by Tao Oliveto, Carrboro, NC

Animals and their spirits have guided me before. I don’t know why I keep finding myself surprised and in awe when they continues to show up when I need them, but I guess that’s what it’s all about - recognizing the medicine.

As you know, I’ve been struggling with a severe muscle injury in my thigh since a fall on December 1st. My chiropractor/naturopaths have been helping me heal immensely, both physically and mentally, and I’ve continued to slowly improve - but I’ve been frustrated with a continued limp and pain, and worried by the feeling of a “dead zone” in my leg which has not allowed me to take even a few hurried steps or raise my lower leg.

Yesterday, I was driving alongside a pasture and two horses ran out in front of my car. My first reaction made me pull over but my next thought was, What can I do? I can’t even walk normally!? But, I got out anyway and saw a girl hurrying with halters and leads in both hands. “Can I help??” I asked. “Yes!” she blurted, handing me a halter and taking off down the road in pursuit. I paused, looked down at my leg and said out loud, “This is it, leg. We have to do this.” (Yep, I really said that.)

I took a few steps, then broke into a slow jog. Wobbly, but without pain, I continued to run. The horses were far ahead, still trotting and running and weaving down the road. Cars were driving around them, then continuing on. We both realized we couldn’t catch up and she yelled again, “Go back to your car, drive up and try to head them off!” I took a deep breath, and broke into a run once more. I reached my car and was able to pull alongside the horses just before they turned left to follow the road. Forced towards the right, they entered the Town Operations Center - a large area filled with vehicles - but one that was fenced!

Still, a horse that doesn’t want to be caught, well, won’t likely be caught, especially without a halter on. Thankfully, town employees appeared and began closing gates. The two horses paused in a corner area, still looking for a path to follow. I reached them first because I had driven in with the car. I heard the girl yelling from behind me, “Grab the mare!”

For the first time, I noticed the size and beauty of the animals as they danced about. I stepped in, grabbed some mane and held on. The mare gave me a half-hearted hip check. I laughed and trembled - at the same time, I think. In a few more moments, both horses were haltered and munching on grain from a bucket. They were safe. The girl and I laughed and cried a little. Lots of thank yous.

I wanted to stay with the horses. I wanted to ride off into the sunset. I wanted to hang onto that mane. But I returned to my car, sat a minute, holding my hand on my injured leg with a shaky smile and then drove off, waving. The horses knew the whole story. That was enough.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 10th, 2009 at 1:38 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.