Both horsewomen would remember
this moment. A blustering wind, not
cold, but bitter. Misty clouds settled
the dust. A gelding stood between
them, aged beyond the math of his
years. Not quite thin but not strong
either. Looming with stilted tension as
if uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothes.
Was it his arthritis? The chronic hoof
problem? Not that he would ever
complain. His sunken eyes watering;
thick eyelids, half-closed. Maybe he was
mentally retreating. Not that he would
ever say no. The gelding stood tall but
the horsewomen knew he wasn’t quite
right. Eyes watering, probably the wind.
…
Anna Blake at Infinity Farm
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Lost my mare last week. I knew a couple days before. She wasn’t quite right and I knew we wouldn’t win. Her last day was her best in a week. I was thankful she had that. I had seen the faraway look in her eyes. She went in her sleep, taking that heartbreaking duty out of my hands. A last gift? Perhaps. If that’s even possible. I just know that she knew and just like in all the years we had been friends, she was right again.
Condolences but also happy you knew her. Precious to be with horses…Thanks for sharing her with us, Sueann
Heartbreaking, Is the picture Spirit?
And at the same time, heart-lifting for the wild luck of knowing horses. This was written for a friend’s Appaloosa, but the photo is Spirit. Thanks, Dianna
Sweet, old guy. Willing to try even though his body doesn’t feel up to the task.
Better than we deserve, thanks, Susan
Paying homage to him, and to all. Thanks, Anna.
That’s just how I feel. Thanks, Lynell
❤️?beautiful animal and words!
Thank you, Margareta
Lovely, especially the line “Looming with stilted tension as
if uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothes.”
Thank you, Chaz.
Those old spotted horses were & are the best – always.
Amen, Maggie.
Must be windy here too…or maybe the sun in my eyes…..
Stunning portrait.
Just smiling in your general direction. Thanks, Annie.
Anna Blake just finding my way around your Barn. Really enjoyed this Poem and the fact that its dated the last of day of our two day clinic with you easily puts me in the picture and is very relatable to what I have just experienced with you and with our training. Our one on one time was so short but amazing so happy to walking around the Barn here. Thank you from myself and my herd. megan 🙂
Thanks, Megan. Yup, I always write, even as a travel. It was for a horse I know here. Glad to have you with us here.
It must be the dust in the air around here making my eyes leaky. Thank you.
I wonder how many of these conversations I’ve had at this point… Thanks, Celeste.