A HORSE'S PRAYER

Feed me, water me,
and care for me. 
And when my day's
work is done, 
provide me with 
shelter, a clean, 
dry, bed, and a 
stall wide enough 
for  me to lie 
down in comfort. 
Talk to me. Your 
voice often means 
as much to me as 
the reins.
 Pet me sometimes, 
so that I may obey 
you more gladly 
and learn to love 
you.
 Do not jerk the 
reins and do not 
whip me when going 
uphill.
Never strike, beat, 
or kick me when I 
do not understand 
what you mean, but 
give me a chance 
to understand.
 Watch me, and if 
I fail to do your 
bidding, see if 
something is wrong  
with my harness or 
feet.
Examine my teeth 
when I do not eat. 
I may have an 
ulcerated tooth 
that is very painful. 
Do not tie my head 
in an unnatural 
position, or take 
away my best  
defence from flys 
by cutting off my 
tail. (I don't take 
away YOUR mosquito 
spray.)
  Don't smoke in my 
barn or leave me 
tied up overnight 
and perhaps burn 
me to death while 
you are sleeping 
in your comfortable 
bed.
 And last, my master: 
when my strength is 
gone, do not turn me 
out in a pasture with 
no shelter and let me 
freeze to death, or 
sell me to some  cruel
owner to be slowly 
starved or worked to 
death, but take my 
life in  the kindest 
of ways, and you will 
be rewarded-hereafter.

  -Author unknown