I often bragged to my classmates that I was a “true” cowgirl because I was born in Wyoming and named after my uncle’s horse. That certainly qualified me, right? Inevitably, I would be the best horse rider if given a chance. In fact, one Sunday after church I naively decided to assess my novice riding skills on our neighbor’s horse, Cloudy. She was a young, gentle, smaller horse that let me pet her whenever I wanted. Her coat was steel gray, with patches of white, emulating clouds. Much to my surprise, she did not approve when I walked her next to the fence and jumped on her bareback. She immediately bucked me off into the gravel where I had the wind knocked out of me for at least 10 seconds. I do not exactly remember what happened next, but the line of events led to getting my first (and only) belt spanking. I always assumed the stiff punishment was a result of riding a horse on the Sabbath. It was more likely because I tried to ride a horse that did not belong to me without permission.
B2tRUE 