Thursday, June 17, 2010

why we do all the work we do



My daughter captured the Big Bay cantering up the hill in our front pasture yesterday, and then came running to show me the photo. I was de-webbing the barn, soaked in sweat, sporadically shrieking when webs came down in my face, but the moment I saw this photo I was reminded why we do the sweaty, never-ending work of keeping horses.

Keil Bay

The Big Bay

The King

The Most Handsome Horse in the Whole World

Big Bazooka

Dream Horse

Whatever name I give him, he is my partner in zen.

14 comments:

Grey Horse Matters said...

He's one handsome, beautiful, gorgeous horse. Your daughter did a wonderful job, the picture captures his spirit and majesty.

When I start feeling sorry for myself as I'm immersed in muck up to my elbows,I will sometimes take a break and gaze out at the herd. That's when I know it's all worth it and I wouldn't have it any other way.

billie said...

Arlene, I knew you would completely relate...!

Molly and ME! said...

This is just so perfect and soooooo true!

I work as a volunteer every SAT at a Wildlife Clinic helping Vets and Vet students care for sick, injured, orphaned wildlife. When I am dripping in sweat, my back aches, and I think I will never get up again, I look around and know exactly why I am there, why we do the work we do,never uttering a word of complaint.

"After all, it's all about them isn't it?"
"We hold the health, the comfort, and the welfare of these animals in our hand-literally."
- E. Miller DVM

Claire said...

brilliant pic.

billie said...

Maddy, it's great to hear from you and how wonderful that you are doing such needed volunteer work!

Years ago when I worked as a houseparent in a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children, I had our cottage volunteering at the animal shelter. Caring for animals can be a therapy all its own.

billie said...

That's it, Claire - another of my Keil Bay accolades:

The power! The brilliance! Keil Bay!

He loves it when I say these to him.

Anonymous said...

Pretty Boy!

Ah, on the dairy farm we had two barns. The 'cow barn' was huge, had three floors and an inside silo.

The upper reaches of the third floor were incredibly high and the webs were thick thick mats that would catch the barn swallows now and then.

Nightmare material for you?

billie said...

Deborah, in years past that would have been nightmare fodder! I have come to a more peaceful space with the arachnids - not wanting them falling into my face, but otoh, as I took the webs down I was thinking about having read that they are wonderful to use for packing wounds until the vet arrives, etc.

I have seen those thick mat-like webs, moving like a sheet of fabric in a breeze. It's actually quite amazing that a spider can make that!

ponymaid said...

Billie, that boy has such human eyes, full of deep thoughts and introspection. Your daughter has truly captured who lives behind those eyes. And Molly says he has "ab fab" hair...

billie said...

Sheaffer, he's a real joy of a horse. When I first read your comment I thought "oh! of course Molly and Keil Bay would get along!"

And then the harsh reality: they are both opinionated and want to be treated like royalty. Might not work out too well when Keil Bay sauntered into his center stall throne and found Miss Molly encamped in front of the fans, eating his hay. :)

I hadn't noticed it until now, but he sort of has a halo, doesn't he?

Máire said...

Lovely. All of it.

billie said...

Thank you, Maire. This morning I was standing in his stall, holding his feed tub so he could finish licking out every delicious bit, and he tilted his very large Hanoverian head and aimed his eye at mine and we just gazed while he licked. It was a very characteristic Keil Bay thing to do, and again, I was itchy, hot, dripping with sweat and at the same time completely smitten with this horse and his spirit.

Greta said...

What a great face!

billie said...

He's a great horse!