Once we cleared the paths and the snow let up, the horses came out to play. Silk’s legs get cold and she has pretty bad arthritis in her hocks, so she’s usually ready to come in sooner than her daughter. Siete was just as happy as a little horse could be.
I realized that my confidence level has grown by leaps so that when Siete starts to act crazy on the end of a lead rope, I’m calm. My adrenaline used to make my heart start pounding. Now, I just settle her down, wait and proceed when she’s ready to behave. It’s so interesting how finding that confidence extends into other areas of my life. I’m able to stay unruffled and speak my mind without the anxiety I used to feel when faced with anger or aggression. If I can hold onto a bucking, rearing twelve hundred pound horse and know what to do, I can handle the human dramas no problem.
19 comments:
The girls look like they had a blast in the snow, kicking up their heels. I agree with you about gaining confidence from handling horses. Once you reach that level of comfort interacting with horses I find it does spill over into other areas of life, all for the good. The other thing that gave me more confidence in myself, believe it or not, was driving my own horse trailer within the tri-state area to different horse shows. I never would have pictured myself doing that years ago, but I've since crossed a lot of bridges.
That is exactly how I feel.
Arlene - Other women may dream of expensive jewelry or a new kitchen. I dream of horse trailers. And I do believe that it would be challenging enough- especially loaded with horses - to build one's confidence.
MiKael - Knowing that's how you feel too means a great deal to me. Thanks!
It is amazing how horses help us in so many ways. from troubled teens to those of us who are "seasoned", there is always a horse there to help us in our daily journey.
Your pics were beautiful. It *almost* made me miss the snow... almost... but not quite! ;)
Keep feeling strong!
Lovely blog. This is how life is supposed to be -- with our animals and our people. This is real.
Best wishes for the New Year.
Beautiful animals :) I've always wanted horses, but I don't see it ever happening. If I had the money, land, etc I'd adopt PMU mares.
I found your blog as I was signing off from mine--I couldn't resist the title.
My Arabian Prince was my 50th birthday present to myself. Live long enough and you can have all the things denied by your parents. He's been a great learning experience and I only wish he could live in my back yard.
When I took a class in horse health and first aid, the vet who taught said "know what is normal." I'd rather call the vet and say "something isn't right" and find out it's minor than to ignore odd behavior and have a disaster on my hands.
I'm bookmarking your page and looking forward to reading you in the future.
You got your beautiful snow. What a frolic they are having.
That is so true, horses teach us everything about how to deal with ... humans.
With horses, it is calm, patience and no nonsense. Rather how to treat people, wouldn't you say?
Ponies and Horses are so elegant. You can learn a lot from other animals as well. Over here on the news there was owner who mistreated over 80 horse, he left them to die and their corpse were pile up where they had died. Britain suppose to nation of animal lovers but there are people who abuse animals. I seen racing horses close up they are real athetes.
I've just discovered your blog - what gorgeous photos and I love reading about your thoughts on living with horses. I'm only a few posts in, but stopped when I got to the post about how much you've learned since bringing them to your home.
We bought 2 horses within 2 weeks several years ago, and after boarding for six months, I realized exactly what you did - that no one was looking out for my horses the way I would, and we immediately decided to buy a small farm and shift our lifestyle to taking care of them ourselves.
Three years later, I live with my husband, two children, four horses, four cats, and two dogs. A miniature donkey is coming to join our family in a couple of weeks.
The horses are Keil Bay, my 19-year old Hanoverian gelding; Salina, my 25-year old Hannoverian mare (who has one eye); Cody, our 5-year old Quarter Horse; and Apache Moon, my daughter's Shetland-x painted pony.
They are the most incredible creatures. I rode as a girl, and had a Quarter Horse for about 5 years at that time. Coming back to riding and now caring for these horses is the best thing I've done in my middle life.
I'm a writer and psychotherapist and am using the horses with a few clients, with great success and such joy.
I'm eager to read more of your posts, and look forward to coming ones!
My camera-obscura blog has some horsey stuff in it, depending what's going on, and some photos. I hope you'll come visit me there too!
I miss having horses - but I have relatives who do and am enjoying working with them on learning to sense their horses and be aware and in tune. The wonderful opportunities we have to learn from each other when we have companion animals are priceless. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Victoria, beautiful blog and beautiful horses! I work as a camera assistant on the west coast-it's nice to know that other entertainment people find such joy in their animals!! I don't have any horses-it would be hard in a condo-but maybe one day! But I do have a full house! Lovely Blog!
Confidence is such a beautiful quality to obtain. I think it’s wonderful how you can relate your stresses with the horses, and put everyday experiences into perspective. I’m glad horses could do that for you. In high school I was shy when it came to carrying on conversations with people I barely knew. Then junior year came and I needed some money for a car. Let me just say interviewing for a job is extreme anxiety. The job dealt with talking with many people on a regular basis; each day got a little easier. Now I can talk with people and not be so shy; working with people made me feel more comfortable with everyone else. Your way is just so much cooler than mine, lol.
Horses aren't my passion but I definitely get it oabout handling an amazing challenge then translating that confidence to humans.
Your photographs are breathtaking and your comments amamzig. I like the idea if you can handle a horse you can handle life. How wonderful that you enjoy your horses so much and they enjoy you. I have a friend that keeps her horses next door and she is devoted like you to her horses. People who love horses have wonderful quality and kindness in their actions. This is what I have observed with my friend and your words say the same thing.
Pat
I TOTALLY get what you're saying here. My 6 year old Spotted Saddle Horse has taught me the same type of thing. And I am glad to see that there are other horses out their that LOVE to run in the snow like crazy. Blaze LOVES the snow, it cracks me up!
How do you think - why so many (more and more) young girls tend to ride horses?
nice one
I've just discovered your blog and have bookmarked it for future visits. I don't own horses, however, I ride and work part-time as a stablehand, so I can relate to alot of your comments. The one about holding on to a bucking, rearing horse while somehow maintaining your composure brought back a few memories. I've discovered that horses are intuitive little buggers and it seems that as I gain more balance and serenity in my life, the horses have become much more calm, as well. Hmmmm.....
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