This week I went to dinner at a sports bar. I’m not the type, but there are no fine dining choices unless we drive into town. Two of the big screens had rodeo on them. There was a rope horse who got some rough handling when he refused to back into the box. The horse had the usual vinyl-coated steel cable tie-down around his muzzle attached to his girth and a bit with long shanks and short reins. He was totally panicked and stuck in his flight response. The rider jerked him back a few times. The horse couldn’t think, so he continued to balk and finally tried to rear, but the tie-down restrained him.
A second cowboy came to help and grabbed one rein, and both men jerked hard, trying to force the horse to the back of the roping box. The horse slammed his head side to side as far as he could, which was not far, but he knocked the second cowboy off balance. Then both men doubled-down and jerked him back even harder. The horse’s eyes were wild, his jaw gaping open. His quivering body was a silent scream of terror and pain. This time, the horse spun to the side and went over top of the second cowboy. I couldn’t help but let out a little cheer. Of course, things got worse after that, all televised as if it were the most ordinary occurrence.
Pause. I need a breath here. Can we have a Jolene interlude?
Jolene is going through a phase. She’s been livid about the weather after several days hovering at an icy, windy zero degrees. Mister barely went outside, and Jolene felt frustrated. We are not short of toys, but she hates all of them. She’s bored except for her ball-on-a-rope. It took a long time for Jolene to mold the fetch game to fit her needs. She plays an offensive/defensive game of tug with random tosses in the air. I chalk it up to her mother watching football when Jolene was in vitro.
Mister plays with Jolene by racing to the ball-on-a-rope first and then being grouchy. He stands over it and barks. Then Jolene looks at me. I run a diversion play and call Mister. He wags his tail; some say it’s his best feature. He leaves the ball and struts toward me. To the bitter end, he is no retriever. But Jolene strikes the ball like a snake and beats him back to me. But we’re in lockdown. Just before the storm hit, I had ordered a new set of balls-on-ropes, but that just made it worse. Mister ever the curmudgeon, and Jolene about to spontaneously combust. She calls Mister inhuman, the most slanderous insult you can call a dog.
So I dangle an arm and passively tug at my desk as she wants. Jolene is a dog of many strong opinions. Mine is Hurry Spring!
Back to the rodeo. I know there are cowboys out there who would never manhandle a horse. People tell me that learning about calming signals ruins most horse events. Once you see the pain, it’s hard to unsee it. I hope so. The public is growing more concerned about cruelty to calves and steers at rodeos. The protests about thoroughbred deaths at racetracks are growing. After Olympic controversies, there is talk of eliminating horse events completely. If we don’t do better, courts will step in. In short, the horse world is struggling. Any time there are two sides, there is power to balance. That’s politics. There was no choice for me. I’ve rehabilitated horses and testified in abuse cases. I’ve given interviews to the news and written blogs and books offering affirmative training methods. I’m in the fight.
Now Americans have died in the streets. Many of us reached a breaking point. I posted my shortest blog ever. In 114 words, I apparently caused quite a stir by posting something so blatantly hostile and outrageously political that people noticed. What was this incendiary statement?
The radical thing I suggested was partnership. I write about it constantly, but I pointed it at only humans this time. There were more positive responses than I’ve had since Facebook deleted me. Also, more complaints than any post in fifteen years.
Some said they don’t read my blog for politics. I think maybe they do. Back to that rope horse. Don’t you expect me to speak out, like I always have? Any dog watching the news lately would tell you humans are the ones getting backed into a corner now.
Some people said a horse trainer had no business talking about politics. Like most girls, I was told to smile when I wasn’t happy. Smile because I was prettier that way. Being pretty was never a goal any more than being disrespected was. I wanted to be taken seriously. It’s no surprise that I made friends in the horse world, but also enemies. We are tribal, whether in training methods or political parties.
Some said it was important that those with a platform speak up. Others think a platform negates the right to an opinion. I don’t think of myself as a platform. It’s true that speaking your mind while self-employed, when it’s your name on the door, is a risk. Is it only acceptable to have empathy for non-human animals? Are we losing compassion for each other?
Most who commented agreed, but there was a scuffle. I hope that won’t happen again. Some who didn’t agree emailed me privately. They complained defiantly, saying they were longtime readers who would now stop accepting my free horse training advice.
Some said that silence doesn’t equal consent. Okay, remain silent. I truly didn’t know my thoughts would stir such a ruckus.
This year I’ve been writing about dogs because dogs and horses have a lot in common. Because I needed a break from writing about the frequent pain and fear so visible in horses. Cruelty so common that we don’t notice it. I needed a puppy break from the horse world, which is a lot like the political world, except we call our opponents railbirds. I’m sure I’ve lost readers. It’s okay if you only like me when I talk about horses.
I’ve said it from the very beginning. I write parables about horses and life. More recently, dogs and life.
Jolene is going through another phase. She is staying closer, watching me more like a personal ankle gargoyle. At first, I thought she was losing confidence, being a bit more clingy. When I am not in view, but she can still hear my voice, she lets out a soft soprano wail. A High Lonesome Sound like banjo and mandolin. Just one long, sweet lament. Naturally, I can’t quite hear it. Is it a runaway smoke detector? The tornado warning siren? A catfight outside?
Jolene and Mister are the same height now; she’s nearly grown. Mister would like you to know that length is actually another kind of height and it counts. In case you haven’t noticed, I have one of each. Mister wears George Will bow ties and lives by an honorable and somewhat judgmental code. Jolene is a dog who believes in free speech, but her protests would alarm Bernie Sanders. My dogs are America.
It’s another late Thursday night writing. I head to the barn for the night walk through. It’s a task I do religiously, a gray mare saying her prayers before bed. In this icy season, Mister doesn’t wait for me at the gate. But Jolene was there holding vigil, one paw lifted. It’s been a rough week for everyone I know.
Abraham Lincoln coined the phrase “the better angels of our nature” in an appeal for unity and peace, urging divided Americans to reconcile. I pray we stop comparing grievances and find our angels soon.
…
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YOU are a better angel! Please don’t let yourself be silenced or censored. Your columns have become a bright spot in my week. And like any shining light, you sometimes illuminate things that might make us uncomfortable to look at — like abused horses and people getting abused by their own government. Sometimes you need to shine a light to take on the darkness.
Thanks, Lee. I hope we do…
Thank you for speaking out for horses, dogs and people. We all can do better to be respectful and get along with each other.
So true. Fighting isn’t working.
I hate “politics”, whatever that term means to whomever. All I know is that this country of ours would be better off if we had less of it. All it seems to mean now is hate and anger and fear. I graduated a polisci major, went to Washington, and decided it was not for me, even way back then. DC used to be a great town, where people would actually discuss their differences and seemed to understand that one could disagree on issues without hating the other for their position. Used to be the same in most parts of the country. Not sure how we got here, but it’s ugly. When I was young, my older brother told me that people could have differences of opinion, didn’t mean they were right and you were wrong, or vice-versa. Always listen and consider. The truth is, people have choices. Animals do not. They are totally and completely at our mercy. I’ll stick with the animals, thanks. Too often, people are the inhumane ones. This country will suffer because of the acts of people WHO HAVE A CHOICE ON HOW THEY ACT, REACT, OR NOT. I can’t control how others behave, but I can control how I treat both humans and animals with whom I come in contact. I will do my part that way. It’s not huge, but it’s a good start.
A very important start. Thanks.
Amen! I also hate politics because of the divisiveness and absolute hatred it brings out in otherwise, mostly rational people. I agree about the animals lacking freedom of choice, and because of that, they are the ones I will protect, speak out on behalf of and fight for. I don’t have any answers to the horrible human condition, but I can, and will pray for reconciliation and peace. Personally, I don’t believe our worldly problems can ever be rectified by mankind (or womankind), but each one of us, can do our part to share kindness, love and compassion to every single living being that crosses our path. May God bless us and help us 🙏 ❤️. And Anna, even if we don’t always agree, don’t ever stop talking about what you believe.
Lorie, thanks because we don’t have to agree. And for what it’s worth, I have no answers either but what you suggest each of us can do… that is no small thing.
You are a master wordsmith. I love how you intertwined a story about horse abuse, human abuse and training dogs. Simply brilliant!
Thanks. Up all night.
Speak. Keep speaking. It’s all connected, even if we don’t want to see it. It’s all connected.
Agreed. Our tiny world.
There are angels here, you are one of them, and we all need to figure out how we can each be an angel in this world in our own way. That’s how we will pull things back to the America we love and find our way home again. I have to believe.
Thanks, Ann. I believe, too.
I agree the hostility in the horse world and the people world is sad.
Truly.
I love your posts….and I agree with your kind heart for speaking out on behalf of those without actual voices. Don’t let the dissidents stop you!
Well, it’s too late to pull up now. Thanks, Judith
When voices are silenced, men with great power will ride roughshod over us all. Never stop sharing the truth. In all honesty I feel like we have moved beyond politics to morals and ethics. Most of us were raised to know right from wrong, be it humans or animals. When we can turn a blind eye to either, we’ve lost our way. Thank you for being a voice of sanity in truly insane times.❤️
You might be right, it feels that fundamental. Thank you, Jennifer
Dear Anna,
I knew when I read your previous post about the deaths of Goode and Pretti that you would get grief about it from some people. I knew how brave you had to be to risk alienating a certain group of your followers. I also knew how strong your moral compass and your conscience was that you felt driven to write about it knowing the fallout you would receive. I have a gut feeling about people and I’ve known for many years as one of your readers that you are an amazing woman with the courage of a lion and a heart of gold. I’m so grateful to you for speaking up and being true to yourself no matter the cost.
Thanks, Jeanine. I’m pretty darn cranky lately.
I guess it’s probably OK you lost some readers over politics. Ouff. The world is so crazy. I follow a mustang sanctuary and she/the owner was also scolded for writing she was sad about what is happening and that she shouldn’t write about politics! Ha.
It’s all falling apart. From a human evolutionary level, it’s good, because the shit has to hit the fan before it can be cleaned up. And there is a lot of shit. On a human, personal level, it’s hard to watch/listen to anything because the voices of controversy and anger are everywhere. I agree that only coming together will heal us. But so many of us are just not there yet. Not saying I am, but I am aware that it is the only way forward for humanity.
ANYWAY! Thank you for your writing, for speaking up/writing about what is on your mind. I so appreciate your ability to put it all together and the analogies are just phenomenal and so sadly true.
And yet we persist. Thanks, Vittoria
Many of us have always known that your writing was about more than horses, and loved you for it. We just spent four days in an ice (the other kind) imposed lockdown. Texas gets winter weather so seldom that they don’t have the equipment to clear roads, and Texans certainly can’t drive in it, so everything stops. Thank goodness my power stayed on this time so we kept warm and no pipes burst. I kept my sanity by limiting news consumption to a maximum of one hour a day, and binge-watching five seasons of All Creatures Great and Small. One can only write so many letters and attend so many protests. Once that is done, escaping to a simpler and kinder time, with a lap full of dogs, is highly recommended. It did help my blood pressure. Not to worry, the shelter animals were well taken care of. Eleven of the younger staff stayed at the shelter for the duration. We stocked them up with plenty of food and drinks, air mattresses, and bedding. We turned the offices into dormitories, they had laptops, tablets and games for the evenings. I hear it was quite a slumber party.
That sounds like a vacation at the shelter. Glad you are warm and okay. Hurry spring.
Thank you, Anna. I’ve been reading you for the quality of your writing. Even though I no longer ride and we have cats rather than dogs, I love both your discussion of horses and dogs and of your and general human nature, especially as we are of an age.
But I was so grateful to read your political comments. Like so many others who write on a broad swath of unrelated subjects, you can not ignore the horror of what is becoming a national suicide of decency and respect for the rule of law and the Constitution. Ignoring it, refusing to speak about it only gives the perpetrators free rein (noting the ironic metaphor 😁).
Thank you! Neither I nor my cousin from whom I inherited my love of horses will stop reading. Quite the opposite!
Thank you, Judith. I’m pretty sweet on cats, too.
Right, Cousin!
Anna, you have my full and total support for your “political” post – 1000%. Thank you for speaking out in this post as well as the previous one that excited so many responses and so much angst. I appreciate that you speak up and hope that more of us will begin to do the same!
Please never stop.
Thanks, Ellen. I hope for more,too
I LOVE to read your stories and in these times I can’t understand anyone who would criticize you for saying something about unity; after all you are writing about unity and respect that SHOULD be
between the animal and human world. Respect between people is part of the story! I have used so many of your techniques with my horses and dog and even tried on the cats (a bit more difficult, the cat situation may be more like what we are seeing today in the USA!!). This family appreciates all you have done to spread kindness and understanding, thank you Anna. Nancy G.
Thanks, Nancy. Hi to the herd!
I have recently and will always leave during a rodeo team roping event. I cannot watch the cows get whipped around by their necks.
Carrie. Never go to a rodeo with me and Sandy!
I’ve been remiss in not reading your posts as often as I used to. I come for the horse wisdom and those nuggets have changed me for the better, especially in my relationship with my Mona. I’m grateful that you speak up at this time. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could focus on making this planet a better place for all?
Yes. Thanks Anne
It’s hard for me to watch rodeo and horse shows now. I only see the devices used to force the horses. I see the poor riding and the heavy bits. Dont get me started on what you see in the warm arena. I have not shown my horses in years and have no plans to return to showing. As for politics. I feel that many have lost the ability to engage in civil discourse about issues. I also feel that with the 24 hour news cycle we get progressively more egregious reporting to insure the clicks. This does not facilitate any kind of consensus. There have always been border issues in Arizona but this response is worse than anything I’ve seen before.
Miraculously I didn’t mention social media… Thanks, Mary
Call me naive, but I wouldn’t have expected an outcry. I didn’t follow the Comments here to know it blew up. In a way, I wish I could “not agree” with you, so I could be civil about it. People can always choose not to rant, as you choose not to. I just didn’t read anything I would imagine disagreement on. Your posts are always a balm for me, so I’m glad to just drop in, and leave a comment, but usually on the Membership platform. I love reading about dogs, and always find something that reminds me of donkeys, if just my reaction to them. But it’s the writing itself that stands above all. Thank you. You help me breathe.
PS, when my husband’s dog died a few years back, my Scout decided she had to fill his spot ( was it a promotion? Really?) More likely, it meant she got more time away from the donkeys.
Oh my. Civil not agreeing. That sounds wonderful. Thanks, Minna
I read your blog religiously, it means a lot to me to read it and your books, and I have previously commented exactly 1 time. I have learned so much from you. I better get in the act now to say: THANK YOU.
I am grateful for your wit and wisdom, seasoned with occasional well-earned crankiness. You remind us, and my horse also reminds me every day: We are all connected — horses, dogs, humans.
Listening and seeking genuine connection has got to be our path forward in these painful, painful times.
Thank you again Anna.
Thank you for telling me, Diane.And thanks for mentioning the crankiness. I’m like a bad dog… there is still some charm there.
I have been enjoying your posts about Jolene and your political views are welcome. I had an Armenian Gampr LGD around the same age as Jolene but I had to return him to his breeder per our pre purchase agreement when he started jumping the fence to get out onto the very busy road. His 110 pounds was too much for my 80 year old body to manage. If I had anyone to give me a reality check, I would not have bought him in the first place. We loved each other so much but it wasn’t meant to be forever. I’m so glad you and Mister and Jolene are having a good time together.
Thanks for this comment, Sharon. Both sorry and not sorry. Those are beautiful dogs and you did the right thing. I used to always have big dogs and thought I would never change. Like they say, getting old isn’t for sissies.
It’s kinda strange how folk can want to dictate that a person should stay only in the field for which they are best known- yet accept a politician can hold a position for which they have no experience??
I like to sing the old song – “Don’t fence me in”…. Anna, you have wealth of life experience so of course you’re not going to stay in a neat box- thankfully!
Thanks, Annie. I don’t think either of us fit into neat boxes.
I find it interesting when people expect someone known for one thing, to stay in that particualr box, for their whole lives. And never speak out about anything else.
plenty of people been sacked/ force to leave their public facing jobs, in this country for just that.
Keep doing what you want to do ,its important stuff you write about be it dogs, horses, the weather or polital storms.
Thanks Chris. Freedom of speech is never really free…
Thank you, thank you, thank you….for the horses, the dogs and most of all the “heart”!
Laura, thank you. I’m just taking their direction. I wonder how much of our “heart” comes from them as well.
I thought I was going to lose my very old mare this week, but she rallied and seems to be back to her old (pun intended) self. What a fighter that old gal is! You go, Girl!
Long may she reign! Thanks, Beverly
I find it really hard to believe that anyone who truly cares about humane treatment of animals wouldn’t also care for the same kind of treatment of humans. I do realize I tend to like animals a lot more than far too many humans – more so the past decade, I guess.
The “shut up and stay in your lane” bunch kind of reminds me of the chauvinistic attitude towards those of us of the female persuasion from as far back as I can remember. I admit my memory isn’t what it used to be, coming up to 88 next month. But THAT kind of attitude tends to sort of, shall we say, stick with me.
Anna, keep doing what you are doing – I believe most gray mares here (mostly) will follow right along.
We’re not going to lose everything
for speaking up —
We’re going to lose everything for staying silent.
We’ve lost a couple of Americans who spoke up, but I take your point. What a time this is.
Don’t stop writing about whatever you feel. It’s why I read you, and if I don’t agree, so what? But I do always agree with what you say, and you always say it so well. I feel for people who can’t see that this country belongs to all of us, and we are losing our way.
Thank you, Pat. We do have to find our way home.
I’m posting this link here – NOT for “political” reasons – but for the poem she included. It’s for Alex Pretti and it says EVERYTHING!
https://joycevance.substack.com/p/if-they-call-me-a-domestic-terrorist?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=b9ign&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Thank you, Anna! I ,really, love ALL of your posts! Every one them is,actually,about empathy, which has seemed to diminish ,lately, in our country( obviously) . I , truly, believe that “ putting one’s self in another’s place” is the secret to peace,understanding and the betterment of human,animal and environmental life.
Agreed. That’s it. Thanks, Frannie
I missed last week’s post, probably just as well so I didn’t let myself boil up in the comments section.
Your blog is so obviously about trying to be a better human, how could anyone be surprised you posted about trying to be a better human?
There has to be a way out of this mess. Defending what is happening is like cheering on gang rape. I’m so heartbroken. Please keep speaking up, every voice matters.
Painfully dead on analogy. Thanks Shaste.
Anna, if you didn’t speak your mind, I would fear that you had lost your mind. Please keep on speaking!
Our fore fathers tried to insure that all of us in America would have the right to freely speak our minds by creating the first amendment to the constitution. This is the first time in my lifetime that I fear my constitutional rights may be at risk.
“Free speech” is kind of an oxymoron due to it’s inherent value. At this point in my life I won’t be sugar coating my opinions (though I will attempt to be civil in their delivery), because in addition to ourselves, what we are witnessing now will affect those who come after us.
Oh. When you put it that way, of course I’d speak my mind, because some folks thought I lost it decades ago. Good point, Laurie. Heheheh.
And I really worry about the young adults who only know our government like it is now. I think about how much wonderful bi-partisan governing happened. How we were all friends with people in both parties. Younger folks probably can’t imagine. You’re right.
Please keep doing what you do, in spite of what your readers say. Those who won’t accept when you change lanes only want to hear what is comfortable. We can only get out of our ruts if we learn to expand our comfort zones, and those who won’t will just be left behind. I come for your prose; apply it to whatever topic chooses you. Sending hugs to your entire critter family from me and mine.
Thank you, Cynthia. For appreciating my prose, I do work at it. Sending scratches to your critters right back. Hurry spring.
I love your blogs. Always gives me something to think about. I fully supported your post and it is time to look at the more we have in common than our differences. It’s 85 here in Phoenix in February and I’ve yet to wear any winter clothes. If February is this hot, than what will be July?
Hang in there! The daffodils will come soon
Thanks Lisa, for reading. I appreciate it.
Hurry daffodils is right. It was below zero for a few days in late January, and it’s in the 50s all this week. There will be wet spring snow ahead, but if this is February…
Thank you… just thank you!
Sigh. You are welcome.