Special Moments

Saturday, January 26, 2019

It’s a string of days to dream about, warmer and increasingly so on the heels of a snowstorm. My horses finally are finding the grasses thawed and pleasing. They’re feeling good, and one hangs around a bit playing with me. She knows I haven’t any treats for it’s morning time and they’ve just been turned out to pasture. She well knows, along with the others, that in late afternoons they may seriously expect treats, for that’s when I come to collect them. From way back in their pasture all spot me approaching and within moments start thundering across the field toward the gate. They’ll be there to meet me with noses hanging over, and I’d better provide.

My pockets are stuffed with the small Cutie Oranges that they love, rine and all. Each horse while being haltered chews, drools, and smells like a citrus garden. My donkey, Pimmy, gets a Cutie. She’ll loosely follow the horses and keep her nose stretched to my pockets. I push her away for these treats are expensive and clumsy-to-carry. Each animal gets only so many–one now while I’m haltering and another when we’re home and I’m removing their halters. These animals aren’t fooled, they know I carry extra, but I must save for just-in-case. There’s no telling when managing a horse might demand an offer of something bright and tasty.

Horses quickly grasp patterns and they’re most comfortable when knowing what to expect. People, too, and for one, me. I’ve learned that it pays to be stingy with horse treats unless I don’t mind being mobbed–risky business with animals that for all their gentleness are too big to crowd a human. Sometimes they argue among themselves who’ll get what; they can keep their arguing away from me, thank you.

It’s very a special feeling as one of my horses takes her treat from my palm and fingers. Her expressive muzzle is soft, friendly, inquisitive, and she, too, savors these moments. It’s fun, seeing her whiskers move, listening to her chewing, and sensing her delight, in our shared moments of pause and pleasure.

Dear Readers, have a great day! Diana