You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘two old horses’ tag.
Time for Tuesday Beauty
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I’m a sucker for a gorgeous sunset.
And my two old sweeties.
Often the most ordinary of things turn out to hold the most beauty.
The trick, I think is slowing down enough to really see them.
We live in a beautiful world.
Tomorrow’s the big day and you’re invited to send your birthday wishes to our sweet appy.
He’s back in the pasture with his pals, but not completely out of the woods yet.
Thanks for caring about him!
He and Pepper had a “moment” when they were reunited. Made my heart go pitty-pat.
 |
 |
| Invite made with Smilebox |
On Friday afternoon as I was feeding my two old sweeties I broke one of the cardinal rules of parenting.It’s a parenting rule for families with more than one child.
I’ve been ignoring this gem of knowledge, this directive, for some time.I just didn’t realize it.
In my defense, I did only raise one child. I never had to learn about navigating the family terrain that comes with multiple kids.
But that would be somewhat of a cop-out since I’ve worked with children and families my entire professional career.
So what was the rule?
This egregious oversight that I committed?
Fairness.
Equal treatment.
I know that in families, parents often twist themselves into pretzels to be fair. The phrase “bend over backwards” comes to mind.
If one child gets to do something, his or her sibling gets to do something of equal import.
If John gets a toy, Susie gets one.
If Shannon gets invited to a birthday party, Billy gets to do something special as well.
You get where I’m going.
You may even have direct experience with the doctrine of fair parenting.
If so, please, please leave a comment below. I want to hear how it’s gone for you.
In the pasture it was Bud who pointed out my lack of fairness.
The Fairness Doctrine in action
Here’s how it went down.
For some reason, which is now fuzzy to me, we started feeding Pepper by placing her feed pan in the back of the car, inside the open tailgate. I think it was so that she wouldn’t have to bend down so far to eat her grain.
On the other hand, Bud has never had a bit of trouble eating, in any way, shape or form. We place his feed pan on the ground.
On Friday, he let me know he wasn’t happy with this arrangement.
He’d been giving me clues all week. I simply wasn’t paying attention.
Just minutes after Bud and Pepper started eating, he raised is head, pushed Pepper away from her feed and began eating her grain.
I moved him back to his pan.
Minutes later, he did it again.
So, I picked up his feed pan and placed it in the bed of the car, alongside Pepper’s.
This calmed him and he started eating his own food.
Is this what he wanted all along?
To be fed the same way as Pepper?
She came back to her pan and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Crisis averted.
Bud getting the last bites from both pans.
On Saturday I was feeling quite smug because I thought I’d worked this out. I set both pans in the back of the car, and opened the gate for the sweeties.
Bud immediately went to Pepper’s feed and started munching her grain.
Pepper walked around the car and straight for the bucket of alfalfa cubes.
#@*! (Fill in your expletive of choice.)
I put the cubes out of sight, redirected Bud to his feed pan and walked Pepper to hers.
It’s important that they eat their own food, because each pan is dosed with different medicine. I’m not just being controlling, in case you were wondering.
What did Bud do next?
He nudged Pepper away and started eating her grain.
#@*! (Once more with feeling!)
I muscled him toward his pan, which I’d now placed back on the ground a few feet away from the car.
So much for the doctrine of fairness.
Sometimes things must be as they are for good reason. Fair isn’t always the same as equal.
I’m betting this holds true for families too.
Do tell.
“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.”
This quotation from author Ernestine Ulmer seems to be Pepper’s new motto.
About a week ago we started something new when we were feeding our two old sweeties. We moved the bucket of Horse Candy and the bucket of alfalfa cubes away from the back of the pickup. There’s a wooden mounting stand a few feet away, closer to the fence and the rest of the hungry herd. We set the two buckets there.
We moved the goodies to set up a separate coffee and dessert bar. Something upscale for our horses.
Okay, not really.
We moved them because Miss Pepper couldn’t concentrate on eating her grain, which is dosed with Bute. It’s made a huge difference in the pain in her old, arthritic knees, so getting the medicine into her is important.
My husband came up with the idea to remove the goodies from Pepper’s line of sight.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Right?
It was a good idea, and worked well for a few days.
When she and Bud finished their grain she would lead them to the dessert bar for their treats.
But Miss Pepper is one smart cookie.
Last night when we opened the gate, she walked straight to the dessert bar. No more messing around with the grain.
She was all over eating her dessert first.
She dipped her head into the bucket of alfalfa cubes and began eating. She seemed quite pleased with herself.
Smart cookie!
Rick got her pointed back to the truck and her pan of grain.
She took a few nibbles and as soon as we weren’t looking, back she walked to the dessert bar.
See what I mean about her being smart?
Once again we re-directed her to the pan of grain.
Big sigh from one brown mare.
And then slowly she began to chew her grain, bit by bit.
You’d think it was poison.
A couple of times she looked toward me, her brown eyes pleading for an invitation.
I had to make sure I wasn’t looking directly at her. I have no willpower. Have you figured out that I am the indulgent one in our family?
It’s not a big leap.
Finally, she was finished with her dinner.
Right away, she walked to the dessert bar, her head high.
“Now I know you won’t send me back,” her expression seemed to say.
Of course, she was right.
She gulped down as many snacks as she could possible get into her mouth at any one time. She looked like a contestant in a pie-eating contest at the County Fair.
It wasn’t all that pretty.
Bud was still at the truck, gleaning up every bit of grain he could find. He hasn’t quite figured out the new system.
Eventually he ambled toward Pepper, who was still happily munching on treats. Who knows how long she would stand there sampling dessert?
It’s a rhetorical question.
What woman in her right mind could answer such a question?
I can’t wait to see what Miss Pepper has in mind for tomorrow.
I love how she keeps us on our toes.
Bud’s best friend these days is Amigo – a sorrel gelding with a white blaze on his face. He has two round black circles on his nose that make him look kind of cute and goofy at the same time.
When we first met Amigo, Rick was calling him “Colon Nose.” You can bet I stopped that right away!
Sheesh.
Amigo earned his nickname because of his loyalty. He’s one of those friends who is always there. He’s a horse you can count on.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I’m pretty sure that Amigo pumps iron. He must have a gym membership somewhere, because this boy is ripped. Even his muscles have muscles. He’s younger than his friend Bud, and the difference in their muscle tone is obvious.
Sorry Bud, but it’s true.
Amigo is younger by at least ten years.
He could easily be the leader of this herd and frankly kick the crap out of anyone who challenges him.
But he yields to Red, the mustang who is the herd boss.
Amigo seems content in his place as second in command.
I think he protects Bud and I love him for that.
Bud has a bodyguard.
Who knew?
One day last spring when we were in the pasture, we saw Amigo being led by one of his people. He was carrying two little girls on his back. As we got closer we saw that he had an orange cone-shaped birthday hat strapped on his head.
“Is it Amigo’s birthday?” I called out as we drove past.
The young woman leading him shook her head. “No. Today he’s being a unicorn.” The little girls riding him giggled. I couldn’t help but smile along with them. It was pretty sweet.
Unfortunately, Amigo had a look on his face that seemed to say, “If you tell anyone about this, you’re dead.”
I nodded, as if to assure him that his secret was safe with me.
It’s a good thing he doesn’t read this blog.
Here’s this big, muscular horse pretending to be a unicorn and carrying two little giggling girls around the pasture on his back. I totally fell in love with him at that moment. I think it was the look on his face.
What’s not to love about Amigo? He’s loyal, handsome, strong, and has a good sense of humor. He’s a wonderful friend.
Bud’s lucky to have such a friend. It makes me think about my friends and feel deeply grateful to have each one of them in my life.
How about you? Do you have an Amigo?
I hope so.
People seem to be in love with lists. Grocery lists, to-do lists, wish lists, Christmas lists, bucket lists, vacation lists, gratitude lists. The list of lists is endless.
And so on this rather cool August morning, I give you my list of ten things I love about my girl Miss Pepper
- Pepper is authentic. She is the 100% genuine real deal. She never pretends with anyone. If she likes you, or doesn’t, it’s obvious right away.
- Pepper knows what she likes and goes for it. All out commitment. There is no “Maybe I like this. I’m just not sure” with her. Alfalfa cubes, horse candy, being around other horses, going for a walk. She’ll let you know. She’s my role model about asking for what I want, and not settling for anything less.
- Pepper is a detail girl. She pays attention to the world around her. She notices things. I am in love with her face when it is on full alert. Ears perked up, face open and eyes intense. I trust her to know what’s going on. The others in her herd do too.
- There is a spot behind her ears that feels like velvet. The hair is short and so soft. I love to run my fingers along her ear and melt into the softness. It’s focused stress management for me.
- Pepper has a great sense of humor. She’s not a joke teller or one who plays practical jokes. Hers is more of a dry humor. It goes with her ability to notice things. I know she’s smiling inside most of the time. Especially when I’m doing something rather clumsily. She tolerates me, even finds me amusing.
- Pepper is a loyal friend. She worries about her herd mates when they are gone. She is especially loyal to Bud. They’ve been together since 1991 and that counts for something in horse and human terms.
- Pepper tolerates newbies. Horses and humans.
- Pepper is forgiving. She doesn’t always like the things we ask of her. And yet, she continues to come to us when we ask. Who knows what she’s thinking? But she almost always cuts us some slack. There were a lot of years when I was a total klutz around her. She never made fun of me to my face. Maybe she said things to Bud or one of the others. But never to me. I appreciate that.
- Pepper is a leader. She makes bold decisions and then lives with them. I attribute my business sense largely to her. Show up, stay in touch, take risks, follow through, and ask for what you want. All come from Miss P.
- There is a soul inside this mare that is huge. Every day she reminds me to be kind, forgiving, and open to the world around me. She is my teacher, my friend, and my soul mate.
I wish you could know her. Maybe through my words you do. At least a little.
When I drove out of the parking lot of the grocery store in the late afternoon yesterday, it was raining. The sky was a dull blue-black color and the clouds were dark, menacing really.
The wind had blown leaves off trees and I wondered for a moment if we’d had a tornado.
Or microburst.
Come to think of it, I could hear thunder while I was rolling up and down the aisles, reading labels and trying to buy healthy food.
In the car with the wipers swooshing back and forth in front of me, I made a decision not to go feed the horses.
I figured they’d be hunkered down in the shed anyway.
And it would be a mess out at the pasture.
Was I really ready to deal with mud again?
Besides, I had a to-do list the length of my right leg, which happens to be slightly longer than my left leg. So my list was really long! (Sorry if that falls into the category of Too Much Information!)
We’re getting ready for company; I’m working on a big old project with lots of deadlines, and my husband was working late.
All respectable reasons to skip a feeding.
But in the middle of cleaning house, working, putting the groceries away and folding laundry, it stopped raining.
It got quite nice, as Colorado is known to do.
And I realized that I needed some horse time. Time that required me to slow down, settle down, and simply be with the horses.
So I loaded up grain and meds, changed my clothes and headed for the pasture.
I’m so glad that I changed my mind.
Because if I’d stayed home cleaning bathrooms I would have missed this gorgeous view.
It turns out my guys were in the far end of the pasture, not in the shed with the other horses. The ones they don’t care to be around.
The air was cool.
The sun was setting, giving a lovely glow to everything.
And the horses were playful. They popped up their heads when they finally recognized me.
Pepper started the caravan toward the gate.
At first they walked with me, but that didn’t last long. And Miss H. (formerly Hanger, but still without a new nickname. We’re considering all your suggestions.) wasn’t with them. I think she has a boyfriend.
Hey, where is she?
Yes, they beat me to the gate. At first all I could see was a row of horse behinds. Then Pepper, ever the vigilant girl, saw me and turned as if to say, “Could ya get a move on?”
The other four continued to look for me outside the gate. Maybe they were looking for my husband who often accompanies me to the pasture in the evenings. Yes, that’s it. I’m giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one.
Bud and Pepper went right to their feed pans once I opened the gate. They munched and crunched and nosed around for treats. Bud eventually wandered off to graze in the hay field while Pepper finished eating.
I thought.
I took this photo of Bud grazing and enjoying life. And while I was distracted, Miss Pepper decided to help herself. I heard the crash and knew immediately what it was.
Horse candy.
All over the ground. And one very proud-of-herself Quarter Horse thinking she’d hit the mother lode.
See for yourself. I have it all in living color.
Pepper is busted.
I picked up the spilled candy, and walked Pepper back to her friends. Then I did the same with Bud.
I gave everyone a rub on the forehead and one more treat for good measure.
As I drove toward home I realized my breathing was slower, my shoulders were back down where they are supposed to live on my body, and I was smiling. Actually I was laughing at the look on Pepper’s face as she dove into the spilled treats.
Ah…..horse therapy.
Thanks guys.
Then it was back to cleaning the bathroom.
It was Saturday evening around 7 PM. My husband and I were both tired from a long work week. And we were hungry since we hadn’t eaten yet.
Had to feed the horses first.
When we turned down the lane we could see our little band at the far end of the pasture, close to the road. They were happily grazing and doing horse things, whatever that might be.
The good news was they weren’t in the far, far, far part of the pasture, which is where they’ve frequently been these past few days. That’s how I’ve logged all those extra steps on my pedometer.
So on this Saturday evening the horses were in line with the gate, but at the other end of the pasture. In other words, not in shouting or whistling distance, but we could see them.
As we drove toward the pasture, on a complete lark, my husband honked the horn. He gave it a couple of toots.
I shot him a look known to most married couples.
Loose translation: What in the world are you doing? Have you lost your mind?
He just smiled. (A tactic known to married men.)
That’s when the miracle occurred.
No water into wine or the face of the Virgin Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich. Nothing so religious.
But I tell you this: At the sound of the horn, all five of those horses raised their heads, looked toward the gate and took off in a dead run toward us.
We were flabbergasted.
I glanced at my husband, who was looking quite smug, and just shook my head in disbelief. “When did they learn to come when you honk?” I asked.
“Beats me,” he answered. “I’ve never tried it before.”
People train horses to come to a variety of sounds. Some shake a feed bucket. This works well in a small enclosure. Others whistle or call, which sometimes works for us. And some honk.
It’s a Pavlovian thing.
Hear the sound.
Get a reward.
Next time come for the reward when you hear the sound.
This “honk to call the horses” tactic isn’t news to farm folk. They’ve been doing it probably as long as they’ve had vehicles with horns.
But it’s new to us. That’s what made it so much fun.
Who says you can’t teach an old horse new tricks? Bud and Pepper and crew beg to differ.
P.S. Here they come! Sorry about the glare in the picture. I was shooting into the sun.
Is there anything more lovely than a summer evening? The sun goes down, taking with it the heat of the day. And in it’s place comes the healing balm of evening. Everything is softer.
People are more relaxed; the horses content to quietly graze.
It’s as if the earth issues a collective sigh telling us that all is well.
I once heard a speaker say that twilight is the time when the heavens kiss the earth.
It certainly feels that way in the pasture.
The light is ethereal, the ground seems to breathe and there is peace.
Summer evenings often take me back to my childhood when I spent hours playing outside with my sister and friends.
We’d play hide and seek, many variations of good guy-bad guy games, all kinds of make believe scenarios, and a goodly share of just hanging out laughing, talking and exploring.
Those were good days – even great days.
No worries.
No fears.
Just being in the glorious moment of summer.
I wonder if kids today still revel in summer evenings outdoors. There are so many electronic diversions to keep them inside.
It’s one more thing I love about being with my horses. It requires me to get up from my desk, leave the house and engage in life.
In the pasture I hear the meadowlarks call to each other, the hawks warning me to steer clear of their nests and babies, and the humming of insects.
I feel the heat of the day rise up from the ground into my feet.
The pasture has a summer aroma– one I can’t fully describe. It’s a combination of hay, humidity and horses. The smells mingle into something that immediately calms me and makes me feel welcome and at ease.
I want to give that scent to you, so that you have the same experience.
Of course, I know that’s impossible.
Instead I’ll give you these pictures of a summer evening in the pasture.
Peace to you my friends.
Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday.
Some of you may be wondering where the stories about the horses have gone. Thanks for being patient while I wandered down memory lane with my birthday venture to Vedauwoo and feeding chipmunks.
Today I’d like to introduce you more fully to my friend Hanger. She’s a sweet, shy little sorrel mare who is part of Bud and Pepper’s herd.
We don’t know her real name. In fact we’ve never met or seen her people. We call her Hanger because she always hangs back from the herd. She’s cautious.
These days, I’ve decided she needs a new name. Something more fitting of her beauty and personality. In truth, she’s a gem of a horse.
And she’s become my good friend.
She’s always glad to see me. Her face and ears perk up when I come round. That makes me feel extra good!
Hanger in the pasture last spring on a snowy day
And true to her old nickname, she hangs back when I call the herd to come in.
She waits and walks alongside me. She paces me step for step. And she gives sidelong glances, just checking to see if I’m there.
She’s well trained.
The rest of the crew (except Miss Pepper) will have run ahead, kicking up a storm of dust as they jostle each other toward the gate, like a bunch of rambunctious teen-age boys.
Not Hanger.
She doesn’t want to be in the middle of all that chaos.
She prefers to stand at the edge, waiting patiently for her snacks. She’s become a master at the game of hay cube toss, which Rick started as a way to include Hanger in the doling out of treats.
Hanger in a puddle.
She has deep, soulful eyes.
She’s a great listener.
She likes it when I sing rock and roll tunes. Jerry Lee Lewis is a favorite, though I don’t really sound like him.
I hope.
But most of all, Hanger is my friend.
I’m honored she has chosen me.
Help me find a new, more fitting nickname for this sweet little mare.
I’m taking suggestions.
Recent Comments