A valuable skill for a well-mannered horse is to walk beside the handler without pulling ahead or dragging behind. When a horse stops suddenly, or jerks ahead without warning, the person holding the lead rope could be yanked off their feet. At the very least, the painful rope-burn or forceful pull on a shoulder isn’t at all pleasant.
I set up various obstacles such as ground poles, a tarp, and barrels to help teach Reecie to walk with me, in harmony, at my pace. Holding her lead rope near her halter, but not too tightly, I walked over, around, or through these obstacles.
My goal was to have Reecie beside me for each step, or when necessary for tight maneuvers, for her to follow me. I wanted her to follow me closely enough that she remained mentally connected with me, as well as having the physical connection of the rope. But I also didn’t want her to dart ahead, run over me, pull away sideways, or stop suddenly.
As I led Reecie over ground poles, sometimes I would hear a “clack” as her hind foot clipped the pole. To keep her attention on me, I would change direction, speed up, or slow down. When she began to pay attention better our steps became synchronized as she walked beside me. With our focus on forward, and not the pole, she was able to clear it with ease.
We walked throughout the arena, making turns to the left and right, stopping, backing up, moving forward again until she understood where I wanted her to walk in relation to my position.
At another time, at another barn, I watched as my granddaughter, Tiffany, walked in harmonious unity with our other two horses. My heart smiled, if such a thing is possible.
In Reflection:
Reecie needed to learn to adjust to the speed and length of my steps. Pulling ahead, or lagging behind, made for an uncomfortable experience as the lead rope and halter applied pressure to her head. When she stayed in the best positions, either at my side, or following where I led, our walks became more pleasant and we could enjoy each other’s company.
God sets the pace for His followers. He determines the direction, and speed, of the steps of our life as we walk in His ways. His pace is perfectly timed and does not change to match mine. For a more pleasant fellowship with Him, I must adjust myself, to walk beside or follow Him.
How is your walk with Jesus? Are you in step, keeping pace with the Lord?
Let’s position ourselves to walk in harmony with Him. And with each other.
“My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped,” Psalm 17:5 (NASB1995).
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