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The Natural Horseman – “A Magical Weekend”
I was blessed to be invited to be a speaker at a women’s retreat in Hallettsville, Texas, a couple of weeks ago.
Not even three weeks after having had a hysterectomy, I was excited to take a little trip for a special weekend.
The second day I was there, I shared my story and had the opportunity to demonstrate some horsemanship exercises with a few of the women.
When Steve and I teach horsemanship, it’s more than just “learning how to ride.”
We believe that the horse is a true gift from God who can teach us so much about ourselves and show us ways how we can become better people. Horses heal.
Yes, learning how to ride a horse is fun, but that’s the easy part. The harder part (and even more rewarding part) is getting to a place of absolute truth so that you are able to fully connect with the horse.
That is when the magic happens.
The night before I spoke at the retreat, a woman had told me she had been afraid of horses her whole life. The next day for one of the exercises, I asked her to join me in front of everyone. I had a horse with me and was holding onto the lead rope.
I told the woman that I would be right by her side…she hesitated for a moment, and then she walked towards me.
I guided her to stand right next to the horse and I gave her the lead rope.
As I had hoped, she took ahold of the rope. Right then, the horse laid his head onto her chest.
The woman started crying, overwhelmed with emotion. The tears started to flow for many of us as we watched.
What had happened was that she was allowing herself to be vulnerable, she was facing a fear, but most importantly, she was present in the moment. The horse felt comfortable with her and wanted to connect with her.
I knew the second she took the lead rope out of my hand that it was going to be a powerful experience for her. She wasn’t tense; her hand was relaxed. She trusted me, opened herself up to trust the horse and she “let go.”
What the horse did was amazing, but just as amazing was what the woman did. If she had been holding any tension in her body at all (or in her mind) the horse wouldn’t have done what he did. Not only that, he would have moved his head away from her, possibly even stepping away from her.
The woman thanked me and spent several minutes standing there in stillness with the sweet gelding. She didn’t want to let go of him.
The woman thanked me again that evening. And then, the next morning, she told me with a smile, “I am still holding onto the peace the horse gave me.” I could see the peace, and it was beautiful.
Horses inspire us every day and humans inspire us every day. Steve and I feel humbled to be able to witness the beauty and awe-inspiring healing power of the horse on a daily basis.
I had never met that woman before that weekend, and I had never met that horse before.
But both of them left an impression on me that will last forever. Harmony, Truth, Peace.
From our family to yours, we wish you all a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lots of Love,
Amanda, Steve, Ryder and Violet
The Stevens family. From left to right, Steve, Violet, Amanda and Ryder. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Stevens)
The Stevens horse, Snowflake posing perfectly with a fall backdrop. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Stevens)
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas area is located within USDA Hardiness zones seven and eight. The zones are categorized by predicted low temperatures for winter and timing of the first and last frosts.
Zone seven usually has winter low temps between 0 and 10 degrees F with the average date of the first frost falling between Oct. 29 and Nov. 15 and the average date of the last frost falling between March 22 and April 3.
Overall, these two zones have similar climates and growing conditions, making the options for timing and variety within a garden very similar.
In these zones, cool-season crops should go in the ground in March, meaning that soil preparation should start now.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Lloyd
Vaccinations are a critical component of maintaining the health and well-being of horses, especially in environments where they are exposed to other animals, such as in the sport, show and performance arenas. Horses, like all animals, are susceptible to various infectious diseases that can spread quickly and cause serious harm.
A routine vaccination schedule helps prevent the spread of these diseases by preparing the horse’s immune system.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Having herds on a controlled breeding schedule means that we have a predictable calving schedule, and while it’s only over a couple of months, for us it does fall right after the start of the year. I lobby annually to call ours the “Winter calving season”, but I am outvoted and my husband still refers to it as Spring. Unlike producers in our Northern States, we don’t have to contend with brutally harsh winter weather, and on those rare times we do, thankfully it is not for extended periods. Regardless of whether you have a Spring or a Fall calving schedule, the health of a newborn calf begins with the mother’s health, and the mother’s health is largely dependent on the producer.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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