Then, with amber, and silver and radiance, the sandcastle world of Sedona was transformed into a new day. The grand council of clouds disbanded their morning gathering and took up silent vigil at various points of the compass.
Ream remembered the overture of the Sedona sunrise. He was listening for it, even with the hair on his arms, as it arrived on his front porch.
Mrs. Mead had come to refresh his coffee when he reported, "Someone named Sally Barringer called for you last night."
"Yes, she caught me at home. She is interested in joining a discussion group I have just finished conducting. I won't be doing another one until next year. Too bad, because she could use someone to talk to."
Mrs. Mead's voice softened with compassion, "By the way, she said you were nice to talk with. Maybe you ought to call her. She gave me her phone number and address in Prescott. Maybe you two could be friends."
Ream pleasantly recalled his conversation with Sally. He thought it seemed too forward of him to call her, but felt a card expressing his pleasure in their talk might be more appropriate. This would allow Sally the choice to respond, especially if he included some reference to their short conversation.
"I would be a little uncomfortable calling her," said Ream, "but she might enjoy some notes I picked up in the rehab unit. It's in my red notebook in the top drawer of the dresser. It's entitled The North Star. Would you get it and send her a copy of it with a card?"
"Sure," said Mrs. Mead, "I'll make a copy in town, find a nice card to go with it, and send it from you."
After breakfast Ream was sitting in the swing on the porch wondering how a horse could teach you about trust, mutual confidence, and being a free spirit all in one easy lesson. How could someone who is afraid of horses learn total confidence and trust in a horse?
Just about then Gus came over the horizon with Biff in a halter instead of a bit and bridle. The saddle was left at home. Unseen by Ream, the lead rope was not held, but tossed over Biffer's shoulder.
Gus's hands were in his front pockets. Biff was just strolling along beside Gus, free from any lead or control. Biff nudged Gus slightly on the arm as if to say, "Hey, what's cookin'? Where are we going?"
The sound of a horse walking casually captured Ream's attention in anticipation. Ream listened carefully as Gus stopped and waited for Ream's recognition.
"Sounds like Biff and Gus to me," smiled Ream.
"Yup, just a couple of old saddle tramps enjoying a stroll," grinned Gus.
Gus took the lead rope off Biff's shoulder and let it hang to the ground. He had again ground-tied Biff as he went to the porch to lead Ream over to him.
Biff and Ream picked up where they left off the evening before in the "get acquainted" process. Gus let it unfold without comment or intervention because he knew it was good for both Ream and Biff.
Gus had always felt he wanted to share Biff with other people so Biff might have more friends. It was as if Gus wanted what was best for the horse, and he delighted in watching Biff develop his own base of friendships.
Ream smiled at his reunion with Biff. He had guessed Biff would pick up where they had left off. He was right.
His guesses at a lot of things were becoming more accurate as a result of his developing gifted ear. Not just about people and their traits, but about his new world.
He could tell how cloudy the day was becoming, by the feel of the intensity and mix of shadows and sunlight against his skin. This sensation refreshed his memory of how shadows from great cotton clouds floated aimlessly across Sedona's red earth and mountains. His sight was gone, yet sighted memories remained. One foot was in those memories and one foot in his darkness. Maybe that's why he returned to Sedona, to keep the best of his sighted memories alive.
He wondered if there might again be light in his world, but of a different nature. He wondered about the possibility of a spiritual light. He didn't know where his life was going, or what form it might take in the future. He just knew for now it had to do with regaining his feet. And he guessed it had something to do with Gus and his horse Biff.
"Gus, tell me how the respect thing works."
"OK," said Gus as he took the toothpick from his mouth. "Don't expect it to make a lot of sense as I tell it to you, but it will when you experience it.
This Principle is the most valuable insight I have ever learned about horses, people, and life. You've got to recognize the golden moment, then give the horse back to himself. You can't make it happen. You gotta let it happen."
Gus took an extra lead rope hanging from around his neck, "It starts with this: Horse sense will always follow freedom."
"Sounds simple enough. But you better explain it."
"I can't with words, but I can show you with this lead rope," said Gus giving one end of the rope to Ream by gently placing it in his hand.
Gus said, "I'll be the horse and you lead me toward you by pulling on the rope."
Ream pulled on the rope. Gus didn't move. Ream pulled harder. Gus pulled back on the rope dragging Ream a step forward.
Ream smiled, "It didn't work, now what?"
"You're trying to control me or force me. And if you continued with the same tactic, you would end up with more and more force, maybe even beating on me. That will only create fear, not respect."
"What is my alternative?" asked Ream.
"Try putting a slight tension on the rope and just waiting. Listen to the touch of what happens at the other end of the rope."
Ream applied tension gently for a moment, waiting. Gus yielded an inch and Ream could feel it at his end. Ream continued the tension and Gus jerked back again.
"What happened, I thought I did it right?"
"You did Ream, everything except the release. Remember, horse sense always follows freedom."
"Oh, I get it. When you yield to me, I should release."
"That's the Principle in action; releasing freedom, not using fear or control. Try it."
Ream applied tension, and in a moment Gus yielded an inch. Ream released the tension and waited a moment for this freedom to soak in. Then he again applied tension and waited. Gus took a step toward him.
Ream relaxed with a smile, "OK Gus, what is happening?"
"You're not controlling by jerking and jamming. Rather you're giving me a direction and allowing me to choose to move in that direction. The Principle is universal because in every living creature there is a dignity and the spirit to be free, and one other thing I will tell you about later.
You need to learn how to express all this with your hands. So when you stand in front of the horse to lead him, you put only a slight tension on the lead. Remember, you're only indicating which direction you want him to go, so you don't pull the rope, or pull him. Just let the horse stand there if he chooses. Savvy so far?"
"Yes, go on."
"Now if this language system has never before been used with a horse, he will initially just stand there. You just stand there too, and wait.
You're waiting for the slightest sign the horse has yielded to the direction of the tension. The smaller the indication the better because this means you're reading the horse. There might be a slight shift of weight. A leaning toward you with his head to reduce the tension, or the movement of one foot slightly in your direction. And you know what to do then."
"Release?" asked Ream.
"Yup, and you might add a thank you."
"It's only fair."
Gus elaborated, "At the slightest indication the horse has yielded in the right direction, you release the tension. The horse realizes that when he moved in the direction you wanted, he was let free.
Horse sense will always choose freedom. That's the Principle: respecting his dignity and freedom, allowing the horse to come forward, not forcing him. Are you ready to try it with Biff?"
"I'll give it a try."
"To demonstrate, we are going to have you lead Biff into a space that he is apprehensive about, like getting into a horse trailer." Gus looked around the yard for a tight spot they could use. "Right here, between this fence and the barbecue is a snug space." Because it's a tight space for Biff, he will have to have confidence and trust in you before he will go into it. You'll have to convince him with your touch that you'll not force him into the space but allow him to enter as it is comfortable for him."
So Gus positioned Ream at one end and Biff at the other end of the narrow space formed between the fence and a large propane fueled barbecue grill left there after its last use. Then he handed the lead rope to Ream and said, "It's all right if you don't do it right the first time. It's part of how you gain confidence in each other."
Ream put tension on the rope, and Biff registered the idea that he was being asked by a stranger to enter a confining space. Biff backed slightly, raising his head and looking at Ream with one big eye like he was a bottle of fly spray that smelled awful.
Ream gave way to the horse while keeping the tension, halfway guessing it was the right thing to do.
Then Gus said, "Good, now Biff knows you're not going to jam him in there."
Ream kept up the tension. Biff's head went up slightly but he did not back out. Ream gently smiled in recognition of this small progress. Then for a few moments each waited at his end of the rope. More moments went by as the two of them stood there in a stand-off. Biff moved his head up and back slightly; Ream again yielded control, but not tension. Biff returned his head to where it had been previously.
More moments went by, and then, ever so slightly, Biff stretched his neck toward Ream. It seemed as if Ream had missed the response, and Biff pulled up slightly. Actually, Ream hadn't missed it at all, he hadn't been ready for it. He wasn't anticipating the horse yielding and what he would have to do immediately in response.
"It's all right," said Gus. "Nobody gets it perfect the first time. This is as new to you as it is to him. Try to be expecting his slightest yield to you and be waiting to give him back to himself."
"I get it," said Ream, as he again put tension on the rope. Biff yielded slightly by leaning forward, and Ream immediately released. Both took a deep breath. Ream let his out, while Biff blew it off through his nostrils, which expresses a release of anxiety in horses.
Ream repeated the tension on the rope, and Biff yielded a half step forward into the tight space. Ream released, and waited a moment, remembering he should have said thank you.
Quickly he said "thank you" and meant it, with genuine appreciation in his voice. He again put tension on the rope, slighter than before, and Biff immediately made one full step forward, knowing Ream would release.
Ream released and thanked Biff verbally and in his heart too.
Two more times he repeated the process anticipating Biff would follow and then releasing him to freedom. He had learned that Biff always moved toward freedom.
Ream had mastered the touch and feel of the Principle. He had a broad smile on his face when he asked Gus if he was ready to lead Biff in a circle.
Gus was smiling too, and there was perhaps the smallest hint of an admiring tear in his eye. "When you lead a horse, don't try to control the horse's head by holding on tight. Leave about six inches of rope hanging loose. That way the horse knows his head is free." He helped Ream with his hands. "Hold your lead hand over the rope not under it," he instructed.
"When you lead, use the same Principle of direction and freedom you did before, only this time you will be walking in a ten foot circle. Remember, direction then release, OK?"
Ream led Biff in a circle using the Principle.
Watching them, Gus said, "Instead of giving him direction by tension in the lead, try making a kissing sound to him and then just walking in a circle without pulling on the rope in any way."
So Ream stopped and tried it. He kissed toward Biff, then walked forward leaving the lead loose. Biff followed.
"OK," said Gus as he took the lead rope from Ream's hand and placed it over Biff's shoulder. "Biff has learned to follow when you kiss to him. Now, try it and then walk in a big circle, let's see if he has the same kind of confidence and respect to follow without a rope."
Gus stepped back, and Ream kissed to Biff saying "Come on." When Ream walked, Biff followed.
They walked a large circle while Gus admired the inspiring sight. It was the free spirit of an Arab horse choosing to follow a blind man. Each had found trust and confidence in the other.
This time Gus's eyes were definitely wet when he smiled to himself.
As he led Biff, using the Principle, Ream sensed the fragile connection he had made with the horse. It was almost mystical. Biff's trust had the innocence of a five day old puppy opening its eyes for the first time.
When they stopped, Ream thanked Biff and stroked his neck. He remarked, "It's quite a Principle, listening to touch, releasing freedom, not fear. What do you call it?"
"The Cowboy God Principle," replied Gus.
"That's really good, you ought to write it down," said Ream.
"I did," responded Gus. The tone of his voice became reflective and softer as he said . "I wrote a poem about it."