My Brush with an Animal Spirit

INTRODUCTION: This article has two parts. It is a joint effort between myself and an outstanding artist and writer here at AC by the name of ARTME. I am honored that she agreed to work with me on this effort. We both hope you will enjoy our work.

Most Native American tribes and clans held nature in high esteem. In particular, they treasured their animal "brothers and sisters." Many believed that the spirit of animals helped to guide them through life.

My grandfather loved all animals. In fact, most of my family had a real affinity for them. My great-grandfather on my grandmother's side had an amazing way with animals from snakes to birds to horses.

When I was little, my grandfather made certain that I learned how to ride a horse. He believed that the animal was sacred to his family and that it was the spirit animal of their clan.

Later on, when I was a teenager, I rode regularly with a friend of mine. Her father raised horses and we helped him take care of the animals.

I immediately fell in love with a beautiful gray horse named Freedom. There was something in the animal's eyes that I recognized and it drew me immediately to me.

My girlfriend told me that no one had been able to ride Freedom. Everyone who had tried had been thrown within a matter of seconds. She said that her father's best men had tried to break him but that no one could.

Always up for a challenge, I was determined to ride that horse. After begging Mr. Meritt for days and weeks on end, he figured the only way to keep from bugging him further was to let me try to ride the horse and for Freedom to throw me.

Freedom and I had gotten to know each other over time and he always seemed glad to see me. I groomed him regularly and fed him whenever I was at the ranch at his mealtime. I knew that he trusted me to a certain degree.

Still, the day that I decided to try and ride him, I worried that I had bitten off more than I could chew. I walked him around for a while and offered him a sugar treat before I began. Taking Mr. Meritt's advice, I decided not to try to saddle him, opting instead to ride him bareback.