While riding is a highlight of keeping horses at home, I spend far more time with my two feet on the ground than in the saddle. There are daily chores to do. There are periodic farrier and vet appointments to attend. Even frequent grooming and groundwork sessions. Some of it is more fun than others, but being around horses in any capacity brings joy to those afflicted by “horseitis”.
To find satisfaction in having horses in our lives outside of riding, we sometimes seek out ways to appreciate different kinds of horse interactions. As an example, I must say I’ve really developed an appreciation for ground driving this year. Similarly to riding, I enjoy attempting to accomplish a task through communication with the horse, even if it is not from their back. Piper, my retired-from-riding horse, and I are moving forward again after a step back in our progress last month.
Following a wet spring and summer, fall in my area has been wonderfully dry with moderate temperatures. I can’t emphasize enough how much temperate weather adds in every way to the enjoyment of my horses. Fall is my favorite time of year, but the weather in my neck of the woods is often lousy, so having good weather this season has been an additional blessing. The horses think so too.
It’s even been warm enough during the daytime for the horses to enjoy some water play. One afternoon as I watered the juvenile poplar tree, Shiloh sidled up to enjoy playing in the water stream.
Not to be outdone, Piper later decided to get in on the action before I gathered up the hose.
I can almost guarantee there will be no water play this winter. Frozen water hoses are not fun, after all. But while the weather is still good, I encourage the horses to enjoy some misting.
When I think about how difficult it is to do horse chores during the winter, it makes me savor even mundane tasks like cleaning horse poop out of the paddock on these warm and dry afternoons. Soon it will be too painfully cold and muddy to entertain moments like these.
Of course, nights and early mornings are gradually getting colder. We’ve already had our first frost. But it’s not so frigid yet that I can’t linger to admire the moonlight as it baths the pasture in a soft hue.
Instances like these make all the effort of having horses in my life more than worth it. While riding remains the highlight of my keeping horses at home, simply being around horses creates a sense of fulfillment. True, it’s easier to appreciate horse life when it’s sunny and 70 degrees than when I have not seen the sun for a week and temperatures are below freezing. Please note that I reserve the right to complain about winter weather in future blog posts.
But for now, I will appreciate the balmy weather and the quiet moments I share with my horses, whether on the ground or in the saddle. I remind myself that it is all good.