Better Saddle Conversations.
“To practice equestrian art is to establish a conversation on a higher level with the horse, a dialogue of courtesy and finesse”. Nuno Oliveira.
Anna Blake
Weekly Photo Challenge: Saturated
Saturated. Drenched. Soaked. And feeling fine about it. The summer started with fire and evacuations, and ended with a month of monsoon. Some of us humans feel a bit run around by the weather this summer. Horses like to run around in the weather. Fundamental difference. Anna Blake, Infinity Farm. WordPress Photo Challenge is a … Read more
What to Do When Nothing Works.
We all have those rides where the simplest thing, the thing we do all the time, becomes impossible. The horse is resisting the aid, he just won’t do it. Now what? What do you do when nothing works? First, get really mad. Swearing is preferred, and then find a stronger bit. It can be hard … Read more
Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns
It’s an Equine Line. They do it a lot. They sleep in lines, walk in lines, graze in lines. Here two horses walk with Edgar Rice Burro, an equine cousin, trying to look as much like him as they can. Same ears, same eyes. Edgar is a bit of an inspiration around here, not just … Read more
No Small Feat. (Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue.)
Meet Archie. He got introduced by that name, but I prefer being a bit more formal with him, as a sign of respect. Archibald feels more suitable. Here he is passing time with a couple of boys in my herd, but I distracted him with a compliment and he’s on his way over for a … Read more
Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
Goats are not for everyone. You love them, or you hate them. They fight fences, and are always inside of things you want them to be on the outside of. They’re destructive, contrary creatures with very high self-esteem.. Then in the middle of the chaos, they get inside your heart. Meet Sumo, he’s 12 years … Read more
The Battle Cry of An Old Gray Mare.
“Do You Work Out?” I find this question difficult to answer. I’m never sure what they are asking but it was even worse when I was single. Then I thought it was a code phrase for another question. Are you asking do I go to a mirrored room and lift weights, not because they need … Read more
Weekly Photo Challenge: An Unusual POV
Donkeys, like Edgar Rice Burro, have a different point of view than horses. They manage to be both proud and humble. Donkeys are very intelligent, yet the common belief is that they are stubborn. The truth is that donkeys require courtesy. And their sense of self is strong enough to not tolerate bullying. Once … Read more
This Too Shall Pass.
The temperature had plummeted to 70 degrees, with a light breeze. Welcome, September. There was almost an hour of daylight left, the clouds were bubbled and layered, and the air was very sweet at my altitude. I’m a horse and a half tall, riding Namaste. He came here 5 months ago from a hard place … Read more
Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea
We live in a land-locked state, and my personal photo challenge requirement is that the photos be taken here on the farm. Sea should be a challenge, but our pond flooded 4 times this month, rising above fences and banks. By prairie standards, doesn’t that make our pond a sea? Doesn’t that make Clara … Read more