Original Author Unknown
(It’s Sunday and time to go riding. I found this little piece years ago and have played with it so many times that I no longer remember what is what or who is who but the message never changes. With all of the nonsense that whirls around us we often need to stop, look around, be thankful for all that we have and recharge our souls. Refresh yourself for a moment and feel free to wash your mind out with this little story – R.T.)
A man was riding his horse down a country road.
It was a beautiful winding road bordered by bountiful fields of wild flowers and long waving grass. The man was enjoying the view and the tranquil time spent with his long time companion, his horse, when suddenly he remembered that he was…….dead.
He remembered his death to every detail and it occurred to him that he had lost this trusty horse and friend many years before. How could this be?
But the confusion was lost amid the peace and tranquility of his ride. So they slowly plodded on and enjoyed each others company.
As they slowly walked down the road a magnificent, white, marble wall came into view along the left side. As they continued, the long expanse of white was broken by a tremendous arch with intricately crafted gates of gold and pearl. Once near the gate, the man could make out a small desk to the left with a well groomed gentleman seated behind it. The gentleman was hammering away on a computer keyboard and did not look up from the monitor.
The man dismounted his horse and with reins in hand, walked up to the desk.
Startled by the intrusion, “Ah, Greetings” the gentleman exclaimed.
“Howdy”, replied the man, “Where am I?”.
“Why this is Heaven, oh yes, oh yes, we have been waiting for you don’t you know”, replied the gentleman.
“Do you have any water?” asked the man.
“Certainly,” was the reply, “just step through the gates and I will have some well iced mineral water brought right up”, replied the gentleman and with that, the gates began to open revealing a descending cobblestone road of gold stretching off into the distance and the sound of soft music began to fill the air.
“How about my horse?”, asked the man, “He is the one who needs the water”.
“Ha, you have to be kidding, there are no animals allowed here.”, replied the gentleman and without comment, gesture, or hesitation, the man climbed back up on his faithful steed and continued down the road.
As the marble wall receded behind them, the man on the horse came upon an old farm gate that looked like it had never been closed, no lock or latch to be seen. There was no fencing and a neat, little, dirt road led back to a classic barn and farmhouse. Behind the farmhouse horses could be seen grazing in the brilliant green pastures and dogs played near the house. Near the gate a farmer was sitting under a tree, reading a book, he looked up and smiled as the man dismounted and approached.
“Howdy”, he said, “do you have any water?”
“Sure do”, the farmer replied, “right over there, up the drive, is a water pump that you can use.”
“How about my horse?”, asked the man as he stroked the horse’s neck.
“Of course, there is a trough right under the pump spout for him and a tin cup on a nail for you to use. Feel free to let him graze for a spell, if you would like, that’s quality Bermuda grass, there.” replied the farmer.
The man led his horse to the watering trough and filled it with cool, clear water from the pump
While his horse drank he filled the tin cup and walked back to the farmer.
“Thank you, kindly” said the man.
“Our pleasure”, said the farmer as he tugged on the brim of his straw hat in acknowledgment.
“What do you call this place?” asked the man as he took in his surroundings.
“We call this Heaven”, replied the farmer.
The man turned back to him and asked, “How can that be, the place down the road was said to be Heaven.”
“I know”, chuckled the farmer, “That is really Hell, it is by no means Heaven.”
The man looked at him in amused wonder, “Doesn’t it upset you that they are using your name?”
The farmer stood up, “Not at all…..they do a pretty good job of screening for us” he sighed.
“Screening, what do you mean by screening?” asked the man.
The farmer quietly strolled over to the horse and gently stroked his withers, then turned to the man and said,
“Anyone who would leave their best friend behind, wouldn’t be real happy here.”
They both smiled, the man nodded, they turned and watched the horse refresh himself with the water.
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Categories: The Force of the Horse
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
“There have to be horses in Heaven, because horses make heaven on earth.”
Thanks R.T., for the “stop and smell the roses” moment.
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Thank you R.T., I decided long ago that MY heaven MUST have places for my horses and dogs, too; otherwise, I’m not goin’ there!
I’m getting to the age where my children have started the discussion of “who will take care of me when I get REALLY old.” As neither of them “gets” why I have horses at my house with all the work that entails, and since I’ve been told that my horses and dogs must find new homes once I move in with one of them, I’m not goin’ THERE either!
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Love the story. Thanks for sharing.
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“God forbid that I should go to any heaven where there are no horses.” – R.B. Cunningham-Graham
Someday I hope to meet y’all there.
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What else can heaven be but the place where you wait for me, all my sweet, 4 legged friends?
mar
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Some people say there are no animals in Heaven. I say, “How can you call a place Heaven if it doesn’t have animals”? I’d rather live at Rainbow Bridge.
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R.T. what a lovely story. As I read I thought of friends and relatives and this story could be tweaked to be about dogs, or cats, or birds or whatever ones four legged, or featherd, or scaled companion is.
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Thanks for sharing that RT, it was good to read at the end of a busy day!
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A friend and I use to discuss heaven. We decided that in heaven there are people who would be angels (singing praises all day long to God), angels to visit people here on earth from time to time. But that heaven would definitely need animal “keepers” (for lack of a better expression). Keeper in this sense is groom, or anyone else involved with the care of animals. Like a vet, or farrier. And each would be assigned an area of their expertise–like if you like horses but are afraid of lions and tigers and bears–that wouldn’t be such a good fit.
I think this story is a great reminder of times to come. I know my sisters dog would be happy for me to hang with him or let him hang out with me. But then we’re best friends.
Just give me a couple of great doggie friends, my horse from my teens and all the necessities of life (on the other side)–I won’t complain. Even if I do have to muck out a smelly stall!
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Of course horses are in heaven for they are without sin. Even Jesus will return on a magnificent white steed. God loves horses.
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God loves his horses, they are one of the few animals brought along from the first Earth age (i.e. pre ice age) he decided to keep them in this millinum too. As Lisa said Jesus will return on a ‘pale’ horse. My heaven envisioned has horses and like many, if there isn’t I’m not going.
I see mine in lush green fields scattered with brilliantly colored flowers. They’re up to their knees in green and flowers. They can eat to the hearts content, never feel full, colic or get fat. Large full spreading pepper trees for shade, and a clear cold running stream that is deep enough to get a good drink or splash and play in. Where it’s 72 degrees all the time,never too hot or cold,free of flies and other annoying bugs. Song birds sing and Eagles scream hello, welcome!
When I arrive I see them galloping toward me sliding to a stop just short of running me over. They cover me with nuzzles and whinnies as all my dogs,cats and even the goat that have arrived before me catch up to our meeting place. I hug and kiss all of them and we laugh and play in the tall grass happy to be together again.
They will be able to talk to me and answer all the questions I ever asked them and wondered if I heard them right. The horses then take me up on their backs and we ride again with the dogs,cats and goat in tow as they, not angels will show me the wonders of heaven, because they are/were my angels, teachers, mentors and guides on Earth and will be in heaven.
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