January 21, 2011
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Hi Oh, Silver!
I've been spending time with a friend's horses, cleaning the barn, grooming and exercising the horses. I had forgotten how much I love just being around them.
My own mare died about five years ago, and I was relieved to be free of the responsibility after caring for her for 29 years. I had bought her when she was barely three years old and I was a young woman, newly married. She and I were constant companions, exploring the local hills and river bottoms. But I discovered mountain bikes when she was about 15 and my interest in riding her diminished, as my passion for mountain biking took fire.
It was with some trepidation that I agreed to take on the responsibility of exercising two middle aged, neglected horses. For over a week, I worked them from the ground on a long line, gradually starting them on an exercise program that wouldn't make them sore.
My third niece, Tara, brought her son, Bradly, up to the barn to get acquainted with my charges yesterday. Bradly is eleven and is a bit ambivalent about learning horsemanship, but Tara is determined that he will develop interests outside of video games. Tara, on the other hand, is ecstatic about developing a rapport with these gentle giants. Her previous experience with horses was limited to my mare, who was never very sociable with anyone but me. In fact, she was pretty nasty. So, finding that these Andalusians are very affectionate, comes as a pleasant surprise.
We're starting with the basics, learning the proper way to halter a horse, how to safely lead them, groom them and clean their feet. At first Bradly was apprehensive about standing close to the big gelding and asking for a foot, but today he was more confident. Bradly does the front feet and Tara does the back. Bradly is concerned that the horse will fart on him.
This is Gemela, the mare. She has lovely ground manners and instills confidence in beginners. Interestingly, her half brother, Florentino, is something of a pain in the neck on the ground but is fabulous under saddle, where Gemela is a challenge on the trail.
Bradly poses in the fading sunlight with Florentino.
Neither of my students was eager to ride yet, preferring to get more familiar with the animals before attempting that feat. So, I finally threw a bareback pad on Gemela and gave them a short demonstration of how to cue her. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of being astride after so many years. My anxiety vanished and I immediately felt at ease and in communication with this beautiful mare. I suspect that only a fellow horse lover can truly understand that feeling.
Comments (28)
Andalusians are beautiful creatures!
@slmret - I'll post more pictures in the spring when they've shed their winter coats and when I get them in better condition. Gemela is fairy tale beautiful and her brother is super smart. Can you tell I'm already getting attached to them?
Will you be working with them on an on-going basis? It sounds as if it would be good for both the horses and for you! I'll look forward to seeing more photos of them.
I'm not so much a fan of horses but that one is a beautiful creature
@slmret - It looks like I'll be doing it for a while, at least until I find a real job.
@godfatherofgreenbay - Not a fan?!?! I've been horse crazy since birth so I can't imagine how one could be unaffected by them. I imagine it's something like how you guys feel about pretty girls only without the accompanying urge to mate with them.
@judyrutrider - Oh, but how nice to have a job that you enjoy so much that you don't consider it a 'real job.'
I lived on a horse farm in high school and I was bit, stepped on, kicked, and electrocuted because of horses.
@slmret - Amen!
@godfatherofgreenbay - Yeah, those things happen when you're handling young horses, or poorly trained ones. Thankfully, these two are mature and professionally trained. That said, they are still dangerous animals if you don't pay attention.
Wow. Very Pretty.
So did either horse fart on Tara? I am a terrible klutz on a horse so haven't done that much riding. However, there is a riding stable in the County park just down the street from us.
@RakkaRay - Absolutely not! They're civilized horses
@babs430 - Who? Your daughter or the horses? Your daughter is pretty confident working around them. When I get into a routine up there I'm hoping to teach her how to help me exercise them. Kinda like Tom Sawyer and the white washed fence.
What a good boy and he is so CUTE! How fun. I rode horses when I was younger. My cousin had several and big arena that we rode in. It was great fun. What a terrific experience for a young person. A horse is a great deal of responsibility. Hi Judy! I have to hang out over here more often!
how lovely.. we don't get much chance to be up close and personal to these creatures here in Asia!
@queenie - You're speaking of my nephew? Or Florentino, the gelding? They're both good boys and in my unbiased opinion, they're both exceedingly cute
@angelyn_lee - It's gratifying to get so many positive responses to a post about the horses. I've always believed that a joy has to be shared to be fully appreciated. I wish I could post the wonderful smell of the sweet alfalfa on their breath, the warmth of their broad backs under me when I ride bareback, the soft touch of their velvety muzzles when they nuzzle my arm, and their happy nicker when they see me walking up the path to the barn.
How nice for you, the children, and the horses. What about the owner/friend?
@judyrutrider - Your nephew is a gelding? Just kidding. Both he and Florentino are very handsome.
@AprilsPlace - My friend is a surgeon who works far too hard. He has lovely horses but little time to enjoy them.
@queenie - No, we're going to wait to see how he turns out. We may not need to geld him.
@judyrutrider - oh Judy, it is good to be back. I swear I am going to blog tonight. Dog as my witness...well, in my case, cat and bird as my witness.
Andalousians look like Boulonnais breed . Those are powerful horses , very c=vivid .
Is not there mountains horse riding ?
It was a great leçon for your niece and her son.
Love
Michel
Wow, a horsewoman too, where do your talent end? The children will surely be very grateful for the experience in future years, even if they're a little nervous now. What a gift you are giving them to pass on your skill and knowledge around horses. Great book, the pillars of the earth, by the way. The British TV showed an excellent drama series of it some months ago which I would recommend watching if you get a chance. Michel Fauquet's eldest daughter was my exchange student partner when we were just 15 years old. She was dead keen on horses then and has made them the focus of her life, along with her family, she has horses and breeds them at her home in northern France.
@StephanieWall - You have made it home safely from Thailand!
I have seen pictures on Michel's site of his daughter's horses. They are a small draft breed, as I recall. Beautiful! I do enjoy sharing my passion for horses with my niece and her son. You never realize how much you know about a subject until you start to impart the information to a beginner. I always consider myself a novice at anything I do because I can always find those who are much more knowledgeable. I'll have to see if I can find the Pillars of the Earth on Netflix. It does seem like it would lend itself to a miniseries. Thanks for the tip.
I once saw a cow let loose a torrent while a girl was trying to fix the milking machine thingy from behind the cow, so it's definitely a valid concern! In Singapore, horses are only for the ultra rich. as there's just no space to keep them.
@Gringottsbank - Clearly cows are not as civilized as these horses. I've not noticed either one so much as break wind while being groomed (unlike my mare who routinely did every single time I cleaned her hind feet).
Sadly, almost any wannabe cowboy (or cowgirl) can afford to keep a horse in this part of the country. I say "sadly" because the result is that ignorant people breed unsuitable animals, which are then often mistreated or sold for slaughter. Also, they can't afford to hire staff to tend their animals and the animals are neglected. They go unexercised for months on end, stand in their own filth, and suffer plagues of flies. Unlike a pet that's in the house, a horse is easy to ignore since he is usually out of sight. (The clouds of flies need to be kept as far from the human habitation as possible so one places his corrals as close to the neighbor's house as he can.)
@judyrutrider - That's very sad to hear. Don't the SPCA do something about that, like they would if cats and dogs were mistreated? Or perhaps it's all so hidden nobody knows about it.
@Gringottsbank - Yes, if the abuse is severe and someone reports it, the authorities will step in; but my idea of abuse/neglect is far above the standards of the SPCA. To my way of thinking, something as unnoticeable as a bit that pinches because it's too narrow, a saddle that doesn't fit comfortably, or ignorant and unecessarily rough handling constitutes abuse. To the inattentive rider or uneducated rider those minor discomforts go unnoticed. (by the rider, not the horse)
Perhaps are you riding ahorse in the mountain rather than a bike .?
My wife and I have been riding 50 years married last February 18 . ( but not in the mountains ).
Love
Michel
@fauquet - Oh, you KNOW I'll never give up the mountain bike! I do ride the horses in the same hills in which I've been riding mountain bikes for the last 20 years. It makes sense since I started riding the same trails on my horse when I was in my late teens.
I didn't know that you and Jenine were equestrians too. It makes sense that your daughter followed in you steps.
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