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ANNA
AND DULCE ON THE TRAILS
One
of the fun parts of raising horses is hearing how they do with
their new owners. Sometimes the horse/rider matches are "made
in heaven". Anna Reynolds Trabucco bought Venganza Dulce
BSN-- Dulce for short-- from us a couple of years ago. They have
been having adventures ever since. Anna e-mailed this letter recently.
I'm posting it because the tale illustrates an often misunderstood
term, "brio". Brio means "spirit" and is a
prized quality of Peruvian horses. When you see them spinning
and chomping at the bit at shows, the term can be confusing. Brio
means "willingness to please the rider." It does not
mean "insanity" or "neurosis".
True
brio is found in a horse that jumps to please, but is safe enough
to ride anywhere and sensible enough to put your mom and kids
on.
Here's
a story about a ride Anna and Dulce had with our friend, Patti
Sexton. Patti's our dear friend, farrier and one of the best horse
people we know. Her family owned Stone Valley Ranch, a 14,000
acre sheep and cattle near Chico in Northern California, since
the Gold Rush. They owned some of the first Peruvian Pasos in
the United States. Patti currently has about 60 Peruvian Pasos.
I've
copied Anna's e-mail just as it came. Her enthusiasm pours through.
She calls Dulce "Lurch" after the way the mare handles
challenges: She'll freeze, march in place, then lurch forward.
Dulce is a very "hot" mare from the Iqueno line. A ballet
dancer with a turbo.
DULCE WORKS CATTLE
AT ANNA'S RANCH
Never let it be said that Pasos don't have "cow".
"Dear
Nathans,
Hopefully
this message finds you all in good health and proceeding through
life contentedly. I have to tell you about Dulce; she's been somewhat
incredible lately.
We
managed to get another 2-week trip to the ranch late Sept/early
Oct. We had a pleasant time and a remarkable last couple of days.
2 days before we left, my brother and kids and my mom came to
visit. The kids wanted to "ride" Dulce (they're totally inexperienced),
so I led them around on her, which I've done once before. She
was good with them. Then... MY MOM GOT ON DULCE! She's 72! She
experienced a Paso after not being on a horse for 50 years! I
was SO impressed with her gameness to do that, and with Dulce
for being good and quiet. What a darling!
The
next day, PATTI CAME TO VISIT! She finally got to see our ranch;
we had a fantastic time. I borrowed one of our ranch manager's
horses and we went for a ride. I especially wanted to go to and
across the creek, as I hadn't managed it the whole time we were
there and it's somewhat of a challenge.
On the way there, we saw extremely fresh bear scat in front of
us; the horses became terrified. (I had heard rustling in the
brush but hadn't thought anything of it.) The bear was obviously
VERY CLOSE. Patti doesn't have bears where she lives, so wasn't
able to tell what we should do. We decided to try to go for it.
Dulce was in front, trembling all over and on red alert. I urged
her, and SHE LED THE WAY PAST THE BEAR! Patti's horse was a TOTAL
coward, though she's twice the size of Dulce. She let the little
Peruvian WITH BRIO do the job. Patti commented that Dulce was
giving a perfect demonstration of brio, just gathering her courage
and doing a scary, brave thing. I was SO PROUD of Dulce I still
cry thinking about it.
Then...we
still went down to the creek and across! Another triumph for little
Lurch! On the way back we saw bear tracks and didn't know if we'd
just missed the bear going by or if it had followed us. At any
rate, the bear didn't jump out and eat us; it was probably just
feeding in the brush and minding its own business. Adrenaline
rushes all around nonetheless.
We
got back home and after telling Jim he had a chickenshit horse,
he still brought venison steaks (hunted on the ranch), which I
cooked up and we had the most MARVELOUS evening. Patti and Jim
were both brimming with fabulous stories, masterfully told. They
have much knowledge in common. It was an absolutely SUPERB time--I
haven't had that much fun in I don't know when!
The
whole bear thing taught me a lot about Dulce; I glimpsed ability
I didn't know was there. Also, Patti gave me some invaluable advice
about my seat, which will improve my communication with Dulce
and has already helped with her "hyper thing." I am so grateful
to Patti for spending the time to come down--so many magnificent
things happened. Well, as usual I've nattered on a bit much. Do
let me know how things are with all of you; I love to hear from
you.
Til
next, Anna
HERE
ARE A FEW MORE PICTURES OF ANNA AND DULCE-- SHOWING WHAT REAL
BRIO MEANS.
ANNA'S MOM TAKES
HER FIRST RIDE IN FIFTY YEARS ON THE BRIOSA DULCE
A horse
with real spirit is not crazy. It will suit itself to the rider.
NOT ONLY CAN MOM
RIDE DULCE-- SO CAN ALL THE NIECES AND NEPHEWS!
DULCE TACKED UP
AND READY TO RIDE.
She's got
an endurance saddle on-- you don't have to ride Peruvian Paso
with Peruvian tack.
BILL TRABUCCO DEMONSTRATES
AN IMPORTANT FACT OF LIFE WITH HORSES.
Bill gets
to dig fence posts and tack up his wife's horse on his time off
now. The fact that he is a scientist and needs "down time"
does not matter. Only the family horse matters.
ANNA HITS THE TRAILS
ON HER PRETTY MARE
DULCE PLAYING
Isn't she
lovely? Isn't it all worth it?
THIS
IS WHY WE HAVE HORSES-- THE LIFESTYLE AND THE FRIENDS. GOOD LUCK,
ANNA, BILL, AND LURCH!
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STEPPING OFF THE EDGE: LEARNING & LIVING SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
A MODERN SPIRITUAL COMPANION
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NUMENON
A TALE OF MYSTICIAM & MONEY MENON
"BILL GATES MEETS DON JUAN." |
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TECOLOTE: THE LITTLE HORSE THAT COULD
BORN PREMATURELY ON A FREEZING NIGHT, THE COLT HAD TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE. |
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THE ANGEL & THE BROWN-EYED BOY
A FUTURE WORLD ONLY HEARTBEATS FROM OUR OWN |
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Click the covers above to go Sandy Nathan's books on the Amazon Kindle store. All Kindle books are 99 cents.
They are also available as print books at Amazon.
The Angel and Numenon are also at the Nook store. The Angel is an iBook, as well.
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AUTHOR SANDY NATHAN IS THE WINNER OF SEVENTEEN NATIONAL AWARDS!
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