a regular sized horse, and it requires constant attention and special care, not to mention the financial obligations. I don’t think you should take on another horse right now. You have enough on your plate as it is.”

 Knowing the truth behind everything she said, I was extremely disappointed but knew I had to let it go.  Several months passed, and I continued to dedicate my heart and soul to Eclipse. Still in training with his phenomenal trainer Chuck, “Ebug” continued to amaze me with his willingness to learn and his desire to please. After the initial phase of just being an observer,  I was now becoming more involved in the training process, and Chuck was teaching me how to get Eclipse to respond to my commands. The day finally arrived when I was able to get Eclipse to lie down on the ground without any assistance. I stood by his side and gave the command, "Down." He pawed the ground a few times thinking

about what I was asking of him, then he slowly and gracefully bowed down until he laid his full body flat against the soft sand of the arena.  That was a moment of pure joy and excitement, as well as a powerful feeling, to  know that I could have a 1300 pound animal respond to my verbal cues.  A whirlwind of emotions flooded me when I finally realized that, despite  my challenges, I was on my way to becoming a confident and successful horse woman. My horse loved and respected me for the person I was and he was responding to my commands; it was an amazing feeling as I stood in awe and quietly thanked God for that precious moment. 

Just when I didn’t think things could get any better, another blessing appeared. My friend Dana (with the mini horses) contacted me and said she had a newly rescued fellow she wanted me to meet, a very special mini in need of a home. His name was King Henry VIII, and like me, Henry had some very special needs. He was a mini with dwarfism coupled with severe genetic abnormalities. He had a roached back which made him appear as if he had a hump like a camel, a very large head that looked more like a buffalo, and a parrot mouth so severe his under-bite protruded almost an inch past his upper teeth. He was severely crippled and possibly had some cognitive concerns. Needless to say, he had had a rough time in his short three years of life.

From the moment I met Henry, I knew there was something so special about him and that he would hold a very special place in my heart. Knowing how badly I had wanted a mini, Dana asked if I would like to become the co-owner of Henry. She told me that he could live at her house but I would be his primary handler and caregiver because she had seen the love that Henry and I had for each other and the special bond we already possessed. Dana mentioned that she had hoped to use him as a therapeutic horse and take him around to benefits, hospitals and nursing homes to try to encourage others and lift the spirits of children and individuals with special needs. She asked if I would like to take on this project, and without any hesitation, I said, “Of course!”

 It had always been a dream of mine to get involved in equine therapy, and now this dream was staring to unfold. So, with the help and guidance of God, the support of family and friends, and my precious side kick, Henry, I am embarking on this new adventure. Henry and I are going to go out there and tell the world that no matter what obstacles are in front of you, no challenge can ever defeat you, and With God, all things are possible!(Matthew 19:26).

 

 

 

Eclipse goes to school

The morning we took Eclipse to the trainer, I was bursting with excitement. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn with one of the best trainers on the east coast, and I could not wait to get started. However, I was also apprehensive about this transition period for him. He had just gotten settled into his new home at Gaston Farm, and now I was moving him again.

 I wanted him to be trained to lie down so I could mount him independently from the ground, but I realized that there was so much more that Eclipse could be taught besides just this. He was an amazing horse that was so willing to learn, but there was always room for growth and improvement.   He had already shown an understanding of my needs, a capacity to quickly adapt to new situations, and a desire to undertake new challenges. We were going to be together for years to come, so Eclipse needed to be trained to his fullest potential, and I needed to be as independent as possible with him. Sending him to school was the best option for not only for him, but for me as well.

Thursday morning arrived, the day he was scheduled to go to school.  Dayna, Mom and a friend from the barn loaded him on to the trailer (it was a good thing Eclipse was headed for school because he was a tad stubborn getting on the trailer.)  However, we conquered the task and headed off on our next great adventure.

As we pulled into the long driveway headed to the training barn, anxiety engulfed me and the endless “what if’s” started to flood my brain:  What if the trainer didn't think we were a good match? What if Eclipse was unable to learn the tasks placed before him?  What if the trainer didn't think I was capable of handling such a massive horse? So many questions exploded in my mind, but there was nothing I could do but pray and trust in God’s great plan.  I stepped out of the car and walked toward the trailer to unload Eclipse when a friendly voice greeted me.

“ Hey, I’m Chuck.”  A tall cowboy in a black hat stood at the edge of the trailer and offered me a firm hand shake and a comforting smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” I answered. “ I’m Mary and this is my horse, Eclipse!”

 “He’s real pretty,” he said as he helped guide Eclipse out of the trailer and down to the barn. I so desperately wanted Chuck’s approval because Eclipse and I were already so bonded it would break my heart if he didn't pass the trainer’s test. We spent time discussing more in-depth my unique situation and how best to go about the process of schooling him. I met everyone at the barn, including his beautiful wife, Suzanne, an experienced Dressage coach, and their precious infant son, a future horseman in the making. Each person we met was so encouraging and so supportive that a peace filled my heart, and I knew Eclipse was in the right place.

Chuck wanted to spend the next day evaluating Eclipse on his own, and we were not scheduled to have our first lesson until the next Saturday. It was time to say goodbye for a few days and let Eclipse get acclimated to his new surroundings, so I kissed him on his velvety nose and told myself not to look back as I headed to the car. I was reassured by everyone at the barn that he would be well taken care of as I thanked them, smiled, and drove away.

 The days that followed seemed to creep by, but finally, finally,   it was time for our first lesson.  As we headed out to the arena, Mom eagerly asked Chuck his thoughts on Eclipse.

“Do you think he is the right horse for her? Do you think he will be able to learn everything we need him too? Do you think he will keep her safe? Do you think we made the right choice?”

Her questions seemed endless, as she was as concerned as I that he give Eclipse his stamp of approval. Chuck just listened patiently and said it was a little early to tell. He had only just started to work with him and knew he had some holes that need to be filled in, but didn't see why Eclipse would not be able to learn everything asked of him.  To start off, Mom and I would just be watching as Chuck explained the training process and took him through a series of exercises.  We would have our turn to ride and do groundwork after Eclipse learned a basic foundation and after we had learned the fundamentals we needed to be able to understand how to naturally and confidently handle him.  

The first lesson, Chuck worked on desensitizing Eclipse to various objects and sounds as well as slowing down his gaits. First, he rubbed him with the training stick to get him used to unfamiliar objects touching him until Eclipse relaxed and was ready for the next step.  Next, he walked him through the various stages of training, with each step building on the success of the last exercise. Chuck used his body language to direct the horse,  staying calm and collected, never getting upset or angry if Eclipse did not do something he asked. He would simply repeat the exercise until he got the answer he was looking for. He carefully watched Eclipse to gauge his reaction by his body language as well. I learned to watch for a blink of his eyes, licking and chewing, and a cocking of his back foot to signal submissiveness and relaxation.  A switching tail and bobbing head were cues that the horse was not respecting the trainer or what was asked of him.   Every time he successfully completed a task, Chuck let him rest and “taste the icing,” a phrase he used to describe the moment when the horse was rewarded for his success. I sat watching with amazement, feeling as if I were truly in the presence of a horse whisperer.

 Chuck had a natural and serene gift for working with horses.   He explained from the very beginning that he never pushed a horse to complete a task for which he would not get a “yes” answer, and his methodology made perfect sense as I watched the trust that Eclipse had quickly developed for Chuck and the connection they had already cultivated. The body language between horse and trainer showed me that they were in sync with each other, as if I were watching a dance between two well-matched partners.  I couldn't wait to watch this process unfold, realizing in this first lesson that Chuck would be able to take Eclipse far beyond what I had dreamed possible.

 All the way home, I silently thanked God for His continuous blessings, for He was sending a host of angels to watch over me along this beautiful journey. In the process, I was not only building my confidence with my horse, but was developing lasting friendships with God-given angels that were quickly beginning to feel like family. I was also learning that I was not alone in this voyage called life.

Undercover angels

Even though we were still new to each other, Eclipse and I felt like a match made in heaven, as if we had been in each other’s lives from the very start. He was such a special horse-- one with wisdom, kindness, and beauty, not just on the outside, but encased in his heart as well. He was everything I had prayed God would bless me with, and I knew we were going to be companions for life.

 I started wondering how I could become as independent as possible with Eclipse, even though there were certain tasks I knew I would always need assistance with. I had a goal and that was to care for my beautiful boy on my own as best I could, because I was “his girl." It was his job to protect me, and my job to protect him; I just needed someone to help me make some accommodations.

From the moment I first sat on his back, he moved with extreme caution, adjusting his gait to ensure my balance and safety at any move I made in the saddle. When Dayna, Mom and I went on a trail rides, I mounted from a special  block that was specifically built for me, with hand rails on each side so that I could walk up and mount independently. However, while on the trail, we knew if I were to ever fall off of Eclipse, it would be difficult to get back into the saddle. Dayna and Mom had practiced lifting me back into the saddle, but Eclipse was tall, standing at 15.2 hands, and they both had bad backs.Our trial attempts had not been successful.

 Dayna first had the idea that perhaps we could teach Eclipse to lie down so I could mount him from the ground. There would be no hesitations about going on trail rides if we had a way to safely get me back into the saddle. I thought it sounded like a perfect solution, but I had my doubts that it could actually be done. We started talking about it to some of the other boarders at the barn, and they were all in agreement with our idea. To our surprise, one of the men knew the perfect trainer, a true horse whisperer who happened to be a good friend of his and was located just 10 minutes down the road.  He offered to go and talk to the trainer, explain my situation, and see if he could help us.

 A few weeks went by and I heard no more about Eclipse going to the trainer. I put the idea to the back of my mind, trying not to think about it, figuring the trainer was hesitant to take on my special situation. Several days later, my mom picked me up from work, and as we were heading to the barn, she smiled and said, “I just can’t keep a secret any more… I was going to surprise you, but I am just too excited!” 

“What???” I said with eagerness, wondering what could possibly be so exciting that my mom couldn’t hold it in.

 “I talked to Chuck Green, the trainer, today about Eclipse learning to lie down, and he wants to meet with us, see Eclipse and decide if this is something he thinks will work for you. He has a waiting list right now, so I am going to call back in thirty days to see when Eclipse can get in with him.”

 I was beaming with excitement and could hardly wait to start this journey. This was our ticket to independence and freedom, a chance for our bond to grow even stronger. I became an annoyance to my mother as I nagged at her constantly with my daily questions of “Is it time to call Chuck yet? Is it time to call Chuck yet?” 

“Not yet.  Just be patient!” she would say, “It will be time soon!”

 One night after leaving the barn, we decided to order dinner from one of my favorite local restaurants, a home style diner called The Front Porch, a place that had the best fried chicken and BBQ in town. While we were waiting on our order to be prepared, we popped into a nearby grocery store to grab a few things. We were dirty and tired, still in our riding attire, but figured no one would see us this late on a Sunday evening. I was walking up each aisle, tossing my favorite junk food into the basket, when a gentleman approached and asked if we had been riding. He also had horses and wanted to talk about what disciplines we rode and the types of horses we had, and I was filling him in on my plans with Eclipse. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a lady slowly following us up and down the aisle, intently listening to our conversation and looking as if she wanted to talk to me. As I parted ways with the gentlemen, the lady stopped me and said, “Excuse me. I could not help but overhear that you ride horses… have you ever heard of a trainer named Chuck Green at Equuleus Acres Equestrian Center?”

“Oh my gosh, yes!” I smiled. “I am trying to get my horse in with him and have been waiting for the next available slot.”

As we talked more in depth, she told me that she helped Chuck with feedings at his barn and also as an equine photographer.  I was explaining my circumstances in detail, what we were trying to accomplish, when she politely interrupted me and said, “Wait a minute-- you are the girl we have been hearing about! We’ve been waiting to meet you and your horse.” She said that Chuck had never worked with a disabled rider before but felt like he could help me obtain my goals. They had been talking about what needed to be done and the best way to approach the training, and even though we would all be learning how to tackle this together, Chuck was up for the challenge. He knew horses and knew the proper way to get a horse to respond to their rider’s needs and wishes, and  there was not a horse to be found that Chuck could not train. She left saying she couldn’t wait to tell him that we’d met and to call that week, because she was eager for me to get in with him as soon as possible.

 I left the grocery store that night with chills, stunned that we had "happened" to run into this close connection to the trainer. I turned to my mom and said, “That was a God moment right there. That was not just a coincidence.” I had never been in that grocery store in the five years I had been in South Carolina, yet the one time I decided to shop there, my world was changed in ways I could have never seen coming. I knew God was speaking to us, encouraging me to pursue the training as part of His plan for me and Eclipse.

 Reassured that this was the right step, I couldn’t wait to call Chuck the next morning.  Another small miracle was revealed when he said there was an opening and that I could bring Eclipse that week to begin his training.

God’s timing never fails and His guiding light always shines through--we just have to be willing to open our eyes and see it.

Blue Ribbon Winners

A few months passed since I had finalized the purchase of Eclipse, and in those short months, my confidence and knowledge of horsemanship had grown tremendously. I was learning and experiencing things that I never dreamed possible. Eclipse and I were trotting pole patterns, figure eights, dressage patterns, and diagonals at both sit and posting trot; I spent every moment I could in the saddle practicing my balance and strengthening my core and leg muscles. I believe Eclipse knew I was determined to gain as much mobility as possible, because he worked just as hard, if not harder, than I did to complete his job and carry me safely through each ride. 

 Before I knew it, fall had passed and the spring show season was coming up. I had never been big on horse shows, simply because I tended to get very nervous when people were watching me ride, and even though I knew we are all there to encourage and support one another, I still had some insecurities. Dayna knew of my fears, but also knew how proud I was of Eclipse; she knew of my potential as a rider, wanted to boost my confidence, so she suggested that we take it slow and just do one class for fun.

“How about the costume class?” she suggested. “It’s only a few people, and it would be great practice to prepare you and Eclipse for future shows if you are ever interested. I will even walk beside you if that would make you more comfortable,” she said with a smile.

 I thought about it for a few minutes and then said, “Why not! Horseback riding is all about having fun and trying new things. I am in!”  I really wanted to face my fears, but even more than, I was ready to show off my big, handsome gelding.  

 Dayna gave me a tremendous hug and said, “You guys are going to be great!”

 Now that I had committed to competing in the class, I had to come up with a costume idea. I pondered a few ideas, bounced some around, but nothing struck me as the perfect choice.  My mom called while out shopping one day and said, “What if you and Eclipse were Mickey and Minnie Mouse?” She had found a Minnie Mouse outfit for me and offered to make the ears and buy some red and yellow fabric to make the Mickey costume for Eclipse. I thought this was the perfect choice, as Eclipse and I were already becoming as close a team as Mickey and Minnie. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see the finish products, watching closely as my mom configured patterns and details, clipped and snipped and glued with delicacy as she shaped his ears and outfit into a masterpiece of a mouse suit fit for a horse.

The night before the show, mom stayed up until the wee hours of the morning putting the finishing touches on the costumes. The next day, we went to the barn early to try the attire on Eclipse, as we were a little timid about how he would react to wearing his first set of clothes. Much to my surprise, he was as cool and calm as a cucumber as we dressed him and looked absolutely precious in his Mickey ears. I turned to tell my mom it was perfect when I heard her say, “uh- oh.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked her in disappointment.

“I cut too big of a hole in the fabric for his head to go through. I think I ruined it,” she cried.

 “That’s OK,” I said, “”We can do it another time. Don’t worry about it.”

 I knew she was disappointed that all her hard work seemed to be ruined, but just as I was about to call it quits, two of my friends turned the corner and said with a laugh, “ You are  not getting out of this…just let us take care of Eclipse! Don’t worry—we’ll  get you ready for the show.!”

With slight hesitation, I turned the costume over to them and they hurried off to work. I was astounded by their creativity. They were sewing fabric and buttons, measuring and working from head to hoof, cutting and pinning pieces together as if they were professional tailors. While all of this was taking place, Eclipse just quietly and patiently stood there as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. He did not flinch or shy away one time as they were sewing pants on him, adjusting buttons and suspenders, or tying a ribbon to his tail. In fact, he seemed to enjoy his wardrobe fitting and seemed willing and ready to go out and be the best Mickey he could be. 

When he was finally fully dressed in his mouse suit, I led him to an empty stall so he could rest while I watched some of the events. I came back later in the day to check on him, and to my dismay, his stall was empty. I panicked as I raced up and down the barn aisle, peering into each stall, searching frantically for him, looking for his head to appear over the edge of a different stall. I thought at first that someone had needed his stall and had moved him, maybe even out to the pasture to await his turn in the arena.  I called for Dayna and some of my friends to help me look for him, and after a few minutes heard a voice call, “He’s down here! I found him!”

I rushed back to his original stall where several people stood in front of the open door. I had not been able to see him with the door closed, but he had been there the whole time, curled up on the soft hay, perfectly relaxed and content in his red flannel “pajamas.” I called the vet over to check him out, to make sure he was not suffering from colic or distressed in some way from his morning tailoring session, but she quickly reassured me that he was “healthy as a horse” and obviously enjoying his comfy new clothes.  

When it was finally our turn to compete, I was unsure as we walked into the arena how we would compare to the other cute costumes. There was some tough competition and some original ideas, but as soon as the judge starting humming the Mickey Mouse theme song, I was pretty sure we were going to place and place high.

I was overwhelmed that day with the support my friends and family gave to “Team Mickey”. Each one of them wore “Mickey” ears and cheered wildly for us as we claimed our first blue ribbon. As I walked my horse around the arena, his gigantic mouse ears bouncing in the breeze and his first place  ribbon proudly pinned to his bridle, I could not help but once again thank God. He was continually revealing His plan for my life and opening my eyes to the beauty that could bloom from challenges, if only I would trust him to carry me through.  With a smile on my face, I exited the arena, humming “who’s the leader of the pack that’s made for you and me,” knowing in my heart that could only be Eclipse, the best Mickey Horse ever seen, and who had the blue ribbon to prove it.

"Horse Sense"

It wasn’t long after initially meeting Eclipse and finalizing the purchase that he came home to the barn. I felt like a new parent as I prepared for his arrival.  (Yes, I knew he was a horse, but he was also my new baby).  I made several trips to the tack store, making sure he had everything he would need, stocking up on treats, grooming supplies, saddle pads, halters, lead ropes, bits and more. I had already fallen into the trap of being an overindulgent parent, and he wasn’t even home yet!  

He made the trip with his current owner and trainer so they could see the barn where he was going to reside and say their goodbyes. Dayna had hurt her back and wasn’t able to be at the barn when they came, so it would be our first solo encounter with him.  Mom and I, still being very green in our equine knowledge, had looks of sheer panic on our faces when he stepped out of the trailer. He was a fairly big horse, standing at 15.2 hands, and it felt as if an elephant had landed in the center of our lives. His massive size was nothing short of overwhelming, and I think the trainer could sense the apprehension on our faces as we stood nervously beside him, trembling with both excitement and fear.  Much to our great relief, she offered to help us guide him into the stall, and we breathed a sigh of gratefulness knowing that he was contained and safe from his two new and incompetent owners.

We talked for a few moments, going over last minute information, before parting ways. Now that we were on our own, Mom and I had a chance to prove that we were, in fact, capable of becoming true equestrians; but we were far from getting to that point and had much to learn.

 I was so proud to finally be the owner of this magnificent animal. For the first hour, I just stood there and stared at him, in awe of his presence and the adventure we were about to begin.  His big soulful eyes stared back at me, as if he were trying to say, “It’s OK. We’re in this together.” I knew in my heart that Eclipse sensed that we did not know the first thing about owning a horse, and yet, he had the patience of a saint and the heart of an angel as he submitted himself to my care. I spent the rest of the day glued to his side, stroking his silky black coat, whispering into his ear, and continually thanking God for bringing me the friend I had so desperately prayed would come into my life.

From that day, on I spent every possible moment I could at the barn with Eclipse. He was my ultimate escape from the harsh realities of the world, whether I was mounted on his back or simply grooming him. I talked to him constantly when we were circling the arena or standing in the barn, and I knew that he not only heard me, but that he understood me and loved me without question.  This was a horse that had ingrained in his psyche a sixth sense, an intuition that I was different from other riders, and that he needed to be extra cautious and gentle with me, not just in the saddle, but in every instance we were together. He respectfully let me lead him to and from the pasture, keeping a careful distance behind my walker so the lead rope would not get tangled in the wheels or around his feet.  He patiently stood by the mounting block as I mounted in a not-so-timely manner, and never flinched if my boot dragged across his hindquarters as I tried to get my leg over the saddle and into the stirrup. It was in these moments that I realized he was so much more than just a horse, and although he had only been in my life for a short time, I could tell that our bond was going to be unbreakable.

God put us together for an incredible journey, not just one of companionship, but one of purpose and meaning.  Even now, when I look into the eyes of my horse, I am constantly reminded of the blessings the Lord has bestowed on me.  Through Eclipse, God has shown me that challenges can be overcome, hardships can bring blessings, wounds can be healed, and life is more fun when you’re walking with hooves.