tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post6928443943596022627..comments2024-02-29T09:31:25.294-05:00Comments on camera-obscura: herd dynamics: jealousy in Julybilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-31507157010601260072012-07-27T16:15:36.594-05:002012-07-27T16:15:36.594-05:00I agree - and that's why I've been so draw...I agree - and that's why I've been so drawn to Carolyn Resnick who is getting on in years but enjoying her life with horses more than ever. One of her students, Stina Herberg, has put up all these videos on Youtube of her own herd of rescued wild horses. Stina lives on St. Vincent in the Carribean and it is so lush and tropical that I watch them for a virtual vacation. We will all have lots of enjoyment with our horses for many years to come!Victoria Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267314663679137147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-80871541111509363712012-07-27T13:31:58.816-05:002012-07-27T13:31:58.816-05:00I rode in college but then lost touch - until my o...I rode in college but then lost touch - until my own children became horse crazy, esp. my daughter. I am so grateful they led me back to a passion I had given up on. <br /><br />And now that I have it, I am totally serious when I say that as I get older, and my horsey friends, cyber and local, get older too, I want us to explore whatever ways we can to keep our horses and live with them for the rest of our lives.<br /><br />Between all of us we should be able to get the chores done and sit with the herd even if we can't ride! :)billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-24596806370066804312012-07-27T13:22:43.189-05:002012-07-27T13:22:43.189-05:00Billie - My childhood riding experiences were simi...Billie - My childhood riding experiences were similar to yours.I started riding about the time I began to walk and bugged my parents endlessly about buying a horse, but they refused. My dad was a lawyer so he always tried to have a client who owned a stable and I was able to ride and help out with people who owned horses but had no time or desire to ride.. For a awhile, I exercised the forest ranger's gelding after he got a pick up truck and no longer rode his beautiful white Quarter Horse. That's what led me to be a cowgirl.<br /> When I went to college, I lost touch with horses. I'm sure that it must have been so painful for you when your parents sold your horse. I see my daughter distancing herself from our horses as she gets closer to going to college. Hopefully, she'll rediscover her connection and love for them later in life,as I did.<br /> I think that you and I and many of our friends here in the blogosphere are very fortunate to have reawakened our earlier interest in horses at a point in our lives where we can appreciate the deep lessons that they teach us beyond the saddle.Victoria Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267314663679137147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-37184093345615894772012-07-27T11:15:52.256-05:002012-07-27T11:15:52.256-05:00Victoria, it is interesting to think about my own ...Victoria, it is interesting to think about my own evolution with horses. I know when I was 9 and got my first horse I was equally as concerned about him and absolutely would not do anything that I felt was unfair or that might hurt him inadvertently, even back then.<br /><br />The hard part when I was young was that I did not grow up in a horsey family - so all my horse experience was boarding, in one case with a very knowledgeable family's private stable and then in several different country farm situations where for the most part no one knew anything about horses but just rode the hell out of them every Sunday afternoon. I was completely on my own out there, doing my own research the best I could and trying to take care of my horse, who thankfully was healthy and I think happy.<br /><br />There's no doubt that my diligence and care now stems from that time when I had the same sensibilities but much less control of the daily decisions.<br /><br />One of the most painful times of my life was when my family sold my horse when I went to college. And that I was so upset by that I distanced myself from it and did not (and still don't) know what kind of home he went to. I understand looking back why I had to do that, but it's one of the few true regrets I have - that I did not keep up with him and put some energy into how I might have kept him. <br /><br />I hope his life after he left my care was good.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-18506516590661043902012-07-27T10:29:07.839-05:002012-07-27T10:29:07.839-05:00Reading this post and your response to Arlene'...Reading this post and your response to Arlene's comment reminds me of how glad I am that we are friends! If only more horse owners thought the way you do....Victoria Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267314663679137147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-50000735826307602232012-07-17T09:19:38.776-05:002012-07-17T09:19:38.776-05:00I think my rides are peaceful and lovely because I...I think my rides are peaceful and lovely because I take responsibility for everything that happens - and avoid as best I can taking things personally when something goes askew.<br /><br />It helps that the crew here are great partners - they each have their quirks, and I have mine too - but we've worked out ways to enjoy the rides together. <br /><br />I know with Keil Bay there is an element of pure adoration that kicks in - although he is not a "perfect" horse he comes close, imo, and it's very clear that he feels the adoration and lives up to it. <br /><br />As happy as it makes me to just see his handsome self standing in the pasture, you can imagine how great it is to ride him. I wonder sometimes what it would be like to live with a horse I didn't have such a strong connection with - what would I do if I had to find other parts of the "ride" to make me feel good? <br /><br />It's an interesting question. And yet I loved riding Salina and have a connection with her. Cody is so sensitive and workable in a very different way that Keil is - I know if he were the one I rode all the time we'd develop something special together. Working with the pony yielded a quick connection that felt really good. <br /><br />I get excited about the successes and don't fret the times when things don't go as well. I guess that's a big part of it. And I base my definition of success on what I know about myself and the horse, not what other people think, which also makes a huge difference.<br /><br />I am thankful for every minute I have with this herd. They really do make life good and interesting, every single day.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31257856.post-87510090933799339012012-07-16T10:32:16.879-05:002012-07-16T10:32:16.879-05:00Herd interactions are always interesting. Since Ke...Herd interactions are always interesting. Since Keil Bay is the big honcho at your place I can imagine how everyone vies for a favorite buddy position. <br /><br />Good to hear you had some nice rides with the big bay. Your rides always sound so peaceful and lovely.Grey Horse Mattershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05837575441967937196noreply@blogger.com