After a couple of months of soul-searching for a thousand reasons as to why I should or should not have Major, my mind was finally made up one morning in June. However, before I continue, I suggest that anyone who has no time for anything to do with 'signs from above' should skip this section and move onto another one or I will be in danger of being dismissed as a middle-aged woman who has lost her marbles.
I had spent much of that weekend deliberating 'to have or not to have' and by the time I was ready to leave for work, it was the only thing filling my mind. I backed the car out of the garage and said aloud 'Jock, can you PLEASE tell me what I should do?' What happened next still makes me shiver asI would find it hard to believe if I had heard it from anyone else.
First, as I drove along the single track road, a complete rainbow formed across the sky. Rainbows are not unusual here but this was special because the same thing had happened the morning that Jock died. Then, as I was pondering this, a song came on the radio that was in my head a great deal around the time that I lost Jock. It was by Snow Patrol and the words of the chorus always reminded me of him:
'Light up, light up, as if you had a choice,
Even if you cannot hear my voice,
I'll be right beside you, dear'.
This made me quite emotional and I started to think he was answering my question. Then something else happened that convinced me there is more to life than can ever be explained. From the radio came a song that I had not heard played for years and one that is very special to me. It is 'These are the days of our lives' by Queen and the words mean a great deal to me. I was so overcome at this point that I had to pull over just to regain some control. I was convinced that this was a message. Jock was telling me to have Major.
With that, my mind was made up. No turning back.
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This was my first ride out on Major a few days after he arrived from the ILPH. It was SO hot and I was SO nervous. Wasn't sure just what I was expecting him to do - he wasn't the bolting type! We lived to tell the tale and he performed just as he has done ever since: chilled.
After a couple of months of soul-searching for a thousand reasons as to why I should or should not have Major, my mind was finally made up one morning in June. However, before I continue, I suggest that anyone who has no time for anything to do with 'signs from above' should skip this section and move onto another one or I will be in danger of being dismissed as a middle-aged woman who has lost her marbles.
This was my trial visit where my riding ability was sussed out. I was rigid with nerves, especially as he had bucked when the girl who had been looking after him got on first. However, I was encouraged by 'scbu' (Pat) and 'Maysie' (Jo) both HPEC members who had met me there that day to give moral support and I lived to tell the tale.
Took Clare (Moonysmum) with me for another visit. We brought Major in from the field and spent some time just being with him. The girl who had him on her caseload asked us why we liked Highlands so much. She thought they were 'bargy gits'. However, after a few weeks of working on him, she gradually changed her mind. I went home with my feelings even more confused. I really had not planned to get another horse. Later that evening I phoned to ask if I could visit again in another two weeks!
