The first day of February and the sky is clear,

The first signs of spring catkins brave with no fear.

For the weather can be cruel and a vicious beast,

It has been known to be icy winds from the east.

February can be white, bleak, cold and bare,

For some equines no one is there to care.

Plenty will suffer the last of winter's harsh grip,

Some will be abandoned like rubbish at the tip.

Too many stand hungry with empty bellies,

In deep mud that can eat the toughest wellies.

Or left by the road to stagger with horrific neglect,

These souls have seen no love or respect.

The dark underbelly of the equine world many are blind,

My humans know it is cruel and very unkind.

Non ridden equines with no loving guardians can suffer,

As the law to protect them needs to be tougher.

Non ridden is not a worthless throw away soul,

A mother passes generational gifts to her foal.

When will humanity see non ridden equal to riding,

We stand up and share proudly we are not in hiding.

Non ridden voices can collectively shape change,

And what we started is not odd or strange.

Thousands understand the delights of non ridden,

In the non ridden groups their stories are not hidden.

We are not anti-riding as everything non ridden is great for all,

Ridden equines can enjoy non ridden activities and have a ball.

Non ridden gifts are great for all humans spirit, body and mind,

So we make it all free and easy to access and find.

Resilience can take weeks, months or years,

As it's often about facing our darkest fears.

Adversity is something we both know well,

Our stories we often openly share and tell.

Adapting to challenges isn't always fun,

It's really hard when all is said and done.

In the blink of an eye life can change,

Nothing is normal everything is strange.

Life threatening, a struggle and fight to live,

Discovering who loves us for what we give.

Abandoned and cast to one side,

Broken it's about swallowing pride.

Trauma leads down to a dark place,

Many tears flowed down my face.

Asking for help is not weak or giving in,

It's the start of getting tools to help to win.

Bodies never to return to before,

That was a one way entry door.

Accepting new physical limits is hard,

As the mind can play the just try card.

Emotionally trauma is confusing and black,

Plus the inner critic loves to give flack.

Adapting needs healing of body, soul and mind,

And learning self-compassion to be kind.

The other side of adversity life is not the same,

Good times, happiness and laughter to claim.

Two legs or four life can be brutal and cruel,

Even if you are very careful and follow the rule.

Broken hearted from bodies that are battered,

All the plans dashed and dreams shattered.

We didn't ask for serious life altering health,

It's no joke as it impacts massively on wealth.

A horse with the truth well and truly hidden,

The discovery of the fact I shouldn't be ridden.

My humans love me more than riding,

Their unconditional love is not in hiding.

Cancer diagnosis for both mum and dad,

Treatment is harsh, crazy and mad.

Side by side our journey we have shared,

And found lots of love from those who cared.

Side by side we tackled the dark dealing,

Discovered profound life lessons in healing.

Healing journeys are not fluffy and pink,

It's hard work and at times it can stink.

Anything worthwhile is worth fighting for,

It's clear non ridden equines deserve more.

What we have now is awesome and fun,

Making the most of life when all said and done.

Limitations don't stop love and smiles,

We have got fitter and can walk for miles.

One step at a time is how it's done,

That's how we battled and finally won.

Through it all a connection as strong as steel,

It's not a magical illusion it's very real.

Soul to soul and heart to heart,

Love bonds are eternal never to part.