NOVEMBER 2021 THE RIDER /41 The Power of the Blood By Gail Ponesse


He who loses wealth loses much, but he that loses his courage loses all.


ways before I opened the gate. I had to have the chain over the nose because I could not hold her. I could not hold her even with the chain over the nose so I always kept her in a paddock close to the barn door. I bought the finest chain I


could find. In fact, I bought two


she did not get away, run me down, or cause the gate to strike me. I was always dealing with tremendous supernatural strength and force. As a result, I wondered many times if l should try to send for the biggest guy in the “Green Journal”, the Danaway showman. I had to attach the line al-


was always in a state of extreme panic and frenzy when it was time to come in at night. She did not know how to access the gate. She thought she should charge it at top speed, jump the gate or jump me. The reality that a Shire could pass through the gate open- ing was not within the range of her mental capacity. I had to be very careful that


appeared to me to suffer from a very severe microptic or Lillipu- tian hallucination, “a false mental image in which things seem smaller than they actually are”. She firmly believed there was not enough room to go through the gate, into the barn, or into a standing stall. As you can imagine, she


most frightening and thrilling moments of the ordeal that Rosie and I shared together. Both the “low’’ and the “high” happened simultaneously. l had no books or experience or research so I tried to follow Plato’s advice and use logic and reason. I made three mistakes. This is the story of one of them. Among other things, Rosie


I wanted to share one of the


because I was so afraid of losing one. I knew I would not have as much control, but I needed to thread it through the moving hal- ter as quickly as possible. Chains were the life-line - chains for the nose, double chains for the gates, and eventually chains for the standing stall. I decided it was safer to at-


take of unlatching the gate before I had attached the line to the hal- ter. It was such a stupid mistake! At the time, I recall it was the third year of our “adventure”. We were still climbing the “moun- tain” and the summit was not yet in sight. It was very exhausting, physically. People make mistakes when they are tired. I suspect I was very fatigued. Rosie started to charge the gate! I grabbed the gate with both hands and threw the full force of my weight against it! I could not hold it! I was sure she was going to get away! I had worried incessantly about the dangers of escape. I knew it would be impossible to catch her! Once she reached the highways it would be cata- strophic. She would run until she dropped from exhaustion! This moment was the most frightening for me. I was home alone at the time and my worst fears were about to be realized! I thought of grabbing the halter with both hands but I was afraid I might miss. I would have to let go of the gate. The gate might strike me! Furthermore, if I caught her, I would have to hold her with one


tach the chain first, by itself. I was afraid she might take off and entangle myself or herself, or step on the line causing an acci- dent. I had to be quick so she could not take off with my fin- gers entrapped. The danger though was that the chain might strike her in the eye or hit me in the eye. Speed with the chain, and threading it through the hal- ter, was of utmost and critical im- portance! One night I made the mis-


me bitter disappointment, unnec- essary worry, expense and phys- ical exhaustion, all to an extreme degree, and unimaginable suffer- ing for Rosie, but they cannot take away the joy of that mo- ment. Rosie’s breeding saved her life that day, and possibly the lives of others. How many horse- men witness that in their life- time?


to expose ourselves to risk, the greater our affirmation that the virtues are things of great value”. As well as the Aristotelean virtue of courage, I affirm the value and worth of the horse. Rosie was, and is, worth the risk! Rosie showed a multitude


“The more willing we are


was a flicker of sanity and light in this world of madness and darkness, and I could see all of that breeding from years back, staring me right in the face. For one brief instant, the power of the blood superseded the power of the drugs. I will never forget the thrill of that moment! It was like looking into a dark, dark tunnel, and seeing the “Light of the World” at the end of it. What a momentous moment! The villains have caused


hand and latch the gate with the other. I did not think I would have enough strength. I always had enough courage, determina- tion and perseverance, but I never had enough strength. I decided to hold the gate with two hands and I started yelling at her at the top of my voice, “Get back, get back, get back, ... “. Suddenly, she stopped, and listened, and looked right at me. I had enough time to latch the gate. In one brief instant there


Woodbine who had extensive ex- perience with thoroughbred stal- lions. She came in 2-3 nights a


riod of time, had complete amne- sia, appeared to have hallucina- tions involving all the senses and was so crippled from her exces- sive speeds and falls that she could hardly walk out of the stall. I hired a groom from


week to help me. As well, Tellie’s personality also helped dislodge Rosie from the dominant posi- tion. I had a few “close calls” but am very proud of the fact that no one was injured. Rose has made incredible


progress. Her ears have been for- ward all summer and at times she is completely sound. Her survival


New Listing! Only minutes North of the Town of Cobourg!


has been miraculous! In spite of being seriously injured she is be- ginning to think the world is a nice place.


Owner of Synod Telynor and Synod Rosie Roberts


Caledon East, Ontario, Canada Mrs. G. Ponesse


of severe signs and symptoms suggesting that she had been as- saulted with “Crystal Meth” (a highly addictive substance with a 7% cure rate [as compared with cocaine’s 40% cure rate]), sedat- ing drugs and male steroid hor- mone drugs (given to a female). She was psychotic for a long pe-


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Located in beautiful Cold Springs & the heart of Northumberland County, this incredible 98 acre farm is less than 10 minutes from the 401 and only a 1 hr drive from the GTA. This dynamic property is highlighted by it’s many equestrian features but offers a wide range of possibilities for the astute buyer!


acres of additional pasture land,100’ x 200’ riding ring, a dressage area and riding trails throughout.


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multiple high speed internet options. Enjoy the panoramic views of the


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● A 30’ x 90’ storage shed with 16’ inside height currently used for equipment, hay and RV storage.


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● 98 Acres total, with 25 workable acres, area of outbuildings ap- proximately 14,000 sq. ft.


● Barn with 8 stalls (potential for 11) and hayloft, adjacent large run-in shed, 2 paddocks, round pen area, a 5-acre pasture plus 10


Listed by, Sales Representative, Royal Lepage ProAlliance Jamie Milner Realty- Cobourg (905) 377-8888 or (289) 251-8405 email: jmilner@royallepage.ca


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