Truly a picture is worth a thousand words.

That is what Marilla told Anne she would have to do in the film ‘Anne of Green Gables.’ when Anne accidentally got her friend, Diana, drunk off Marilla’s wine. Anne thought it a fruit drink. It was a funny scene, but none-the-less Anne needed to apologize to Diane’s mother.

Eating humble pie is not easy. I had to eat some this month when my niece came for a visit. She rode our big gelding, Webster, better than me—much better. It is hard and humbling to watch someone ride your horse better than you. We horseman tend to be a bit prideful, and rather full of ourselves. So when we are outdone on our OWN animal it is painful to our pride. However, this is not such a bad thing; pride comes before a fall. And fall I have done many times off this horse. So much so that my confidence level was lower than a snakes belly.

I knew I was going to learn something from this young, excellent horsewoman. I was not disappointed. It was a pleasure watching her interact with this spoiled horse. Yes, he is spoiled. He has always been more defiant than our buckskin mare, High Hope. He has tried himself and my authority much more. I have always been a bit nervous around him, and skeptical.

Esther, however, established herself immediately with him. She knew exactly what her goal was and what she expected of him. “You two are a team, Aunt Mitzy,” she told me, “but YOU are the team captain!”

This is her basic premise with horses, being a team, and she communicated it beautifully to Webster. She is generous in her praise and quiet with her reprimands. Sometimes it was difficult to tell between the two because she always smiles!

She is focused and knows exactly what she wants from the horse. She works patiently until she can tell the horse understands. This is called consistency. She works them until she sees the horse working towards the result she wants. This is called persistence. It did not take long for Webster to understand what was expected of him. That is how good Esther is. It was beautiful to watch.

Both her parents are excellent horseman, and have ridden all their lives. They have taught all their children well the art of horsemanship. To their credit, Esther sure has the best of both of them. She has worked, studied and ridden many long hours. It shows.

She had taught me much. She is a positive, consistent, quiet handler. She had a clear understanding of what behavior is acceptable and what is not. She is easy to learn from because of her positive, cheerful outlook. The horses like her as much as I do! In fact, I do not know who learned more, me or Webster. I do know this, things are better between me and my horse. Thank you, Esther!

Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy!

It is cold. Finding a warm, preferably sunny, spot seems to be on the mind of both man and beast in weather like this.
Our cat has her nose tucked under her furry paws, and our dog goes outside only when he MUST! As for the horses, they find a spot out of the wind, and rest with their backs to the sharp breeze.

What? you may be asking me, those horses are not in the barn to stay warm? The answer is no. This must sound odd coming from a Virginia horsewoman. Wherever one goes, it seems, every horse in Virginia is blanketed and pity those poor animals that are not.

A little history and background information might be helpful. I grew up on a 1,300 acre farm/tourist attraction. We had over 26 head of horses for service to our tourists. Keeping track of just halters was a big job for my twin sister and me! We had a beautiful, big bank barn with standing stalls on one side and a run-in on the other. Because horses are herd animals and definitely have a pecking order, it is not a great idea to leave that many in a run-in area. Those at the bottom of the pecking order would never be “allowed” into the shelter. So, we would tie the horses in their standing stalls. This will only be tolerated by a big, healthy animal so long before they are suffering “cabin fever.”

This wasn’t the only reason though. Horses are very adaptable to cold weather. They know where to get out of it, given the chance. In other words cedar tree groves make excellent protection from wind and weather. Also, natural dips in the land is a place where horses can be found resting and soaking up the sun. One final thought, horses’ winter coats are said to be able to grow 1/4″ overnight in cold, bad weather.

For us, wet, rainy, icy weather was what we saved the barn for. When your horses come into the barn for evening feedings and they have ice on their backs and whiskers, it IS a great time to warm them up with plenty of hay (very little extra grain, please), a quick rubdown with a fluffy towel, and handfuls of fresh, crunchy carrots!

Do not forget the water and mineral salt! My mother always had us put our mineral salt blocks beside the water trough. So this is where they are. Keep the water fresh and heated. Cold, broken-up frozen water is hard on horses and can cause colic. I have seen horses not even drink water that is too cold! Check it daily.

Then after you have enjoyed and fed your warm, fuzzy and very grateful horses the next best place to be is in your favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee. Not to forget your dog warming your toes, and the cat warming your lap!

By the way, the blanketed horses in Virginia are mostly show horses that are in the show ring all year. Forgive the pun, but they are a “horse of a different color” and have altogether different requirements.

For those of us who wrangle with their horses in cold weather for the simple joy of them, may this be of some insight to you.

Our Lessons:

1. Are private

2. Build confidence.

3. Teach responsibility.

4. Develop students as an athlete.

5. Teaches animal husbandry.

6. Teaches control of students’ body.

7. Teaches students how to handle fear.

8. Teaches the joy of working with animals and their thought processes.

9. Teaches students to think and anticipate.

10. It is downright FUN!!!

A rainy day in the stable is a most wonderful place to be. Even the horses agree with this.

The lights are on, casting a welcoming call to enter. It is warm to the sense of sight and smell and has a comforting feel not only to me, but the horses as well. As I spread out their hay in the mangers, I lolly gag around so as to hear them munching joyfully. They are warming their bellies, and wet coats while the entire scene warms my heart. Must I leave and go into a house where the dust and cobwebs must be cleaned?

Ahhhhh! To be in a barn on a rainy day!

These little guys are so much fun and a perfect alternative to those of us with few acres, less time, and does it bear mentioning, less strain on the back picking hooves!

I have gone with a friend of mine who takes her mini’s to nursing homes.  Both the mini’s AND the residents enjoy the time visiting together!