Two Wayfarers

This week has yet been blesssed with more beautiful late summer sunshine and warmth. The nights however are telling a different story and are announcing the arrival of the colder season. As I am typing this the temperatures are down to single figures for the first time in months.

It is time to think about the rugs although their winter coat has began to grow nicely. 'Mr F' is keeping his weight nicely. He also isn't overly anxious about food yet, which is usually a tell sign that they are chilly. The field where they are now offers various means of shelter and with its ups and downs there are spots that are warmer and colder. Its quite interesting to observe where they are 'haning out' depending on weather ... 

The lovely weather has given us many opportunities to go out on our walks together. While the days are still long-ish we are making the most of it so I go grab 'Mr F' as soon as I get back from work and after I have made myself a full thermos flask with tea.

And so we wonder around the region, meeting the locoal people and the odd walkers. 'Mr F' greatly enjoying the attention; "Oh he is magnificent!" - "What a beautiful horse!" - "He is huge!" Even a group of at first quite unruly looking teenage lads went all soft as we walked passt. "Hey miss, I really like your horse!" one said. What amuses me the most is how 'Mr F' reacts ... and this has been noticed by 'Lillian' too ... he just loves the attention. All that is missing is a cheesy grin with a sparkling tooth just like they used to show in cartoons or vintage tooth-paste ads ... 

Again and again I become aware of just how much horses seem to attract us humans for reasons we don't quite know. I am only at the beginning of grasping just how much they do teach us if we would only listen. But more on this another time.

Other reactions are more that of puzzlement ... in particular drivers appear to be wary and slow down even more than when I ride 'Mr F'. I suppose a huge horse that is lead by what from a distance looks like a child may be reason for a disconcerting sight. There is also the odd comment of "Why don't you ride him?" or "You should ride him." To which I politely reply that I enjoy walking with the horse as much as I enjoy riding it. And I do explain a little about his past and that he has done his fair share of hard work as an racehorse.  It's time now for 'Mr F' to see what else there is other than a race course.

Sometimes we leasurely walk, otherties we trott along the grass verges, 'Mr F' always on loose rein. I have a long (I think its about 3 meters) weighted lead rein that is knotted to his rope headcollar. He is very sensitive to it and never runs passed me, he always remains with his head next to my shoulders. If I stop, he does and visa versa; unless there is some VERY tasty grass which is just too tempting, then we do have the odd discussion. While 'Mr F' munches his grass I sip my tea or pick black berries.

Here is hoping for many more sunny late summer evenings.