Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

Petting A Horse Can Be A Really Big Deal

“May I pet your  horse?”

“Can I ride your horse.”

Perhaps, more accurately instead of being a question, the statement should be: “I sure would like to pet your horse.” Or, “I’d really like to ride your horse.” Whatever,   the wording, we’ve had the questions asked a jillion times. While waiting for a recent parade, two girls at different times requested: “May I pet your horse? What’s his name?”


Of course, our response was: “Sure. This is Zane.” But, we added caution: “Make sure Zane doesn’t step on you, nip you or hurt you as he shakes his head in appreciation of your petting. Zane likes to be petted.” Then the next question from the second teenager: “Can I ride him after the parade?”

Our response was not immediate as we queried: “Have you ever ridden a horse?” And, we already knew  that response: “Oh, sure.” Instantly, we recalled the little girl awhile back  who’d “Ridden the pony at the carnival.” However, we didn’t say that, but  rather we emphasized, “Well, Zane is a wonderful horse, but he is spirited.”

The persistent young lady quickly responded, “I’m not scared.” With hesitation, we agreed: “Okay.”When the short parade concluded, we truly expected the enthusiast to be anxiously waiting, but we didn’t see her. And, we didn’t try to slip away or hide, but rather rode back down the original route, smiling and waving in “Hoppy” style.

Desiring to pet a horse, ride a horse or just look at a horse, even if only a picture of one, are common desires. We know the feeling very well. More than five decades later, we can’t ever forget going to a local rodeo and wishing with all of our heart that  somebody would let us ride their horse. We didn’t ask, but the yearning was there.

One of the greatest memories of our childhood, prior to Dad bringing our first horse, Spot, home from the farm sale where he bought her, was our friend-idol Johnny Williams taking us out to his twin brother Wallace’s ranch near Comiskey to ride his
horse. We don’t recall the name of the palomino horse, evidently Pal, but we remember the ride.

Consequently, we’ve always known how important it is to have the opportunity to pet or ride a horse. Generally, we’ve at least let someone pet our horse if they’ve asked, or even if we can see and feel that craving in their eyes. However, we have seldom let them ride, even though now when we think back, we wish we had.

Truly, as we’ve repeated before the now common statement: “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” Likewise, a simple gesture of permitting somebody just touch a horse could make all the difference in the world to them and their life. What we take for granted might be the only opportunity they’ll have and remember it forever.

It reminds us of Galatians 6:6: “Be sure that you enter into a generous life, sharing
all the good things that you have and experience.” Then one reaps like Isaiah 9:2: “The joy of  sharing gifts and warm greetings.” Directions actually come in Philippians 2:1: “Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”

+++ALLELUIA+++

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