The voices in my head, not being my own, often speak when I`m at my calmest. They are whisperings, a sound, neither clear or precise. As I drift, they begin to have clarity, and eventually a voice is recognized.

Deciding whose voice it is, now that`s another matter. Of course, tone and manner of speech has a bearing on the voice, TOGG tends to be more matter of fact, world weary, and aware. While Toby has the naivety of youth, lacking the nuances of experience.

These two are my alter ego`s, the grey is Gracie, also known as TOGG, the other more attractive one, is Toby, an Appaloosa cross. Whilst Gracie is an Irish Draft x Thoroughbred, both have there idiosyncrasies, and both have their seriously strong points, which as it happens could be construed as idiosyncrasies.

Toby is a five year old gelding, thoughtful, gentle and intelligent, Gracie is twenty-one years old, and a mare!……Needless to say she has strong opinions.

We travel well, many long miles together during which TOGG, has been my mainstay, through thick and thin, she is, shall I say, grossly strong, but has mellowed somewhat over the years. We have agreed to accept each other, providing neither of us steps out of line! Here I think back and smile, nay, laugh at our differences, we struggled at first, but as I’ve said previously, we have made an arrangement.

Toby is the new boy on the block, serene, and a quick learner. He is still absorbing all that is required of him, and he shows no signs of shirking his task. I owe them much, besides, talking horses are very hard to come by.

If horses had voices, would they be as ours?….No? Who knows, but for arguments sake lets say they are, or would be. If that`s the case, then perhaps our partnerships with them would not be so fraught. Perhaps we would understand, the requirements, and general needs? Somehow I doubt it, instead we would foist our will upon them again.

Now what I`ve said here is a complete contradiction of my ethos regarding the animals, but that is the point, we are a user of all things, be it resources, or of each other, this isn’t a political statement, its a fact of human nature. We are a terrible species, capable of greatness, but also capable of great harm and destruction.

So as it stands, we use horses?….Of course we do!…. How you do that, is the question. For me? I try and give back, they allow me to use them for travel, pleasure, and to try and achieve some measure of competence in there control. Albeit, that I have never won any competition on a horse, I’ve tried, but to no avail. Gave that up!….Not the horses fault, just me.

Well, it has! I cannot say anything different, and it would be a lie if I did. But it hasn`t been without its downsides, and if I have anything to pass on, its this.

Do not procrastinate, enjoy everything, always say yes to new experiences, and don`t be afraid to say no to people who are toxic.

I have failed in nearly all these things, however its what I should have done had I known. But when you get older, you realize these things are true to late.

Horses are my life, and without them I would surely fade away, I have no idea why, nor do I question this fact, it just is. I shall chat about most things, except politics, and religion, for without them, the world would be a better place.

Finally, I make no judgements, everyone has faults, makes mistakes and is prone to untruths, we are human, or as my horses often remind me, “shifty”.

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