The delight of horses

Yesterday as I was riding (we in Massachusetts had Monday off for Patriot’s Day) a dad and his two daughters stopped by the barn.

The older girl was about ten or eleven, and the younger was maybe three. The dad spoke with an accent (maybe Latino?) and said he had taken his daughters out into the country to look at animals. He said it is no good to bring up children inside the house all the time; that they need to get out and have contact with animals and the outdoors.

They patted Champagne, were very interested in everything about him, and had lots of questions: Did I own him? Did I own all the horses in the barn? Who did own all the other horses? Where could someone go to rent horses? What kind of horse is he? On and on. I gave them a carrot chunk to feed him, which was a big hit.

They asked if they could go over to the paddocks to see the other horses, and I said sure. So they wandered down and patted Thor and Neils, who were very glad to get some people time. Thor’s owner Mary came out and gave them a carrot to feed Thor, and they spent maybe half an hour soaking up horseness.

Meanwhile I finished my ride and went on a walk around the property perimeter to cool off. I met up with them as they were leaving. I asked the older girl if she’d like a pony ride. Oh, my, is that even a question? She asked her dad for permission, and he said it was OK since I had offered. So good, patient Champagne walked around the ring a couple of times with the girl on board, and the Dad snapping photos right and left. Then he asked if the little one could ride Champagne, just for a photo. Sure.

By the time they left they were just glowing, and the dad said their mother would be amazed when they told her of the adventure and showed her the photos.

I know what ecstasy such an event would have been for me at that age and I’m pretty sure the girls will remember that outing for a long time. I think sharing Champagne with others is pretty much as much fun as riding myself. If I weren’t so over scheduled, I’d love to volunteer at one of those therapeutic riding places. That really calls to me as a way to give back for my great good fortune in owning and loving Champagne.