Hey Everyone.
How are you? How are you holding up in the summer heat? Are you taking care of yourselves after you read/watch/listen to the news? When you feel disconnected, are you finding ways to tune in?
Recently, I’ve had two bizarre experiences which, if I embrace the thought, might be telling me that my horse-life connects me in ways I never thought possible. Bear with me, because what I’m about to write here will make it seem like I’m in my own version of The Truman Show. (Great, great movie, by the way.)
Well, here it is. I think my car radio speaks to me.
About a month ago, traveling north on the Taconic, I started to quiz myself on the names of some of the new arrivals at 13 Hands, specifically mares and their babies: Mona Lisa and Ollie, Midge and Velvet Gem, Cherokee and Black Pearl. But I couldn’t recall the names of another mare and her foal who’d arrived on the same day as Classic and Emily. My frustration was building.
I often listen to the radio when I’m driving, and when I hear a new song I like, I glance at the screen to try to catch the title and the artist. Just as I convinced myself that I would never access the part of my brain that held the names of that beautiful chestnut and her baby, I turned to my screen. The song was ending, and I didn’t catch the full title. But it had the word “magnolia” in it.
That’s her name! Magnolia Belle, the chestnut mare. The name of her filly came easily after that: Noel. I have to tell you, it felt so good to retrieve this information, like the sensation of finally scratching a persistent itch. (Thank you, Radio Woodstock.)
A sense of relief settled in me. Then, a sense of marvel at the craziness of the coincidence. It was at the exact right instant that her name appeared on my screen. What, in fact, just happened? Did my radio speak to me?
Okay, okay. Before you dismiss my ramblings, check this out.
A couple of weeks later, I was driving south on Route 22. I’d just had a lovely conversation with Danielle, the incredible 13 Hands staff member who delivers to you the heartwarming and informative posts you see on social media. We’d chatted about Dante, the giant draft mule whom I fell in love with a few years ago, and who is now thriving at Orion Ranch Sanctuary in Kansas.
After our conversation, I thought about how much I miss Dante, but I also acknowledged my gratitude for my deep connection with him. I considered how lucky I am for the opportunity Marylou has given me to connect with other rescues who need a little love. In my mind, I began to list the rescues I’ve met who’ve wormed their way into my heart, and one in particular, made me smile. I’m not joking when I say that at that exact moment, her name appeared on my radio screen: Lorelei. I don’t know what the song was or who the artist was. But the term “blown away” doesn’t capture a fraction of what I was feeling.
Lorelei is a mini mare who, up until recently, has been so detached that she had the whole staff wondering if she would ever learn to trust. But our trainer Taylor–refusing to give up on her–has been working her magic, and I’m so excited to say that because of Taylor’s hard work and skill, Lorelei and I are slowly forging a little bond.
I think of Lorelei as a little girl with big energy. Some of that energy has appeared reticent, even defensive. But she has a huge, curious heart, and recently, her energy has shifted. Her sweet side is showing up. Her eyes are softening. She’s accepting gentle strokes on her face. She’s walking towards her humans–devoted members of her fan club–instead of bolting. She’s starting to connect.
It’s such a privilege to share these stories with you–stories that unfold in the field, as well the ones that surprise me in mind-blowing moments in my car. This is not The Truman Show in which every coincidence is staged. These horse experiences are real, sometimes baffling, joyful, and wondrous. And I expect there will be many more, as long as I stay tuned in.
With love to you all,
Karen