She knows my presence before
I see her. Under the tree in the
far corner of the pasture, no real
shade but she stands there, hip
cocked at rest, a prairie breeze
weaving her tail. Approaching her
slowly, regretting what I am but
trying to downplay the plain truth,
walking an arc, pausing. Has her
eye turned dark, has the breath in
her flank gone shallow? Where
is the invisible line where she will
tell me I’ve come too far, too fast.
Pause again, she might take a step
toward me or pull herself deep
inside, play dead to my soft hand,
shut down to my wish, so I shift
back to my heel in a question.
Mother, may I? Waiting for her
permission, starving for the touch
of her dappled coat, warm under
her mane but moments of eternity
pass, holding for her acquiescence,
for this good mare to notice I listen.
…
Anna Blake at Infinity Farm
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Working with riders of any discipline and horses of any breed, Anna believes dressage training principals build a relaxed & forward foundation that crosses over all riding disciplines in the same way that the understanding Calming Signals
Love this!
Thank you, Linda.
Love this, Anna. ❤️
Thank you, Mary. Hope things are good in your barn.
Beautiful, thank YOU!
Thanks, Christine.
Once again, a tear rolled down my cheek as I read your poem. I know this horse…this feeling.
Thanks, Barbara.
LOVE this. Thank You. Her time, not your time.
Always… Thanks Jean
Beautiful. Your way is my way, but your way goes deeper. Thank you.
I dig deep. Thanks, Louise
Yipes. Say he for she and his for her and I’m there.
I started this with that pronoun but then thought of another horse and it went deeper. Thanks Lynell.
Lovely, Anna, as always.
Thank you for making the day special. The equine dentist came this morning. Jack always needs to be sedated, but drools, sweats and leans on me. With his head falling down near the ground, he jerked up suddenly and opened sleepy eyes; “Mum, are you there?” I cooled his head under the halter with a sponge and he closed his eyes, trusting.
What beautiful beings they are, every hour, every day.
Nuala
Thanks, Nuala. Good boy, Jack.