Dolling Up Pony

Most horses love to be groomed. They enjoy being fussed over and fed treats, the company of their people, and eating hay while somebody else takes care of snags and mud. Horsemanship is not just riding or groundwork; the time you spend with your horse, simply enjoying each other’s company, may be one of the most important parts of building a good and trusting relationship.

Horses cannot say thank you, but horse girls quickly learn whether their ponies are happy to be fussed over. Sometimes, the amounts of ribbons, glitter, and hair dye (you make the best easy-to-wash-out dye from crushing kids’ drawing chalks into water) can make the aesthetically sensible adult cringe, but remember: The horse doesn’t care what it looks like, it cares about the attention, the grooming, and the time spent in its people’s company.

Caroline, Lucia, and Sif have dolled up Apple and Cassie just for fun and giggles!

Karoline, Lucia, and Sif have dolled up Apple and Cassie with pink and silver glitter for no reason whatsoever besides having fun!

There are rules about how a horse or pony can be prettified for shows and competitions for obvious reasons: All horses should compete on equal terms and decorations must not be used to hide or obscure flaws in mount or rider. For fun, however, the sky is the limit and your horse will love the attention.toomuchglitter

Stopping to Smell the Ponies

Yesterday was the first proper spring day of the year, the first day where the sun had power enough that you could feel its warmth through your clothing. You could even shed the outer layers of that clothing if you were doing something to keep you warm — such as, say, riding a horse. And that’s what we did.

Pausing to nibble the very first bits of grass of the season.
Pitstop in order to nibble the very first bits of grass of the season.

There is no sensation that compares to sitting on an energetic, happy horse that wants to walk faster, see everything, smell everything, and eat everything. Horses don’t walk on the first spring day — they poing like excited weasels. Even 26-year-old arthritic draft horses like Logan. Poing, poing, poing.

Simple pleasures in life: The clear blue sky overhead, little grey Cassie pawing at the water in excitement, and Logan walking briskly ahead with not the slightest trace of a limp.

Little grey Cassie really likes the water. The water is awesome. Love the water.
Little grey Cassie really likes the water. The water is awesome. Love the water.