In The Beginning

            In the beginning, horses were magnificent creatures that I could quietly observe from the many books I collected from birthdays, at Christmas and from those occasional trips to Barnes & Nobles or Borders. When I was six, I moved from the hustle and bustle of Houston, TX to the quiet, peaceful wonderful Idaho. During that 8 day drive, half way across the country, horses became a constant and comforting thought. As the world I knew flew past my window at 60 miles an hour on a hot, cracked highway, I imagined chestnut stallions, with tails flying and heads held high, racing past my car window. Their gallant pride displayed like treasures in a store window. As we came further up North and the flat desert became studded with rocky mountains and grassy hills, I pictured myself galloping up those gorgeous hills on a spirited buckskin mare. Her dark, chocolate mane streaming by my face and her equally luscious tail streaming behind us like a royal flag. For 8 years, thoughts and dreams such as those ran vividly through my mind. Horses became more of an obsession than something I just liked. For 8 years, I dreamt of owning a horse; a horse that would live in my backyard, greet me at the fence, be my best and most constant friend. I think without a doubt, being in love with a horse is the most forgiving, never-ending and amazing relationship you will ever have.