The trees are suddenly all changing colours and once more it seems that we have the joy of enjoying a golden Autumn. I wasn't sure as there hadn't been enough cold weather yet but seems that the trees are willing yet again to change costume for us before shedding it all before winter arrives.
Again, this was yesterday and I managed to get home early, just in good time to go into the field to take off 'Mr F's rug. I left it on as it had been torrential rain most of the morning with cold gusts. And as most of us have experienced, being wet in a cold and windy environment greatly adds to the chill factor.
I climbed the fence (short-cut), equipped with my thermos flask (filled with tea, almond milk and honey) and my trusty camera. It was such a lovely day and it was about time to take some more photographs of the surroundings and the mini crew.
As it is a very large field with so many 'hiding' places I wasn't sure where they might be but guessed that they would hang out at the other end with the cows and sheep. I was so keen on going to get 'Mr F's rug off that I didn't even make myself heard upon approach. 'Tolka' was resting on the ground while the other two where doing just the same standing up.
It so warm that even the flies made a re-appearance in great numbers.
'Mr F' was glad to have his rug taken off!! They all by now have a decent winter coat and if he'd be younger, I wouldn't rug him just yet. But at the beginning of October he had lost a little weight which was a sign that the cold nights now made him use more energy.
They still have plenty of grass, it has been growing and still is as it is so warm still.
I found them all gathered at the top end of the field, right next to the cows and sheep. There is a nice breeze here that keeps the flies off a little and of course its a lovely sun bathing spot.
They all come to say hello and I quickly take 'Mr F's rug off so he can enjoy the warmth of the sun on his skin. All are very mellow and it appears that it is time for some 'grooming'. 'Mr F' instigates it but none of the others want to scratch his back. I have noticed this many times now but it is his own bad behaviour ... because he often quite roughly mannered give them a nip. They leave it up to me to scratch his back ... "let her deal with 'Victor Meldrew'" ...
And so I spend some time with all of them, each coming for some scratching and while I scratch one's back, the others rest their heads on each other's back and so we all take turns. 'Tolka' is often a little puzzled as to where he is supposed to scratch me so he wanders down with his mouth, along my back, starting at the neck (very soft as it is bare skin - and he is the third horse I trust with this) then going down the back (here he applies a little more force as he is trying to figure out what on earth I am wearing today - which is an old 100% wool jumper) and then he slowly goes with his nose under the jumper (or sometimes under the jacket) until he gets to the skin just where the waist is - then he continues to wander down and I have to stretch out one of my legs. This quite fun ritual usually ends with him nibbling my boot. I have to say 'Luke' was the best at this grooming matter, he would give you a real good back massage, which I enjoyed greatly. So blissfully peaceful!
We spend some 20 minues like this and then it is apparently time to go eat grass. I settle down to drink my tea at last. However, to my very surprise 'Mr F' lies down right next to me ... to roll !! It was just about save enough distance for me to remain without getting tangled up in his legs. He nearly manages a full roll too. Oh its nice without that rug!
And here he is, 'Mr F' making sure I have got more work when he is prepared for the night!
I remain seated for a little while, soaking up the sunbeams and drinking my tea. Without thoughts. This is a continuing effort of mine to observe my thinking habits. The more I think the more unsettled I become and the more I miss what is actually going on. This non-thinking (btw, thinking is not the same as planning. Planning is thinking but its based on facts. The thinking I refer to is the kind I wish to do less and less of. No more thoughts about things or events that have been or might be or could have been. It's all wasting time and pointless. I have learnt this from these beings and also my macro photography of insects, by observing them and how they are. I am tallking about 'being'. Being alive, aware, present. This became another big topic when I began my Aikido training, however, that I have stopped for the time being due to the teachings being confusing and missing what the message of Aikido really is. But I may write about that some other time.
But I mostly don't get very far with my camera as there is always some being that is stalking, usually it is 'Mr F' or 'Luke'. Everytime I see them come twards me, with their heads low in a relaxed and so trusting manner, his eyes filled with wisdom but also a hint of tiredness. His front feet are a quite sore and meanwhile I am treating them. The easyboot gloves have stayed on during the day and this evening 'Mr F' came trotting up with a more relaxed stride, and a more relaxed expression. We went for a walk too and he was quite a bit more pleased with things. I have changed the dressing this evening and am repeating the same over night, hoping they will still be in place in the morning.
'Mr F' just knows ... and I am most thankful to be able to learn from him so much. Not just about horses, there isn't a 'they and me' ... there is 'us' ... we all are beings, made of the same stuff, atoms (and empty space) that is held together by energy of some sort. Its only because our minds are so full with garbage that we cannot communicate with one another. Let go of your thoughts, your preconceptions of what should and shouldn't be, of 'what one does and what one doesn't' - let go of wanting to control / over power / rule and you will be surprised what you discover! I was and I will talk about it in detail one day when I have more time.
This little chap here, 'Tolka' is a super little horse. Only 2 years of age and now that he got used to me he wants to know EXACTLY what I am doing and why I am doing it and whom to and with what. He keeps sticking his little nose into everything so you can imagine it is quite a palaver when I try and apply dressing to 'Mr F's feet - I reach out for the vet wrap ... "it was there, I know it was ... now just ... oh 'TOLKA!!'" Whatever is in a bucket, next to a bucket, on the floor, anything that doesn't look like it is 'natural' has to be examined, has to be picked up, chewed and turned upside down.
The other day I was in the field with a feed sack which I was in progress of filling with all the dead wood on the ground for kindling. Well, I left the bag out of sight for one minute only to return to the wood being taken out of the bag and with 'Tolka's head halfway inside the bag ... Well you don't need to do friendly games with him when he's a grown up. It will be old hat!
Here he is again, same relaxed, warm and innocent expression, reminding me very much of 'Mr F' sometimes.
As I type this I have just won an auction for another saddle ... a treeless Barefoot saddle (and a very lucky bargain so even if it doesn't work out it can be sold easily again) to swap with the Bareback physio pad ... I want to try just once more if 'Mr F' might just enjoy going out for a little longer and a little faster. We shall see! First his feet have to get better.
No comments:
Post a Comment