Left behind boots. That was my first clue. Walking down to my horses stall, I came upon these left behind boots. I thought they were worthy of a shot. So I took one. Only to find out, as my morning progresses that two or three of our “resident cowgirls” had decided to forego their boots and (for some reason) head off on their horses barefoot and free. “Natural Horsemanship”…..? I think it could qualify. These girls! My first thought was (I will admit) how UNSAFE! And, my second thought was how BEAUTIFUL. I do remember those carefree days and I wish them upon my daughter. No matter how I may worry and fret, I want my daughter to know carefree, bareback, barefoot days on horseback that nearly no mom would approve of. As my little one grows, I have to remember there will be times to turn the “blind eye”. But it will be in honor of who she is and the freedom she seeks. It could be worse, believe me, it could be worse. Here’s to freedom, bravery and childhood. I wish to bring some of it back into my own life!
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barnraised 
Reblogged this on barnraised and commented:
Looking back at my blog as I consider what is next here. And, I feel a little writer’s block tonight. My favorite post of all time, I think….
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Something that we have to learn as mothers… to give them their space even though it feels completely unsafe to us… But imagine how beautiful they feel… how free they feel. The adventure they are on 😉
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Isn’t that so hard sometimes? ! To step back and give the space to experience those things. Those important adventures!
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Hardest thing ever. Because you know what could happen…
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Enjoyed this post. Some important life lessons quietly woven into it…(as a parent of kids now in their mid twenties to mid 30’s it continues to be on we have to keep in mind..) When’s the last time you went riding bare foot? 😉 DM
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Ha Ha! I did, not long after writing that post, start riding bareback again which has brought fun and pleasant childhood memories back! Can’t say barefoot though. Although my daughter has 🙂 Thanks for commenting, always good to hear from you!
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You are welcome~! 🙂
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What a gorgeous post. So much love for your daughter. But I’m like you, a mom before all of it. I have to remind myself constantly that all the experiences I’ve had growing up are what made me who I am today. And I have to agree with DM, maybe you should give it a go!
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Yep, those are the moments that make us. I remember crazy moments too that my mom wouldn’t have “approved of” but they shaped me. And, I don’t think I turned out too bad 🙂 And, as I commented to DM and Sheila, haven’t gone barefoot, but have been going bareback again which I hadn’t done since I was a teenager! It’s fun when the kids around us in our lives inspire us to do something youthful and fun again!
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Beautiful! I loved the last two lines.
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Thank you!
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So long as they wore helmets….Yeah, I know, we all remember riding barefoot and bare headed, and we survived. But we also know: it’s not worth the risk of brain injury. So hard as a parent to balance risk vs “just go have some fun!”
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Well, these weren’t my “cowgirls” so I have no say. But I’m a firm believer of the helmet. My daughter never rides without one. In fact, my students are not given the option. They all ride with helmets, or I don’t take them as students, period. Barefoot, hum…haven’t had a student ask for that one yet! 🙂
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What a lovely post. So important to let our children spread their wings, and explore life. It is hard, and many times I have had to bite my tongue when my little man is doing something I might think a little unwise, but when I let him go, when I sit back and chill, he learns so much, about himself, and what he is capable of.
So are you going riding barefoot soon 🙂
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🙂 Actually, not long after I first wrote this post I started riding bareback again which I had gotten away from in my adult years. So re-finding my youth in that fun way! My daughter though, has ridden barefoot since. It is now the “cool” thing to do, I guess!
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This is one of the hardest things to do as a mom…should we let them spread their wings and fly and stand close as a security net or should we stand back and let them fall (learn)?
Anyway, you said it best “here’s to freedom, bravery and childhood”—–
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It is hard. I guess it’s a balance that we spend our whole parenting life trying to figure out!
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I certainly agree with that
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What a lovely note to join you on. Gorgeous post!
PS. No way you’ll catch me on a horse. Especially shoe-less. I get in enough bother with two feet on the ground!
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Thank you. Good to meet you! I understand about the horses…. 🙂
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That is such a cool post – gave me the chills. I love that you let them go free and without their boots.
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Well, they weren’t my kids… I just stumbled across the boots and then found out later why they were randomly sitting there. They were some of the teens that board at the stable 🙂 It just inspired me though, to remember to slow down and have fun.
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Haha i love doing that!!! At least i used to…before high school and busyness. thanks for the reminder. I’m going to have to go on a barefoot bareback ride ASAP!!! 😀
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Let me know when you do! Enjoy!!
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Haha, i’ll have to write a post about it! 😀
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That would be great, I cant wait!
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