As I may have mentioned, I really enjoy sharing Champagne with kids. From time to time this past summer as I was riding in the outdoor arena, a car would pull in and a group would pile out and kind of oooh and ah at Champagne.
I always ride him over to the rail and let them pat him, answer questions, and if they seem interested I let them feed him a carrot from the stash I keep in my pocket. Once or twice I’ve even given a pony ride on him.
I guess it is like being a proud Mama. I love to show off my beautiful boy. Then, too, I remember my life-long intense wistful longing for a horse, so it pleases me to share a little horse time with someone who might feel the same way.
Yesterday at the barn Champagne got a piece of mail. It was a thank you card, with a very cute crayon drawing of Champagne inside. It said, “We went to visit a horse named Champagne. Bonnie and Kim fed him a carrot.” The card had a very nice thank you from someone named Dorinda, Senior Staff Counselor from The Bridge of Central Mass.
On the Internet I learned that this agency serves children and adolescents with serious emotional, behavioral, and family problems, as well as adults with mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse challenges.
As I thought back to September I began to remember the two girls and the counselor Champagne met this fall. I had truly forgotten about them until Champagne got his letter! I was really pleased. Something I just did for my own pleasure, sharing my horse, turns out to have been a help to some kids who probably needed some magic in their lives. How’s that for a holiday story!
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