Horse-hearted

This week at Hearts and Horses, I mucked more than enough stalls to earn a ride! One ride per 50 stalls/runs cleaned and I usually clean 15 each week. I am not sure how the rides work, but I will find out next week (I didn't ask today because I am still more comfortable with the horses than with the people). I hope I can choose which horse I would like to ride. If so, I think I will have to pick Sole here:

Sole is an eleven-year-old Haflinger. He is very social and very, very mouthy! (That is, he likes to put things into his mouth. He doesn't bite, just lips and licks, whether it's clothes, hands, tools, rails, etc.). He is very cute. Exceedingly stocky, he looks like a miniature Belgian draft, which I love. While cleaning his stall, he mostly stood right in my way or tried to tip over my wheelbarrow. When I went out to clean his run, he followed me in and out as a ferried manure from the run to the stall. The bottom picture is of Sole about to follow me back into his stall for the up-teenth time.

In other news, the weather was beautiful! The horses enjoyed it, too.

  Above: Mista and Tem laying out in their runs. Bottom: Gavin in his run looking at me in the stall.

And because I thought it was entertaining, here is Tem playing with an empty bag that blew into his stall:

That's all for now! I hope those who read my blog can deal with my love of horses!

"She's--what's the K'miri term?--horse-hearted." -Numair Salmalin, Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce.

"'D'you ever want to run with the herd? To just--be a horse? Do what the herd does?' She sweated, waiting for an answer. It had cost a lot to ask.
"''Course I do,' was the mild reply. 'Don't everybody?'" -Daine and Stefan, Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce.

Heart of a Horsewoman

I spend one day every week volunteering out at Hearts and Horses. It's an organization in Loveland that does therapeutic riding. They work a lot with disabled children, but also with veterans, troubled youth, and children who have lost parents. On the side they board some horses and teach regular riding classes. It's a really neat place and I am glad to be a part of it. Right now I just muck stalls and the attached runs. I imagine at some point or another I will be cleaning out paddock areas as well. I have to say, it's hard work! It's been a long time since I have done anything like it. I come home sore, with dirt in my lungs, nose, mouth, eyes, and clothes, I reek of horses and barn dust, but I am SO happy! I love being around the horses. I haven't gotten comfortable with the people yet, but most of them seem nice enough. When I am more comfortable, I suppose I will take some more of their required classes and work with people. Maybe. As it is, I will do just about anything if it means I get to be near horses.

 

This is the sign. They can never have enough volunteers! You are always welcome to come help me muck stalls! No? Alright...

This guy's name is Tem (or Temple) and he is young and still being trained. I took a picture because I think he is the very first Gypsy Vanner I have seen in person. He is very pretty. I love the feathers on his feet. However, I imagined these guys to be bigger...

This is Gavin (silly name, I know), but he was my buddy this week when I was cleaning the stalls and runs. He's sweet :)

 This little guy is Simba. He is some sort of pony and he is adorable! Yes, he is a therapy horse, er, pony. For a pony, he is very mild-mannered, but he seemed to be wary of my manure rake so he didn't want to get too close to me. He has the cutest ears!

Overall, a very satisfying experience! I look forward to being out there more. And to being buff, 'cause mucking stalls and sweeping barns is a great workout!

"You can say anything you want about me. I'm gonna have to ask you not to talk about my horse that way." ~Hidalgo  ;)