When I was five I started taking English riding lessons. I loved it. From that moment on I lived and breathed for horses. I rode as frequently as possible, weekly lessons, summer camps, and the odd trail ride. When I was in my early teens I was actually quite good, winning several first place ribbons at Trillium Circuit shows on school horses. My family was not poor but certainly never in a position to buy me the horse I dreamed of.
Flash forward 35 years.... I have a horse. King has been part of our family for only a month now and it's been the most wonderful month. We've had our issues though, such as his absolute refusal to budge an inch when I wanted to lead him from the pasture for a ride, vet check, farrier, etc. This we worked through and I think we are both better for it.
There is just something about the smell of a horse. The other night after putting down fresh hay for the boys I stood beside King in the dark. His horsey smell literally brought me to the brink of tears for all it's nostalgia and concrete realization of a lifelong dream. It was a bitter-sweet moment for me... but then that isn't the point of this post.
King's owner told me that he was at the bottom of the pecking order all his life. If King was eating hay another horse wanted he would simply move away. Such is life in a herd. However, a month in to life with Benny and Roger and King is, well King of the herd. It was funny to see him pin his ears and toss his head towards the donkeys this morning. The donkeys instantly respected this new pasture mate's gesture. I think King likes having a higher position and our always easy going donkeys don't seem to mind the shift in herd dynamic at all.
Catching brief interactions like that make it worth getting up at 5:30am to do chores. I only wish I could spend more time watching them because I know I'm missing lots of good stuff!
Today's commute: 85 minutes.
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