I just did something that was so good for my soul that I had to tell you about it. For the past week, we’ve had visitors from the West Coast. My husband’s sister and her two children have never been to the East before so it’s been very exciting for them. We’ve had a whirlwind of trips to New York City and other famous New England attractions. I’ve cooked and cooked and cooked. Today, my husband took the gang into New York again, but I stayed home.
I’ve been pretty busy and quite tired all day. After I fed the horses their dinner, I focused on how incredibly dirty Siete was. She’s been rolling in the mud and shedding and her white 7 blaze was so dusty that it was grey. I got out the grooming gear and while the horses ate their hay, I started with the shedding blade. We settled into a very satisfying rhythm. I could see how good it felt when I used the red soft rubber “grooma” to curry the dirt out of their mane and faces.
It was quiet except for the munching of hay, and the afternoon light was so soft and hinted of summer. After all the running around and worrying about people, just relaxing with my horses was exactly what I needed. I stood for a while after I finished, just leaning against each of them and resting together. I can’t remember the last time I did that. It’s been months. The bonus is that they both look lovely. I can tell that they feel better, less itchy and no longer burdened by that old winter fur coat.
The only problem is that I can’t show you how pretty they look because my husband took the camera with him.
13 comments:
How wonderful, how peaceful - "soul grooming", indeed! Thank you for your wonderful meditation on how soothing grooming can be for all concerned.
I love working with horses on the ground as much as riding them. Maybe even more, as it is a touch connection that does not require them to "do" anything in response other than the simple animal enjoyment of connection that is our interspecies common ground.
Is there such a thing as "Reiki for horses?"
I'm sure the girls look absolutely lovely and feel great too. You've certainly been busy and I know how much some much needed relaxation with a grooming routine must have soothed your soul. It's so nice to have the girls in your backyard so you can feel their healing presence when you need it.
It's wonderful how well you write after your girls finish grooming you.
Sounds so relaxing and peaceful. Great post.
Maybe you can show us tomorrow. Funny, tonight before I put sheets back on my horses, I used the
shedding blade on each of the 7 horses here and got a ton of hair off them. They also love the soft Grooma, which also works nicely on their legs. There is something about warmer spring weather that makes me want to tackle their manes too. If I just had more time. The way you spent your day is a nice contrast to what you have been doing.
Great post Victoria. And in regards to how they look- we believe you! ;) I LOVE grooming my horse. I spend a lot of time doing it. It helps that he is so good and just stands there. He really enjoys it and relaxes! Doesn't like his face brushed much though, he tries to make a fuss and protest a bit.
I did a little burr removal last Thursday and some grooming, it was nice, needed that too! Good for you, they somehow always seem to ground us!
Yes, it is incredible how just being around the horses helps calm and relax the frazzles of life. Just another reason we love them so and are so thankful we have them in our lives!!
Just being in their presence is always good for my insides.
How true the quote is "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man" by Winston Churchill.
Aw, I love grooming time, especially with the little ones who adore it! They can stand forever just to be brushed and rubbed, there is really no end to it! Kalahari is shedding her first baby coat right now and her new colour is appearing, which is awesome... :-D
I must tell you that i have known of the therapeutic nature of grooming horses since i was a child. I watched my dad with his horses, mules, and colts, as he spent time after work, fitting them with tack, cleaning their hooves, or trimming their tails with his pocketknife. My dad had a very stressful job - he was the local chief of police - and he would come home and just enjoy "fooling" with the ponies. My mom said that it was so expensive to have the ponies, but they were a lot less expensive than therapists.
Victoria, this post is nothing less than prose poetry. And, as strange as it might sound, I felt a sense of peace come over me just envisioning the scene as you so skillfully described it.
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