Yes, I use writing to problem solve, right now near exclusively in dispatches. The stakes are now low because I don’t (to my knowledge) have any readers.

But writing about what happened today, it may take me a step further in the self-understanding process.

I heard this morning that there was going to be a miniature horse trail class at the France Equestrian Center, at 5:00 p.m. I like ponies more and more, so I decided to check this out. I did my afternoon work at the hotel and then returned to the fairgrounds. As I was crossing the grassy equestrian parking lot, I heard my name and saw Natasha, an Icelandic horse owner. She was in her trailer along with two of her sons and her miniature horse, Chewy.

Alys and Raudi practicing body awareness

They were all putting purple hoof glitter on his hooves. I thought, wow, here’s a good opportunity, I can hang out with her family while her son shows Chewy in the trails class.

I dropped my books off at the equestrian center and went to check out the event. It was here that my trouble began. I felt my ire rise as I watched one of the competitors attempt to get a mini across the water obstacle. The horse was wanting nothing to do with this. The person in charge was using a long whip with a flag on the end, in an attempt to persuade the horse to walk over the jump.

The horse wanted nothing to do with this, and several times leapt over the crossing. The woman kept at it for some time, then gave up. She handed her very young daughter the horse and the daughter imitated her mother, but adding to this, she pulled on the lead rope excessively.

The horses’ eyes were wide. It simply didn’t want anything to do with the crossing. Natasha’s son tried next, and Chewy would have nothing to do with this.

I couldn’t contain myself. I went into the ring and said to Natasha, to just avoid the obstacle.

The class got underway. There were 12 or so minis in attendance. Quite a few got dragged around. Chewy and handler bypassed the water crossing.

After everyone was done, there was a break so that the horses and riders could get ready for the costume class. I left for a few minutes and then came back. Natasha had handed Chewy over to the woman with the crop and flag, and she was using both on the horse. It pained me to see this. And I did wonder why Natasha did not work her horse herself.

I didn’t know what to do with my emotions, never a good thing in fact a bad thing, so I went in the arena where horses and minis were milling about and told Natasha what I was thinking.

I really thought my days of seeing and expressing my ire over the behavior and thick headedness of horse owners was over. Apparently not. It’s hard, knowing so much and not being able to do something about it when I see something wrong.

Next: 228. 8/25/26 Problem Solving Continues