It is all about Love. You have heard about the power of Love and that it can change the world….well, it’s true!
In the fall of 2008 we brought Diamond, a very young maiden mare, from the plains of northern South Dakota. She was a two year old buckskin with a black mane and tail, expecting a foal the next spring. Babies are always so exciting but this girl was just a baby herself. She handled the journey home okay, but the stall was another story. She didn’t care to be penned up, nor did she care much for people- so it seemed.
Did you ever meet a person like this? Someone who acted like there was nothing important about having friends or even having communication with others?
Diamond was discontented and depressed. Three weeks after the move she miscarried. I don’t know if she really knew what happened, that the new baby would never be born, but I believe that she became even more saddened. She did not respond to kind words or kind gestures; she just turned away seeming to say, “Just leave me alone!” This was reinforced with a side kick to lash out, just in case.
The time for separation was over and now we could introduce her to the rest of the herd, however Diamond did not fit in very well. She was last in the pecking order which isn’t terribly unusual as she was the youngest in the pen. Her depression did not lift by being with the others; Diamond was just as alone as ever.
It happens every day. There are people in our midst, in our work places, in our community group functions who look like they are getting along fine and shouldn’t be lonely or sad. Have you gone out of your way to show kindness or a loving gesture? How was it received?
Diamond wasn’t able or had no desire to eat. She had no friends and didn’t trust horses or humans. Wood chewing became her newest unsavory habit. “What are we going to do with her?” I thought, “first of all we better get some nutrition in her.” So she was moved to a separate pen where she could still see the rest of the herd. Even though her appetite improved, her appetite for wood fences, wood posts, and wood barns did not decrease so- time to turn on the electric fence!
One reprimand after another; I wonder if that was what she was thinking. One thing was for certain- Diamond would not respond to the usual training techniques, the usual tricks of the trade. The tried and true methods that were taught in my classes would only confuse and frighten her. Then I came up with a new idea, one that was not included in any of the lessons that I learned years ago. What would happen if I just love her, not expecting anything from her, but just love her?
That is just like the love that God gives. God loved you first with unconditional love and He continues to this day!
Diamond was kept in the separate pen, not for punishment but so that she would not get kicked or bitten by the other horses. I started giving love by going out and talking to her while she ate. I would just talk. She would pretend like I wasn’t there but what if I offered something that she could not ignore? In order to get closer to her I knew that she would have to begin to trust or at least be willing to take the risk. The smell of fresh grain and a hungry stomach was the winning combination. Slowly, slowly Diamond started to come nearer to take a bite of grain, all the while being extremely careful not to look at me. She would move in, kind of sideways like, moving forward toward the bucket with her neck flexed and her nose pointed away from me. I just stood quietly and waited for her.
Diamond approached so timidly, so cautiously, but she finally did it- she put her head forward and down into the bucket for the quickest bite that was ever taken! Patience….patience…. Love without expectation. Later I would put my hand up to her neck for one touch, a single petting action was all she could handle. I would talk to God and ask Him to give her peace and let her feel my love. “Help her to receive, Lord.”
Soon I could rub her neck for short intervals. Diamond would be hand fed twice a day like this for a couple of weeks before I could even touch her body. I tried to touch her face but that was too much- she turned away, threatening the well known flight response. Patience….patience…. I always talked to her.
Did you know this great commission is not for just fellow human beings but also for our beloved pets, God’s CREATION! The Great Commission: Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mk 16:14
I told her about God and how He created her; “God loves you and I love you, too.” Then it happened- she let me pet her face- wow. That was just the beginning. She finally gave in and accepted the unconditional love that she was given and knew without a doubt that she no longer had to be afraid. She started neighing at me when she saw me and even trotted over to me. How beautiful this creature is. This is the way it was meant to be.
Now it was time for her to return to the rest of the herd and she figured out her position in the pecking order. Diamond no longer has a need to chew wood because she is no longer discontented or nervous. The transition to her new pen went well. She still is excited to see me when I come outside. She is easily caught now and is coming along very nicely with her round pen work and training. I pray for Jesus to be with us during the training sessions and to guide me, the trainer. Diamond is learning quickly because of the unconditional love and trust not only given to her, but also that she is giving back. I got up on her and rode her on the second day of training, YEAH GOD!
