Lesson from a cut horse

On a warn summer day in 2009 I received a phone call from a friend who had gone to check the horses at our summer pasture. He found one of the yearlings had a injured hind leg. She had a severe wire cut that was developing a large mass of proud flesh and looked to be infected. After our conversation I hooked up the trailer and headed to Peoa Utah to catch the injured filly and bring her back to the main ranch were we could treat her injuries.



When I arrived at the summer pasture I caught a good riding gelding and headed to where my friend had seen the filly. She had been with three of our older mares who were very friendly and easy to catch. The plan was to catch the older mares and lead them to the corral were we would then be able to catch the yearling filly. When I came over the ridge to the watering hole the filly and mares had been joined by another group of 5 younger horses. Upon seeing me approach the younger horses became nervous and one, who was particularly wild, decided to run off. Rather than stay with the older horses the injured filly followed the wilder bunch. Initially they headed for some very step mountain slopes but I was able to head them off. They then turned and headed for an open sagebrush flat and the chase was on.

For close to an hour the wild colt lead the injured filly over dangerous mountain sides and across sage brush covered flats filled with badger holes. Finally the injured filly became fatigued and fell behind the main group. Seizing a great opportunity I was able to ride my horse in-between her and the wild group of horses. Cut off from her friends the injured filly returned to the small group of tame mares. With ease we caught the mares and led them to the catch pen along the creek in the main canyon, with the injured filly following close behind. Once in the small pen I was able to easily catch the filly and load her in the trailer and start our journey home.

As I drove home I began to reflect on the events of the day and realized some important truths. The horses at our summer pasture are checked on a regular basis and at the time my father worked just 15 minutes away. On his lunch hour he would drive over and make sure all the horses were in and accounted for. While these drive by accountings worked for numbers they failed to closely inspect each individual horse. Far to often we have similar relationships with others. If we are content to just make a head count, checking that everyone is at work, church, school or other social activities, we can miss the hidden injuries. Only upon close inspection, when we are involved in peoples lives, can we see what’s amiss and do our part to help. A great Sheppard does not just count his sheep he knows them.

When she was with the tame mares the filly was easily lead to safety and care, when with the wild colts her life was greatly endangered. One can never underestimate the power and influence of good friends in our life. While Jesus did eat with the publicans and sinners he surrounded himself with amazing people. Peter James and John were deeply spiritual men with amazing qualities and loyalty. His mother who he held close his whole life was “choice among women”. His extended family worked in the temple and served as the great prophet to pave the way for him. Mary and Martha were women of faith, love, and devotion. These are the people he spent his intimate moments with. It was Peter James and John who he wanted near that agonizing night in the Garden. Thomas Jefferson did not establish the greatest nation by his abilities alone. He was surrounded with great men who shared the same dream and vision of a free nation. As these men came together they were able to create something far greater than the ideas any one of them possessed independently. When we swim in the sewage we come out smelling like crap, there is just no way around it. Good friends make us good, great friends make us great.

When I lead the older mares to the corral it was literally beside still waters and in the mist of green pastures. In the world there are all kinds of leaders. It is our individual responsibility to look at the teachings, ideas, and practices of those who would lead us. Then with solid discernment look down the road and see where they take us. All truth may be encircled in one great whole, but there is only one source of all truth. Do the teachings of those we seek to follow shine with light? Or are they darkened with counterfeit lies? The inalienable rights we poses come from the creator, the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those leading us must take us down the path that enables these rights not threatens to destroy them. If we spiritually follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and Politically follow people who adhere to the beliefs of the founding fathers something amazing happens. Our injured souls and infected country come to the corral by the still waters and green pasture that will deliver us to our healing.

The young filly I brought home that day healed well and has gone on the be a very nice horse. The wild colt that lead me on the dangerous chase later ended up with a broken leg, forcing him to be put down. Let’s not just do a head count while hanging out with the fringes of society following liberal lies. We must follow good leaders who follow the greatest leader accompanied by great friends. There are green pastures and still waters in this country we can enjoy. Of course you might need to get on a horse to see them!