Compare and Contrast

In looking at the difference of horse power, being the horse or the car, my favorite is the horse.  Yes many things can go bad with both.  When your transmision goes bad in the car you can still shift gears with a horse.  Although when your horse is hurt your not going to be riding anywhere, either.  A flat tire takes a little air or a patch, it would be nice to be able to fix a hoof that way.

I am partial to the companionship of the horse the most.  I just don't feel tha tclose to my car.  If my car wanted to jump off a cliff I wouldn't join it.  Now if my horse did I would definitely try to stop him or at least go with him. In an overall view of them both they get treated the same way by some.  One either really cares about their car or horse, or they don't.  If you put good gas in your car compared to cheap gas, you don't have to fix as many things on it.  For instance the fuel injectors get gummed up with cheap fuel and need to be replaced.   A horse works in the same order, if  one feeds them bad hay they get sick.  If they get fed good hay, they stay healthy.

For most it's not an option.  It's hard to have a horse and live in the city. Then again when you live in the country you need a vehicle of some sort, weather it be a car, truck, or tractor, transportation is needed.  You can ride your horse to town but many frown appon what is left behind.  It is a great way to go "GREEN".

Process Analysis

 First Ride of the Season

            Waking at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday isn’t for everyone.  I raise my head from the pillow take a look out the window and the sun isn’t even up yet.  It’s a brisk morning in the early spring / late winter.  The snow has melted away and the ground is just losing its frost line.  Most would crawl back under the covers at this point.  I however, am on a mission on this day.  After showering and getting dressed, I head for the fridge to find a bite to eat.  By nature I’m not a big eater in the morning but today I better pack a snack also.  Grabbing my cooler bag I head for the downstairs to find a coat and a pair of boots.  The clothing at this point is needed for the warmth in the morning and evening, mid day is warm enough to wear a thin shirt.

            Pulling my boots on and packing my saddle bags are important part of the morning.  Loading the truck up with saddles and saddle pads, bridles and lead ropes, oh don’t forget the halters. Standing there going thru my mental check list I feel like I’m forgetting something.  Yes, the brushes and combs.  Its spring and you never know what they might have done to themselves the day before.  Drive on out to the barn and start to unload everything according to what goes on which horse. 

            Walking out to the field empty handed is not a good idea.  First there is the morning grain for everyone.  Two Pepsi scoops, per horse, in their buckets and a scoop of vitamin supplements.  Bring along the halters and lead ropes, too.  On occasion it is easier to put these on while they are eating.  My big guy is sixteen two hands high (that is sixty-six inches at the front shoulder); I on the other hand am only five foot tall.  When they drop their head you put the muzzle thru the smaller opening of the halter and bring the strap around the back of the ears.  I usually put all the halters on and then hook a lead rope to them.  Mine tend to walk fairly smoothly together, so I walk them all at once to the barn.  I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t know the horse, even walking two can be scary.  Bringing the buckets with me, they walk right to the hitching post where I tie them.

             Feed buckets get exchanged for a bucket of brushes and back out to the boys I go.  Each one gets the spa treatment before a ride.  Manes and tails get combed and braided if need be.  The rest of the body gets a good brushing, especially since they are shedding out from the winter.  Feet even get a brisk brushing and a good picking clean.  When the weather warms a little more they will get a bath, too.  It’s now going on 8:30 a.m., the guest should be arriving.  A couple good friends go with me on our first ride of the year.  The boys are a little anxious and so are we.

            First goes on the saddle pad.  Making sure that there was nothing stuck to the side that goes on the horse.  A picker in the pad makes for a very naughty horse.  Saddle second, setting it to the front of the horse more than to the back.  You don’t want the cinch around the belly; you want it to go just behind the front legs.  The cinch is a padded strap to hold on the saddle.  Some saddles have a bucking strap and that is toward the back legs and goes on loosely. This is for, if the horse bucks he doesn't throw the saddle over his front.  The cinch is pulled tight; it is a good idea at this time to walk the horse around so he will breathe to let out the air he sucked in.  Then snug the cinch one more time, one doesn’t want to end up under the horse.   By this time my boys know what is really going on and they start to show off a little.  Before putting the bridle on and taking off the halter and lead, I like to lunge them.  This is to let them work off the extra energy they have before getting on. I can usually tell if they are going to be a handful at this time or not.  I don’t want to put someone on a horse if they can’t handle them getting a little spirited.  Safety is our first concern, not just for the rider but the horse, too.

            Our last step before getting on is putting the bridle on. Warm the bit (the metal piece) in your hands a little. You wouldn’t want a cold chunk of metal in your mouth.  Slowly place the bit at the front of the lips of the horse.  Pulling the top of the bridle towards the ears of the horse hold the bit in place.  Horses are not always in a hurry for this part so take your time.  If they won’t open their mouth for the bit, slide your finger in between their lips at the cheek.  Natural instinct is that they want that to stop poking them and they open their mouth.  Slide the bit into their mouth and the bridle around the ears at the same time.  They should have a small smile at the cheek, just one wrinkle.  This tells you that the bit is in the right position.  The reins get draped around the tree (horn) of the saddle and you are ready to remove the halter and lead rope.  We put these in our saddle pack so they go with us, just in case.  Okay tie your saddle pack on the saddle and your ready to go.

            Getting on can be a bit tricky sometimes.  If one is having a hard time asking someone to hold the horse can help.  Step one foot into the stirrup and swing the other over the horses back to put yourself in the saddle.  You want to be looking in the same direction as the horse.  Once everyone is saddled up and ready to go, just one reminder – look where you want the horse to go.  He can feel your weight shit in the saddle so if you are looking behind you he is going to turn around.  Also this is the first ride out of the arena this spring – pay attention. 

            Everyone single file and out the arena we go.  We are heading for the trail about a mile and a half down the road.  This is a two lane paved road and we have to be careful of traffic.  As everyone eases into the saddle we are headed off road.  The best part of off road is the feel of a nice gallop.  Hold him back a little or he will head full speed for the hills.  Both can get hurt, too.  The boys are a bit jumpy to the surrounding noises but settle in nicely.  The day comes on to noon in no time and we are all out having a great time.  We are a small family in our own way.  We like to ride for the company and for the quiet.  Nothing like getting away from the busy life of mobile phones, traffic, and the kids needing something.  Brings a smile to my face every time.     

Illustrative

            The car that I saw last night was cool! Not really going to grab your attention to well. If I told you that the car I saw last night was a 1924 Ford Model T, touring edition. Then I probably got your attention. Well on that note I want to tell you more about this car.

            Purchased from a very nice gentleman by his grandson, this car was the high of his grandsons’ dreams.  When a price was set, well under value, the payments began. The grandfather has since past on and the car has come back to life with a passion to go up and down any street, back road, or side road it possibly can.

            When the “T” came home she barely ran and so the questions began. What was going on and how do we fix it. On a little of a time restraint, lots of phone calls were made to a man from Ohio. As many know a Model T isn’t just a run to the mechanic next door kind of car. You have to find someone who knows there stuff, almost like trying to find a foreign car mechanic.  The grandson learned what he knows from the grandfather but had to find another source to get some information. 

             Along with the car came books, spare parts, and little information to what had been done to it.  Learning the name for each part was imperative to the fixing of her.  As we found; the head came off, due to the wrong gasket being used water had gotten where it shouldn’t have. Cylinders had to be honed and parts had to be purchased for the rebuild.  The carburetor was rebuilt not once but twice. As the time dwindled down finally it all came together.

            A couple of good cleanings of the leather, which is original, it started to shine.  The outside of the “T” needs a little attention but isn’t bad. Gave a good washing, of course by hand, looked pretty close to brand new. 

            On September 28, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. the 1924 Model T became our wedding car. The grandson, my husband, so proud that he now knows this car in and out also made his grandfather proud.   

            As the mist of fog clears the day begins. The dusty road lead out to a field of lush green hay.  Small purple flowers blossomed throughout the acreage.  An occasional yellow sprig of tiny clusters of dandelions lay here and there.  A fresh scent of lilac in the air.  The warm feel of the sun coming over the hills and onto the pasture.  The boys were laying in the outer area of the greens. Munching on the clover and soaking in the heat to warm their cool bodies from the night air.  As I glanced up to see how far out they were I saw a coyote on the knoll. 

            My boots, wet from the dew, kept moving over the ground.  Half way up the denim legs are soaked.  Almost to the top of the knoll the boys see me now.  As I listen for a few signs of them coming across the field, the coyote cries.  That shrill of howl from this little animal causes the boys to jump and run.  The quiet of the morning air has been broken and havoc has started.  A short whistle to them directs them to come in my direction.  They are now looking to have their morning meal.  Oats, corn, molasses, beans, and vitamins; must be good, they like it. 

            A humble settling comes across me as they come near and dig in.  Comforting them to settle in and feeling the smooth hair of their backs, a grin comes to my face.  That feeling of home is where the heart is, is right where I’m at.  The gentle giants of nature are definitely the best source of horse power.  As I brush them back I can feel the muscle under their flesh.  The strength of their jaw as it chews the morning meal that later today will become the tork of the pull.  We are heading out to a trail today to climb and wonder the tops of the Duck Egg Forest.

            Horseback riding is the best therapy I have encountered so far.  Even though a good truck or tractor pull is nice too.  I enjoy the peace and quiet of the ride more than anything.  Sometimes it’s a nice thing to invite a friend or two

            As the mist of fog clears the day begins. The dusty road lead out to a field of lush green hay.  Small purple flowers blossomed throughout the acreage.  An occasional yellow sprig of tiny clusters of dandelions lay here and there.  A fresh scent of lilac in the air.  The warm feel of the sun coming over the hills and onto the pasture.  The boys were laying in the outer area of the greens. Munching on the clover and soaking in the heat to warm their cool bodies from the night air.  As I glanced up to see how far out they were I saw a coyote on the knoll. 

            My boots, wet from the dew, kept moving over the ground.  Half way up the denim legs are soaked.  Almost to the top of the knoll the boys see me now.  As I listen for a few signs of them coming across the field, the coyote cries.  That shrill of howl from this little animal causes the boys to jump and run.  The quiet of the morning air has been broken and havoc has started.  A short whistle to them directs them to come in my direction.  They are now looking to have their morning meal.  Oats, corn, molasses, beans, and vitamins; must be good, they like it. 

            A humble settling comes across me as they come near and dig in.  Comforting them to settle in and feeling the smooth hair of their backs, a grin comes to my face.  That feeling of home is where the heart is, is right where I’m at.  The gentle giants of nature are definitely the best source of horse power.  As I brush them back I can feel the muscle under their flesh.  The strength of their jaw as it chews the morning meal that later today will become the tork of the pull.  We are heading out to a trail today to climb and wonder the tops of the Duck Egg Forest.

            Horseback riding is the best therapy I have encountered so far.  Even though a good truck or tractor pull is nice too.  I enjoy the peace and quiet of the ride more than anything.  Sometimes it’s a nice thing to invite a friend or two