A reason for reflection..........It seems lately that allot of friends both personally close and those I've connected with over the Internet with horses have suffered losses of their equine friends this year already. This brings me to this post....... And why I dread that day, hopefully long into the future. Why my mares are important to me and why, even on days when my energy is sapped, I muster the strength to go out in the cold and just be with them, even after the chores have been done. It's simple really, they give me piece of mind, comfort, challenges and a sense of freedom. I can't say the loved returned is unconditional because they are unlike dogs that way, but it is returned in simple ways, a nicker when they see me approach and the way they come to the fence when I'm there. The trust they have in me, knowing somehow that I would never do anything to harm them and everything to protect them. The nuzzle I receive after I've stopped the scratch in their "spot" to encourage me to give more. The way they watch me leave the driveway when I head off to work and how they watch me come back down the driveway when I come home. The silliness shown to me when I finally re-open the pasture, yet never until I am away from the gate and I am in a safe place. The way they willingly carry me when I feel the urge to ride. I know they appreciate the way I speak softly to them and often in their ear. They even appreciate my husband when he feeds them talking all the way and sneaking them a big hand full of long plush green grass during the summer that's just outside of the fence out of their reach but looks so scrumptious. I don't think I could live without them, just as I don't think I could live without my husband and children or the company of any of the creatures that grace us with their presence.
For as long as I remember, I have always loved horses. From the time I was a little kid watching my Dad with his big palomino, Ernie and my older sister with Red and when my parents couldn't afford an equine for me and I tried at the age of 11yrs to talk my Dad into a pregnant mare named Flicka that I knew in my heart should be with me. To the time when Jess's folks and my folks would take turns on the weekends dropping us off at the local riding stables for our few hours of pure riding freedom as kids.
9 comments:
I held my neighbor's extremely old, Cushing's afflicted horse today for the farrier. They don't stay young long. And I'd forgotten just how very old old can be.
He's much loved and well tended. Horses are such a blessing. I wish they had longer, active lifespans.
hear hear! Lovely post.
I think all of us who are graced with horses in our lives are lucky. Great post.
Any of us who have horses in our lives are very lucky, especially when we know they love us back.Great post.
Thanks All, I think those of who are graced with the ability to keep horses with us are extremely lucky and blessed.
I too know of folks who have lost a valued family friend. Remembering the many happy times seems to help blunt the pain...
Mary Haley
Editor
http://horseresource.org
Great post. We are so fortunate to know the bond we have with our horses.
We are lucky to have our bonds with are equine friends.....couldn't live without them. :)
It is a bond beyond description. They seem able to cure whatever is bothering me and make me feel ... peaceful!
No matter what the hour or how busy I've been during the day, I always go to the barn just before bed (for the 18th time) to say another "good-night".
I sleep much better and so do they.
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