As everyone can see, I love both my horses. I confess though that Silk is my very best friend. She knows she’s the Number One Horse. I try not to be preferential, but sometimes I can’t help it. When Siete isn’t looking, I sneak her mama an extra carrot. I hang out more in Silk’s stall. If something goes wrong, I run to Silk for comfort.
She’s so good. She always waits patiently, ground tied with the lead rope hanging from her halter, while I put Siete in her stall first when it’s time to eat. She murmurs and nickers as soon as she sees me every morning. I really believe Silk understands every word I say. When I fed her breakfast at 6:30 am, I noticed that her water bucket was still full. I told her that with this crazy weather, she needed to drink her water. It’s very important. When I came back two hours later, the bucket was empty.
There’s something so reassuring about seeing her beautiful face with the big white blaze when I pull into the driveway or step out the back door to head towards the barn. She’s a joy to ride. As a mother, she is my role model. Silk gave me a wonderful gift of her sweet, smart daughter and every day, I watch her help me train Siete to be a good girl. Now that I’m trying to exercise Siete more, Silk has started herding her around the pasture, making perfect circles like they are in some invisible round pen. I thank her for being Siete’s personal trainer.
Siete loves to cuddle. The more attention she gets, the happier she is. When we have visitors, she’s always ready to hang out at the fence and snuggle. Silk usually gives a quick sniff and then hides in her stall. She’s my horse, and she makes no bones about it. I can see it in her eyes. I can feel it when I drape my arms around her neck or lie down on her back. For as long as I can remember, I wanted my own horse, and Silk is everything in a horse that I’ve ever wanted.
10 comments:
It's pretty cool when a horse picks you out for themselves like that. At least that's what I think. Those special connections are the best!
It's easy to see that Silk loves you from all of the posts you've written about the two of you. I'm sure part of it is that she knows you rescued her from a miserable life and showed her the love and interaction that she never had in her younger years. Siete is lucky to have never known that sort of life, and it is a wonderful thing that her mama is helping you to train her.
It is a special feeling to have a connection with a horse, I had it with Erik. I used to sneak him an extra treat too, when the others weren't looking!
I know that feeling and it is like nothing else!
I've had Phoenix for almost a year now, and have been cautioning myself not to compare him to Champ. There will never be another Champ. After 17 years with that horse, avoiding comparison has been a constant challenge.
Worse, Phoenix seemed so standoffish for months, and I felt a little bit heartbroken. I picked him partly because he was so affectionate and gentle. What had I done to turn him off? Mad at me for taking him away from his home?
But over winter he's changed and relaxed, and become more at home. I think we've bonded even though I only see him once a week or so. He's friendly with everybody, but he looks at me differently and it feels like a blessing. I hope that bond continues to grow. Having the trust of a horse is so special.
My mare though? She's like your Siete! She loves everybody! The more cuddles, the better!
Sometime I'll tell the story of how I found Keil Bay. He's my special horse. I love all of them, and I do have a different and very special bond with Salina, but Keil Bay is the King and he knows it.
I love that Silk is helping out with Siete's training, still - what a great mama!
Ok... I'm crying ... again!!
I don't know what I've done to receive Shiloh's unconditional love, support and humor, I just know life would be terribly empty without that.
Our relationships with horses can be so special - ditto rising rainbow: "Those special connections are the best!"
I agree with rising rainbow - there is a soul in there that is connecting to you - you are honored.
If there's one thing I love more than spending time with my own horses, it's hearing about how much other people love theirs. =)
I agree with you that the horses we have special bonds with can understand, if not what we say, at least what we want.
She makes it pretty clear who's her mama doesn't she?! Aaw, it's so nice seeing an animal that cares about their owner just as much as the owner cares about the animal. It puts a tear in my eye but a smile on my face. I hope you have a long and happy life together! From Meg and cats xxx
I read you on this one. Although I love our second mare Sahara and find her excessively beautiful and enjoyable to ride, no horse can take the place that Arwen has for me. Arwen is just perfect. She'll climb any mountain and take on any challenge - I need only to think a thought and she's on to it. We're so in sync. We have very different characters (she's fearful on the ground, timid, picky about food (!) and reserved to strangers - my total opposite!!!) but make the most amazing team! Sahara is more independent, and leaves less room for me to interact. There are a few things that she'll never do, regardless of your inspiration and positive output. Arwen never refuses - she's just the most enjoyable horse I've ever got to work with, and that makes her stand out as a forever number one in my book... I wonder what I'll think about her foal though - if she ever gets one...!
In your case though, I think Siete has the coolest of face marks!
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