Buckskin Jesus Rides Again

There are those who have stepped forward for us and answered a call to duty that so few of us have ever faced. There are many who will deal with the memories of battle and of loss without noticeable issues; unfortunately, there will be others who suffer from wounds both psychological and physical, some of these will battle with addictions to alcohol and illicit drugs, while they continue to patrol a narrow path between life and death. These are the ones who put their lives on the wall, while we and our Liberals, who rarely show an inclination to serve, have lived in relative comfort and safety back here in the United States, for these last ten years.

We who have lived and prospered owe them so much; especially, those who bear the scars of combat, scars that can be external or internal.

These returning heroes who bear the scars will need help and treatment; unfortunately, the treatment is rarely successful and the veterans often feel they are ignored and forgotten as they try to cope with modern life outside of war. All too often, an early death is the only reprieve from their personal Hell that the war and multiple deployments have inflicted upon them. These men deserve so much more than the counselors who took pysch classes because they were easy. Sometimes the friend who isn’t a trained specialist can provide help or the will to overcome obstacles; sometimes, a horse can provide the therapy.

Now, as a horseman, I have seen the unexplainable healing effects of a horse. They have a unique way of helping lost and damaged souls; they can do it just by using their simple compassion, love, and basic communication. Many people without options find a way to cope, when they look into those eyes and feel the compassion and love that a horse has to offer. For unfathomable reasons, some horses take it upon themselves to befriend certain troubled humans and offer them friendship. I have spent a lifetime communicating with horses and there are some people claim I am one of the best, but honestly, I don’t have a clue why some horses will take on a troubled child or a damaged adult.

To me, it seems as though those who approach a horse with the innocence and naivete of the children who approached Jesus will gain the confidence of a horse and in return that horse will give his life for that particular human.

Years ago, I knew a good hearted outfitter who took handicapped children into his mountain camps during the summer, to help get ready for the hunting season. These weren’t the usual problem kids; no sir, this guy insisted on the most severely challenged. The kids often responded to the remote camp life and advanced in ways that schools and therapists through the years had failed to accomplish. I was proud to have known this man and I can honestly say that a man never stands taller than when he stoops to help a child. These kids had severe emotional and physical problems, but the outfitter had no reservations about trying to help these unfortunate children.

These were often the most severely handicapped children, but the outfitter took them into the mountains and gave them an opportunity they had never had before. One kid adopted an old tractor, took it apart, put it back together and got it running like a sewing machine. Another kid started fishing and provided the camp with the fish for dinner that we guides usually enjoyed catching in the evening, but no one complained about not being able to fish. Another kid started sewing the leather and fixing all the saddlery, most of them did this on their own with no instruction or help and many of them found a vocation for the future or gained the confidence to realize that they could accomplish something in this life. Most of the kids adopted a horse as a friend; and there was interminable brushing, grooming, and riding, the horses responded as if they were taking care of a foal and the horse-human friendships were enough to make old hunting guides and trappers get a lump in their throat

Outfitters usually have very well broke horses and cowboys who can ride a greased pig if they can get a rope around it, but this outfitter had a horse known as Buckskin Jesus and he was a bonafide outlaw. He had come by his name honestly; he was a Buckskin color and the cowboys often said, “Jesus” and other much worse things when they were bucked off this renegade. Usually, a horse like Buckskin Jesus meets an early demise, but for some strange reason Buckskin Jesus was still around.

There was a group of kids that came out for the summer and one of the kids had never spoken a single word. As luck would have it, this particular kid developed a fascination with Buckskin Jesus. At first, the cowboys tried to get the kid interested in another horse, but Buckskin Jesus was the horse he wanted. The horse responded to the kid and allowed himself to be brushed until he was as sleek as a race horse; without permission or supervision the kid climbed aboard and rode the horse all around camp to everyone’s amazement. The kid broke out of a shell he had been in since he was born and this horse became his main motivation in life. From the time he woke up, until it was time to go to bed, this kid was riding or grooming Buckskin Jesus. Eventually, it was time for the kids to go home and it was a tearful goodbye between the kid and Buckskin Jesus; suddenly, the kid said his first words in this life, “Goodbye, Buckskin Jesus”. Needless to say, there were tears even on the cheeks of the most hardened cowboys.

It is this magical healing ability of the horse that I know will work on our wounded vets. I recently met a pair of guys with a dream; Johnny Higginson and Andrew Mikiel, they run the Shadow Hills Riding Club, they have already helped perform miracles like the one mentioned above and many others. They are also working with vets who have Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome and having success. I am afraid this is a disease that we will be seeing a lot more often in the near future.

For those among our readers who have read the bulk of my writing, you know that I support our vets and their benefits. I will always try to help our vets and their causes, but these guys have a good idea and the ability to make a difference. I stand with these guys and their efforts to help our returning warriors. I have already contributed, but they need serious financial help and I am hoping some of you will consider helping these guys to help our vets. Keeping enough Buckskin Jesus type horses is expensive and they need help with feed, shoes, and hired help. If you can help with a check, it is a worthy cause that will be providing critical help to many of our vets in the near future. If you are unable to lend financial help, read about their dream and send them an encouraging email, tell them ol’ Skook referred you.

They are a tax deductible charity and have gone through the requisite training to be “official” horse therapists for the disabled. Let me tell you straight out, these guys have something you can’t learn in a classroom, it is called Love and Compassion.