“I’m Always Riding Rebel . . .”

This was my mantra.

My own special way to cope.

(Nowadays we’d call it my Mental Health strategy!)

Rebel, my first beloved horse, acquired at the ripe emotional age of 13, saw me through seven volatile teenage and young-adult years.

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“I’m always riding Rebel,” I’d say inside my mind. Over and over again . . .

“I’m not here at school, No! Not at Emerson Junior High School, eating lunch by myself again . . . Not at University High School, walking between classes . . .”

“Yes! I’m riding Rebel . . . out into the trails, right now! I see his flowing mane. I feel the reins in my hand. I feel the swing of his gait. I hear the squeak of my saddle. I smell the musky chaparral . . .”   DawnHoof

This was my teenage time-travel-strategy extraordinaire.

And it always worked!

The more I saw myself, felt myself, imagined myself as if actually riding Rebel, rather than where I’d rather not be — the time would come when I would be back riding Rebel again . . . feeling, seeing, swinging, hearing hoofbeats and all the sights and smells that accompany a horseback ride . . .

“It’s true! I’m always riding Rebel,” I’d repeat to myself, once back in the saddle, in amazement that my ruse worked!

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So following my recent self-advice and hopping onto Fae to ride again tonight (see my Post, Treasure of my Heart), adventuring this time into the woods and up an old trail haunt — walking, trotting, flowing canter — I heard myself saying my old mantra again, “I’m always riding Rebel!”

But this time, riding my big draft-cross mare, Fae!

So what if I were to apply my old strategy, tried and true, from the tool box of my far-distant past, and put it to work, once again?

“I’m always riding Fae!”

“Not driving this car on the freeways outside of L.A. Not doing the dishes, the laundry . . .”

“Yes! I’m riding Fae, out into the trails . . . I feel the sway of her back, the warmth and snug fit of my saddle. I smell the sagebrush. I hear the wind in the pines . . .”

“I’m riding Fae again, right now!” 

Let’s try this strategy once more, Dawn, and see how it does!

It worked in my childhood to deliver me from places or tasks I’d rather not be.

Let’s see how it goes, now!

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Copyright 2023, Dawn Jenkins
Photos: Dawn Jenkins 
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Join Dawn for a Soul Horse Ride! (Oh yes, in Australian Saddles.)  Experience the thrill of becoming one with your horse. Join Dawn and her homegrown herd for a Soul Horse Ride in the Frazier Park Outback!

Call to book your Life-Changing Adventure today:  (661) 703-6283

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Please also visit my Life Blog, Journal of Dawn,
for Strategies and Insights into the
Journey of Life

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