In honor of nothing particular, here is an image of an April arrival.
This group of yearlings keep their curiosity about people under tight control. After some searching under a blanket of low clouds and still air, suspicious pointy shapes (ear tips) in the distance turned out to be nine elusive yearlings.
“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the wind and rains and scorching sun.”
– Napoleon Hill
About eight months has passed between these images of a riotous filly. As you can see, she still sports the wild eye and wild hairdo. She is as wary as they come, always the first to move away and prepare for flight.
“Those dreams are tied to a horse that will not tire.” – Sting, Desert Rose
A sweeter moment cannot be captured. Completely at ease, a colt ambles past. Young enough to still be a baby but old enough to be independent of his mother, this soon-to-be-weaned colt gave me one of those rare moments of natural perfection, and one of my favorite things; a horse being a horse, in the most beautiful way.
Green spring grass and a new colt launched in an exploratory flight pattern, for your enjoyment. The vibrancy of this moment is contagious.
A beautiful and serene image of a foal foraging among the fallen branches in a mature tree. It is a sadness that so many trees have fallen during our prolonged drought, but nature rolls through cycles of good times and hard times.
I see lovely imagery of horses daily; often they are stout steeds with thick manes and tails billowing, flashy markings, arched necks, and animated limbs creating instant dreamy joy for any horse lover, myself included. The same effect can be achieved by a common horse in quiet repose in a familiar local setting. Horses are amazing.
“It was a sort of ferocious, quiet beauty, the sort that wouldn’t let you admire it.”
–Maggie Stievfvater, The Dream Thieves
Both ages, so far, show this colt to still be aloof and flashy. It’s always fun to see a then-and-now picture of the horses that have been long term herd members.
Watching the horses mosey about in the last light of day has great calming benefits; often the golden hour becomes the restorative hour. Grazing peacefully in the late-day sunlight, this mare and foal take advantage of a harvested oat hay hillside. Active wildfire and drought have currently tightened up the roaming territories for That Herd.
“The nature of the horse remains unchanged, whether it carries the saddle of the prince, or whether it draws the cart of the wagoner. The noble ones accept the yoke, they serve, but will never be slaves, for to themselves they can never be traitors.”
–H.H. Isenbart, The Kingdom of the Horse
Coming across this image the other day I was struck by two things. One, the green grass that is too short lived here, and two, the body language of the foal, which matches the Olympic athletes currently competing in Rio. The unfocused eye, the head tilt, the challenger-ear position, the balance and propulsion, all speak to the innate ability of a horse’s grace and quality of courage and energy, just like the Olympic athletes when in their “zone”. (Accept, of course, humans don’t display the challenger-ear position, a phrase I totally made up, by the way.)
The open, interested expressions on these horse’s faces end my day with validation. It is a boost, indeed, when these independent souls greet my presence with curiosity, and initiate inspection. The horses will gather near and around me, but cannot be touched. Our interaction is voluntary and the horses are often amiable and interested. They take turns inspecting and interpreting me, according to pecking order, and strength of disposition. One by one, if they are inspired, they will approach and sniff and stand near. Some are more willing and accepting of a person than others.
” … This is the age you are broken
Or turned into gold.
This is the age you are broken or turned into gold.”
–Antonia Michaelis, The Storyteller
Long-time buddy mares have produced two long-time buddy colts.
These two images were taken almost exactly four years apart. As you can see, the colts still spend time together.
I can think of moments spent observing horse behavior that have been revelatory and memorable, it is, however, moments as simple as this that ground me. To be observed with such amiable interest, to become a temporary figure of interest to another creature, instills harmony and respect that you carry forward with you as you move through your days.
“The health of the eye seems to demand a horizon. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature
Free roaming horses graze a lot. I am aware that for the purposes of sharing horse photography online the mundane procurement of nutrients is not electrifying, so I keep those images to a minimum. Grazing horses do not fit into today’s digital insanity and media over-stimulation, but I like the value in good ol’ leisurely munching and browsing. Daily, whether we like it or not, we are subjected to news in 140 characters, six second high speed videos, chatting that occurs in snaps, and likely lots of scrolling through a plethora of advertisement-laden personal imagery and personal attacks and affirmations. This site is all about taking a deep breath and considering the virtues of a life lived outside and the benefits of observation and wonder, so to this cause, I give you horses calmly browsing in the morning sunlight upon a hilltop.
” … It still offers us this ability to imagine–and remember.” –Arthur Middleton, Ecologist
The “it” being the remarkableness of all things untamed.
This statement strikes me as appropriate for my attraction to That Herd.
