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To Sir With Love - RIP Kona Jo

11/15/2023

2 Comments

 
Picture
 Jo came to me from Oklahoma, a gift from my husband.  A registered Palomino Quarter Horse, he was born on June 23rd, 1999. He was 4 when he came to the farm.  A much better horse than I was rider, he was patient and gentle. He taught me more about myself than any person in my life, dead or alive.  That is saying a lot and is not an exaggeration. 
Jo and I took one of Caroline Rider's "Tao of Horsemanship" workshops.  If I remember correctly, it was a three day workshop.  By the end of the first day, I was in tears.  I was ruining my horse by being such a perfectionist.  I expected both of us to be not good but perfect yet my communications with him were not clear.  He was stressed out - and I became a bully.  After some guidance from Caroline, and some deep breaths, I was able to regroup with an open HEART.  
By the end of the workshop - I was standing in a corner of the arena on a mounting block - asking  Jo, who was free range in the large covered arena, to let me mount him.  He had no tack on.  I breathed and I breathed some more. All I know, is that I communicated to him through my heart - not my head or voice.  He eventually walked up to me and put himself in a position that I could easily lift my leg up and over.  I was mounted on my horse.  He didn't move until I gave him a sign to walk on. We were a team. Needless to say, I was in tears again.  
He lived his life mostly as a trail horse and for a couple of years he worked as a Volunteer Ranger for the Maryland Park Service.
He was a field ornament and companion in his last years --- he wasn't sound enough to ride.
I will forever be grateful for our time together. 

Written by Don Black/Mark London // Sung by Lulu
 "How do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?
It isn't easy but I'll try

If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
'To sir,with love'

A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong
That's a lot to learn
What, what can I give you in return?
​
If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give you my heart
'To Sir, with love'"
2 Comments
Todd
11/15/2023 08:02:07 pm

I love it but had a hard time moving between pictures. Made me go back to your message each time. Love you!

Reply
Mmw
11/15/2023 08:21:27 pm

Yeah. Updating is on my list. Thanks.

Reply



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