Bonfire Chats

Ponies North · Bonfire Chats

Other than those who remember Mister Ed, the TV Sitcom from the 60s, the connection between humans and horses is deep and often unspoken. When asked how the palomino could actually talk to Wilbur, the only human who could hear him, Mister Ed’s response was,"Don't try. It's bigger than both of us!"

Ponies North’s 2027 journey through several states, from the U.S. border with Mexico to the one with Canada, envisions a team of horses and riders traveling across serene and awe-inspiring trails as our pioneers once did. Each rider, relying on his or her horse to traverse a variety of terrain, vegetation, and weather conditions, is physically and mentally connected to the steed, emotionally communicating a spectrum of feelings to the horse. There may be small talk between riders, but the main communication is between horse and rider; rider and horse.

At the end of that day’s ride - after each rider removes sweat and dirt, cools down the horse’s muscles, and cares for any skin rubs, swelling or injuries - the riders will only then wash up and eat their supper meal together. Now relaxed, riders are invited to gather around a bonfire to share each one’s encounters during the day’s ride. Each might recall common sightings, approaches in traversing certain rough grounds, and practical ideas on improving their abilities for the next day’s ride. Because the skill levels of the riders will certainly be different, the lessons from the more experienced riders will benefit the more junior riders. There inevitably will be questions asked and ideas exchanged. Wisdom shared is wisdom gained. The way of our ancestors to learn and reflect was through these types of verbal encounters.

Around the Ponies North bonfire the encouragement to the riders to open hearts and minds becomes a safe place; a trusted space among the group. Around a crackling bonfire, with the open sky above, each rider is relaxing and contemplating their own physical, mental, and emotional state. Around a crackling bonfire there is a bond among the riders; a truth about the day’s ride that only each rider has experienced. The exchanges are validation of each rider’s human perspective that each rider brings to the group – not to boast or belittle – but to support the thoughts each rider contemplated along the day’s ride. If each rider’s horse could be brought into the conversation to corroborate its thoughts about the rider on its back, we would only have to imagine hearing these words, "Don't try. It's bigger than both of us!"