The Savage Beast...

They say that music calms the savage beast. I don’t know about all that, but I know it calms me. Over the years of owning horses the ones I have spent the most time with have all had their own song. I would sing to them when we were alone and quiet in the barn. Misty has always been “My Sunshine”, Trace has been “Mr. Sandman”, Annie my other rescue mare was “My Girl”. The song will come to me as my relationship develops and Sam’s came to me Sunday night during her supper feeding. You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker.

While standing stroking her neck and shoulder I talk to her. I know this sounds so sappy, but I believe that horses understand what we say to them. I tell her how much she is loved, how she will never be hungry again, how safe she will be for the rest of her life. I tell her that she will always be will me, I tell her that she is wanted and that I have always wanted her, that she is home where she belongs now. I tell her how beautiful she is. That it doesn’t matter to me that she is small, or that she is skinny. She is still beautiful to me. As I was standing there telling her all of these things it suddenly flowed out of my mouth as if I had turned on a radio; the words to that song.

I believe that horses, or any animal, need as people need to feel wanted, loved and needed. Every creature needs to feel like they belong, and are special. I also believe that Sam has never had anyone make her feel special, has never made her feel like she was worth anything. Occasionally I feel like she might believe me. When she nickers at me, I always make a point to smile and call her name. One day the years that she didn’t have the things she needed will not matter any more. One day she will see herself as I see her. Beautiful, strong, wanted, needed, and worthy of love.