GRAVETTE — Been a little too cool around this rock pile for me and old Snip.

I thought about riding around the fence line to check for snags, and down to the wash where we have to keep fixing the fence just to check. Snip decided he didn’t want to go.

You know, I am a patient man, soft of voice, hard to rile, kind to animals and all of that kind of stuff. You know my close relative and all the offspring know I am a softy when it comes to dealing with them. The Grands think I am a marshmallow, soft, sweet and ready to toast!

Well, I feed that dang old horse morning and evening every day. I don’t miss him even when there is two feet of snow and I have to walk uphill to get to the barn. I put good alfalfa horse-grade hay out for him daily and, believe me, it is not cheap! The farrier comes by on a schedule, draws pay from my account and smiles big as he leaves with his pocket full. Snip is well taken care of, and I do enjoy riding.

When a horse decides he does not want to be ridden, a headache ensues. Ittook about 20 minutes for mine to become a roaring, throbbing pain. Snip curled his lip at the extra oats I put in the pan, let me walk up behind him over and over, but did not allow a close relationship with his head. I didn’t know the old fool had so many twists and turns left in him.

I can catch a wild cow in the squeeze chute and not even bat an eye, but that is a cow. I just can’t see me putting my dear old steed through a chute. I realized he had to be caught because we could plant the seed of a bad habit if I let it go, and yet I was sure ready to quit. The offspring had already come by and gone off to do their thing, and I needed a little help to get this ornery mustang into the alley. Finally, opening gates and closing off other lots, I got a trail made forSnip to end up in an alley so he could not get away!

Sure enough, he saw me coming and snorted like a two year old bronc, silly old thing. I got a post in behind him so he couldn’t back out and dropped the bridle over his head. Suddenly, without fanfare, Snip was caught and returned to the old reliable cow horse he is. I backed him out of the alley and he was just as calm and gentle as a lamb. I was still mad, but I also realized that all of us have a desire for deciding what we want, and to heck with what others want or need. Freedom is desired by man and animal, even those of us who are well taken care of!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, being free is a picture that has no flaws, no warts, and no needs are addressed. Fly like an eagle, let the wind take you to anywhere it happens to blow and be exhilarated! Then, when it is time to eat, do you think you could eat like that eagle? Bugs and raw fish, furry rabbits and on and on are not exactly what most of us desire.

Snip would be at the gate begging for his supper. He may not be able to think ahead but humanoids are supposed to be equipped to do so.

Think it through before you fly the coop, so to speak, because the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

Remember to check in with me on the blog, www.billsopinions.com, and leave me a message. I sure would like to hear from you. See you at the feed store soon!

Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/02/2012