"Dwarf Porn" was the topic...
And then I was on the radio!

Dwarf Porn” or something like that was the topic being discussed on the Ian Punnett morning talk show on FM 107.1.
I was scheduled to be on the air following it. When calling in to a talk show you are put on hold until they connect with your line. But you can hear the conversation going on at the time.
I had received an e-mail earlier from the show’s host asking me to call in. I used to read my blog on his show so he knew of my interests… one of them being horses.

He had given his wife a birthday present of horseback riding lessons and she was afraid of horses. So he thought I could give her some suggestions.
And so I sat, waiting on the line, trying to tune out the discussion on porn, although it was never explicitly described. But keep in mind that I also had to listen for the cue that they would announce that I was on the air!
It finally came.

Now I am very excited that his wife will get to know horses. Not just the riding part. It’s also what you learn about yourself that is interesting too.
Like the time I was intimidated when getting ready to interview a CEO and I reminded myself, “Rosie, you have worked with a stallion. You can do this.”

Or the look I gave some city guys who were thinking they were pretty hot. And I thought, you guys haven’t seen anything until you’ve see a stallion full blown!

Or the time some kindergardeners were visiting from a big city school and were brushing our stallion. Because he was so relaxed, his “private part” descended and began swinging back and forth.
I was on the other side of the horse and as I glanced underneath him I noticed their heads swinging like pendulums as their eyes followed his “part”. I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud that when they asked about it I explained using the correct anatomical terms… because I couldn’t think of the words - “private parts” - at the time!
I have no clue as to what their parents heard when they got home.
Most have come back each year though.
This year I had to explain where baby horses come from.

But back to the radio talk show.
When you work with horses you probably learn as much from them as you teach them. What I mean is that I have learned where I have fear or where I am not assertive, probably due to fear! And the horse will pick up on this.
And because he’s so much bigger he can emphasize the points I need to learn!

While talking on the radio I explained to the host’s wife that she was not the only one afraid of horses. I was too.
"But", she said, "you love horses".
I agreed. And I think it’s my love for them that helps me work through the fear. I suggested to her that you get respect for the horse and then you find out what he can teach you.

I thought over my statement when off the air. It didn’t seem to be a very encouraging answer. Why hadn’t I said that after you get respect for the horse you can become friends with them?
And then I realized that with some of my horses I am not at the “friend” stage yet. Although they are fine horses, I don’t fully trust them.

I mean that I don’t trust that they might be able to get past their own fears and rely on me. Instead of running when they are scared, they would stand and trust me to get them through the situation. It also means that I can trust them to protect me at other times.
I believe this mutual trust is a key with true friendship in all our relationships.
I hadn’t realized how important this was.

Just something more that these wonderful animals are teaching me.