When I went to bed last night there was a chance of rain, wind, and hail - we got lightning and thunder and maybe 24 drops of rain.
This morning, though, the weather radar showed a pretty intense storm band moving in, and the wind whipped up, the thunder boomed, and we finally, thankfully, got a steady, soaking rain that lasted several hours. Everyone around here needed it.
By the time my son and I went out to feed breakfast and get chores done, the intense weather had moved on and we were left with a light sprinkling.
It's been awhile since we had a rainy day like this, and I decided my son should take the geldings into the arena so they could get some exercise, clean their feet out, and give me room to get their stalls set up.
I was thrilled to see them immediately go into big, beautiful movement mode. Cody looked fabulous, Keil Bay was moving so well I wanted to stand up on the picnic table, put his saddle on, and sail onto his back during the extended trot sequences. (the bucking bits I could do without!)
The pony too was doing his fancy stuff, and they had a good time. Galloping, flying changes, big trots, rearing and bucking, head tossing. I don't think my son has experienced that in a long time, and he could barely keep the smile off his face.
Big, beautiful, exuberant horses offer JOY.
billie hinton’s camera-obscura:
life and lessons on November Hill Farm
Emmmm, Billie, where were my nephews while the big boys put on their show? I can only imagine they refused to leave their supervisory positions (you know the donkey work ethic - the woman calls it extreme busybodyness). I hope R&R continue to hone their airs above the ground for the Extreme Donkey Dressage Challenge - I suggest we hold it at Dougie's house.
ReplyDeleteRafer Johnson was in the barn steadfastly refusing to get wet, and Redford was enjoying the round bale - it's under a hanging tarp right now so he figured why stand in the barn and stay bone dry when you can eat under a big umbrella?
ReplyDeleteThey had a big night last night - lightning and thunder - and I saw them running in the barnyard (even though they had their usual full access to the barn!
Donkey Dressage in Scotland! I think that's a grand idea.
Oooh, if you can time your visit for next June, we could stage an event at the Royal Highland Show!
ReplyDeleteDespite the title, this is actually staged on a showground very close to Edinburgh airport, which would ease your travel arrangements. AND - this will please Sheaffer - there is a mansion house on the site. I'm sure we could arrange accomodation there, so I will et the woman onto it immediately :)
Dougie, one of my current travel dreams is to come spend time in Scotland.
ReplyDeleteIf only teleportation were perfected - I would be there right now, doing my yoga by some standing stones. :)
Even big, beautiful exhuberant horse puppets offer joy - I read this article today about War Hourse and thought you might enjoy it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/theater/14warhorse.html?_r=1&8dpc