While I was in Ecuador, a young friend from London and I decided to go to the top of the mountain on horseback. Our guide Jose rented us the horses and went along with us. Jose suggested that, because I had ridden before (although not for many years) that I take Mariachi, the gelding and "lead" horse. My young friend from London, who had never been on a horse before was given the little mare, "Pinta the Pony". Pinta was younger and used to following Mariachi's lead. When I use the term "pony" I just mean a small horse who stands less than 14 hands tall (56", 142 cm at the withers) not a specific stocky pony breed. Mariachi was a little taller at possibly 15 hands tall.
We started off with Mariachi in the lead, Pinta next and Jose bringing up the rear on his horse. As soon as we got out of town and started up the mountain, however; it was clear that Pinta had other things in mind and she wanted to be the leader. As we cantered along she kept coming up to pass Mariachi. She never looked at him though; she just passed him happily on her own way to the top. Mariachi's response was to put his ears back, look over at her and snort and speed up - a little bit. I knew from my riding days that a horse with his ears back is not a good sign. Usually a nip, buck or kick follows but thankfully he didn't do any of those things; he just expressed his displeasure by snorting.
What was cute was Pinta's reaction (or more her non-reaction). It didn't faze Pinta. Evonne would pull her back and she would stay there for a few minutes. Then I would hear the little clop clop coming up and she was passing us again. This kept up until we reached to top of the trail with Mariachi snorting his displeasure all the way. The more she went her merry, happy way, the more I liked her. She wasn't competing with Mariachi; she was just doing her own thing completely oblivious of his displeasure.
I think that we, as people and particularly as girls and women, allow others to hold us back by their displeasure. We should be more like Pinta the Pony: yea for Pinta the Pony and everyone strong enough to follow his or her own heart and forge an independent path!
We started off with Mariachi in the lead, Pinta next and Jose bringing up the rear on his horse. As soon as we got out of town and started up the mountain, however; it was clear that Pinta had other things in mind and she wanted to be the leader. As we cantered along she kept coming up to pass Mariachi. She never looked at him though; she just passed him happily on her own way to the top. Mariachi's response was to put his ears back, look over at her and snort and speed up - a little bit. I knew from my riding days that a horse with his ears back is not a good sign. Usually a nip, buck or kick follows but thankfully he didn't do any of those things; he just expressed his displeasure by snorting.
What was cute was Pinta's reaction (or more her non-reaction). It didn't faze Pinta. Evonne would pull her back and she would stay there for a few minutes. Then I would hear the little clop clop coming up and she was passing us again. This kept up until we reached to top of the trail with Mariachi snorting his displeasure all the way. The more she went her merry, happy way, the more I liked her. She wasn't competing with Mariachi; she was just doing her own thing completely oblivious of his displeasure.
I think that we, as people and particularly as girls and women, allow others to hold us back by their displeasure. We should be more like Pinta the Pony: yea for Pinta the Pony and everyone strong enough to follow his or her own heart and forge an independent path!
Above: Mariachi and Pinta on the trail with a volcanic mountain in the background.
Pinta is standing on a little rise so she looks as tall as Mariachi but she was actually smaller.
To the right: Mariachi's eye with me reflected in it.
He was actually a gentle sweetheart. He just
knew that he was supposed to lead.
Pinta is standing on a little rise so she looks as tall as Mariachi but she was actually smaller.
To the right: Mariachi's eye with me reflected in it.
He was actually a gentle sweetheart. He just
knew that he was supposed to lead.
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