Footprints. When we think of Jesus and footprints we usually think of the famous poem, Footprints in the Sand. However what I'm wanting us to think about are the footprints that touch our hearts for instance . . . a child's footprint can cause their parent to stop as they marvel at the size of their child's print. In awe this child is theirs.

Footprints and hoofprints cover Windridge's arena surface. Jesus is walking with some and carrying some. We strive to serve Him as we walk with Him and at times, He carries us. Glory be to God in all that we do.

"To make a perfect horseman, three things are requisite. First, to know how and when to help your horse, secondly, how and when to correct him, and thirdly, how and when to praise him and to make much of him." - Thomas Blundeville

I like sayings. One good saying reveals more than a mountain of words. There is more life lived in the above saying and when I reflect on it - I can think of one horse after another. In fact, I would be telling numerous stories to those who would be willing to listen.

It's the same with, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. John 3:16 And the people said, "Amen". Have a very blessed happy Easter, Margo

my favorite photo

Even though you may have seen this picture in my favorite black and white photos, I just had to share it again - this time in color. For me, why we love the horse and children is said in this photo. As you look at this picture please consider the following quote by Charles de Kunffy. "Courage, wisdom born of insight and humility, empathy born of compassion and love, all can be bequeathed by a horse to his rider."

Have a blessed day with our Lord, God speed, Margo

Mac - The Little Bay Horse

I would like to remind the reader my horse stories are in three parts, The Observer, The Trainer, The Lesson

My prayer is you will find an Easter message in Mac's story.

The Observer - I didn't see him at first. He was kept in the horse trader's barn until my attention was diverted to two sorrel geldings that were saddled outside the barn for me to look at. Both were old horses who would have enjoyed the rest of their years out to pasture, warming their backs in the sun.

The horse trader continued describing how good one of the sorrel geldings would be for me without telling me their age nor their backgrounds. All I said to him was that I wanted to buy a horse - not what my experience was. When I noticed a bay horse being led out of the barn to the round pen by a young man who considered himself to be a "cowboy". Soon, I directed the conversation from the older geldings the horse trader was trying to sell me, to the bay horse that was being forced to run around the pen. I excused myself and walked over to the round pen.

The "cowboy" saw me approaching and dismounted the bay horse. As I looked into the round pen, through the board slats, I could see the sides of the horse heaving from being ran around the pen to get the "buck" out of him. He didn't care to move, he didn't even care what might happen next or about the people watching him. For the moment, he was allowed to stand quietly. I looked into his eyes while the sweat dripped from his coat.

The Trainer

In my opinion, typically the horse trader is one of the most despicable individuals in the horse industry. Heaven forbid the horse enthusiast who crosses paths with the horse trader when looking for a horse to buy. The trader will feed off of this poor, unsuspecting individual like a vulture. A horse trader has a silver tongue and a bag of tricks they will use, no matter the cost to the buyer or the horse.

One afternoon I went to the horse trader's barn, to see if I could find a horse I wanted to "do some trading for". As a trainer I know exactly what I'm looking for. Yet, I must be careful of the tricks a trader will use. The trader wants to sell any horse, no matter how lame or old the horse is, for as much as the trader can sell the horse for - even if its an unfair amount. Obviously, my goal is to find a young, healthy, sound horse the trader might not know what to do with. I went to the trader's barn and found Mac.

Mac was a five year old bay, Quarter Horse gelding with good conformation the day I saw him at the horse trader's barn. It was apparent he had not been with the trader long. How did this good looking, athletic horse get to the horse trader's so young? He had learned to buck, throwing the calf ropers who were trying to use him for roping. I believe mac was a gifted athletic horse and his original owner was too eager to win calf roping events and Mac's training was neglected. When Mac felt pressured and confused his owner tried more aggressive techniques to get Mac to perform. Mac's response to the mishandling was to buck. Several calf ropers tried to ride him but to no avail. Mac was discarded and sold to the horse trader.

The day I saw Mac in the round pen I didn't let the horse trader know what I knew about horses. I needed to observe how this man conducted himself. What were his ethics, morals and values. It was my way of getting to know the horse trader's playing field. There is an old saying amongst horsemen, "Just let someone talk and they will tell you what they know - let them talk longer and they will let you know more than they ever wanted to divulge about themselves.

When I approached the round pen, the "cowboy" was working Mac in, I was sizing up the situation. Over twenty plus years of training horses professionally was to Mac's and my benefit. I leaned on the pen and asked the trader a few questions a novice horse enthusiast would ask. I was trying to get the trader to tell me more then he would if he knew I was a trainer. If the trader was honest, this fact would come to light however, if the trader was dishonest his intent would also be exposed. Finally I said, "May I go in the pen and spend a few minutes with the horse and see if I like him?" I continue, "If I do like him what will you sell him for?" The trader was quick to reply, "Fair market value for a horse like this is $2,500." The trader knew if he could get my money before I rode Mac he would be getting ride of a horse he'd have a hard time selling. I lowered my eyes as if I was disappointed and said, "I was told I could find a good horse for $500." There was a wide range between the two prices. I knew the trader's price allowed room for trading but $2,000 gap! I said, "I was told that some times you can buy a horse at a lower price if you don't conduct a pre-purchase veterinarian exam and do not ride the horse." In other words the buyer would take the horse as is that day. In true form the trader responded, "If you like him you can have him as he stands right now for $500." The trader had to add, "This means you can't ride him until you get him home." I walked over and shook the trader's hand. "OK, let me go look at him and if I like him, he's mine for $500 - deal?" The trader agreed.

I went into the round pen taking the reins from the "cowboy". I led Mac around to see how he would respond to me. When I had his attention I performed one of my old tricks to see how Mac would respond to schooling. When I was finished "checking out" Mac, it was obvious I was not a "greenhorn". I led mac to the gate of the round pen, reached into my pocket and handed the trader $500 which was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Bennett for the purchase of a horse. If Mac had never bucked and ended up at the horse trader, he would have been worth over $7,500 as a calf roping horse! Mac had a new home.

Mac has been with Windridge for seventeen years now. He is very knowledgeable and skilled. Mac is a part of instructional classes for instructors, lead and independent classes in the therapeutic riding program, and a part of our hippotherapy and research programs. If I was to equate Mac's knowledge and skills to our academic system, Mac has earned his doctorate!

The Lesson We Learn from Mac

To have been given power, but to move and act with gentleness is true strength. Mac has learned to temper his power with graceful assurance that makes it possible for even the smallest child to receive great benefit. Mac is also fair. He recognizes ability and raises or lowers his responses accordingly.

Mac once struggled to interact with people, but when he learned what true communication was he learned to listen. He learned not to anticipate what he was being told to accomplish but rather wait for the next instruction. Mac now responds gracefully, steadily and effectively. He knows his job and is able to do what must be done even in difficult circumstances.

Mac's story exhibits God's grace for us. Though once lost, when grace began to unfold in his life, Mac accepted it and began to respond. He did not fight the truth. He let gentleness combined with education overcome the past so that his true value could be fully revealed. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! . . . Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:1a & 2

Merry Christmas

I pray your Christmas unfolds with blessings and relationships that bind. The following is a poem I wrote which you will notice it is written in the same style of "A Night Before Christmas". Being a horse lover at heart, enjoying everything about the country landscape, way of life and its animals I hope you enjoy the poem and can celebrate with me the birth of our Lord and Savior.

The First Christmas Gift

'Twas the night before Christmas in this horse lover's house,

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

I counted my blessings and turned out the light,

The horses were bedded down for the night.

My mind was at peace as I crawled into bed,

Then realized I'd forgotten hay for ole' Red.

Resigned to this fact I arose from warm sheets,

Slid on my muck boots and took carrots as treats.

I walked to the door past the old wooden table,

And looked at the gifts that my efforts made able.

I thought of traditions, old and some new,

Remembering the note placed beneath the horseshoe.

"Dear Santa", it read, "I'd rather you bring,

In place of a saddle, a more precious thing".

Please bring peace, hope and answers for those in need,

Who can't pay the bills and have families to feed.

The rest of the letter - if my memory is right,

Was for our country to heal in God's holy light.

I walked to the barn, kept my dog in my sight,

An eagle flew low in the bright moon light.

Traditions from childhood I set to the side,

I rewrote my prayer from my heart deep inside.

I knew in the end, He would hear my request,

I dropped to my knees my back to the west.

Dear Jesus,

I thought of the first gift of which Angels sing,

An innocent child He would serve as our King.

Then all of a sudden a joy in my heart flashed with a burst,

For all the believers will be quenched of their thirst.

I rose from my knees and gave hay to 'ole Red,

My horses were quiet, all watered and fed.

I closed the barn door and crept back to bed,

When one final prayer popped up in my head.

Please Lord,

The world wakes on Christmas with little ones shouts of glee,

Papas and Mamma's will roll out of bed to see.

The excitement over, now the old and the small,

Turn their hearts to the cross that hangs on the wall.

May Papas and Mommas again tell the story,

Of Jesus, the manager and God's holy glory.

Those young and old know the true son of God,

The reason for Christmas the one that we laud.

And with my prayer spoken, it came to an end,

I remembered a thought I wanted to send.

Based on my faith and God's holy word,

Merry Christmas to all - your prayers have been heard.

The Master's Trail

In 1774 Thomas Jefferson wrote, the God who gave us life – gave us liberty at the same time –when we hear this phrase we traditionally think of Mr. Jefferson referring to the birth of our country – I would also like to believe his thoughts extended to include our spiritual liberation from our transgressions, and a new birth in Christ. Please listen to Paul’s words from Romans 11:6 – If they could be made God’s people by what they did, God’s gift of grace would not really be a gift. When I reflect on these men’s words and take into consideration my own experience the day I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior I would say, God’s gift of grace accepted me “as is” embracing me with unconditional love, liberating me from what I could not save myself from – myself. I was the teenage runaway who became a race horse trainer and jockey who lived a life of immorality, addictions, lies and deception yet – God walked across the universe accepting me “as is” breathing into my very existence new life. It was as if He said – I take you today as you are – follow me – and I will show you who I truly created you to be. I was given an opportunity to know the truth. I need to STOP for just a moment to emphasize one very important fact. The day I found out who God is I was not looking for Him and I felt very much in charge of my decisions and choices. I could not even see HOW destructive my way of life was. YET that morning while I was working in the barn cleaning a horse’s stall God made His presence known – just a few steps to make an eternal difference – using Bill Hybels words written on the front cover jacket of his book – Just Walk Across the Room. God did not let me fall through the cracks of life because I was not worthy. To this day I do not know how God did what He did, but for whatever reason – I stopped cleaning the stall and looked out the window at the sun rising over the race track clutching a pitchfork handle while being embraced with God’s love and grace. My tears released years of pain and what seemed minutes later I finally heard myself say, I can’t do me anymore, I need your help. Within moments I felt cleaned, the filth collected from my life style seemed to have been washed away and I became anew in Christ. At that moment DID I know HOW to give up my present life style, NO, but I knew I wasn’t alone and I knew who I wanted to follow. Today I have been given an opportunity to profess what Christ has done in my life and my testimony has a colorful background but the focus of my story is not my past but my present. Today, I am not the person I was – but the person who thoroughly enjoys finding out who I am in Christ – because He accepted me “as is” giving me His gift of grace. A gift I did not deserve and at times since that day in the horse’s stall I still feel unworthy of what Christ did for me, because I know I didn’t do anything to deserve it. I am compelled to remind us there are hundreds of people like myself who live in our neighborhoods who do not know our Lord OR they may think they know Him – but truly don’t. We all have a story to tell – a joyous testimony of what Christ makes possible in our lives by a single act of faith – AND – the IMPACT a faith in Christ makes on our lives. We are examples of the action God took through His son Jesus so none of us may fall through the cracks of life. If I could wrap up Jesus in a gift box and give Him to each person I met, I would do nothing but box up Christ and walk across the room and give God’s gift of grace to each person I encountered – for we all are worthy of His grace.


Download my entire testimony of the "The Master's Trail" in pdf format. Go to Windridge's website at http://www.windridgetexas.org/ - click on news then click on articles where you will find the title, The Master's Trail. Click on the title to open up the pdf file and a more in depth testimony of how I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.

The Story of Fancy Rose

Fancy Rose, a black and white paint mare, was rescued by Safe Haven Equine Rescue Center during the years Ruth Meadows was the executive director. After her rescue Rose was adopted by a teenager and donated Rose to Windridge in 2004. This is her story told in three parts: Our Observation, The Teacher, and The Lesson.

Our Observation:
Her coat was rough and lifeless. The lack of de-worming and nutritional care had taken their toll. Her eye was petrified with fear of humans. This little black and white paint mare was one of fourteen horses who were starving. The evidence of three horses, which had not made it, was close by. Within minutes of taking in the situation we experienced a myriad of emotions. We wondered how anyone could treat any animal in such a manner and anger rose within us. Anger was replaced with an overwhelming sadness as we looked into each of the horse’s eyes. We desperately wanted them to understand we would not hurt them. We were here to help them. To move them to a place where they would be fed and cared for, never to know an unkind hand again.
Each horse was loaded into the horse trailer. Some were so weak they barely could step up into the trailer without stumbling. Then it was time to focus on the little black and white mare that was standing away from the activity.
As we moved towards her fear entered into her eyes and instively she looked for a way out. There was none and she began to shake. We stopped. We felt so helpless as we saw how frightened this mare was. We waited for Margo’s instructions.
The Windridge Staff

The Teacher:
My volunteer work was with Safe Haven, an organization that rescued abused and neglected horses, under the direction of Ruth Meadows who also was the founder. From time to time, as Ruth asked for specific help, either myself or the staff and I would help Ruth with situations that were difficult to handle under normal circumstances. Over the years, Windridge and several of the instructors have adopted horses that were a part of Safe Haven. In fact, there have been a total of eight horses adopted. One of the horses at Windridge, a Quarter type/Appaloosa cross chestnut mare named Hope, was one of the first horses rescued by Safe Haven. Hope was a month old filly and she and her mother Faith, were starving. Once rescued, Hope was so weak she had to be held to stand in order for her to nurse.
One February, in 2004, Ruth called asking if the staff and I could help her load fourteen horses who were neglected and abused. Of course we agreed and set up the time to go pick up the horses. Every once in awhile a person comes across conditions children, older adults or animals are living in and it makes your stomach sick to think the individuals responsible could care less about their well-being. This was one of those times. Rather than describing the situation in graphic details please believe me when I say several were only a week away from dying.
The staff and I took one horse at a time, loading them into the trailer, starting with the weakest horses. By the time we were down to the last two horses we were faced with two black and white paint mares that had been severely abused and couldn’t be touched. To make a long story short, I had to use an old trick used by horsemen of old. The blessing was these two mares had been treated like wild horses and herded from one field to another. I just set up an environment that looked natural to them and was able to get them into the open trailer. All fourteen horses were safely transported to Safe Haven. The two paint mares were unloaded into the same lot until Ruth had space to separate them into different stalls.
A few days later Ruth called asking if I would come by and see what I could do about one of the paint mares. I did and within a couple days it was apparent for everyone’s safety the mare needed to be moved to a pen I had at Windridge. The abuse this little black and white paint mare underwent caused fear beyond what I had ever seen. The mare was going to hurt herself, or worse, a Safe Haven volunteer. I relocated the mare to the lot behind the old barn Windridge started in.
This little mare’s life began anew the next day. Each day I would work with her. First, I had to destroy the monsters in her life caused by abuse, second, I had to show her schooling was ok and third, I had to show her she could have a productive life.
While this little mare was under my care, one of our student’s mother became interested in her. Danielle and her mother Amy became very interested in this little mare. Week by week Amy would visit the lot while Danielle was riding. One day Amy walked up to me and said, “Margo we can’t let that little mare be adopted. What if she falls into the wrong hands again? Why can’t she stay here? If Danielle and I adopt her would you accept her as a donation for Windridge?” I smiled, hearing this woman’s heart and said yes. Amy named the little mare Fancy Rose after one of Windridge’s long time volunteer and board members.
Twenty-one months after Fancy Rose was picked up by Safe Haven, Danielle rode her little black and white paint mare the week of Thanksgiving. Danielle rides Fancy Rose as her lesson horse, but more impressively Danielle rides Fancy Rose each year at Windridge’s annual Horse & Rider event which approximately 800 people attend. Danielle and Rose look like they are performing a dance recital.
By Margo Dewkett

The Lesson Rose Reminds Us Of
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you.’” Jeremiah 31:3
Rose moved from a life without future or hope to one filled with love. She was once valueless and now in the eyes of many she is priceless. She once stood in a place of darkness and fear and now she steadily carries children.
It is amazing what love can do. Love sees a difficulty, not an impossibility. Love sees the potential in a small, fearful black and white mare. Love sees past the habits of self preservation. It sees future success (such as carrying a teen rider in front of 800 excited guests) and looks past the failures. Between these two points, there are many lessons to cover. Long and difficult miles are still ahead, but love counts as each small milestone is viewed as a joyous triumph.
Rose will never win the famous Thoroughbred races called the Triple Crown. She will never be counted with the top of her species in the Hall of Champions. No descendants of hers will ever be famous, but in the lives she has touched, she is so much more. Rose is the face of hope and I have witnessed what loving kindness can accomplish. Rose is a reminder that occasionally what appears to be impossible can be achieved. Can be achieved through a faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By Julia Bourcier