Monday, May 24, 2010

Happy Birthday Little Horse!


This is a photo of my little horse when she was a baby. It’s hard to believe that Siete is eight years old today. It seems not that long ago that I was standing in the foaling shed watching her take her first few steps. She is an amazing gift, and each year, she gets better and better. In the past few weeks, my relationship with her has deepened and grown so much by spending time with her sharing territory and playing games that communicate with Siete in her own language. It’s been a real eye-opener for me.

One of the things I’ve always felt about Siete is that she has a very strong spirit. As you know from reading my blog all these years, I occasionally find that her spirit is stronger than mine. I’m beginning to better understand and appreciate the times that she challenges me now that I’m learning more about herd behavior and the rituals of wild horses. I’ve known that Siete gets frustrated when she tries to tell me something and I don’t get what she’s saying. There are days when she just doesn’t want to take one more minute of being the low horse in the pecking order around here. She can also sense when I’m in a weak or vulnerable frame of mind and will take advantage of it. Unlike Silk, who gets very protective of me when I’m upset, Siete seems to seize the opportunity with glee and turns up the spunk.

During the last few weeks, after I sit in the pasture with the horses each day, we do some games that involve controlling food and movement to teach the horses to keep an eye on me and follow my lead. Silk doesn’t really need it. For years, she has had an uncanny ability to always know where I am. There are times when I think that Silk can see through the walls of our house and knows everything that goes on with me. Siete hasn’t really cared about me much unless I’m feeding her or trying to do something with her. Now, I’ve noticed that she has developed that same watchful awareness of me, and with it, comes a closeness and more affection towards me.

Call it growing up or just getting more trusting and comfortable with each other, but my relationship with Siete is certainly closer on this birthday than it’s ever been. We’re having fun together, and it’s made my little red horse very happy.

13 comments:

Lori Skoog said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful 8 year old girl! I have a friend (Tina) who reads your blog and she has been very motivated by the exercises you are doing...sitting in the pasture etc. Now that she has a new horse (you may have seen him on my Journal...Sand, a Haflinger) she wants to start sitting in her pasture.
I really appreciate your interest in communication with your horses. We are having beautiful weather...hope you are having the same.

detroit dog said...

Happy B'day to Siete!

Sounds like it is a wonderful age for you both.

billie said...

Happy birthday to Siete! I had no idea she was 8 years old - somehow I have been thinking she was much younger than that. Glad to hear your work with her is being good for both of you!

Unknown said...

Do you think it's more likely that now that she has a "place" for you in the herd, she's more comfortable showing affection?

I wonder...

jane augenstein said...

Happy Birthday beautiful Siete!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your beautiful girl! I've been enjoying reading about all the things you've been doing (not the right work - being?) with your horses.

Kristen Eleni Shellenbarger said...

Happy Bday and LOVED the baby picture!! I would kill for a foal pic of my Laz! Thanks for sharing! :)

Grey Horse Matters said...

Happy Birthday beautiful girl! I'm so glad that you and Siete are working together with your pasture exercises. It's interesting to read about and it seems like you are getting closer all the time.

Give her a big hug and kiss from me. I hope she's got a special party hat and blows out all the candles on her carrot cake and may all her wishes come true.

Deejbrown said...

Happy birthday, Siete! And congratulations, Silk for having such a beautiful daughter.
Time in your pasture with your beloved horses seems to be proving a good investment.

Paint Girl said...

Happy Birthday Siete!! She sure was a cutie as a baby!

Janet Roper said...

That relationship has made you very happy too!
Happy Birthday, Siete!
Harmony,
Janet

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Happy Birthday Siete! She has an amazing white blaze!

The Equestrian Vagabond said...

: )
Nice post.
Horses can be such good teachers...
- The Equestrian Vagabond