Wednesday, October 13, 2010

apples of the valley hold the seeds of happiness

If I fully describe the rides and weather that we have been having here, you wouldn't believe me! I am so spoiled. The light in our woods is golden and the horses act as if they know that these days are special. Cool temperatures, no bugs, yellow and red leaves, happy, sweet horses. It doesn't get any better. Yesterday, Sovey was the best he has ever been. I was supposed to ride him on Monday, but Maizie had off school and Brian and I took her canoeing. Sovey knows if he misses a day, and he is very eager to go when it is finally his turn again. I groomed him while he munched hay. Munching helps him forget how much the curry comb tickles. He closed his eyes and allowed me to get off every speck of mud. It was a very peaceful grooming session. Pie was happily munching hay in the small paddock nearby. Before tacking up, I walked Sovey out with me to the far field to turn off the electic fence out there. Both horses lead nicely now, with zero grass diving like we had last fall. Back under the forebay, I put the lead over Sovey's neck and he stood perfectly still for me to tack up. He doesn't move even when I go into the tackroom to get things. We rode out and around the entire farm. He was quiet and not rushed for the whole ride. Pie screamed a few times for us, but Sovey pretends he doesn't hear it. Sovey jumped once at a tree that a neighbor cut down. Pie jumped at this too, the other day. I wonder if that tree gives off a "death" color or something, because both horses jumped not like they were shying, but like they were distressed. Weird. Then, onward we went for the rest of our perfect ride. After untacking, I walked Sovey around the property. He really liked that, I think. He investigated some new groundhog holes and different areas that we don't ride near. We finished with him gobbling some of our luscious apples.
Later in the evening, Brian, Maizie and I all went back to the barn to play tennis. Mom joined us and - hooray - so did Pie and Sovey! They were grazing right near the court. I put some hay and apples there to encourage them to stay. They were with us the whole time we played. The sun was setting and our town's Halloween parade was getting under way with marching bands. Two dark horses grazing and leaves rustling over the tennis court. Sigh. What a life!

6 comments:

  1. We are both having such magical weather, it sounds like. If only I didn't have a job! It takes up far too much good horse time! But at least I know even when I am not with Lilly she is happy as a clam at high tide. I wonder what horses think when they see humans playing tennis. Do they think, how dumb is that--chasing balls when you could be gobbling up apples and nibbling grass?? I wouldn't be surprised...(Although for me tennis is of my favorite sports to play.)

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  2. Oh...it ate it all!!!

    second round of the comments here!

    Love hearing of the events...of your life, from here! Loverly~
    What nice rides you are having...I'm planning one today...it is so heavenly/sunny, crisp(at the moment!)
    Sovey , oou... and tennis, with horses looking on, nearby... can it better than that??!

    Funny about the munching and grooming too...I actually had to get clearance to do that in my stall, at the new place.
    They have it in the contract to not "tack up"in the stall...but Wa mare and me, we have groomed while she miunches- like forever!
    She dislikes the brushing routine. It goes so much better for me, while she munches...it is a "Munching/ Grooming tradition" now, for us!

    Sweet Autumn rides and family pleasures to you dear heart!
    XO kac
    PS
    how is Noodlebug?

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  3. What a great, happy post! :)
    What IS that tool in the picture? Is that an apple picker? Very cool..I could use that around my house, lol!
    I'm so glad your ponies are giving you great rides. It seems they are also releasing some energy in their new pasture/paddocks of paradise so now listen that much better?!

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  4. Glad you are enjoying the lovely fall weather! Such an interesting and beautiful time of year, it evokes emotion...

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  5. Juliette, What a picture perfect day! I say wrap your arms around wonderful memories like these, because they are rare enough that they are precious. And both of your horses were so good- hooray for them!

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  6. Wow, I really like your posters - they are like something out of England in the 1950s. All the railway companies used to advertise their excursions with posters done in this style.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit Honeysuckle Faire!