I recently rode this ranch pony. He's a 10 year old gelding, a little on the small side, shaggy haired, with a mane that flops on both sides his neck, and a little high headed to boot. He's not bad looking, but probably wouldn't catch your eye either.
When I first went to catch him, I had no clue what to expect. I had heard that he could be difficult to catch at times and that he'd grown up as a ranch horse. When he pinned his ears as I slid the halter on, I thought to myself, "well, I sure hope I don't get bucked off." He sounded grumpy and like he might be a bit stiff and hard mouthed.
As I saddled him up, I tried not to let myself expect anything, like I do with all new horses. I tried to let him show me what he was going to be rather than guessing based off what I heard. The doubt started to creep in a bit though. I was preparing for him to be watchy or to buck. I didn't know what to think, I just didn't think it could be good. Now, I should know better than to judge since I've worked with quite a few mustangs, and people love to stereotype them, but I couldn't help myself, I was judging this poor horse.
I walked him out to the arena, glad the other people at the ranch were busy. I didn't want to embarrass myself if things went south. I tightened the cinch, wiggled him a little to make sure he was ready, and climbed up.
Right away, he pinned his ears. His feet were still planted and he didn't want to move them forward. He stepped left, then right with his hind feet and I thought for sure if those front feet moved, he was bucking.
Instead, you know what happened, he stepped his hind foot up under him and walked off. I gently laid the neck rein on and he responded and turned right away. I trotted him off and he went along at a nice, consistent, extended trot. He rolled right over into a nice little lope when I asked too! I picked up on the reins and he rounded up, tucked his chin and got soft.
Y'all, this little pokey looking ranch pony was broke and fun! It was the story I had heard about him and his shaggy winter coat that had deceived me. I'm betting this horse looks pretty good slicked off in the summertime. He isn't a finished show horse in the barn under the lights with all the fancy buttons, but he is responsive and good and fun. My first judgement of him did nothing but set him up for failure. Thank God he proved me wrong!
This may seem like a small thing, since it was just another horse I got on, but it really got me to thinking, "How often do I do this in life?!" How often do I write someone off because I didn't get a great first impression or because my own insecurities keep me from seeing how good they are. How often do I pass up on an opportunity because I am worried about the work that will go with it? How often do I over look a blessing, because it isn't wrapped in the package I was hoping for?
Y'all looks can be deceiving. I mean, for goodness gracious, God sent Jesus through a virgin to be born in a manger. That's a pretty lowly status if you ask me.
Friends, as we are coming out of the season of Christmas and entering the New Year, life is going to get busy again. Our expectations might not match reality, so just remember to keep on giving and be thankful for the time we get with family and friends. With a global pandemic that's showing no signs of slowing, we are going to be seeing a lot of hurt people, hidden blessings, and things that look a little different than we hoped because we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
Let's do each other a favorite and use all the grace we have each and every day. It sure is more fun to have a positive outlook, rather than be focused on the negative all the time!
A wise woman told me one time, "God gives us enough time and enough energy to get done today what He wants us to get done today." Let's make it a point to help others as we go forward. Be a blessing and count your blessings twice each day, even if you're simply thankful for the air in your lungs and the sun in the sky.
Don't be deceived by a first impression, there is always more to the story ;)
xo,
Sara
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