Thursday, August 27, 2015

First Day Home

Whew he made it. Someday I will write the story of the twists and turns of his trip here, but for now focusing on him being home.

He needs some "groceries", a bit typical after the long haul. So that is our focus. And transitioning to different feed. But I love him already. We got a quiet moment alone when I first saw him, and he came right up to me, head in my chest. Sigh.

Today we will have a little round pen play to make sure we have good boundaries , and he'll get some good turn out time in the BIG pasture - with his hay bag full and water, while I sit nearby and read and write. Tomorrow I plan on a very short, ten minute ride in the big sandy arena, and we have some visitors or "Welcome Committee" coming tomorrow too.

A few details: We had short training session with fly spray. It all went well. And today I'll find out how he feels about a fly mask - the flies on the eyes are terrible right now and SWAT just ain't cutting it.

He is eating up all I put in front of him, and we are on 2 hand fulls of 3Way or Alfalfa along with his "all you can eat" timothy and Alfalfa pellets.

If you click on a photo you can see it BIG.


You wanna spray what? And where? 

Look at the crazy style here, Goofy Californians. I won't have to wear that stuff will I?

Munching away. Note the towel in the background - my nap spot. 

Short walk in the round pen. 

Cheers.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Emptying My Cup


First Leg

I know Pierre has made the first leg of the journey, and as I write I’m not sure whether he is still waiting in a box stall in Minot, ND or is on the trailer starting the 1700 mile journey to Santa Paula, CA. I will know soon.

These final days of waiting create a wonderful space.

In the space between horses I have mourned and said goodbye to Ozzie. I have cleaned, inspected and prepped my tack and supplies. The small tack room I have created in my garage has some lovely timothy hay – Oh there is nothing quite as delicious as the spring, green smell of good Timothy hay – a bag of alfalfa pellets, and other stuff waiting to be moved to the new tack room where I board.

As the days neared for Pierre to begin his journey from Canada to California I got a gentle reminder from an incredible horseman, who just happens to be a woman. She reminded me that this new horse is an individual. Is not Ozzie. And I must be wary of comparing him to all that Ozzie was to me - what an important reminder, and perfectly timed.

And while reading a book just now, a thought shot into my head.

I was placing all my hopes, all my dreams on Pierre - before I had even laid eyes on him. He is on his way to me. Being handed over from the breeder, to a barn, to a hauler, then to me.

And here I was imagining all the things we would learn together, all the miles of the trails we would explore. Wow.  What a lot of pressure I was placing on him. He had a lot to live up to. For a four year old horse.

I need to empty my cup.

My cup was so full it was overflowing with ideas, thoughts, things I think I know, things to learn, to do – there were moments where I would center myself, and remind myself of the unknown aspect of what was to come – but then the excitement again would kick in… that is ok.

A new horse is coming. I can be excited.

But then and there I dumped my cup out. I want an empty cup when I look upon Pierre for the first time. No expectations. Just curiosity.

Openness and space.
For whatever comes.
Open heart.
Open mind.
Hands open and soft.