Coffee Clutch with Dutch Henry: 2014-06-08

Friday, June 13, 2014

"Feature Friday – Mustang Meg"

Howdy Folks,

Sonya Spaziani aka "Mustang Meg" is devoted to supporting, defending and protecting our wild horses and burros by publishing news and photos documenting the current assault of the BLM on our mustangs and burros. It is her mission to collect, document and research information regarding the brutal mishandling by our government of our noble wild horses and burros, and share that information with others who seek to protect and defend our wild horses. You can find her easily on her Facebook page – "MustangMeg," where she shares mountains of information and photos.

"Wild horse and burro advocacy has become the greatest "grassroots" effort in history, and since the government in DC has proven it is less then concerned with our wild horses entrusted in their care, this union of wild horse enthusiasts and concerned citizens band together to remind lawmakers the importance of wild horses to the people. It is my mission to support all who join in this effort."~ Mustang Meg.

She has also created, and with the help of other photographers and artists assembled, a series of breathtakingly beautiful photographs and artworks available for purchase at www.wildhorsespirit.com. "A percentage of the proceeds benefit a wild horse program working hard to preserve our wild horses in the natural ranges of our western high desert. The Cloud Foundation, American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign and Return to Freedom work tirelessly through various means to preserve our wild horses, and help to keep them managed appropriately in the wild. Donations are allocated to organizations with greatest need on behalf of the wild horses and burros. You may also request a preference." ~ Mustang Meg.

"Besides the natural lure of the wild horses, I am on this mission to 'protect to preserve' our wild horses and burros full force since I discovered an amendment to their protected Federal status. With the insult of the sneaky rider/bill introduced by Montana Senator, Conrad Burns in 2004, slipped in the appropriations bill, during the major holidays and without public knowledge or review, single-handedly and with the swift motion of a pen, deteriorated wild horse and burro protection given in 1971 known as the Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act. This tragic amendment was signed by President George W. Bush on December 6, removing most protection for our wild horses and burros, where a majority can be sold/ auctioned/ processed "without limitation". ~ Mustang Meg.

The efforts of Mustang Meg, and folks like her may yet save our wild horses, but the outlook is dim. Please join the struggle.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

"They Taught Me Patience"

Howdy Folks,

"They taught me patience." That's what about thirty percent of the respondents answered to this month's TrailBlazer magazine's Facebook question, "How have horses changed your life and made you a better person?"

Kessy and me sharing a quiet moment

While there were many diverse and touching answers folks shared to that question, a few brought tears to my eyes, "They taught me patience," was the overwhelming number one response. If we add to that number the folks who said things like, their horses taught them to look inside themselves, take time to enjoy the day, and slow down to understand, that number would rise considerably.

It is interesting to note so many could learn that simple and very important life lesson from their horses. But it tells us more. It tells us what high quality of teachers horses truly are. By their nature horses are patient, ever willing to endure our impatience until we learn to slow down and hear them. Then they are there for us, ready to guide us into the realm of simple understanding.

Patience and horses – to some those two can't go together. Especially today in our every busy, impatient world. To those folks I'd like to suggest, give it a try. Expect nothing except that you allow your horse to move into your spirit, touch your heart and guide you to a place where you can truly see the world's magnificence, and the beauty and wisdom of your teacher. When we find true patience, harmony, things are accomplished in less time. And to a higher refinement.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

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Welcome to the Coffee Clutch

Welcome to the Coffee Clutch, a happy place to visit. I write uplifting stories about a wide variety of subjects from horses to birds and nature, to love and family and friends. Sometimes I'll post excerpts from stories I've written for Equine Publications. Sometimes I'll post about writing itself. Coffee Clutch got its name because I often write while enjoying my morning coffee in the barn with my mare Kessy, and all our critters. Join us here for fun conversation and stories I promise will make you feel good.

It's For The Horses

This is not a book about riding, or training horses. It is a book on my thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how folks might find the joy in doing things for the horse, with the horses’ point of view as the leading guide. My hope is to help as many people as possible learn to hear the horse, feel their spirit, and in that way help horses everywhere. Over the years I’ve met and worked with remarkable people and horses who taught me about their feelings, their joys, their sadness, and their spirit. As a horse advocate everything I do is from the horse’s perspective, including this little book. Every story, idea, suggestion and thought on these pages will be to suggest and share thoughts and ideas on how to maximize a relationship between horse and human—from the horse’s point of view.

Tom Named by Horse

The only man ever to offer Tom respect is Red Cloud. The only woman to give him love is Red Cloud’s granddaughter. Struggling with his own personal demons, Tom finds himself wedged between honoring that friendship and staying true to the depths of his conscience. Amid a backdrop of tumultuous social upheaval, he finds nothing prepared him, the woman he loves or Chief Red Cloud, for the changes about to thunder into their lives, sweeping them helplessly into the tides of human conflict and historical drama. Available on Amazon.

From The Banks OF Little Bear Creek

The Tom Named by Horse Saga continues. Three years after the death of Tall Dog, Tom Named By Horse and Soft Cloud have turned the little soddy, the lands granted them by Red Cloud, and the lean-to barn into a thriving horse ranch, fulfilling Tom’s dream. The Plains Indians Wars, or Red Cloud’s war, is mostly behind them, and the lands have had their transformation as Red Cloud’s vision had warned years earlier. Trailing horses from the ranch to Denver city has become an annual event for Tom, Buck and the rest, and this is the story of that trail. In the spirit of a good old John Wayne movie, vengeance, cattle and horse thieves, a dirty sheriff and corrupt mayor, and a wedding make this year’s drive a ride you’ll want to tag along on.