As I often do, I need to kind of go away and be on my own to process something for myself before getting back to it in the real world. I went for a walk in the rain soaked woods this morning with my dog Matea. There is snow on the ground, a half inch or so, and it was raining and cold. I thought about you and Cash. And I came to this.
A million horses would have switched places with Cash if they could, if it just meant they too could have had the life Cash did for the past ten years.
You once wrote that you believe it is the reason of life – for humans and animals to experience and feel camaraderie, joy, laughter, happiness, connection and… love. And to feel all of this we must have relationships. And to feel all of this, each one of these emotions must have its opposite. And so life becomes a navigation through these emotions, and as we get more connected, we tend to have more of a positive balance to it all.
Yes, it had a randomness to it. But then so did maybe how you and Cash met. But from the moment you guys met, from the moment you felt each other, you were doing it right for each other. And you got to feel the friendship and joy and happiness and love.
All I know is we don’t have control over any of it, life. We don’t even have control over our emotions. But we have control over our thoughts and actions and how we treat those around us, how we treat the ones we love. And in that, you and Cash conquered all and climbed the tallest mountain and experienced what dreams are made of, right here in this world. One day of that is a life in itself. You did it Joe, and I am sure that right now Cash is somewhere galloping in open fields saying he did it, he lived a great life, he got to feel the greatest feelings an animal could feel.
And he wouldn’t change a thing.
I am very sorry, my friend. As a person who feels what you feel for life and people and animals, I know how you feel. I am with you. This is as deep as it gets. And this is only because you and Cash felt for each other as deep as it gets. There is sadness, and that is needed, and it will be for a while. But then at some point there is also a celebration of everything Cash meant to the world. A celebration of a great well-lived life.
Chris
Beautiful and insightful words Chris. Thank you. Chris Lombard is a renowned natural trainer, clinician, and author of Land of the Horses, a book that changed my life, and can change yours as well. – Joe
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Joe,
Thank you for sharing your letter. What a good friend he must be to put his thoughts so eloquently to paper, and to have changed your life so significantly. You are truly blessed to have such a caring friend.
Cash must have been the most remarkable horse to have inspired such a superbly, but humbly written book. I, and thousands of others, will be eternally grateful to that boy, your wonderful Cash, for lighting the spark that ultimately changed our own lives. May God be with you as your broken heart heals.
Thank you, Joe. Kindest regards.
Well, now I’m speechless after reading Chris’s letter. How very nice it was. It’s so hard to express to someone “sympathy” to help the person heal. I read your bog when you lost Cash and I had tears, because i can relate. Within the last 2 years I lost my 3 first horses I ever had and I got them when I was 40, I’m 67 now. We got them when they were all 2-3 and I didn’t spend nearly the intense time that you or Chris have in all the training on a day to day basis, but my heart hurts when I see pictures of them, or read things like the above and your tribute to Cash. It might get easier, but it never goes away. It as my most meangful time of my life, 40-60’s and when I lost my last 2 in 2014, it closed a chapter that I wasn’t ready to close. I still have 4 horses, and I worry often as to when I might have to say good bye to the final ones. Age doesn’t matter anything can happen bad like it did cash. I often wonder why I have so many animals because most often, we live longer and it hurts to loose them. The happy times out weight the bad things that happen, that keeps me going and I wouldn’t be the person I am if i didn’t have a animal to share my life with, well, and my hubby!! Bless you Joe!