Don Jessop
As I sit here typing about horses and the people that love them, I can't help the flood of memories of my own beginning and how grateful I am for it.
Did you know that I didn't grow up with horses? I did, however, fall in love at a young age. My oldest brother had horses and one day he brought them home. My mom's backyard didn't really accommodate horses, but he built a small corral in order to help his mare foal out for the first time. I remember waking in the middle of night to the sound of my brother's voice calling me to join him and watch the baby come into this world. I remember standing on his feet while he held my shoulders because I was barefoot and didn't have time to get shoes on. He was probably twenty and I was five years old. (Just so you don't imagine two grown men standing each other's feet LOL).
The wheels of inspiration and awe started that night. I never lost that wonder for the spirit of the experience. As I grew, I got a few more opportunities to ride my brother's mare and, now grown baby. But the times were few and far between. At sixteen however, I bought my first horse and started him myself (quite poorly, I might add). But we got along and then one fateful day I met a new friend Joe on the trail. He didn't live far from me, and we began riding day after day, for years in fact. We explored the trails, training methods, competition, trimming, shoeing, you name it. We were two kids trying to master the domain of horses. The adventures we took would scare you half to death if you realized just how close to death, we came ourselves. (oh, the bulletproof spirit of youth).
Years later I met my wife, Rachel. Well… at first, she wasn't my wife, in case you get confused. But later, she was🙂. Rachel and I began our own adventure, teaching and sharing and traveling the world and raising a family. All the while, horses were painted into the backdrop.
I'm in my midlife now and I've experienced much, but I still get humbled by these magnificent creatures. Their power, beauty, vulnerability and willingness to learn inspite of their prey animal instinct can cause a man like me to wax on like Solomon in the bible. But I won't. I'm not that wise. But I am passionate. Passionate because I've been touched by the bug. The horse bug that gets us. You know what I mean. It's the look you get when you drive down the road and can't help but look into fields with horses standing or playing about. It's that feeling you get when you lean in and smell the musky, earthy fur of the horse. It's the desire you feel to ride, play, or even just "be" around them.
I'm grateful for you too, my wonderful reader. You keep me sharp. Your comments and feedback keep me looking for more answers, more solutions, better communication and new experiences in this new year. I wish everyone had this passion we share. Thanks for being there with me on this journey.
Don Jessop
With Mastery Horsemanship
I write to Inspire, Educate and Encourage You with Your Horse and Your Personal Journey.
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