Writing and Riding: A Spiritual Connection

By Pamela L. Beers

Some things just go better together than others do.   A thick, juicy, porterhouse steak with a wine goblet full of a rich Merlot floats my boat.   Creamy peanut butter and homemade raspberry jam on toast with a tall glass of ice cold milk is another turn-on.   But, what really excites me is a packet of yellow legal pads with a thick rubber-grip, ball point pen.   It is difficult to imagine one without the other, like Lucy and Desi or Bogart and Bacall.

Writing has been my passion for years.   All through high school and well into college, teachers and professors wanted me to pursue a writing career.   At the same time working with horses was, and continues to be, another passion, definitely on equal par with writing.   It has all evolved into an eclectic mix of interests. I pondered for the longest time, wondering how and why these two particular areas of my life, writing and horses took such a hold on me and never let go.

After an invigorating ride across open fields on my energetic, gray, thoroughbred mare, it became obvious that riding helps me to write.   It clears my head.   Writing cleanses my soul.   Sometimes the process is reversed.   Writing clears my head, while riding cleanses my soul.   There is a true spiritual connection between my horses and me, my writing and me, and my horses and my writing.

Being outdoors is always a sensual experience for me, especially during the fall season in upstate New York.   When I leave the house to go up to the barn in the early morning, I make sure I have a pot of something tasty prepared for dinner, so that when I get back into the house, the smell of savory herbs and spices simmering attack my olfactory nerves.   Today I made a pot of chili with its scent of cumin, chili peppers, bay leaves, and onions wafting through the inside of the house.   The ultimate in feeling warm, cozy, and comfy.   Another writing idea comes to mind.   Quick, easy, and nutritious recipes that lend themselves to the season.   Just what you need when time is at a premium and you just don't know what to have for dinner.     

On my way out the door this morning, on my way to the barn, I could see the steam from my breath, in the cold, crisp air.   Greeted by an array of bright colors from the various types of trees on the farm, made my spirits soar.   I jogged up to the barn, anxious to see the horses and go for a morning ride.   Their windows were left open the night before because it was a calm, mild evening.   They were watching me jog up the hill, each one softly nickering as the steam from, their breath made its way up toward the sky, like incense, toward a Higher Power, perhaps God, or perhaps another world of which only equines are aware.   

My walking into the barn in early morning signals breakfast for the horses.   Quiet nickers soon became deep-throated whinnies in their demand for the sweet, timothy hay awaiting them.   After haying them, I prepare their grain and vitamins for additional nutrition.   During the hour of time it takes for them to consume "breakfast", I jog back down to the

house and eat breakfast myself; a steamy bowl of hot oatmeal with brown sugar and crispy bacon with eggs over easy, accompanied by a mug of hot coffee.   Meanwhile, that chili smells mighty fine.   It gets stirred, as I turn the stove on low.   I am thinking about that recipe book again.   Scrumptious but practical recipes for barn babes and stable jocks on the go, could be both fun and entertaining.

This time I walk slowly up to the barn, enjoying the crunching sound of fallen leaves underfoot.   The crimson maples have turned lighter in color with tinges of yellow and green, while the sugar maples are a bright orange and yellow.   Some of the poplar trees have purple leaves.   All of these colors are set against a bright blue sky.   Tinges of gray sky can be seen as I look north toward the lake.   As I enjoy these colorful images, I wonder how anyone could possibly have writer's block.   There is so much visual stimulation that the only problem is trying to get it down on paper fast enough.

As I walk into the barn, the horses nicker softly again.   Their bellies are full so they are not so demanding.   They are looking forward to either being ridden or turned out onto pasture.   I've decided to ride Silver Lining this morning and turn out the other two mares.

After tacking her up and leading her outside, I proceed to get on her. As we head for the fence line, I can see the steam from her breath and my breath in the cold air.

When we reach the end of the fence line I ask my horse for a hand gallop through the old hay field.   She snorts in glee for almost a mile.   It feels as though I am suspended in time, in another world.   I feel a sense of freedom that I have never been able to capture doing anything else.   I enjoy a sense of child-like wonder as I observe the surrealistic beauty of my surroundings.   It is as though I am looking at a French impressionist painting, becoming immersed in the visual experience, totally unaware of the time, and then getting lost in the artist's masterpiece.   Off in the distance I can now smell apple wood coming from a wood-burning fireplace.   The crackling leaves underfoot make my horse spook a little, bringing me back to the present moment.           

Slowing down to a walk, my horse and I continue to enjoy our ride together.   We ride up and down hills, and at one point, are both startled by a gaggle of geese overhead that "honk" their way toward the lake.   After the geese disappear through the now gray cloud cover, Silver and I meander back to the barn, where I un-tack the horse, put her blanket on, and turn her out with her two "girlfriends".    

Walking back down to the house, I think about my ride, my relationship with my horse, and my writing.   I can't wait until I pick up that yellow legal pad, and rubber-grip, ball- point pen.   The sights, sounds, and smells of the day have transformed me from rider to writer. Being able to put into words, the spiritual connection between my equine friends and my surroundings, gives me the same sense of freedom that I get when I ride.

Writing about my sensory experiences as I relate to the horses, enables me to share with others the connection that makes me want to jump out of bed at 5:30 in the morning, and seize the day.   It's a cleansing process for me and hopefully educates and inspires those who read what I write. When I go into sensory overload, I have a need to write what I see, feel, and smell to make room for more ideas.   Writing energizes me.   The writing process and its inherent rituals, helps me to organize my thoughts and get in touch with my feelings on much deeper levels.   I become more cognizant and sensitive to both my surroundings and other people.  

Writers get their inspiration from many sources.   Hemmingway loved the sea.   Shakespeare was inspired by the absurdity of life.   J.K. Rowlings is a single Mom who enjoys the magic of children.   Emeril Lagasse is turned on by food and cooking.   I love horses and the environment.   All writers have a connection to something about which they are passionate.   We all have a connection to one another.   Even the subject matter authors write about, such as the sea, life with all its twists and turns, the magic of a child's world, preparing and cooking food, and horses and the environment; are all interconnected in a spiritual way.   My inspiration is gleaned from many areas of life, including the writers mentioned above.   But, the things that go better together than anything else is my trusty rubber-grip, ballpoint pen and yellow legal pad, preceded by an invigorating gallop across the countryside.   Now that is a spiritual connection.    

Pam lives on a farm in upstate New York and is equally at home in the barn cleaning stalls or going to a five star restaurant for dinner with friends and colleagues. Her knowledge of, and passion for, horses along with her sensitivity to people and their environment, come from many years of observing, listening, and living life with a joyful spirit. Her love of the written word is only exceeded by her love for her children, grandchildren, horses, and cat. Pam holds a B.A. degree in English and an MS.Ed.
degree in remedial reading.