Tonight I remarked to a friend in an email message that because my horses are calm, gentle, and non-reactive, I go the extra mile for them. This is because it’s easy. It’s like being around people. We gravitate to those who are easy to get along with and veer away from those who are difficult to get along with.

Today’s a good example on the horse front. I didn’t get home until 4:30 p.m. Pete’s class went late, and so I had to hang out at the Meeting House until he got there. When, finally, I got home, I quickly changed my clothes and boots and headed out in the direction of the horse pen.

The mares and one gelding were happy to see me, only because they rightly knew that I’d dole out the hay. I did not disappoint. I then worked on the agility course, then went over the course myself. I got Hrimmi out first – she did really well. Then I took her for a ride. Right now, she’s my best riding horse. She moves right out and has no problem with traffic. The UPS truck passed, and it was no big deal. We are working on tolting, and she is doing more and more of it.

As with trot – used to be that I had to keep on her to keep her trotting. Now she gets going and then resists when I ask her to slow down. This is a good thing, far better than me having to expend energy in order to keep her on task.

As I was riding Hrimmi, Pete, with rake and shovel, was making trenches in the yard so that the water would flow out into the driveway. He then cleaned the pen. My not having to do this meant that I could spend time brushing Hrimmi.

Tyra was next. I did agility with her. We now have a larger ball, which she can kick through an L shaped ground obstacle. She learns fast – I have to keep the sessions short so that she doesn’t get discouraged.

I got Raudi and Tinni out after a late dinner. I had to dig down deep in order to motivate myself to do this. Post dinner time is when the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in. I did want to kick back and just veg. But no, I brushed Tinni and Raudi, saddled her up, then ponied him around the loop. Then I went for a ride down road with Raudi. She did quite well, felt very solid beneath me. Because it was late, and because I was tired, I got off her about a half-mile from home, and together we walked companionably back to our place. I think she appreciated the gesture.

Lastly, I cleaned Tinni’s pen, picking up the hard pack ice and putting it in the sled for Pete to haul off.

Done, I felt a sense of accomplishment. If I was dealing with brutish horses, I’d find excuses not to interact with them. Quite clearly, this is not the case here.

Next: 112.4/23/21: The Contemplative Life