Time flies ...

... again time is running away with me.

Much has happened over the past weeks and when I get a little more peace and quite time I write in more detail.

To summarize: 

'Neill' had been to visit 'Mr F' and was treating his body as 'Mr F' was quite stiff again in his hind quarters. According to 'Neill', this stiffness this time seemed to come from the front mostly, and a little also through tenseness in his digestive system.

The digestive system issue can be down to him having access to grass now, since the beginning of this month, although not very lush fields, deliberately. He does get soaked hay still to make the change over more subtle. 

But what causes that stiffness at the front is not yet quite certain. I suggested that it may be the rugs they wore over winter. 'Mr F' is somewhat in between sizes, either the rug is too tight or too long, both resulting in it restricting his shoulders. And although I have swapped between two rugs regularily it may have been enough to cause some of the stiffness. 'Neill' did say that he does noticed this quite regularily.  Althought hat is not where it ends, there could also be some contact issue which has to do with me as the rider. Our next get together will involve ridden work so 'Neill' can see both of us as a unit. 

Many many more thoughts on Aikido and energies - 'Neill' came with us for his first Aikido experience, which was most interesting to observe ... but for that I need to find a peacful moment withouth interuptions. 

Meanwhile 'Mr F' and I keep going out, on a few hacks around the area but mostly we go for walks and explore. But most of all we have enjoyed the warm sunshine, all of us lying in the fields, including the cat!

More to come soon.

Little 'Sam' In Tow

Little 'Sam' has a new family that is looking after him. He is yet once again doing a great job in being a patient and caring pony for a young girl.

Not quite sure about the exact arrangements as little 'Sam' belongs to 'Lady Jane', but he is being treated like a king by his new family!

Little 'J', the girl that rides 'Sam' is not yet allowed to ride out on her won and sometimes is being escorted by 'Lady Jane'.

However, with the absence of 'Lady Jane' I offered to escort little 'J', together with 'Lillian' on 'Luke'.

I had never done this before but implicity trusted 'Mr F' to understand that he is now in the role of a 'babysitter'.

And he did an excellent job!  

It pays out to get your horse used to all kinds of things on its body. 2 years ago I spent some days getting 'Mr F' used to the lead rope being anywhere on his body or lassoed above his head. I did the same with twigs and plastic etc ... and I keep doing this all the time, when he eats, when we go for walks ... etc. Even if its just 5 minutes ... it all counts. Now he is almost bomb proof.

There was one slightly tricky moment when suddenly 'Sam' decided to stop dead! I was at the time chatting with 'Lillian' when the lack of 'Sam's movement pulled me backwards. 'Mr F' was very good and instantly stopped. Well, 'Sam' decided he needed a toilet break, right there and then!

Overall I found the leading experience very interesting and I think it is something that is very good for your horse to learn. 

'Mr F' certainly new that he had a job ... on the way back up the still quite muddy bridle path he walked all the way (where as if its just us two we trott along there) up the slope, placing his feet very carefully.

Now I certainly know how useful the horn on a cowboy saddle is if you have to deal with a stubborn horse. It may move me, the rider, but it won't move something of its own weight!

Growing Old Gracefully - Or Victor Meldrew?

Post about 'Mr F' nipping other people if they stroke him.

Also commenting about how they are rough with each othe in the pasture and if they are rough with me I return, just as they do.

Here too timing is key!

Also type about the kicking ... perhaps too lenient?  

Oh Peaceful Early Morning

Very early this morning I went out with my camera to go and hunt for snails and slugs which were still out and about from the night. 

Upon my return I went to visit the boys before going back indoors to continue with the day. 

In previous years I hadn't given little 'Sam' much notice as he was mostly with other horses and also spent a fair amount of time away at other places. I admit that he didn't interest me so much back then.

Little 'Sam' is 22 years old now and has spent most (I don't know all of his history) his life being ridden by children. They bounced about on his back, they pulled on him, stroked him, teased him, loved him ... he's seen it all I'm sure. Yet he is always nice and puts up with things and has been a patient companion for many a little girl. 

Now that he is spending time with the boys, I am getting to know him a little better; he is a great little chap! And likewise, he is getting used to me and seems less distant than he used to be.

Little 'Sam' happily munching away ...

... and 'Mr F' and 'Luke' are doing just the same ... 

 ... then little 'Sam' comes to see what I am up to ... 

 

He is a difficult one to photograph because of his white coat, it sends the camera's senors crazy unless I adjust the white-balance, which I forgot to do this time. I reposition myself so that the sun light is at a more suitable angle. Little 'Sam' follows  ... 'What are you up to with that black thing?'

With a better position, I make myself comfortable on the ground ... the boys have already joined.

 'Luke', without any ceremony, lies down. He doesn't do the usual examining of the ground, just just goes down, and that's it.

 

Upon seeing resting 'Luke', little 'Sam' comes over to join, with a very sleepy look. 

 'Mr F' meanwhile is still eating ...

... and wonders off, to leave me a lovely view of 'Luke'.

 

Little 'Sam' is closing in ... 

 

... looks important for 1 minute ... 

 ... after which he proceeds with examining the ground for suitablilty ... 

 

... settles down ... 

 ... and makes himself comfortable ... 

'Mr F' now seeing that 'Sam' is also lying donw, comes over ...

 ... and he too settles down, behind 'Luke'.

And who is on guard duty? Oh, its me!

'Mr F' (in the background) always looks so content when lying down ... as though everything in his life is just fine ... and perhaps it is. Perhaps to him, everything is clear and simple. I wonder if they do have some form of phsyche, or perhaps it is just us humans that suffer with it. With the endless demands and noises and attention seeking of that voice in our head. 

If they do, and I think they do, theirs is pure and innocent. And I guess that is why they let us get on with all that we do to and with them, good or bad.

Thank you!

Polo Again - Trust The Horse

Our local riding club is very lucky to have connected with a Polo Club through which we have the great opportunity to go and learn to play polo for very little money.

The bar where all the victims of dismounts and foulplay have to purchase a bottle of champagne ... 
I was praying that I wouldn't fall off ... 

I went a few times last year and enjoyed it greatly. Over 6 months have passed and today we set of again in the morning so we would be there just before lunch time. It is about a 90minutes drive one way.

This time I was given a different pony. It was a little smaller than the one I had the pleasure to ride previously. 

 

Up until now, we never really talked about the 'rules' and what is classed as foul play. We were of course instructed how to hold and swing the malet.  

I cannot speak for other clubs but in this one, great emphasis is of course placed on keeping your horse safe. 

For each foulplay (hitting anything other than the ball with your malet - etc) or dismount (falling off) the 'guilty' party has to pay for a bottle of champagne. This bottle is to be opened with a technique called sabrage, a ceremonial method: "The wielder slides the saber along the body of the bottle to break the top of the neck away, leaving the neck of the bottle open and ready to pour. The force of the blunt side of the blade hitting the lip breaks the glass to separate the collar from the neck of the bottle. One does not use the sharp side of the blade. The cork and collar remain together after separating from the neck."

The entire bar / barn is full with (emtpy) champagne bottles. All the corks with collar are glued to the walls. It is a big barn, there were many many more bottles than juar rhoaw in the photograph above.

Along with the bottles and corks are also various 'memories' of incidents hung up on the walls and beams. For example: there is a cut open boot - apparently where the ambulance had to cut it open to treat a broken leg. Then further on, hanging of a beam, are cut open t-shirts - here the ambulance also had to cut them open to treat a broken collar bone, etc etc. 

But what I really want to talk about is the horses. In this particular polo club (I haven't been to any others), the horses are superbly trained and know exactly what to do. In some ways they behave almost like dogs, wanting to chase the ball. 

They are all super sensitive in their mouth and need a soft hand. Most of the work by the polo player is done by leg and body. They reins must be loose and the hand must be kept steady. No pulling back of the reins, no lifting of the reins. Of course that is easier said then done when you try to balance, swing a malet, avoid hitting the horse AND try hitting the ball. Soft reins and steering with the body is somehitng I am of course used to because that is how I and 'Mr F' ride.

This little horse I was riding today - named 'Millie' - was a little rocket and she was determined to teache me how to play this game!

During our short warming up I noticed her jumping around a little. I didn't quite know why and thought: 'Ok, this could be a tricky one. Perhaps I come off this time, I am not used to bucking horses. But I won't be able to afford the Champagne!'

'Millie' is a short horse and her gait is much choppier than what I am used to when riding big, long 'Mr F'. I also had to deal with stirrups which irritated me immensely but they were clearly needed for the game play as you won't be able to aim if you are bouncing up and down.

During the first few minutes of the first game, 'Millie' was quite calm. Although I noticed that each time I had a clear shot on the ball and missed it, 'Millie' would jump about and shake her head. Suddenly the penny dropped: she was making a point that she was fed up with me not hitting that ball! She was trained to chase the ball with a rider that can hit it.

Alright, I figured that I better had to put more effort into hitting that ball, else I might just land up on the ground with help of 'Millie's dissaproval. 

But she wasn't finished teaching me just yet.

Although we had a good talk in the barn with the instructor regarding how to do proper team play, there were still moments when the ball was too crowed because some riders didn't get out of the way when they should.

As 'Tom' was a better shot than I, I decided to be his back up. Now there was a moment when the ball was again stuck because some riders where crowding it even though this isn't allowed (for safety and game-play reasons).
I remained in the background in case we would get a clear line. However, I coldn't see the ball but 'Millie' did - or heard it being hit by someone's malet. She suddenly started jumping about again, half bucking, wanting to go. At this stage I was getting a little worried.
And that is the next lesson:  I realised that I was run by my thoughts again (partly fear, hesitation, expectation of what might happen) and because of that I wasn't accepting the moment. I had to TRUST the HORSE because 'Millie' knew exactly what she was doing and I was stoping her from doing her job.

By jumping about she was telling me to get a move on because the ball was rolling out in the open!  'Aren't you paying attention, rider?! If you don't want to play this game, you can get off!'. She was also telling me that I am hindering her game play if I don't hit the ball. They are trained to chase it and that is what they will do.

From here on I let 'Millie' take over the reins, literally, and kept myself busy with what I was supposed to do: be a team player and to HIT that ball! And suddenly, 'Millie' realxed and we worked WITH one another rather than AGAINST one another. We weren't so much separated now and functioned more or less as one unit. 

We played three games and our team scored 2 goals, one of which I and 'Millie' scored.

'Lillian' however had her hands full! She was given a very unruley horse that wasn't comfortable anywhere on the field. Some of these polo horses will get jumpy if they are too far from the rest of the 'herd' on the field. She was instructed again and again to stay with the 'herd', to chase the ball, to be softer with her hands (easier said then done if you feel like you are about to race off into the unknown) etc etc but I could see that nothing of it made any difference whatsoever. The horse spent most of the time juming  and bucking. 'Lillian' coped with the situation well and I could see that she was at times close to giving up, but she didn't and stuck with it, without falling off! Although she didn't get much of a game play, there was no chance in hitting the ball for her - and she is normally on the winning team.

I am not sure why she was given this particular horse but I doubt she'll ask for it next time!

I am astounded by how finley tuned these polo horses are - they take everything in: how hard you hit the ball, how soft you hit the ball, the position of the ball, the position of the other horses, your leg aids, your seat, your body posture, everything! And they react accordingly.

If you, as a novice such as I am, are open minded enough (rather than worrying about falling of or hitting the ball) you will learn a great deal by just observing the horses and their reaction to each game situation. It was amazing!

The purpose of the human clearly is to do the team play (strategy) and the aiming and steering, the horse does the rest. It won't need encouragement to speed up (well, mine never did) and they also know when to slow down. 

This is what fascinates me so about Polo, this perfect partnership. There is a great deal of trust involved too.

And although I am still hesitant mounting a horse I don't know, 'Millie' made sure that I would get to know her very quickly! When we returned to the stables I was still buzzing by all that just happened between me and 'Millie'.

I admit I didn't pay much attention to how the others got on and just managed to concentrate on team play. All I was interested in was to observe 'Millie' and all that she was telling me. Afterwards I spent some time with her in her little box and also took off her tack. I thought it would only be appropriate to express my appreciation for her patience. I hope to be riding her again next time, now that I got to know her a little.

Being Looked After - Joyous Cantering!

It is now just over a year since I began riding with a bareback pad and although there have been a few tough times, I don't regret my decision at all, nor does 'Mr F'.

For those that haven't read the first posts of this blog: I had no clue about horses or riding when 'Mr F' entered my life. I had a very few riding lesson as a teenager, but that was on a tame, half numb school pony. If you want to know why I changed to a bareback pad, have a look at this post.

The hard part was getting used to trotting for a longer period of time. If I was to go out with others on a ride, there was to be a lot of trotting involved. I have covered this in previous posts, too I think. It took many months (bare in mind I ride perhaps 2 or 3 times a week, not everyday) to build up the right muscles.

But once I realised that I had to stop resisting, things became easier. By this I mean to no longer resist the horse's movements, to give up on trying to be in rythm but to just be, to trust my body to know, and not my mind. The less I think the better this works. I give over my body to 'Mr F' completely, in a way mine becomes part of his, or in other words: we are one. These are yet still rare occasions and depnd of course on the state of my mind, i.e. the more thinking, the less awareness / presence.  Something I also get to practise in Aikido and in life in general. It is all one and the same.

But before I go too much off track, back to cantering:

I haven't done bareback was cantering because I was worried that I might not be able to stop 'Mr F' once he gets the taste of the speed, him being an ex-racehorse. Especially in groups, if other horses are behind him, I thought that he may just take off. Previous riding was limited to walk and trott.

This is ok but somehow I 'knew' I was holding 'Mr F' back, I was holding us back. 

And so, on a ride with 'Lillian' and her partner 'Tom' we did a fair amount of cantering. The first canter was quite unsettled. I noticed how much 'Mr F' was looking after me. At first he did ask if I really meant 'canter'. And once I affirmed, he made a few strides but would fall back into trott if he felt I was unbalanced. 

Then we did a second set and this time 'Mr F' didn't ask for affirmation. My balance was better and we cantered for a longer time.  The third time was yet better again. But all the while I was aware that 'Mr F' was looking after me, as soon as he felt I wasn't sitting right he'd fall back into trott and walk.

Eventually we reached a small village with a big green at it's center. It was time for more cantering and this time I simply had to 'think' canter and 'Mr F' took off.  All this time I had to be very disciplined not to let my mind intereferre and instead fully embrace every single second. The less thinking I did, the more my body became accustomed to the movement and went with it more naturally. This in turn encouraged 'Mr F' to pick up speed and suddenly I was flooded with sheer joy, for what was a couple of minutes perhaps although it seeme ages and it was beautiful!

There was a short moment when it occured to me: oh hang on, will I be able to stop him? 'Tom' was behind us and 'Mr F' would probably see that as a challenge. But once again, 'Mr F' looked after me and did as I asked him to do.

And even if he wouldn't look after me, that too I would have to accept and deal with it accordingly. I think by resisting circumstances we often make them worse. Horses get beaten up or put into all kinds of shackles so that riders can get them to 'bend' according to their expectations. But by doing that one ends up sitting on a pressure cooker, never knowing when the lid is going to blow!

Some thought that my approach at the start was slow and perhaps even stubborn. But all I care about is to build and work on a partnership between myself and the horse. If he is willing and even enjoys being with me, then he is more likely to be willing to work with me. So far I have not been proven wrong. If we both are of sound 'mind', we will do just fine. It takes as long as it takes.

This ride left me with plenty to observe. We said goodbye to 'Lillian' and 'Tom' and made our way back to the farm. 'Luke' was pleased to see 'Mr F' returning.

'Lillian' & 'Tom'

Above: after the first few canters we had a short rest while the horses ate some grass and we enjoyed the view.

On the way back to the farm I pick different spots where 'Mr R' and I so he can enjoy some juicy grass for a little while.

Wash Day - Enjoying The Warm Weather

It's a good 20 degrees C out there, a perfect moment to give 'Mr F' a wash. A few creepy crawlies have decided to become comfortable on his skin and as much as I like everything that lives, these little guys had to go.

I have had my fair share of showers with 'MrF' - I deliberately type 'with' because we both landed up equally wet'. It took him some time to realise that it is better if he just stands still and let me get on with it.

At first it was the evil yellow sponge, than once that was 'tamed' it was the horse-eating, yellow hosepipe (there seems to be a colour range of 'evilness' and yellow being especially evil ... remember the yellow tape-measure story?).

But nowadays washing down 'Mr F' is a simple routine;  I do put on 'Mr F's head collar (on him, mind you!) with lead rope and let the rope loosely rest on my shoulders. That is enough for him to understand that he is not to wonder about. He is reasonably patient and lets me get on with stuff.

I found a new brush for washing him down which he likes; it has a sponge attached to it and this sponge is sourrnounded by one row of medium soft bristles. Prefect for leathering and rubbing medicated shampoo down to skin level.

'Mr F' seems quite happy with this and with his bag of soaked hay for snacks in between.



While I let the shampoo do its work for 10 minutes or so I observe his shape ... and I have to say I am not all that happy with it. His 'bum' muscles are not quite where they should be. It's time again for another visit of Neill  ... (you can search this blog to find the posts where I describe his work, it is rather special!).

 

'Mr F' ... here temporarily tied up due to other people being in the yard.

 A great brush for shampooing your horse.

 

While collecting the droppings, the crew comes and visits. 

'Mr F' herds 'Luke' who herds little 'Sam'.

 

'Luke' is really enjoying having a small guy with him that he can command about ... 

... and use as grooming pal even though little 'Sam' can barely reach ...

Birdsong and Sunshine

Beautiful summery sunshine was greeting us on Sunday morning yet again. The entire previous week had been one big blessing of summery warmth even though it is still spring.

The boys are happy in their new field where they enjoy a mix of grass and soaked hay. Their droppings look quite ok, in particular 'Mr F' seems to no longer having difficulties switching from winter food to summer food. This was a bit of a problem in the past when he would have runny business for weeks. Not only is it showing a digestive upset, it is also requiring increased hygiene treatment - a sponge and warm water. But this year we are both spared from this, thankfully.

It was already warm when I went to feed them at 6:30am. 

'Buttercup Farm' is surrounded by hundreds of happy birds willingly sharing their sing-song. It is so very peaceful! 

It was time to pick some dung.  Not only does it attract the flies but they also won't eat the grass where they have disposed of their droppings. Although the many beetles (dung beetles) and also the blackbirds are doing a great job in muck spreading, which helps keeping the pasture reasonably 'clean'.

'Luke' and 'Mr F' are having their breakfast while little 'Sam' stands and watches. He tends to get a little too fat in summer and so he doesn't get any food in the mornings. He waits till they have finished just in case he gets to have a go at licking the empty buckets. Not so today ...

.. and so little 'Sam' wonders off very purposefully, hoping to get to a good grazing spot before the 'big boy's come and take over.

 This piece of old tree trunk is my favourite spot to sit on and enjoy a cup of tea. They boys always come to say hello and they like to eat the bark or use it to attend some itchy spots, as 'Luke' is doing in the above photo.

I spend an hour or so picking their droppings; enjoying the peace and the early morning sun.

Once done with my field maintenance I picked a spot to sit down for a little while. 'Mr F' joins me and lay down next to me. We spend some time there together, just the two of us sitting and I was listening to the bird's sing song.

I notice 'Luke' looking at us, not quite sure what to make of it. Eventually he comes sauntering over to examine the situation. He gives 'Mr F' a nudge (are you ok?) and then lies down at the far end next to 'Mr F'.

Little 'Sam' is a bit further away, still eating grass. But he too comes over to us and to my surprise lays down too, next to me on the other side.

'Mr F' meanwhile is very chilled and his head is dropping sideways as his muscles loosen. Then, with one big sigh, he goes flat on his side. I did wonder for a bit if I might be better off moving as he was now very close and had twitchy legs. But the moment was so peaceful, so beautifully pure and I decided to just let it all 'be'. I lost track of time ...

 

 

'Mr F' was too close to get all of him on the mobile phone camera. He was clearly in a peaceful place.

Little 'Sam' also joining us ... 

Some Thoughts And Other Things

'Luke' is still most pleased with his underling and every now and then proudly herds little 'Sam' around the field, just because he can! And every morning, the two of them hide outside the stable for a private moment:

Little 'Sam' has his work cut out, just like last year, he is 'Luke's main grooming pal. I'll be interested to see whether 'Sam' will join the communal grooming ritual ...


The sudden increase in temperature is most welcome although it brings with it THE FLIES!
It appears that 'Mr F' is and 'Luke' are more of a fly attraction than little 'Sam'. Perhaps all the garlic they fee him eats helps him keep them off! I added garlic to last year's fly spray mixture ... which was clearly noticable on a more sensitive nose ... not that it bothers me though as I eat plenty of garlic myself! It seemed to work though.

'Mr F' annoyed by the flies  ... time to dig out the fly mask.

'Mr F' coming to say hello ... 

For some time have I been trying to explain the sensation I experience when he comes towards me in his usual manner. In my previous descriptions I have used words such as honesty, pureness, love (not the attached romantic kind of love) and joy. Today, while out to take some macroshots of insects it suddenly occured to me: its the INNOCENCE - a KNOWING INNOCENCE. He (they) know(s) everything there is to know that matters.  And more: 'Mr F' in particular seems to know exactly what I should learn, I have been aware of this from the first moment when our paths joined. I am not talking about him teaching me to ride, that just goes along with it. No, he is teaching me something much much more important; he is teaching me how to become a free being ...

I am quite close to all the horses that I have been feeding and mucking out over the past 3 years, but none reaches out like 'Mr F' does. It is as though he has a mission to work on / with me ... much is being 'said' when we just stand next to each other without a single thought, something I wasn't able to experience even a year ago!

We humans are so trapped in our own worlds created by our minds. I certainly keep observing myself doing just that again and again: trapping myself. We resist, we force, we have intention, we want, we desire, we don't want ... we worry, we are afraid, we assume, we have 'images', we hang on to the past or fret about the future ... we are lost beings chasing after what is in fact right inside us! But of course we don't look there ... nobody taught us to look there ... 

And this will bring me back to Aikido ... but more about that another time.

A relief: after a full 6 months of mucking out and filling hay bags etc ... finally no more. The boys are moving to a different field without access to stables.

Sometimes, when things get a little busy and spare time is rare, some matters to get neglected a little. Although I make sure I do spend plenty of time with 'Mr F', it has been mostly ridden work lately'. But I also enjoy our walks out in the countryside, it is a different way of being together and is great fun.

With 'Mr F's back becoming quite stiff again, it's been a year I think since Neill has treated him the last time. Its time to make another appointment.

Recently I took 'Mr F' up to the 'fairy woods' - a small area of woodland with some quickly chaning up and downhill terrain. They sometimes use it to fool around with the mountain bikes as it has some quite steep runs. I shall take a photograph of it next time. 

It is a bit like an outdoor gymn for 'Mr F'. I walk / trott him through it and it is great for him as he uses different muscles to adapt to the quickly chaning terrain. He also has to navigate over the treeroots so it keeps him attentive and interested.

On the way to our outdoor 'gymn' on a very tranquil spring evening ... 

 

'Oh, what's rustling over there?'

  

I do little excersises with 'Mr F' which I think are usefull .One of them is to ask him to stand on the spot while I move away. I signal my wish for him to NOT follow me by letting the weighted (and rather long) leadrope drop loosely on the floor (while I still hold on to the end of it). As I walk away in this manner, 'Mr F' has learnt that I am asking him to wait.

As soon as I pick up the rope with a gentle pull he knows I am asking him to come to me. It's useful to be able to do this when I have to navigate them through the field gates. All I have to do is to either raise my hand (something he learnt 'accidentially'), or to drop the lead rope.  He will stand still and not move -well, unless there is 'something nasty' sneaking around somewhere ...

This was yesterday evening's ride out with 'Lillian' and 'Luke'. We are not yet going very far with 'Luke' while he is becoming accustomed again to being a riding horse. Although 'Luke' is doing very well and I am quite sure he'll be back to where they stopped last year in no time.


Here is looking forward to more sunshine!

'Luke' Has An Underling At Last!

Its this time of the year again, the grass is growing and the horses are moved into their spring grazing fields.

'Madam' and 'PL' have left 'Buttercup Farm' for a few weeks to go to 'Lady Jane's home where they are enjoying their spring pasture with the juicy spring grass.

I don't let 'Mr F' onto pastures with rich grass, although he is not necessarily prone to get laminitis, I prefer to make the change over slowly and give him soaked hay to eat as well. They will be moving into their spring pasture this week. As other visiting horses have been in that field, the grass has been eaten fairly regularly and is not too high. The first week or so they will be given hay as well, while I will be watching their weight closely.

With the girls gone, little 'Sam', a pony of the wise age of 22, will be joining the boys again like he did the previous year.

Little 'Sam' - a clever little pony, aged 22

Although the boys had been with little 'sam' the previous year, it is best to watch horses for a while if they have not been together for some time. Things can change as the mature ('Luke').

When 'Lillian' and I put little 'Sam' in with the boys, 'Luke' was VERY interested in little 'Sam' who already knew what he was in for, always being the bottom of the pecking order.

As I said, things can change ... it appears that 'Luke' was this time determined to emphasise his place in the pecking order: for once he is no longer at the bottom! 'Luke' was VERY much enjoying being able to chase someone else around. He had found himself an underling and was strutting his stuff while he was chasing little 'Sam' around the field. The field is just about big enough so that they can get out of each other's way. This is important so that no horse get cornered.

'Lillian' and I watched the going ons.  'Sam' is a wise little pony and wasn't arguing with 'Luke'. The wild chase lasted about 10 minutes, until 'Luke' needed a rest ... ('Sam' is clearly fitter than 'Luke'!). 

Meanwhile 'Mr F' stood in the pasture, watching them and looking at us as though to say; "This is a bit silly, no? I have got nothing to do with this."

And suddenly, all was settled and peaceful. 'Luke' was happy that he had an underling, 'Mr F' was pleased that it all was quite again and 'Sam' could do what he loves most: eat!

Little 'Sam'

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours - More grooming studies

Yesterday was a long day and 'Mr F' hadn't seen much of me as I had to leave early and didn't return till very late in the evening.

Upon my return I went to check on 'Mr F' and to give him his evening feed. When he saw me turn up he came running down the field as though saying "Hey! Where the heck have you been!"

I really am not wanting to humanize these noble creatures as they are nothing like us. There was a time some months ago when I did not spend as much time with 'Mr F' as he was used to. I noticed eventually that he was having a kind of depressed expression in his whole body posture and the eyes where kind of dull. As soon as I spent more time with him he picked himself up again. They are, in their own way, affectionate beings. They don't cling though, they don't attach themselves. Their affection is honest and pure and not needy or selfish.

Every time 'Mr F' walks towards me,  so open and so innocent ... to me it is the door to the real world ... not our 'imagined' and 'thought up' world but into a world were we know without knowing.

From the very beginning, back in 2013, this is what drew me to 'Mr F' and of course the other equines. But 'Mr F' in particular and he taught me more than any human in my life has. I think that says quite a lot about him.

But to stay on topic: today, quite knackered from yesterday's 4 hour Aikido course many miles away (hence my absence) I was contemplating whether to ride or to go and take some macroshots of insects and moss. Looking at the weather forecast I decided for the latter. There was always time to ride in the evening when the rain had gone.

After another cup of tea I went into the boy's field equipped with my camera.

Again, I didn't get far - 'Mr F' straight away on hot pursuit ...

 ... 'hello there what are you up to?'...

It was still quite cool for spring and many insects were using the warmth of the stonewalls to raise their body temperature.

I didn't get to take many photographs because  'Mr F' was very keen in looking at everything I was looking at, much to the distress of the insects who of course took off at the sight of the horses nostrils!

When 'Mr F' had enough of watching me looking at 'things', he began nuding me for some attention.

Ah well, I don't mind some 'quality time' and we spent some time together sratching eath other's back.
It appears that he somewhat needed to make up for yesterdays' lack of contact as he had his head rest on my shoulders and was breathing down my neck.

... hello ...

... and again "oh hello, here I am again ..."

'Luke' at first tried to join but was very clearly told by 'Mr F' to get lost and so he wandered off to the top of the field, minding his own business for a while.

But eventually 'Luke' tried to join us again and this time I made a point of grooming him first. He does this 'hook' thing where he kind of 'grabs' you and wraps his head and neck around you.

Often this is how our group grooming starts. I 'wriggled' myself gently out of his 'embrace', all the while still scratching 'Luke' while he continued scratching me.

But today I noticed that each time I choose a different spot to scratch, he would try and do the same on my body. So I experimented and indeed, if I'd go to his legs, he'd do the same, if I scratch his withers, he would try and do the same although there seems to be some confusion as to where my 'withers' are ... we settled on my arm being the extended 'neck'.

Perhaps this was just coincidence. I'll test this again next time.

'Mr F', who was this time not interfering, stood right beside us. Eventually he moved himself into position, with a quite expectant body position. We all spent some time grooming each other, and as always, it is a most welcome back massage! Although 'Mr F' isn't quite as gentle as the others ... Just as well I don't spend much time at the beach, I guess people would wonder about the scratch marks ...

After some time I left the two boys to it and they continued on their own, although 'Luke' had to work hard!

 'Mr F' is initiating a change of sides ... 

'Mr F': "come on, I want the other side scratching ..."

'Luke': 'Ok ok ... '

'Mr F': 'Hurry up! It's itiching!

'Luke': 'Sheesh! Ok!'

 'Luke': 'Where?'

'Mr F': 'There, at the back ...'

 'Mr F': 'Further back ... !"

 'Luke' is busy, more so than 'Mr F' ... and keeps having to spit out all the winter hair that is coming loose ...

All done!

And so, as I am writing this, the sun has come out and I might just go for a ride ...