A Fearsome Beauty: The Gentleman Guest

On my way out to Scout's barn to do PM chores, I stopped first at Saxony's barn to see how she is wearing her new trim. Saxony was preoccupied. Something was going on. Something in blue.

An elderly gentleman guest arrived at the barn several weeks ago for a 30-day stay. He is three feet tall and quite partial to his blanket.

The gentleman guest can bank a fast curve with real finesse.

He was feeling remarkably youthful today, able-bodied and agile despite the wintry footing. His desire was that everybody join him.

Some consented, after a fashion, to the gentleman guest's special edict: Must play.

The gentleman guest displayed uncommon skill in managing the terrain, braking and accelerating according to the path of his trajectory. Others prudently made way for him.

He startled all curious onlookers.

Running around like a madman in his tiny blue blanket, the gentleman guest was full of joy, he was full of self.

And who could blame him? Not me. I wanted to kidnap him, him and his teeny-tiny feet.

About This Journal

I began this journal to think through my experience with a mare I bought in 2004, after years away from riding, and then my start-over with a gelding I acquired in 2009. The one horse shook my confidence as a rider; I hoped to rebuild it with the other. I eventually gave back the horse I thought could help me overcome my anxiety and there before me stood again the horse with whom I choked in the first place.

It sounds like I traveled in a circle, yet not only did I change, but in 2010 I bought another horse, a kind, affectionate Appendix mare who seemed to fall from the sky. "Third time's a charm," they say. It was true for me in love, now let it be true in horses.

I strive to write truthfully about fear, doubt and tension, among other things, difficult subjects to talk about without being self-serving or cheaty. But I tend to dig deep (though it may be little more than scab picking). If you can relate to what I'm talking about, you're welcome to read along and comment whenever you like. Thanks for visiting.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...: Very cute! Gotta love those ponies - and 30s not too old for one of them!; February 24, 2011 at 6:32 AM
June said...: Oh he's adorable! You caught some great moments here. Is he ridden by a child?; February 24, 2011 at 7:14 AM
QHHaflingerGal said...: Delightful creature and excellent writing!Thank you. I can see why so many people have these little guys. We had a shetland pony, a grand Dame, who ruled the farm and kept us in stitches - never a dull moment.; February 24, 2011 at 8:19 AM
SMeagle said...: Delightful! If the yard were a tad bigger . . .; February 24, 2011 at 8:31 AM
Rising Rainbow said...: Very cute! and definitely an instigator!; February 24, 2011 at 9:57 AM
Wolfie said...: Adorable!; February 24, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Joann said...: Your photos and prose made me smile. Thanks for that; February 24, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Gentleman Guest

7 comments: