In my office I have a poster which reads: "Warning: This Person May Talk About Horses At Any Given Moment"!
The pictogram figure has a 'talk bubble' with a prancing horse in it. So, friends, family and lurkers of the internet, be Warned!
Winston Churchill loved horses, and riding. He famously said 'There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man' (today I hope he would have said 'or woman' hmmm). And, 'No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle'. And I am the poster girl for this. Another favourite quote (and oh, there are so many, from Shakespeare to Seuss!)
Four things greater than all things are, -
Women and Horses and Power and War.~Rudyard Kipling, "The Ballad of the King's Jest"
Ergo, a woman on a horse must be ESPECIALLY great, ha!
I do find it a challenge to explain or convey the deep mystery of this truth, how connection with an equine (or several) has wrought a profound change in me over the past three years. It has been almost exactly that long since I took the leap of faith to buy a 'baby' draft horse while still very overweight myself, with only a foggy concept of how he could change my life. Fast forward three years. I won't bore you with the details, but I do want to list the miracles that have happened as a result of this partnership:
1. It takes courage and trust (and learning from a great coach!) to be 'with' horses. They are big powerful animals hardwired as 'prey' and so need to be treated with respect and understanding as to their need for leadership, consistency and care. I have gained much confidence and courage in handling Jacob and the Red Phoenix Farm horses - each with their own personalities.
2. Age doesn't matter. I turned 55 last year. I used to lament (once I turned 45 or so) that I was now 'past it' in regards to horses, or at best I could have a mini horse as a 'pet'. I now feel MUCH younger than I ever have, with only occasional musculoskeletal twinges reminding me that I am not really 21 after all...
3. Horses reflect my emotions. If I am feeling 'off' or 'low', I share it with Jacob (or now Lucera) and they just gaze at me with their wise eye close to mine. I place my hand on their neck (they may be munching hay or just standing there) and absorb the pure 'in the moment-ness' which characterizes their lives, joy at having sweet good hay, companionable silence and just 'being'. All the negative vibes collected from the day or physical frailty melt away as I absorb the energy of their groundedness.
4. Yes, I can! Who would have thought I could have the bravery to ride a hot blooded Andalusian mare? Again, the journey has brought me a courage that I did not know I possessed, both in my equine related life and in all of life's spheres, to grab life and inhale deeply, to live, to thrive, to experience the joy! I know I stumble constantly, but my eyes are open to new possibilities.
5. I want to share this with others. I invite friends to spend some time with me and my equine companions, to experience the connection and explore the possibility of riding. C'mon, you know you want to! Especially women approaching 'that certain age'... discover (or rediscover) the passion of being a horse 'person'. No regrets.
You were warned.... thanks for making it through my list! PS This morning I was treated to the vision of a sunrise over RP Farm, causing Jacob's still fuzzy winter coat to be backlit pure gold as he munched his pile of hay. As I returned to my car after completing the breakfast chores, on the other side of the barn, Lucera lifted her head as I called out my 'goodbye' for the morning. What a wonderful start to the day.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Monday, 11 March 2013
Spirals
I have always been fascinated by spirals. I feel strangely drawn to them as a shape and often choose a spiral motif, even unconsciously, in clothing, earrings, decorating accents, artwork, and even when doodling absentmindedly. On the desktop of my computer I have a folder called 'Spirals'... filled with (you guessed it) images gleaned from the internet - of spirals found in nature on both the macro level (spiral galaxies) and micro level (fractals). Plants, animals, seashells, architecture, minerals, all displaying the pleasing, compelling movement inherent in the shape of a spiral. Somehow, they speak to me in a very profound way. Remember the beginning of the Yellow Brick Road? From the centre, to the adventure.
Beginnings, endings, the tumbling forward of time and eternity, all reflected within a spiral's turning. Tonight I needed to pause and be reminded of the profound, undeserved blessings in my life and who holds the centre together for all time. Perhaps that is the metaphor of spirals for me: a recognition of the centre of all things and a continuous daily ebb and flow, a journey towards that centre and then back out again into the adventures of life. Deo gratias.
Beginnings, endings, the tumbling forward of time and eternity, all reflected within a spiral's turning. Tonight I needed to pause and be reminded of the profound, undeserved blessings in my life and who holds the centre together for all time. Perhaps that is the metaphor of spirals for me: a recognition of the centre of all things and a continuous daily ebb and flow, a journey towards that centre and then back out again into the adventures of life. Deo gratias.
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Whadda Weekend, Take 2!
I will stretch the definition of 'weekend' to include Friday evening, because that was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I was beseeched not to show up at Red Phoenix Farm (aka 'the barn' or, 'the stable') until 7pm. I had a very hard time waiting until then, because Friday, March 1, 2013 was the day the lovely Lucera was to make the transition fully into my life.
When I arrived, the doors to the arena were closed. They are never usually shut unless a horse is 'at liberty' (aka running around loose) with a human handler... what was afoot? I was told to open the doors when ready... and there was Karen riding Lucera, my beautiful Andalusian dappled grey mare adorned with purple ribbons and flowers in her mane and tail - executing perfect 10 metre circles at in a beautifully balanced canter... a breathtaking sight. Lucera knew full well it was a special night, and as Rick and Jim started to flash their cameras in her direction, you could see her arch her neck and 'play' to the paparazzi, ever the diva! Karen dismounted and passed the reins to me, and my joy was complete - but wait! I was told to check out the locker room, only to find a 'riding' flamenco dress, with ruffles and sequins which was part of the Lucera 'package'! Karen had made the dress for Spanish Fiesta demonstrations, and was giving it to me! Gredi helped me to step into it, and the cameras flashed frenetically as I was assisted into the saddle (hey, mounting a horse with a flamenco dress on is tricky!). I had a brief, inagural ride as Lucera's new owner, then the fine vintage 1995 champagne flowed as we enjoyed a tack room party complete with smoked salmon, tapenade, crackers, cheese, and other delectables, courtesy of Jim! (Paperwork and cheques also exchanged hands, as is necessary with these transitions.) What a memorable evening to be ever etched in my heart. Lucera and I will become 'dance partners' as I learn her ways and she learns mine. It is truly the beginning of a journey!
Saturday was filled with a great riding lesson in the morning, baking, reading and a great 'Spring into Spring' Bluegrass concert with the Spinney Brothers and Bluegrass Tradition, in Windsor. I love the virtuosity of the instrument players as they emulated Earl Scruggs 'Rocky Mountain Breakdown'! How can one person's fingers pick a banjo so FAST? There is no sound like bluegrass music played with fully engaged heart and soul!
Sunday (today) was back to the barn, a terrific ride on Jacob, enjoying the 'fellowship of the horse' with my fellow horsewomen, back home for the afternoon reorganizing my office (with Rick's creative help) to accomodate my 'sewing station' and finally another ride this evening, on Lucera. It was another first, a ride alone in the arena with just the two of us connecting and listening to each other, trusting and bonding. I give myself permission to feel physically tired tonight, although my mind and soul are filled with such joy as not to be contained. Whadda weekend, indeed!
When I arrived, the doors to the arena were closed. They are never usually shut unless a horse is 'at liberty' (aka running around loose) with a human handler... what was afoot? I was told to open the doors when ready... and there was Karen riding Lucera, my beautiful Andalusian dappled grey mare adorned with purple ribbons and flowers in her mane and tail - executing perfect 10 metre circles at in a beautifully balanced canter... a breathtaking sight. Lucera knew full well it was a special night, and as Rick and Jim started to flash their cameras in her direction, you could see her arch her neck and 'play' to the paparazzi, ever the diva! Karen dismounted and passed the reins to me, and my joy was complete - but wait! I was told to check out the locker room, only to find a 'riding' flamenco dress, with ruffles and sequins which was part of the Lucera 'package'! Karen had made the dress for Spanish Fiesta demonstrations, and was giving it to me! Gredi helped me to step into it, and the cameras flashed frenetically as I was assisted into the saddle (hey, mounting a horse with a flamenco dress on is tricky!). I had a brief, inagural ride as Lucera's new owner, then the fine vintage 1995 champagne flowed as we enjoyed a tack room party complete with smoked salmon, tapenade, crackers, cheese, and other delectables, courtesy of Jim! (Paperwork and cheques also exchanged hands, as is necessary with these transitions.) What a memorable evening to be ever etched in my heart. Lucera and I will become 'dance partners' as I learn her ways and she learns mine. It is truly the beginning of a journey!
Saturday was filled with a great riding lesson in the morning, baking, reading and a great 'Spring into Spring' Bluegrass concert with the Spinney Brothers and Bluegrass Tradition, in Windsor. I love the virtuosity of the instrument players as they emulated Earl Scruggs 'Rocky Mountain Breakdown'! How can one person's fingers pick a banjo so FAST? There is no sound like bluegrass music played with fully engaged heart and soul!
Sunday (today) was back to the barn, a terrific ride on Jacob, enjoying the 'fellowship of the horse' with my fellow horsewomen, back home for the afternoon reorganizing my office (with Rick's creative help) to accomodate my 'sewing station' and finally another ride this evening, on Lucera. It was another first, a ride alone in the arena with just the two of us connecting and listening to each other, trusting and bonding. I give myself permission to feel physically tired tonight, although my mind and soul are filled with such joy as not to be contained. Whadda weekend, indeed!
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