Good Morning!
Well, I’ve named him…
Who? Lena’s colt, of course. I’ve named him:
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Choctaw Flying Hawk
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We’re gonna call him, “Hawk”. I know what you’re thinking. Why in the world would she name a horse, ‘Hawk’? Right? Would you believe me if I told you that his name sort of grew in my heart and soul? Well, it’s true. I have never had a horse this long without naming it. But, everything I thought of was quickly tossed aside because it just didn’t fit. So, I let the name come to me instead of searching for one. This is how it happened:
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As part of the design phase for a new product for The Horse Mafia, I have been doing some research on Indian Tribes in the State of Alabama. The name “Alabama” is a Muskogean Indian word. It meant “campsite” or “clearing,” and became used as a name for one of the major tribes in the area, the Alabama (or Alabamee) Indians. The Alabama Indians were not the only native people of this region, however.
The original inhabitants of the area now known as Alabama included:
- Chickasaw
- Koasati
- Cherokee
- Alabama
- Choctaw
- Muskogee Creek
- Biloxi
Most Native Americans were forced to leave Alabama during the Indian Removals of the 1800’s. These tribes are not extinct, but except for the descendants of Alabama Indians who escaped from Removal, they do not live in Alabama anymore. They were moved to Indian reservations in Oklahoma and Texas instead. This is a part of Alabama history–USA history–that I am not proud of.
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“My people are few.
They resemble the scattering trees of a storm-swept plain…
There was a time when our people covered the land
as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea cover its shell-paved floor,
but that time long since passed away with the greatness of
tribes that are now but a mournful memory.”
― Chief Seattle, The Chief Seattle’s Speech
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I wanted to name him in honor of one of the tribes who used to inhabit this land. And for some reason, ‘Choctaw’, wouldn’t leave me. I just kept thinking that it had to be Choctaw…something.
And then I was out in the pasture over the weekend. I was kind of cleaning up around the barn and the colt was playing. Actually, he was running…very fast. He literally looked like he was flying above ground. He has a very long stretch. So, that is where the ‘Flying’ part of his name came from.
As I watched him fly, the word, ‘Hawk’ seemed to fit. So, he is officially christened, ‘Choctaw Flying Hawk’.
He is really warming up to me. Each day I’m with him, he follows me a little longer and comes to me when he sees me. Mystic is so funny about him. She wants to be near him at all times, including trying to get in the same stall as him and Lena at feeding time. Lena tolerates her for the most part, but sometimes she flattens her ears and warns her off her baby. Mystic will back off for a little while, but is right back at it as soon as Lena calms down.
Lena is getting better every day. The feed mix that I have her on is really helping her. She told me that she sure is glad that I have finally named her baby. She was getting tired of me referring to him as “the baby”. 😉
Blessings to you from
Charity & The Horse Mafia!
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